UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________.
Commission File No. 000-51399
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Federally chartered corporation 
 31-6000228
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) 
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
600 Atrium Two, P.O. Box 598,  
Cincinnati, Ohio 
 45201-0598
(Address of principal executive offices) 
 (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(513) 852-7500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class B Stock, par value $100 per share
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes   x No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d).
o Yes   x No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x Yes   o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).        x Yes   o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes   x No
As of February 29, 2016,28, 2018, the registrant had 43,340,50245,215,145 shares of capital stock outstanding, which included stock classified as mandatorily redeemable. The capital stock of the registrant is not listed on any securities exchange or quoted on any automated quotation system, only may be owned by membersMembers and former membersMembers and is transferable only at its par value of $100 per share.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: None

Page 1 of
162164


Table of Contents
 PART I 
   
Item 1.Business
4
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors
17
   
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments
2122
   
Item 2.Properties
2122
   
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
22
   
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
22
   
 PART II 
   
Item 5.Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
23
   
Item 6.Selected Financial Data
24
   
Item 7.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
   
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
7472
   
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
   
 Financial Statements for the Years Ended 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 20132015
7573
   
 Notes to Financial Statements
8281
   
 Supplemental Financial Data
134
   
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
134
   
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures
134
   
Item 9B.Other Information
134
   
 PART III 
   
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
135136
   
Item 11.Executive Compensation
140141
   
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
155157
   
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
156158
   
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
157159
   
 PART IV 
   
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
158160
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary
160
   
Signatures 
159161

2
Table of Contents

PART I

Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information

This document contains forward-looking statements that describe the objectives, expectations, estimates, and assessments of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the FHLB). These statements use words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “may,” and “should.” By their nature, forward-looking statements relate to matters involving risks or uncertainties, some of which we may not be able to know, control, or completely manage. Actual future results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements or could affect the extent to which we are able to realize an objective, expectation, estimate, or assessment. Some of the risks and uncertainties that could affect our forward-looking statements include the following:

▪the effects of economic, financial, credit, market, and memberMember conditions on our financial condition and results of operations, including changes in economic growth, general liquidity conditions, inflation and deflation, interest rates, interest rate spreads, interest rate volatility, mortgage originations, prepayment activity, housing prices, asset delinquencies, and members'Members' mergers and consolidations, deposit flows, liquidity needs, and loan demand;

▪political events, including legislative, regulatory, federal government, judicial or other developments that could affect us, our members,Members, our counterparties, other Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) and other government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), and/or investors in the Federal Home Loan Bank System's (FHLBank System or System) unsecured debt securities, which are called Consolidated Obligations or Obligations;(or Obligations);

▪competitive forces, including those related to other sources of funding available to members,Members, to purchases of mortgage loans, and to our issuance of Consolidated Obligations;

▪the financial results and actions of other FHLBanks that could affect our ability, in relation to the FHLBank System's joint and several liability for Consolidated Obligations, to access the capital markets on favorable terms or preserve our profitability, or could alter the regulations and legislation to which we are subject;

▪changes in investor demand for Consolidated Obligations;

▪the volatility of market prices, interest rates, credit quality, and other indices that could affect the value of investments and collateral we hold as security for memberMember obligations and/or for counterparty obligations;

▪the ability to attract and retain skilled management and other key employees;

▪the ability to develop, secure and support technology and information systems that effectively manage the risks we face;

▪the ability to successfully manage new products and services; and

▪the risk of loss arising from litigation filed against us or one or more other FHLBanks.

We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this document.


3
Table of Contents

Item 1.
Business.


COMPANY INFORMATION

Organizational StructureCompany Background

The FHLB is a regional wholesale bank that providesserves the public interest by providing financial products and services to our members.Members to fulfill a public-policy mission of supporting housing finance and community investment. We are part of the FHLBank System (or System).System. Each FHLBankof the 11 FHLBanks operates as a separate entity with its own stockholders, employees, Board of Directors, and business model. Our region, known as the Fifth District, is comprised of Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

The U.S. Congress chartered the FHLBank System in the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932 (the FHLBank Act) as a GSE to help provide liquidity inand credit to the U.S. housing market. FHLBanks are GSEsmarket and support home ownership. Promoting home ownership is a long-standing central theme of the United States of America. A GSE combines private sector ownership with public sector sponsorship. In additionU.S. government policy. The System has a critical public-policy role as important national liquidity providers to being GSEs, the FHLBanks are cooperative institutions, privately and wholly owned by their members, who purchase capital stock and who are the primary customers.mortgage lenders, particularly during stressful conditions when private-sector liquidity often proves unreliable.

The FHLBanks are not government agencies and the U.S. government does not guarantee, directly or indirectly, the debt securities or other obligations of the FHLBank System. Rather, the FHLBanks are GSEs, which combine private sector ownership with public sector sponsorship. In addition, the FHLBanks are cooperative institutions, privately and wholly owned by stockholders who are also the primary customers.

The FHLBank System also includes the Federal Housing Finance Agency (Finance Agency) and the Office of Finance. The Finance Agency is an independent agency in the executive branch of the U.S. government that regulates the FHLBanks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and the Office of Finance. The Office of Finance is a joint office of the FHLBanks that facilitates the issuance and servicing of the FHLBank System's Consolidated Obligations (or Obligations).Obligations.

All federally insured depository institutions, certain insurance companies, and community development financial institutions chartered in the Fifth District may voluntarily apply for membership in our FHLB. Applicants must satisfy membership requirements in accordance with statutes and Finance Agency regulations. These requirements deal primarily with home financing activities, satisfactory financial condition such that Advances may be made safely, and matters related to the regulatory, supervisory and management oversight of the applicant. By law, an institution is permitted to be a member ofapply for membership in only one FHLBank, although a holding company may have memberships in more than one FHLBank through its subsidiaries.

The combination of public sponsorship and private ownership that drives our business model is reflected in the composition of our 17-member18-Member Board of Directors, all of whom membersMembers elect. Ten directors are officers and/or directors of our memberMember institutions, while the remaining directors are independent directors who represent the public interest.

At December 31, 2015,2017, we had 699 members, 203660 Members, 226 full-time employees, and no part-time employee.employees. Our employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

Mission and Corporate Objectives

The FHLB'sOur mission is to provide Member-stockholders with financial intermediation between theservices and a competitive return on their capital markets and our member stockholders in orderinvestment to help them facilitate and expand the availability of financing for housing finance and community lendinginvestment and investment.achieve their objectives for liquidity and asset liability management.

How We Achieve Ourthe Mission
We achieve our mission through a cooperative business model. We raise private-sector capital from memberMember stockholders and issue low-cost high-quality debt securities in the world-wide capital markets (alongjointly with other FHLBanks) in orderFHLBanks. The capital and proceeds from debt issuance enable us to provide productsMembers services—primarily, access to liquidity via reliable, readily available, economical, and services (called Mission Asset Activity)low-cost sources of funding to memberssupport their business activities including affordable housing and generatecommunity investment. Another important Member service is that we offer a program to purchase certain mortgage loans, which provides Members liquidity and helps them reduce market risk. Additionally, we provide a competitive return on theirMembers' capital investment in our company.

Our ability to maximize the mission depends on having a membership base that is an essential component of the nation’s housing and mortgage finance systems. We focus closely on fulfilling our mission relative to Members who are community financial institutions, who we believe typically rely more on us for access to liquidity and mortgage markets compared with larger Members. At the same time, we value having large Members who are active borrowers because they provide the System the ability to consistently issue large amounts of debt, which helps ensure the debt has a relatively low cost, benefiting all Members.

The primary products we offer, or Mission Assets, are readily available low-cost loans called Advances, purchases of certain whole mortgage loans sold by qualifying membersMembers through the Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP), and Letters of Credit. We also offer affordable housing programs and related activities to support membersMembers in their efforts to assist very low-, low- and moderate-income households and their local communities. To a more limited extent, we also have several correspondent services that assist membersMembers in operational administration.

The primary way we obtain funding is through participation in the issuance of the FHLBank System's unsecured debt securities, called Consolidated Obligations in the global capital markets. Secondary sources of funding are capital and deposits we accept from our members.Members. A critical component of the success of the FHLBank System is its ability to maintain a comparative

4
Table of Contents

advantage in funding, which is due largely to its GSE status, andconfers an implied guarantee from the U.S. federal government, low risk operations.operations, and joint and several liability across the 11 FHLBanks. We regularly issue Obligations under a wide range of maturities, structures, and amounts, and at relatively favorable spreads to benchmark market interest rates (represented by U.S. Treasury securities and the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) compared with many other financial institutions.

Because we are a cooperative organization with some membersMembers using our products more heavily than others and membersMembers having different percentages of capital stock, we must achieve a balance in generating membership value from product prices and characteristics and paying a competitive dividend rate. We attempt to achieve this balance by pricing Mission Asset Activity at relatively narrow spreads over funding costs, compared with other financial institutions, while still achieving acceptable profitability. Our cooperative ownership structure and deep access to debt markets allow our business to be scalable and self-capitalizing without jeopardizing profitability, taking undue risks, or diminishing capital adequacy.

Our franchise value is derived from the synergies brought by the various components of our business model, including the public-policy mandate, GSE status, cooperative ownership structure, consistent ability to issue large amounts of debt in the world-wide capital markets at favorable funding costs, and mechanisms of providing housing finance liquidity through products and services to financial institutions rather than directly to homeowners.

Corporate Objectives
Our corporate objectives, listed below, are to promote housing finance among membersMembers and ensure our operations and governance are effective and efficient. The first three objectives drive how members derive value from being in the cooperative.

▪
Mission Asset Activity:Activity: Implement strategies and tactics toand effectively manage ongoing operations andto promote members’Members’ usage of our productsMission Asset Activity and services.stand ready at all times to provide liquidity to Members.

▪
Stock ReturnReturn:: Earn adequate profitability so that membersMembers receive a competitive long-term dividend rate on their capital stock investment.

▪
Housing and Community Investment ProgramsPrograms:: Maintain effective housing and community investment programs that maximize mandatory programs and offer additionaltargeted voluntary contributions.assistance programs.

▪
Safe and Sound Operations:Operations: Optimize the FHLB’sour counterparty and deposit ratings, achieve an acceptable rating on annual regulatory examinations, and maintainhave an adequate amount and composition of capital.

▪
Risk ManagementManagement:: Employ effective risk optimization management practices and maintain risk exposures at low to moderate levels.

▪
GovernanceGovernance:: Operate in accordance with effective corporate governance processes.processes that emphasize compliance and consider the interest of all stakeholders (Members, stockholders, employees, creditors, housing partners, and regulators).


Business Activities

Mission Asset Activity
The following are our principal business activities with members:Members:

▪We lend readily-available, competitively-priced, and fully-collateralized Advances.

▪We issue collateralized Letters of Credit.

▪We purchase qualifying residential mortgage loans through the MPP and hold them on our balance sheet.

Together, these product offerings constitute “Mission Asset Activity.” We refer to Advances and Letters of Credit as Credit Services.

Affordable Housing and Community Investment
In addition, through various Housing and Community Investment programs, we assist membersMembers in serving very low-, low-, and moderate-income households and community economic development. These programs provide Advances at below-market rates of interest, as well as direct grants.

Investments
To help us achieve our mission and corporate objectives, we invest in highly-rated debt instruments of financial institutions and the U.S. government and in mortgage-related securities. In practice, these investments normally include shorter-term liquidity instruments and longer-term mortgage-backed securities, as permitted by Finance Agency regulation. Investments provide liquidity, help us manage market risk exposure, enhance earnings, and through the purchase of mortgage-related securities, support the housing market.


5
Table of Contents

Sources of Earnings

Our major source of revenue is interest income earned on Advances, MPP loans, and investments.

Major items of expense are:

▪interest paid on Consolidated Obligations and deposits to fund assets;

▪costs of providing below-market-cost Advances and direct grants and subsidies under the Affordable Housing Program; and

▪non-interest expenses.

The largest component of earnings is net interest income, which equals interest income minus interest expense. We derive net interest income from the interest rate spread earned on assets versus funding costs and the use of financial leverage. Each of these can vary over time with changes in market conditions, including most importantly interest rates, business conditions and our risk management activities.

We believe members'Members' capital investment is comparable to investing in adjustable-rate preferred equity instruments. Therefore, we structure our balance sheet risk exposures so that earnings tend to move in the same direction as changes in short-term market rates, which can help provide a degree of predictability for dividend returns.

Capital

Due to our cooperative structure, we obtain capital from members.Members. Each memberMember must own capital stock as a condition of membership and normally must hold additional stock above the membership stock amount in order to gain access to Advances and possibly to sell us MPP loans. We issue, redeem, and repurchase capital stock only at its stated par value of $100 per share. By law, our stock is not publicly traded.

We strive to ensure that assets are self-capitalizing, meaning that we acquire capital primarily in connection with growth in Mission Asset Activity. We also maintain an amount of capital to ensure we meet all of our regulatory and business

requirements relating to capital adequacy and protection of creditors against losses. We hold retained earnings to protect members'Members' stock investment against impairment risk.risk and to help stabilize dividend payments when earnings may be volatile.

Tax Status

We are exempt from all federal, state, and local taxation other than real property taxes. Any cash dividends we issue are taxable to membersMembers and do not benefit from the corporate dividends received exclusion. Notes 1 and 14 of the Notes to Financial Statements provide additional details regarding the assessment for the Affordable Housing Program.

Ratings of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations

The FHLBank System's comparative advantage in funding is acknowledged in its excellent credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) currently assigns, and historically has assigned, the System's Consolidated Obligations the highest ratings available: long-term debt is rated Aaa and short-term debt is rated P-1. It also assigns a Prime-1 short-term bond rating on each FHLBank. It affirmed these ratings in 20152017 and maintained a stable outlook. In 2015,2017, Standard & Poor's affirmed its issuer credit ratings on each FHLBank and its AA+ ratings on the System's senior debt and also maintained a stable outlook.

The ratings closely follow the U.S. sovereign ratings from both agencies. The lower-than AAA debt ratings from Standard & Poor's has had no discernible impact on the System's debt issuance capabilities since the rating change occurred in 2011.

The agencies' rationales for their ratings of the System and our FHLB include the System's status as a GSE; the joint and several liability for Obligations; excellent overall asset quality; extremely strong capacity to meet commitments to pay timely principal and interest on debt; strong liquidity; conservative use of derivatives; adequate capitalization relative to our risk profile; a stable capital structure; and the fact that no FHLBank has ever defaulted on repayment of, or delayed return of principal or interest on, any Obligation.

6
Table of Contents


A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. A rating organization may revise or withdraw its ratings at any time, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. We cannot predict what future actions, if any, a rating organization may take regarding the System's or our ratings.

Regulatory Oversight

The Finance Agency is headed by a Director who has authority to promulgate regulations and to make other decisions. The Finance Agency is charged with ensuring that each FHLBank carries out its housing and community development finance mission, remains adequately capitalized, operates in a safe and sound manner, and complies with Finance Agency regulations.

To carry out these responsibilities, the Finance Agency conducts on-site examinations at least annually of each FHLBank, as well as periodic on- and off-site reviews, and receives monthly information on each FHLBank's financial condition and operating results. While an individual FHLBank has substantial discretion in governance and operational structure, the Finance Agency maintains broad supervisory and regulatory authority. In addition, the Comptroller General has authority to audit or examine the Finance Agency and the FHLBanks, to decide the extent to which the FHLBanks fairly and effectively fulfill the purposes of the FHLBank Act, and to review any audit, or conduct its own audit, of the financial statements of an FHLBank.


BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We manage the development, resource allocation, product delivery, pricing, credit risk management, and operational administration of our Mission Asset Activity in two business segments: Traditional Member Finance and the MPP. Traditional Member Finance includes Credit Services, Housing and Community Investment, Investments, some correspondent and deposit services, and other financial products of the FHLB. See the “Segment Information” section of “Results of Operations” in Item 7 and Note 18 of the Notes to Financial Statements for more information on our business segments, including their results of operations.

Traditional Member Finance

Credit Services
Advances. Advances are competitively priced sources of funds available for membersMembers to help manage their asset/liability and liquidity needs. Advances can both complement and be alternatives to retail deposits, other wholesale funding sources, and

corporate debt issuance. We strive to facilitate efficient, fast, and continual memberMember access to funds. In most cases membersMembers can access funds on a same-day basis.

We price a variety of standard Advance programs every business day and several other standard programs on demand. We also offer customized, non-standard Advances. Having diverse programs gives membersMembers the flexibility to choose and customize their borrowings according to size, maturity, interest rate, interest rate index (for adjustable-rate coupons), interest rate options, and other features.

Repurchase based (REPO) Advances are short-term, fixed-rate instruments structured similarly to repurchase agreements from investment banks, with one principal difference. Members collateralize their REPO Advances through our normal collateralization process, instead of being required to pledge specific securities as would be required in a repurchase agreement. A majority of REPO Advances outstanding have overnight maturities.

LIBOR Advances have adjustable interest rates typically priced off 1- or 3-month LIBOR indices. LIBOR Advances may be structured at the member'sMember's option as either prepayable with a fee or prepayable without a fee if the prepayment is made on a repricing date.

Regular Fixed-Rate Advances have terms of 3 months to 30 years, with interest normally paid monthly and principal repayment normally at maturity. Members may choose to purchase call options on these Advances, although in the last fiveseveral years, balances with call options have been at or close to zero.

Putable Advances are fixed-rate Advances that provide us an option to terminate the Advance, usually after an initial “lockout” period. Most have long-term original maturities. Selling us these options enables membersMembers to secure lower rates on Putable Advances compared to Regular Fixed-Rate Advances with the same final maturity.


7
Table of Contents

Mortgage-Related Advances are fixed-rate, amortizing Advances with final maturities of 5 to 30 years. Some of these Advances, at the choice of the member,Member, provide membersMembers with prepayment options without fees.

We also offer various other Advance programs that have smaller outstanding balances.

Letters of Credit. Letters of Credit are collateralized contractual commitments we issue on a member'sMember's behalf to guarantee its performance to third parties. A Letter of Credit may obligate us to make direct payments to a third party, in which case it is treated as an Advance to the member.Member. The most popular use of Letters of Credit is as collateral supporting public unit deposits, which are deposits held by governmental units at financial institutions. We earn fees on Letters of Credit based on the actual notional amount of the Letters utilized.

How We Manage Risks of Credit Services. We manage market risk from Advances by funding them with Consolidated Obligations and interest rate swaps that have similar interest rate risk characteristics as the Advances. The net effect is that in practice we mitigate nearly all of Advances'the market risk exposures.exposure associated with Advances.

In addition, for many, but not all, Advance programs, Finance Agency regulations require us to charge membersMembers prepayment fees for early termination of principal when the early termination results in an economic loss to us. We determine prepayment fees using standard present-value calculations that make us economically indifferent to the prepayment. The prepayment fee equals the present value of the estimated profit that we would have earned over the remaining life of the prepaid Advance. If a memberMember prepays principal on an Advance that we have hedged with an interest rate swap, we may also assess the memberMember a fee to compensate us for the cost we incur in terminating the swap before its stated final maturity. Some Advance programs are structured as non-prepayable and may have additional restrictions in order to terminate.

We manage credit risk on Advances by requiring each memberMember to supply us with a security interest in eligible collateral that in the aggregate has estimated value in excess of the total Advances and Letters of Credit. Collateral is comprised mostly of single-family loans, home equity lines, multi-family loans and bond securities. The combination of conservative collateral policies and risk-based credit underwriting activities mitigates virtually all potential credit risk associated with Advances and Letters of Credit. We have never experienced a credit loss on Advances, nor have we ever determined it necessary to establish a loan loss reserve for Advances. Item 7's “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management” and Notes 8 and 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements have more detail on our credit risk management of memberMember borrowings.


Housing and Community Investment
Our Housing and Community Investment Programs include the Affordable Housing Program and various housing and community economic development-related Advance and grant programs. We fund the Affordable Housing Program with an accrual equal to 10 percent of our previous year's net earnings, mandated by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989. See Note 14 of the Notes to Financial Statements for a complete description of the Affordable Housing Program calculation.

The Affordable Housing Program provides funding for the development of affordable housing. The Program consists of a Competitive Program and a homeownership program called Welcome Home, which assists homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. Under the Competitive Program, we currently distribute funds in the form of grants to membersMembers that apply and successfully compete in an annual offering. Under Welcome Home, we make funds available beginning in March until they have been fully committed. For both programs, the income of qualifying individuals or households must be 80 percent or less of the area median income. We set aside up to 35 percent of the Affordable Housing Program accrual for Welcome Home and allocate the remainder to the Competitive Program.

Our Board of Directors also may allocate funds to voluntary housing programs. In 2015,2017, the Board re-authorized an additional $1$1.5 million to the Carol M. Peterson Housing Fund for use during the year. These funds are primarily used as grants to pay for accessibility rehabilitation and emergency repairs for special needs and elderly homeowners. In March 2016,2018, the Board re-authorized this fund in the same amount of $1.5 million for use in 2016.2018. In 2012, the Board of Directors also established the Disaster Reconstruction Program, a $5 million voluntary housing program that provides grants for purchase or rehabilitation of a home towithin the Fifth District for residents that have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence as a result of a state or federally declared disaster. Since the program's inception, we have disbursed nearlyover $3 million to assist 177207 households.

Two other housing programs that fall outside the auspices of the Affordable Housing Program are the Community Investment Program and the Economic Development Program. Advances under the former program have rates equal to our cost of funds, while Advances under the latter program have rates equal to our cost of funds plus three basis points. Members use the Community Investment Program to serve housing needs of low- and moderate-income households and, under certain

8
Table of Contents

conditions, community economic development projects. The Economic Development Program is a discounted Advance program used to promote economic development and job creation and retention.

Investments
Types of Investments. OneA primary reason we hold investments is to carry sufficient asset liquidity. Permissible liquidity investments include Federal funds, certificates of deposit, bank notes, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and debt securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. The first five categories represent unsecured lending to private counterparties. We also may place deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank. We are prohibited by Finance Agency regulations from investing (secured or unsecured) in financial investments issued by non-U.S. entities other than those issued by U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks. Most liquidity investments have short-term maturities.

We are also permitted by regulation to purchase the following other investments, which have longer original maturities than liquidity investments:

▪mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations supported by mortgage securities (together, referred to as mortgage-backed securities) and issued by GSEs or private issuers;

▪asset-backed securities collateralized by manufactured housing loans or home equity loans and issued by GSEs or private issuers; and

▪marketable direct obligations of certain government units orand agencies (such as state housing finance agencies) that supply needed funding for housing or community lending and that do not exceed 20 percent of our regulatory capital.

We have never purchased asset-backed securities and do not own any privately-issued mortgage-backed securities. We have historically held small amounts of obligations of government units and agencies.

Per Finance Agency regulations, the total investment in mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities may not exceed, on a book value basis, 300 percent of previous month-end regulatory capital on the day we purchase the securities. See the “Capital Resources” section below for the definition of regulatory capital.


Purposes of Having Investments. The investments portfolio helps us achieve corporate objectives in the following ways:

▪
Liquidity management. Liquidity investments help support the ability to fund assets on a timely basis, especially Advances.Advances, and when it may be more difficult to issue new debt. These investments supply a source of liquidity because we normally ensure they have shorter maturitiesfund them with longer-term debt than the debt we issue to fund them.asset maturities. We also may be able to obtain liquidity by selling certain investments for cash without a significant loss of value.

▪
Earnings enhancement. The investments portfolio, especially mortgage-backed securities, assists with earning a competitive return on capital, which also increasesand increasing funding for Housing and Community Investment programs.

▪
Market risk management. Liquidity In addition, liquidity investments help stabilize earnings because they typically earn a relatively stable spread to the cost of debt issued to fund them, with less market risk than mortgage assets.them.

▪
DebtManagement of debt issuance management. Maintaining a short-term liquidity investment portfolio can help us participate in attractively priced debt issuances, on an opportunistic basis. We can temporarily invest proceeds from debt issuances in short-term liquid assets and quickly access them to fund demand for Mission Asset Activity, rather than having debt issuances dictated solely by the timing of memberMember demand.

▪
Support of housing market. Investment in mortgage-backed securities and state housing finance agency bonds directly supports the residential mortgage market by providing capital and financing for mortgages.

How We Manage Risks of Investments. We strive to ensure our investment holdings have a moderate degree of market risk and limited credit risk, which tends to lower the returns we can expect to earn on these securities. We believe that a philosophy of purchasing investments with a high amount of market or credit risk would be inconsistent with our GSE status and corporate objectives.

Market risk associated with short-term investments tends to be minimal because of their short maturities and because we typically fund them with similar duration short-term Consolidated Obligations.Obligations having similar maturities. We mitigate much of the market risk of mortgage-backed securities, which exists primarily from changes in mortgage prepayment speeds, by limiting their balances to

9
Table of Contents

300 percent of regulatory capital, by funding them with a portfolio of long-term fixed-rate callable and noncallable Obligations, and by managing the market risk exposure of the entire balance sheet within prudent policy limits.

Finance Agency regulations and internal policies also provide controls on market risk exposure by restricting the types of mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and other investments we can hold. These restrictions prohibit, among others, the purchase of interest only or principal only stripped mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities whose average life varies more than six years under a 300 basis points interest rate shock.

Our internal policies specify guidelines for, and relatively tight constraints on, the types and amounts of short-term investments we are permitted to hold and the maximum amount of credit risk exposure we are permitted to have with eligible counterparties. We are permitted to invest only in the instruments of counterparties with high credit ratings, and because of our conservative investment policies and practices, we believe all of our investments have high credit quality. We have never had a credit loss or credit-related write down of any investment security.
 
Deposits
We provide a variety of deposit programs, including demand, overnight, term and Federal funds, which enable depositors to invest funds in short-term liquid assets. We accept deposits from members,Members, other FHLBanks, any institution to which we offer correspondent services, and other government instrumentalities. The rates of interest we pay on deposits are subject to change daily based on comparable money market interest rates. The balances in deposit programs tend to vary positively with the amount of idle funds membersMembers have available to invest, as well as, the level of short-term interest rates. Deposits have represented a small component of our funding in recent years, typically less than one percent of our funding sources.

Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP or Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio)

Description of the MPP
Types of Loans and Benefits. Finance Agency regulations permit FHLBanks to purchase and hold specified whole mortgage loans from their members,Members, which offers membersMembers a competitive alternative to the traditional secondary mortgage market and directly supports housing finance. We account for MPP loans as mortgage loans held for portfolio. By selling mortgage loans to us, membersMembers can increase their balance sheet liquidity and lower interest rate and mortgage prepayment risks. The MPP

particularly enables small- and medium-sized community-based financial institutions to use their existing relationship with us to participate more effectively in the secondary mortgage market.

Under the MPP, weWe purchase two types of mortgage loans: qualifying conforming fixed-rate conventional 1-4 family residential mortgages and residential mortgages fully insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Members approved to sell us these loans are referred to as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). Although regulations permit us to purchase qualifying mortgage loans originated within any state or territory of the United States, beginning several years ago we no longer purchase loans originated in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island or New Jersey due to features of those states' Anti-Predatory Lending laws that are less restrictive than we prefer.

A “conventional” mortgage refers to a non-government-guaranteed mortgage. A “conforming” mortgage refers to the maximum amount permissible to be lent as a regular prime (i.e., non-jumbo, non-subprime) mortgage. For 2016,2018, the Finance Agency re-establishedestablished the conforming limit at $417,000$453,100 with loans originated in a limited number of high-cost cities and counties receiving higher conforming limits. We do not purchase mortgages subject to these higher amounts.

Loan Purchase Process. A Master Commitment Contract is negotiated with each PFI, in which the PFI agrees to make a best efforts attempt to sell us a specific dollar amount of mortgage loans generally over a period of up to 12 months. We purchase loans pursuant to a Mandatory Delivery Contract, which is a legal commitment we make to purchase, and a PFI makes to deliver, a specified dollar amount of mortgage loans, with a forward settlement date, at a specified range of note rates and prices.

Shortly before delivering the loans that will fill the Mandatory Delivery Contract, the PFI must submit loan level detail including underwriting information. We apply procedures through the automated Loan Acquisition System designed to screen loans that do not comply with our policies. Our underwriting guidelines generally mirror those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for conforming conventional loans, although our guidelines and pool composition requirements are more conservative in a number of ways in order to further limit credit risk exposure. PFIs are required to make certain representations and warranties against our underwriting guidelines on the loans they sell to us. If a PFI sells us a loan in breach of those representations and warranties, we have the contractual right to require the PFI to repurchase the loan.


10
Table of Contents

How We Manage Risks of the MPP
Market Risk. We mitigate the MPP's market risk similarly to how we mitigate market risk from mortgage-backed securities.

Credit Risk - Conventional Mortgage Loans. A unique feature of the MPP is that it separates the various activities and risks associated with residential mortgage lending for conventional loans and allows these risks and activities to be taken on by different entities. We manage the funding of the loans, market risk (including interest rate risk and prepayment risk), and liquidity risk. PFIs manage marketing, originating and, in most cases, servicing the loans. PFIs may either retain servicing or sell it to a qualified and approved third-party servicer (also referred to as a PFI). Because PFIs manage and bear most of the credit risk, they do not pay us a guarantee fee to transfer credit risk.

We manage credit risk exposure for conventional loans primarily through underwriting and pool composition requirements and by applying layered credit enhancements. These enhancements, which apply after a homeowner's equity is exhausted, include (in order of priority)available primary mortgage insurance, (when applicable), the Lender Risk Account (discussed below), and for loans acquired before February 2011, Supplemental Mortgage Insurance that the PFI purchased from one of our approved third-party providers naming us as the beneficiary.

Beginning in February 2011, we discontinued use of Supplemental Mortgage Insurance for new loan purchases and replaced it with expanded use of the Lender Risk Account and aggregation of loan purchases into larger pools to provide diversification in credit risk exposure. These credit enhancements are designed to adequately protect us against credit losses in scenarios of severe downward movements in housing prices and unfavorable changes in other factors that can affect loan delinquencies and defaults.

The Lender Risk Account is a key component of how we manage residual credit risk. It is a holdback of a portion of the initial purchase price. Starting after five years from the loan purchase date, we may return the holdback to PFIs if they manage credit risk to pre-defined acceptable levels of exposure on the loan pools they sell to us. Actual loan losses are deducted from the amount of the purchase-price holdback we return to the PFI. The Lender Risk Account provides PFIs with a strong incentive to sell us high quality performing mortgage loans.

Credit Risk - FHA Mortgage Loans. Because the FHA makes an explicit guarantee on FHA loans, we do not require any credit enhancements on these loans beyond underwriting, homeowner's equity, and primary mortgage insurance.

Item 7's “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management” provides more detail on how we manage market and credit risks for the MPP.


Earnings from the MPP
The MPP enhances long-term profitability on a risk-adjusted basis and augments the return on memberMember stockholders' capital investment. We generate earnings in the MPP from monthly interest payments minus the cost of funding and the cost of hedging the MPP's interest rate risk. Interest income on each loan is computed as the mortgage note rate multiplied by the loan's principal balance:

▪minus servicing costs (0.25 percent for conventional loans and 0.44 percent for FHA loans);
▪minus the cost of Supplemental Mortgage Insurance (for applicable loans); and
▪adjusted for the amortization of purchase premiums or the accretion of purchase discounts and for the amortization or accretion of fair value adjustments on loans initially classified as mortgage loan commitments.

For new loan purchases, we consider the cost of the Lender Risk Account when we set conventional loan prices and evaluate the MPP's expected return.potential return on investment. The pricing of each structure depends on a number of factors and is specific to the PFI and to the loan pool. We do not receive fees or income for retaining the risk of losses in excess of any credit enhancements.



11
Table of Contents

FUNDING - CONSOLIDATED OBLIGATIONS

Our primary source of funding and hedging market risk exposure is through participation in the sale of Consolidated Obligation debt securities (Consolidated Obligations) to global investors. Obligations are the joint and several obligations of all the FHLBanks, backed only by the financial resources of these institutions.

There are two types of Consolidated Obligations: Consolidated Bonds (Bonds) and Consolidated Discount Notes (Discount Notes). We participate in the issuance of Bonds for three purposes:

▪to finance and hedge intermediate- and long-term fixed-rate Advances and mortgage assets;
▪to finance and hedge short-term, LIBOR-indexed adjustable-rate Advances, and swapped Advances, typically by synthetically transforming fixed-rate Bonds to adjustable-rate LIBOR funding through the execution of interest rate swaps; and
▪to acquire liquidity.liquidity investments.

Bonds may have fixed or adjustable rates of interest. Fixed-rate Bonds are either noncallable or callable. A callable Bond is one that we are able to redeem in whole or in part at our discretion on one or more predetermined call dates according to the Bond's offering notice. The maturity of Bonds typically ranges from one year to 20 years. Our adjustable-rateAdjustable-rate Bonds use LIBOR for interest rate resets. In the last five years, we haveWe do not participatedparticipate in the issuance of range Bonds, zero coupon Bonds, or indexed principal redemption Bonds.

We use fixed-rate Bonds to fund longer-term fixed-rate Advances and longer-term fixed-rate mortgage assets, and use adjustable-rate Bonds to fund adjustable-rate LIBOR Advances.

We transact in interest rate swaps to synthetically convert some fixed-rate Bonds to adjustable-rate terms indexed to LIBOR. These are used to hedge adjustable-rate LIBOR Advances.

We participate in the issuance of Discount Notes to fund short-term Advances, adjustable-rate LIBOR Advances, putable Advances (which we normally swap to LIBOR), liquidity investments, and a portion of longer-term fixed-rate assets. Discount Notes have maturities from one day to one year, with most of ours normally maturing within three months.

The mix of Obligations fluctuates in response to relative changes in short-term versus long-term assets, relative changes in fixed-rate versus adjustable-rate assets, decisions on market risk management (particularly the amount of funding of longer-term assets with short-term Obligations), and differences in relative costs of various Obligations.
 
Interest rates on Obligations, including their relationship to other products such as U.S. Treasury securities and LIBOR, are affected by a multitude of factors such as: overall economic and credit conditions; credit ratings of the FHLBank System; investor demand and preferences for our debt securities; the level of interest rates and the shape of the U.S. Treasury curve and the LIBOR swap curve; and the supply, volume, timing, and characteristics of debt issuances by the FHLBanks, other GSEs, and other highly rated issuers.

Finance Agency regulations govern the issuance of Obligations. An FHLBank may not issue individual debt securities without Finance Agency approval, and we have never done so. The Office of Finance services Obligations, prepares the FHLBank System's quarterly and annual combined financial statements, and serves as a source of information for the FHLBanks on capital market developments.

We have the primary liability for our portion of Obligations, i.e., those issued on our behalf for which we received the proceeds. However, we also are jointly and severally liable with the other FHLBanks for the payment of principal and interest on all Obligations. If we do not pay the principal or interest in full when due on any Obligation issued on our FHLB's behalf, we are prohibited from paying dividends or redeeming or repurchasing shares of capital stock. If another FHLBank were unable to repay its participation in an Obligation for which it is the primary obligor, the Finance Agency could call on each of the other FHLBanks to repay all or part of the Obligation. The Finance Agency has never invoked this authority.



12
Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY

Our business requires a continualsubstantial and substantialcontinual amount of liquidity to meetsatisfy financial obligations (primarily maturing Consolidated Obligations) in a timely and cost-efficient manner and to provide membersMembers access to timely Advance funding and mortgage loan sales in all financial environments. We obtain liquidity by issuing debt, holding short-term assets that mature before their associated funding, and having the ability to sell certain investments without significant accounting or economic consequences. Sources of asset liquidity include cash, maturing Advances, maturing investments, principal paydowns of mortgage assets, the ability to sell certain investments, and interest payments received. Uses of liquidity include repayments of Obligations, issuances of new Advances, purchases of loans under the MPP, purchases of investments, and payments of interest.

Liquidity requirements are significant because Advance balances can be volatile, many have short-term maturities, and we strive to allow membersMembers to borrow Advances on the same day they request them. We regularly monitor liquidity risks and the investment and cash resources available to meet liquidity needs, as well as statutory and regulatory liquidity requirements.

Because Obligations have favorable credit ratings and because the FHLBank System is one of the largest sellers of debt in the worldwide capital markets, the System historically has been able to satisfy its liquidity needs through debt issuance across a wide range of structures at relatively favorable spreads to benchmark market interest rates.rates, such as U.S. Treasury securities.
 


CAPITAL RESOURCES

Capital Plan

Basic Characteristics
Under Finance Agency regulations, regulatory capital is composed of all capital stock (including stock classified as mandatorily redeemable), retained earnings, general loss allowances, and other amounts from sources the Finance Agency determines are available to absorb losses. Currently, our regulatory capital consists of capital stock and retained earnings. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLB Act), permanent capital equals Class B stock plus retained earnings and is available to absorb financial losses.

Our Capital Plan has the following basic characteristics:

▪We offer only one class of capital stock, Class B, which is generally redeemable upon a member'sMember's five-year advance written notice, with certain conditions described below.notice. We may elect, at our discretion,strive to manage capital risks to be able to safely and soundly repurchase stock redemption requests sooner than five years.years, although we may elect to wait up to five years (or longer under certain conditions).

▪We issue shares of capital stock as required for an institution to become a memberMember or maintain membership, as required for membersMembers to capitalize Mission Asset Activity, and whenif we may pay dividends in the form of additional shares of stock.

▪The Capital Plan enables us to efficiently expandincrease and contractdecrease capital stock needed to capitalize assets in response to changes in ourthe membership base and demand for Mission Asset Activity. This enables us to maintain a prudent amount of financial leverage and also consistently generate a competitive dividend return.

▪We may, subject to the restrictions described below, repurchase certain capital stock (i.e., "excess" capital stock).

▪The concept of “cooperative capital,” explained below, better aligns the interests of heavy users of our products with light users by enhancing the dividend return.

Prudent risk management requires usUnder Finance Agency regulations, regulatory capital is composed of all capital stock (including stock classified as mandatorily redeemable), retained earnings, general loss allowances, and other amounts from sources the Finance Agency determines are available to maintain effectiveabsorb losses. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLB Act), permanent capital equals Class B stock plus retained earnings and is available to absorb financial leverage to minimize risk tolosses.

GAAP capital excludes mandatorily redeemable capital stock, while preserving profitabilityregulatory capital includes it. Mandatorily redeemable capital stock, which is stock subject to pending redemption, is accounted for as a liability on our Statements of Condition and related dividend payments are accounted for as interest expense. The classification of some capital stock as a liability has no effect on our safety and soundness, liquidity position, market risk exposure, or ability to hold an adequate amountmeet interest payments on our participation in Obligations. Mandatorily redeemable capital stock is fully available to absorb losses until the stock is redeemed or repurchased. See Note 15 of retained earnings. Pursuantthe Notes to these objectives, Financial Statements for more information about our mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

Finance Agency regulations stipulate that we must comply with three limits on capital leverage and risk-based capital. These ensure a low amount of capital risk while providing for competitive profitability. We have always complied with thethese regulatory capital requirements.

▪We must maintain at least a four percent minimum regulatory capital-to-assets ratio. This has historically been the regulatory capital requirement that has been closest to affecting our operations.

13
Table of Contents

▪We must maintain at least a five percent minimum leverage ratio of capital divided by total assets, which includes a 1.5 weighting factor applicable to permanent capital. Because all of our Class B stock is permanent capital, this requirement is met automatically if we satisfy the four percent unweighted capital requirement.
▪We are subject to a risk-based capital rule in which we must hold an amount of "permanent" capital that exceeds the amount of exposure to market risk, credit risk, and operational risk. How we determine the amount of these risk exposures is stipulated by Finance Agency regulation. Permanent capital includes retained earnings and the regulatory amount of Class B capital stock.

In addition to the minimum capital requirements, the GLB Act and our Capital Plan promote the adequacy of our capital to absorb financial losses in three ways, whichways. These combine to give memberMember stockholders a clear incentive to require us to minimize our risk profile:

▪the five-year redemption period for Class B stock;
▪the option we have to call on membersMembers to purchase additional capital if required to preserve safety and soundness; and

▪the limitations, described below, on our ability to honor requested redemptions of capital if we are at risk of not maintaining safe and sound operations.

GAAP capital excludes mandatorily redeemable capital stock, while regulatory capital includes it. Mandatorily redeemable capital stock, which is stock subject to pending redemption, is accounted for as a liability on our Statements of Condition and related dividend payments are accounted for as interest expense. The classification of some capital stock as a liability has no effect on our safety and soundness, liquidity position, market risk exposure, or ability to meet interest payments on our participation in Obligations. Mandatorily redeemable capital stock is fully available to absorb losses until the stock is redeemed or repurchased. See Note 15 of the Notes to Financial Statements for more discussion of mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

Components of Capital Stock Purchases and Operations of the Capital Plan
OurThe Capital Plan ties the amount of each member'sMember's required capital stock to both the amount of the member'sMember's assets (membership stock) and the amount and type of its Mission Asset Activity with us (activity stock).us. The former stock is called membership stock; the latter is called activity stock. Membership stock is required to become a memberMember and maintain membership. The amount required for each memberMember currently ranges from a minimum of $1 thousand to a maximum of $25 million, for each member, with the amount within that range determined as a percentage of memberMember assets.

In addition to its membership stock, a member may beMember is required to purchase and hold activity stock to capitalize its Mission Asset Activity. For purposes of the Capital Plan, Mission Asset Activity includes the principal balance of Advances, guaranteed funds and rate Advance commitments, and the principal balance of loans and commitments in the MPP that occurred after implementation of the Capital Plan.MPP.

The FHLB must capitalize all Mission Asset Activity with capital stock at a rate of at least four percent. However, each memberMember is permitted to maintain an amount of activity stock within the range of minimum and maximum percentages for each type of Mission Asset Activity. The current percentages are as follows:
    
Mission Asset Activity Minimum Activity Percentage Maximum Activity Percentage
Advances    2%    4%
Advance Commitments 2 4
MPP 0 4
 
If a memberMember owns more stock than is needed to satisfy both its membership stock requirement and the maximum activity stock percentages for its Mission Asset Activity, we designate the remaining stock as the member'sMember's excess capital stock. The memberMember may utilize its excess stock to capitalize additional Mission Asset Activity.

If an individual member'sMember's excess stock reaches zero, the Capital Plan normally permits us, withinwith certain limits, to capitalize additional Mission Asset Activity of that memberMember with excess stock owned by other membersMembers at the maximum percentage rate. This feature, called “cooperative capital,” enables us to more effectively utilize our capital stock. A member'sMember's use of cooperative capital reduces the ratio of its activity stock to its Mission Asset Activity for each type of Mission Asset Activity. There is a limit to how much cooperative capital a memberMember may use, which we currently set at $200$100 million.


14
Table of Contents

When a member'sMember's ratio of activity stock to its Mission Asset Activity reaches the minimum activity stock percentage for all types of Mission Asset Activity, the memberMember must capitalize additional Mission Asset Activity of a given type by purchasing capital stock at that asset type's minimum percentage rate, assuming availability of cooperative capital.

Statutory and Regulatory Restrictions on Capital Stock Redemption and Repurchases
In accordance with the GLB Act, our stock is putable by members. However, for us and the other FHLBanks, thereMembers. There are significant statutory and regulatory restrictions on our obligation or right to redeem or repurchase outstanding stock, including, but not limited to, the following:

▪We may not redeem any capital stock if, following the redemption, we would fail to satisfy any Regulatory capital requirements. By law, we may not redeem any stock if we become undercapitalized.

▪We may not redeem any capital stock without approval of the Finance Agency if either our Board of Directors or the Finance Agency determines that we have incurred or are likely to incur losses resulting or expected to result in a charge against capital.

If our FHLB iswe were to be liquidated, and after payment in full to our creditors, stockholders would be entitled to receive the par value of their capital stock.stock after payment in full to our creditors. In addition, each stockholder would be entitled to any retained earnings in an amount proportional to the stockholder's share of the total shares of capital stock. In the event of a merger or consolidation of the FHLB, the Board of Directors shallwould determine the rights and preferences of the FHLB's stockholders, subject to any terms and conditions imposed by the Finance Agency.


Retained Earnings

Purposes and Amount of Retained Earnings
Retained earnings are important to protect members'Members' capital stock investment against the risk of impairment and to enhance our ability to pay stable and competitive dividends when earnings may be volatile in light of the risks we face.volatile. Impairment risk is the risk that membersMembers would have to write down the par value of their capital stock investment in our FHLB as a result of their analysis of ultimate recoverability. An extreme situation of earnings instability, in which other-than-temporary losses exceeded the amount of our retained earningswere experienced and expected for a period of time, determined to be other-than-temporary, could result in a determination that the value of our capital stock was impaired.
 
We have a policy that sets forth a range for the amount of retained earnings we believe is needed to mitigate impairment risk and facilitate dividend stability in light of the risks we face. The currentAt December 31, 2017, the minimum retained earnings requirement ranges from $375$225 million to $600$425 million, based on mitigating quantifiable risks under very stressed business and market scenarios to a 99 percent confidence level. Given the regulatory environment, we carry a greater amount of retained earnings than required by the Policy. At the end of 2015,2017, our retained earnings totaled $765$940 million. We believe the current amount of retained earnings is fully sufficient to protect our capital stock against impairment risk and to provide for dividend stability if needed.stability.

Joint Capital Agreement to Augment Retained Earnings
The FHLBanks entered into a Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement (the “Capital Agreement”) in February 2011. The Capital Agreement provides that each FHLBank will allocate quarterly at least 20 percent of its net income to a restricted retained earnings account (the “Account”). The 20 percent reserve allocation to the Account is similar to what had been required under the FHLBanks' REFCORP obligation, which was satisfied in 2011. The Account is not available to be distributed as dividends except under certain limited circumstances. The Capital Agreement does not limit our ability to use retained earnings held outside of the Account to pay dividends.

Although we have always maintained compliance with our capital requirements, we believe the Capital Agreement enhances risk mitigation by building a larger capital buffer over time to absorb unexpected losses, if any, that we may experience. Therefore, the Capital Agreement provides additional protection against impairment risk to stockholders' capital investment.



15
Table of Contents

USE OF DERIVATIVES

Finance Agency regulations and our policies establish guidelines for the execution and use of derivative transactions. We are prohibited from trading in, or the speculative use of, derivatives and have limits on the amount of credit risk to which we may be exposed. Most of our derivatives activity involves interest rate swaps, some of which may include options. We account for all derivatives at their fair values.value.

Similar to our participation in debt issuances, use of derivatives is integral to hedging market risk created by offering Advances purchasingand mortgage assets, and transacting mortgageincluding commitments. Derivatives related to Advances most commonly hedge either:

▪below-market rates and/or the market risk exposure on Putable Advances, and certain other Advances, for which membersMembers have sold us options embedded within the Advances; or

▪Regular Fixed-Rate Advances when it may not be as advantageous to issue Obligations or when it may improve our market risk management.

DerivativesThe derivatives we transact related to mortgage assets are used to augment debt issuance in the hedgingprimarily hedge interest rate risk and prepayment risk. Such derivatives include options on interest rates swaps (swaptions) and sales of market risk. We also use derivatives to hedge the market risk associated with fixed-rate mortgage purchase commitments in the MPP.to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities for forward settlement.

Derivatives transactions related to Bonds also help us intermediate between the preference of capital market investors for intermediate- and long-term fixed-rate debt securities and the preference of our membersMembers for shorter-term or adjustable-rate Advances. We can satisfy the preferences of both groups by issuing long-term fixed-rate Bonds and entering into an interest rate swap that synthetically converts the Bonds to an adjustable-rate LIBOR funding basis that matches up with the short-term and adjustable-rate Advances, thereby preserving a favorable interest rate spread.


Use of derivatives can result in a substantial amount of volatility of accounting and economic earnings. Because we haveWe strive to maintain a cooperative business model, our Boardlow amount of Directors has emphasizedearnings volatility from realized gains and losses on derivatives. We accept a moderate amount of earnings volatility from unrealized gains and losses on recording derivatives at fair values, to the importance of controlling earnings volatility. Accordingly, our strategy is to execute derivatives that we expect to be effective hedges of market risk exposure relative to their impacts on profitability. As a result, the volatility in the market value of equity and earnings fromextent our use of derivatives has historically tended to be moderate.effectively hedge market risk exposure.


COMPETITION

Numerous economic and financial factors influence members'Members' use of Mission Asset Activity. One of the most important factors that affect Advance demand is the amount of memberMember deposits, which for most membersMembers are their primary source of funds. In addition, both small and, in particular, large membersMembers typically have access to wholesale funds besides FHLB Advances. Another important source of competition for Advances is the ongoing fiscal and monetary stimuli initiated by the federal government to combat the continued difficulties in the housing market and broader economy. This is discussed in Item 1A's “Risk Factors” and in Item 7's “Executive Overview."
 
The holding companies of some of our large asset membersMembers have membership(s) in other FHLBanks through their affiliates. Others could initiate memberships in other Districts. The competition among FHLBanks for the business of multiple-membership institutions is similar to the FHLBanks' competition with other wholesale lenders and mortgage investors. We compete with other FHLBanks on the offerings and pricing of Mission Asset Activity, earnings and dividend performance, collateral policies, capital plans, and members'Members' perceptions of our relative safety and soundness. Some membersMembers may also evaluate benefits of diversifying business relationships among FHLBFHLBank memberships. We regularly monitor these competitive forces among the FHLBanks.

The primary competitors for mortgage loans we purchase in the MPP are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, government agencies such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and private issuers. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, in particular, have long-established and efficient programs and are the dominant purchasers of fixed-rate conventional mortgages. In addition, a number of private financial institutions have well-established securitization programs, although they may not currently be as active as they were historically. The MPP also competes with the Federal Reserve to the extent it purchases mortgage-backed securities and affects market prices and the availability of supply.


16
Table of Contents

For debt issuance, the FHLBank System competes with issuers in the national and global debt markets, including most importantly the U.S. government and other GSEs.


Item 1A.    Risk Factors.        

The following are the most important risks we currently face. The realization of one or more of the risks could negatively affect our results of operations, financial condition, safety and soundness, and, at the extreme, the viability of our business franchise. The effects could include reductions in Mission Asset Activity, lower earnings and dividends, and, at the extreme, impairment of our capital or an inability to participate in issuances of Consolidated Obligations. The risks identified below are not the only risks we face. Other risks not presently known or which we deem to be currently immaterial may also impact our business. Additionally, the risks identified may adversely affect our business in ways we do not expect or anticipate.

Economy. An economic downturn could lower Mission Asset Activity and profitability.

Member demand for Mission Asset Activity depends in large part on the general health of the economy and overall business conditions. Numerous external factors can affect our Mission Asset Activity and earnings including:

▪the general state and trends of the economy and financial institutions, especially in ourthe Fifth District;
▪conditions in the financial, credit, mortgage, and housing markets;
▪interest rates;
▪competitive alternatives to our products, such as retail deposits and other sources of wholesale funding;
▪actions of the Federal Reserve to affect liquidity reserves of financial institutions and the money supply; and
▪the willingness and ability of financial institutions to expand lending; and
▪regulatory initiatives.lending.

Because our business tends to be cyclical, a
A recessionary economy normally lowers the amount ofdemand for Mission Asset Activity, can decrease profitability, and can cause stockholders to request redemption of a portion of their capital or request withdrawal from membership (both referred to in this document as “request withdrawal of capital”). These unfavorable effects are more likely to occur and be more severe if a weak economy is accompanied by significant changes in interest rates, stresses in the housing market, elevated competitive forces, or actual or potential changes in the legislative and regulatory environment.

Since the last recession, which officially ended in 2009, theThe economy has grown at a measured pace contributing toin recent years, a major reason for tempered broad-based memberoverall demand for Mission Asset Activity. In addition, overall Advance demand has been and continues to be unfavorably affected by the substantial amount of deposit baseddeposit-based liquidity provided to financial institutions through the monetary actions of the Federal Reserve, and a more onerous regulatory environmentReserve. See the "Competition" risk factor for our members. Acceleration of these conditions or another recession could decrease Mission Asset Activity, which could reduce profitability.further discussion.

Competition. The competitive environment for our products could adversely affect business activities, including decreasing the level and utilization rates of Mission Asset Activity, earnings, and capitalization.

We operate in a highly competitive environment for Mission Asset Activity.environment. Increased competition could decrease the amount of Mission Asset Activity and narrow profitability on that activity, both of which could cause stockholders to request withdrawals of capital. Historically, our primary competition has been from other wholesale lenders and debt issuers, including other GSEs. A substantial source of competition in the last eight yearsdecade has come from the federal government's actions to stimulate the economy, especially the actions of the Federal Reserve System through its policies of quantitative easing and maintaining extremelyvery low interest rates. Among other effects, these actions have significantly expanded liquidity and excess reserves available to many members. WeMembers. If all other factors remain constant, we expect overall, broad-based growth in Advance demand will remain modesttempered until the government reduces these initiatives by tightening monetary policy and winding down its holdings of U.S. Treasury and mortgage-backed securities. Even if these events take place, we cannot provide assurance regarding the pace or strength of the renewedany acceleration in Advance demand that we would anticipate.demand.


17
Table of Contents

In addition, the FHLBank System competes for funds through issuance of debt with the U.S. Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, other GSEs, and corporate, state, and sovereign entities, among others. Increases in the supply and types of competing debt products or other regulatory factors could adversely affect the System's ability to access funding or increase the cost of our debt issuance. Either of these effects could in turn adversely affect our financial conditions and results of operations and the value of FHLB membership.

GSE Reform. Potential GSE reform could unfavorably affect our business model, financial condition, and results of operations.

The FHLBank System's regulator,Due to our GSE status, the Finance Agency, also regulatesultimate resolution to the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.Mac could affect the FHLBanks. While there appears to be consensus that a permanent financial and political solution to the current conservatorship status of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be implemented, which could include maintaining the current structure, no consensus has evolved to date around any of the various legislative proposals. However, someSome policy proposals directed towards Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have included provisions applicable to the FHLBanks,FHLBank System, such as limitations on Advances and portfolio investments, and development of a covered bond market, and restrictions onmarket. Other proposals have included broader changes in GSE mortgage finance, thatsuch as the FHLBank System being a greater participant in the secondary mortgage market, which could threatenaffect the FHLBank System's long-standing business model.

Because the FHLBanks shares a common regulator with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the ultimate resolution to the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could affect the FHLBanks. There are significant differences between the FHLBank System and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, including the System's focus on lending as opposed to guaranteeing mortgages and its distinctive cooperative business model. LegislationGSE legislation could inadequately account for these differences, whichdifferences. This could substantially change or imperil the ability of the FHLBank System to continue operating effectively within its current business model, or could changeincluding by adversely changing the System's business model.perceptions of the capital markets about the risk associated with the debt of housing GSEs. We cannot predict the effects on the System if GSE reform were to be enacted.

FHLB Regulatory Environment. We face a heightenedChanges in the regulatory and legislative environment which could unfavorably affect our business model, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition to potential GSE reform, the legislative and regulatory environment in which the FHLBank System operates continues to undergo rapid change driven principally by reforms emanating from the Housing and Economic Reform Act of 2008 (HERA) and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). Recently-promulgated and future legislative and regulatory actions, including possible changes in the Dodd-Frank Act, could significantly affect our business model, financial condition, or results of operations.

In addition,
Furthermore, the overall increase in January 2016,demand for short-term funding due to the Finance Agency published a final rule regarding membership requirements, parteffects of which will negatively affect our business. The rule prohibits captive insurance companies membership eligibilityreform in the FHLBank System. The membership regulation is discussed furthermoney markets combined with our growing role as a market liquidity provider for large financial institutions have resulted in Item 7's "Executive Overview."heightened regulatory scrutiny.

We believe that, taken as a whole, legislative and regulatory actions have raised our operating costs and imparted added uncertainty regarding the business model and membership base under which the FHLBanks may operate in the future. We are unable at this time to predict the ultimate effects the heightened regulatory environment could have on the FHLBank System's business model or on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Liquidity and Market Access. Impaired access to the capital markets for debt issuance could increase liquidity risk, decrease the amount of Mission Asset Activity, lower earnings by raising debt costs and, at the extreme, result in realization of liquidity risk preventingprevent the System from meeting its financial obligations.

Our principal long-term source of funding, liquidity, and market risk management is through access on favorable terms to the capital markets for participation in the issuances of debt securities and execution of derivative transactions at prices and yields that are adequate to support our business model. Our ability to obtain funds through the sale of Consolidated Obligations depends in part on prevailing conditions in the capital markets, particularly the short-term capital markets, due tobecause we and the System normally have a large reliance on short-term funding. Access to the capital markets on favorable terms and strong investor demand for FHLBank System debt are the fundamental source of the FHLBank System's business franchise. The System's strong debt ratings, the implicit U.S. government backing of our debt, strong investor demand for FHLBank System debt, and effective funding management are instrumental in ensuring satisfactory access to the capital markets.

We are exposed to liquidity risk if there are significant disruptions in the capital markets.markets occur. Although the last several years experienced ongoing issues with the federal government's fiscal condition and changes in the regulatory environment that affected the functioning of capital markets existed during 2017, the FHLBank System has been able to maintain access to the capital markets

18
Table of Contents

for debt issuances on acceptable terms (including when the FHLBank System's debt was downgraded by Standard & Poor's).terms. However, there is no assurance this will continue to be the case. Future ability to effectively access the capital markets could be adversely affected by external events (such as general economic and financial instabilities, political instability, wars, and natural disasters), deterioration in the perception of financial market participants about the financial strength of Consolidated Obligations, or downgrades to the System's credit ratings. The System could also be affected by the continued evolution ofchanges in the capital markets in response to financial regulations and by the System's joint and several liability for Consolidated Obligations, which exposes usthe System as a whole to events at otherindividual FHLBanks. If access to capital markets were to be impaired for anyan extended period, the effect on our financial condition and results of operations could be material. At the extreme, the System's ability to achieve its mission and satisfy its financial obligations could be threatened.

Credit and Counterparty Risk. We are exposed to credit risk that, if realized, could materially affect our ability to pay membersMembers a competitive dividend.

We believe we have a de minimis overall amount of residual credit risk exposure related to Credit Services, purchases of investments, and transactions in derivatives, and a minimal amount of credit risk exposure related to the MPP. However, we can make no assurances that credit losses willcould not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.operations in all scenarios. An extremely severe and prolonged economic downturn, especially if combined with continued significant disruptions in housing or mortgage markets, could result in credit losses on assets that could impair our financial condition or results of operations.

The FHLB is an asset-based lender for Advances and Letters of Credit. Advances and Letters of Credit are over-collateralized and we have a perfected first lien position on collateral. However, we do not have full information on the characteristics of nor do we estimate current market values on a large portion of collateral. This results in a degree of uncertainty as to the precise amount of over-collateralization.

Although credit losses in the MPP have historically been small, they could increase under adverse economic scenarios involving significant and sustained reductions in home prices and sustained elevated levels of unemployment and other factors that influence delinquencies and defaults.

Some of our liquidity investments are unsecured, as are uncollateralized portions of interest rate swaps.swaps and swaptions. We make unsecured liquidity investments in and transact derivatives with highly rated, investment-grade institutions, have conservative limits on dollar and maturity exposure to each institution, and have strong credit underwriting practices. Failure of an investment or derivative counterparty with which we have a large unsecured position could have a material

adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. To the extent we engage in derivative transactions required to be cleared under provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, we may be exposed to nonperformance from central clearinghouses and Futures Commission Merchants.

Financial institutions are increasingly inter-related as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, and other relationships. As a result, actual or potential defaults of one or more financial institutions could lead to market-wide disruptions making it difficult for us to find qualified counterparties for transactions.

Market Risk. Changes in interest rates and mortgage prepayment speeds (together referred to as market risk exposure or interest rate risk exposure) could significantly reduce our ability to pay membersMembers a competitive dividend from current earnings.

Exposure of earnings to unhedged changes in interest rates and mortgage prepayment speeds is one of our largest ongoing residual risks. We derive most of our income from the interest earned on assets less the interest paid on Consolidated Obligations and deposits used to fund the assets. We hedge mortgage assets with a combination of Consolidated Obligations and derivatives transactions, and capital.transactions. Interest rate movements can lower profitability in two ways: 1) directly due to their impact on earnings from cash flow mismatches between assets and liabilities; and 2) indirectly via their impact on prepayment speeds, which can unfavorably affect the cash flow mismatches. The effects on income can also include acceleration in the amortization of purchased premiums on mortgage assets.

Because it is normally cost-prohibitive to completely mitigate market risk exposure, a residual amount of market risk normally remains after incorporating risk management activities. Sharp increases in interest rates, especially short-term rates, or sharp decreases in long-term interest rates could adversely affect us and our stockholders by making dividend rates less competitive relative to the returns available to membersMembers on alternative investments.


19
Table of Contents

In some extremely stressful scenarios, changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds could result in dividends being below stockholders' expectations for an extended period of time.time and/or market capitalization ratios falling below par which could indicate potential impairment of Member stock. In such a situation, membersMembers could engage in less Mission Asset Activity and could request a withdrawal of capital. See Item 7's "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management" for additional information about market risk exposure.

Asset Profitability. Spreads on assets to funding costs may narrow because of changes in market conditionsother risk factors such as the economy, interest rates, and competitive factors,competition, resulting in lower profitability.

Spreads on our assets tend to be narrow compared to those of many other financial institutions due to our cooperative business model. Market conditions, competitive forces, and, as discussed above, market risk exposure could cause these already narrow asset spreads to decline, which could substantially reduce our profitability. A key spread relationship is that we tend to utilize Consolidated Discount Notes to fund a significant amount of assets that have adjustable-rates tied to LIBOR. Because rates on Discount Notes do not perfectly correlate with LIBOR, a narrowing of this spread, for example from investors changing perceptions about the quality of our debt, could lower income and reduce balances of Mission Asset Activity.

Capital Adequacy. Failure to meet capital adequacy requirements mandated by Finance Agency regulations and by our internal policies, or not being able to pay dividends or repurchase or redeem capital stock, may lower demand for Mission Asset Activity, affectharm results of operations, and lower membership value.

To ensure safe and sound operations, we must hold a minimum amount of capital relative to our asset levels. We must also hold a minimumsufficient amount of retained earnings to among other things, help protect members'Members' capital stock investment against impairment risk. If we were to violate anyour capital requirement,levels fall significantly, we may be unable to pay dividends or redeem and repurchase capital stock. Thisstock in a timely manner (or at all). Such events could adversely affect the value of membership including members'causing impairment in the value of Members' capital investment.investment in our company. Outcomes could be reduced demand for Mission Asset Activity, decreased profitability, requests from membersMembers to redeem a portion of their capital or to withdraw from membership, or increased investors' perception of the riskiness of our FHLB.

Business Concentration and Industry Consolidation and Composition.Composition of the Financial Industry. Sharp reductions in Mission Asset Activity resulting from lower usage by large members,Members, consolidation of large membersMembers, or growthcontinued shift in mortgage lending activities bytowards entities not eligible for FHLB membership could adversely impact our net income and dividends.

The amount of Mission Asset Activity and capital is concentrated among a handfulsmall number of large members.Members. The financial industry continues to consolidate among a smaller number of institutions and the market share of mortgage financing has shown a systemic trend towards financial institutions whothat are currently ineligible for FHLB membership. However, the legislative and regulatory environment faced by the FHLBanks has not kept pace in recent years with adapting to this trend. Our membersMembers could decrease their Mission Asset Activity and the amount of their capital stock as a result of merger and acquisition activity or continued loss of market share to ineligible FHLB members.Members. At December 31, 2015,2017, one member,Member, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., held nearly halfover 30 percent of our Advances and one memberMember PFI, Union Savings Bank, accounted for over 2530 percent of the outstanding MPP principal balance. Our business model is structured to be able to absorb sharp changes in Mission Asset Activity because we can undertake commensurate reductions in liability balances and capital and because of our relatively modest operating expenses. However, an extremely large and sustained reduction in Mission Asset Activity could affect our profitability and ability to pay competitive dividends, as well as, at the FHLBank System level, raise policy questions about the relevance of the FHLBank System in its traditional mission of supporting housing finance.

LIBOR Replacement. Replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has regulated LIBOR since April 2013, has made significant improvements to the index since LIBOR began to face scrutiny in 2009. However, the LIBOR index is now expected to be phased out after 2021. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York convened the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) to 1) develop a robust alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR and 2) develop a plan to encourage its use in derivatives and other transactions as appropriate. The ARRC settled on the establishment of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), which is based on a broad segment of the overnight Treasuries repurchase market. We are in the central stages of developing plans to transition away from the LIBOR index. Many of our assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR. We are not able to predict whether LIBOR will cease to be available after 2021, whether an alternative rate will become a market benchmark rate in place of LIBOR, or what the impact of such a transition may be on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Exposure to FHLBank System.Other FHLBanks. Financial difficulties at other FHLBanks could require us to provide financial assistance to another FHLBank, which could adversely affect our results of operations or our financial condition.

Each FHLBank has a joint and several liability for principal and interest payments on Consolidated Obligations, which are backed only by the financial resources of the FHLBanks. Although no FHLBank has ever defaulted on its principal or interest share of an Obligation, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case. Financial performance issues could require our FHLB to provide financial assistance to one or more other FHLBanks, for example, by making a payment on an Obligation on behalf of another FHLBank. Such assistance could adversely affect our financial condition, earnings, ability to pay dividends, or ability to redeem or repurchase capital stock.


20
TableExposure to the Office of Contents

Member Regulatory Environment.Finance. Members face increased regulatory scrutiny, which could further decrease Mission Asset Activity and lower profitability.

In the last number of years, regulation and scrutinyFailures of the financial industry has increased significantly. We believe these activities have decreased members' overall usageOffice of Advances.

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the Basel Committee) has developed a proposed new capital regime for internationally active banks. Banks subject to the new regime are required, among other things, to have higher capital ratios. While it is uncertain how the new capital regime and other standards, such as those related to liquidity, developed by the Basel Committee will ultimately be implemented by U.S. regulatory authorities, the new regimeFinance could require some of our members to divest assets in order to comply with the regime's more stringent capital and liquidity requirements, thereby possibly lowering Advance demand. Additionally, the liquidity requirements being implemented could adversely impact Advance demand and investor demand for Consolidated Obligations because they would limit the ability of members to fully include Advances and Consolidated Obligations in required liquidity calculations. This could raise our debt costs and, in turn, raise the Advance rates we are able to offer members, thereby harmingdisrupt the ability to fulfillconduct and manage our business model.

Personnel Risk. Our financial condition and results of operations could suffer if we are unable to hire and retain skilled key personnel.business.

The successOffice of Finance is a joint office of the FHLBanks established to facilitate the issuance and servicing of Consolidated Obligations, among other things. Pursuant to Finance Agency regulations, the Office of Finance, often in conjunction with the FHLBanks, has adopted policies and procedures for the purposes of facilitating and approving the issuance of Consolidation Obligations. A failure or interruption of the Office of Finance's services as a result of breaches, cyberattacks, or technological risks could disrupt each FHLBank's access to these funds, which could also harm the System's debt franchise. Although the Office of Finance has a business continuity plan in place, our business mission depends, in large part, onoperations could be constrained, disrupted or otherwise negatively affected if the abilityOffice of Finance was not able to attract and retain key personnel. Competitionperform its functions for qualified people or ineffective succession planning could affect the ability to hire or retain effective key personnel, thereby harming our financial condition and resultsa period of operations.time.


Operational and Compliance Risks. Failures or interruptions in our internal controls, compliance activities, information systems and other operating technologies, models, and third-party vendors could harm our financial condition, results of operations, reputation, and relations with members.Members.

Control failures, including failures in our controls over financial reporting oras well as business interruptions with membersMembers and counterparties, could occur from human error, fraud, breakdowns in information and computer systems, anderrors or misuse of financial and business models and services we use,employ (including third-party vendor services), lapses in operating processes, or natural or man-made disasters. If a significant control failure or business interruption were to occur, it could materially damage our financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to foresee, prevent, mitigate, reverse or repair the negative effects of such failures or interruptions.

We rely heavily on internal and third-party information systems and other technology to conduct and manage our business. Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in computer systems and networks. Computer systems, software and networks can be vulnerable to failures and interruptions including “cyberattacks,”cyberattacks, which aremay include breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events against information owned by our company and customers. These failures and interruptions could jeopardize the confidentiality or integrity of information, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations.

We can make no assurance that we will be able to prevent, timely and adequately address, or mitigate the negative effects of failures, interruptions, or "cyberattacks"cyberattacks in information systems and other technology. If we experience a failure, interruption, or "cyberattack"cyberattack in any of these systems, we may be unable to effectively conduct or manage our business activities, operating processes, and risk management, which could significantly harm customer relations, our reputation, or profitability,and operating costs, potentially resulting in material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Personnel Risk. Our financial condition and results of operations could suffer if we are unable to hire and retain skilled key personnel.

The success of our mission depends, in large part, on the ability to attract and retain key personnel. Competition for qualified people or ineffective succession planning could affect the ability to hire or retain effective key personnel, thereby harming our financial condition and results of operations.


Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2.        Properties.

Our offices are located in approximately 79,000 square feet of leased space in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. We also maintain a leased, fully functioning, back-up facility in suburban Cincinnati. Additionally, we lease a small office in Nashville, Tennessee

21
Table of Contents

for the area marketing representative. We believe that our facilities are in good condition, well maintained, and adequate for our current needs.

Item 3.        Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we are subject to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Management does not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4.        Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.


22
Table of Contents


PART II

Item 5.Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

By law our stock is not publicly traded, and only our membersMembers (and former membersMembers with a withdrawal notice pending) may own our stock. The par value of our capital stock is $100 per share. As of December 31, 2015,2017, we had 699660 stockholders and 44approximately 42 million shares of capital stock outstanding, all of which were Class B Stock.

We paid quarterly dividends in 20152017 and 20142016 as outlined in the table below.
(Dollars in millions)(Dollars in millions)       (Dollars in millions)       
 2015 2014 2017 2016
   Annualized   Annualized    Annualized   Annualized 
Quarter Amount Rate Form Quarter Amount Rate Form Amount Rate Form Quarter Amount Rate Form
First $43
 4.00% Cash First $47
 4.00% Cash $47
 4.50% Cash First $44
 4.00% Cash
Second 42
 4.00
 Cash Second 44
 4.00
 Cash 49
 4.75
 Cash Second 43
 4.00
 Cash
Third 43
 4.00
 Cash Third 42
 4.00
 Cash 54
 5.25
 Cash Third 42
 4.00
 Cash
Fourth 44
 4.00
 Cash Fourth 43
 4.00
 Cash 58
 5.50
 Cash Fourth 42
 4.00
 Cash
Total $172
 4.00
 Total $176
 4.00
  $208
 5.00
 Total $171
 4.00
 
    

Generally, ourthe Board of Directors has discretion to declare or not declare dividends and to determine the rate of any dividend declared. Our Retained Earnings and Dividend Policypolicy states that dividends for a quarter are declared and paid from retained earnings after the close of a calendar quarter and are based on average stock balances for the then closed quarter. OurThe Board of Directors' decision to declare dividends is influenced by the financial condition, overall financial performance and retained earnings of the FHLB, and actual and anticipated developments in the overall economic and financial environment including most importantly, interest rates and the mortgage and credit markets. The dividend rate is generally referenced as a spread to average short-term interest rates experienced during the quarter to help assess a competitive level for our stockholders.

A Finance Agency Capital Rulerule prohibits us from issuing new excess capital stock to members,Members, either by paying stock dividends or otherwise, if before or after the issuance the amount of memberMember excess capital stock exceeds or would exceed one percent of the FHLB's assets. Excess capital stock for this regulatory purpose is calculated as the aggregate of capital stock owned that is in excess of all membership and Mission Asset Activity requirements (as defined in our Capital Plan). At December 31, 2017, we had excess capital stock outstanding totaling less than one percent of total assets.

We may not declare a dividend if, at the time, we are not in compliance with all of our capital requirements. We also may not declare or pay a dividend if, after distributing the dividend, we would fail to meet any of our capital requirements or if we determine that the dividend would create a safety and soundness issue for the FHLB. See Note 15 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for additional information regarding our capital stock.


RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

From time to time, we provide Letters of Credit in the ordinary course of business to support members'Members' obligations issued in support of unaffiliated, third-party offerings of notes, bonds or other securities. We provided $12 million, $60 million, and $17 million of such credit support during 2015. We did not provide such credit support during 20142017, 2016, and 2013.2015. To the extent that these Letters of Credit are securities for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933, their issuance is exempt from registration pursuant to section 3(a)(2) thereof.


23
Table of Contents

Item 6.Selected Financial Data.

The following table presents selected Statement of Condition data, Statement of Income data and financial ratios for the five years ended December 31, 2015.2017.
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 2013 2012 20112017 2016 2015 2014 2013
STATEMENT OF CONDITION DATA AT PERIOD END:                  
Total assets$118,797
 $106,640
 $103,181
 $81,562
 $60,397
$106,895
 $104,635
 $118,756
 $106,607
 $103,137
Advances73,292
 70,406
 65,270
 53,944
 28,424
69,918
 69,882
 73,292
 70,406
 65,270
Mortgage loans held for portfolio7,982
 6,989
 6,826
 7,548
 7,871
9,682
 9,150
 7,954
 6,956
 6,782
Allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans2
 5
 7
 18
 21
1
 1
 2
 5
 7
Investments (1)
37,356
 26,007
 22,364
 19,950
 21,941
27,058
 25,334
 37,356
 26,007
 22,364
Consolidated Obligations, net:                  
Discount Notes77,199
 41,232
 38,210
 30,840
 26,136
46,211
 44,690
 77,199
 41,232
 38,210
Bonds35,105
 59,217
 58,163
 44,346
 28,855
54,163
 53,191
 35,092
 59,217
 58,163
Total Consolidated Obligations, net112,304
 100,449
 96,373
 75,186
 54,991
100,374
 97,881
 112,291
 100,449
 96,373
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock38
 63
 116
 211
 275
30
 35
 38
 63
 116
Capital:                  
Capital stock - putable4,429
 4,267
 4,698
 4,010
 3,126
4,241
 4,157
 4,429
 4,267
 4,698
Retained earnings765
 689
 621
 538
 444
940
 834
 737
 656
 578
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(13) (17) (9) (11) (11)(16) (13) (13) (17) (9)
Total capital5,181
 4,939
 5,310
 4,537
 3,559
5,165
 4,978
 5,153
 4,906
 5,267
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:                  
Net interest income$322
 $317
 $328
 $308
 $249
$429
 $363
 $327
 $327
 $307
(Reversal) provision for credit losses—
 —
 (7) 1
 12
Non-interest income (loss)30
 23
 20
 13
 (5)
Provision (reversal) for credit losses—
 —
 —
 —
 (7)
Non-interest (loss) income(1) 46
 30
 23
 20
Non-interest expense75
 68
 64
 58
 57
79
 111
 75
 68
 64
Assessments28
 28
 30
 27
 37
Affordable Housing Program assessments35
 30
 28
 28
 30
Net income$249
 $244
 $261
 $235
 $138
$314
 $268
 $254
 $254
 $240
FINANCIAL RATIOS:                  
Dividend payout ratio (2)
69.2% 72.2% 68.1% 60.1% 95.4%66.3% 63.9% 67.7% 69.5% 74.2%
Weighted average dividend rate (3)
4.00
 4.00
 4.18
 4.44
 4.25
5.00
 4.00
 4.00
 4.00
 4.18
Return on average equity4.90
 4.93
 5.10
 6.20
 3.89
6.15
 5.35
 5.04
 5.16
 4.72
Return on average assets0.24
 0.24
 0.28
 0.35
 0.21
0.31
 0.25
 0.24
 0.25
 0.26
Net interest margin (4)
0.31
 0.31
 0.35
 0.46
 0.37
0.42
 0.35
 0.31
 0.32
 0.33
Average equity to average assets4.81
 4.90
 5.47
 5.68
 5.29
5.00
 4.76
 4.78
 4.86
 5.43
Regulatory capital ratio (5)
4.40
 4.71
 5.27
 5.84
 6.37
4.88
 4.80
 4.38
 4.68
 5.23
Operating expenses to average assets (6)
0.058
 0.054
 0.055
 0.067
 0.068
0.063
 0.064
 0.058
 0.054
 0.055
(1)Investments include interest bearing deposits in banks, securities purchased under agreements to resell, Federal funds sold, trading securities, available-for-sale securities, and held-to-maturity securities.
(2)Dividend payout ratio is dividends declared in the period as a percentage of net income.
(3)Weighted average dividend rates are dividends paid divided by the average number of shares of capital stock eligible for dividends.
(4)Net interest margin is net interest income before provision/(reversal)/provision for credit losses as a percentage of average earning assets.
(5)Regulatory capital ratio is period-end regulatory capital (capital stock, mandatorily redeemable capital stock and retained earnings) as a percentage of period-end total assets.
(6)Operating expenses comprise compensation and benefits and other operating expenses, which are included in non-interest expense.


24
Table of Contents

Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This discussion and analysis by management of the FHLB's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and related Notes to Financial Statements contained in this Form 10-K.


EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
          
Financial Condition

Mission Asset Activity
The following table summarizes our financial condition.
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
Ending Balances Average BalancesEnding Balances Average Balances
(In millions)2015 2014 2015 20142017 2016 2017 2016
Total Assets$118,797
 $106,640
 $105,569
 $101,157
$106,895
 $104,635
 $101,917
 $105,425
Mission Asset Activity:              
Advances (principal)73,242
 70,299
 70,355
 66,492
69,978
 69,907
 67,683
 69,214
Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP):              
Mortgage loans held for portfolio (principal)7,758
 6,796
 7,396
 6,620
9,454
 8,926
 9,224
 8,323
Mandatory Delivery Contracts (notional)450
 451
 471
 273
219
 441
 293
 555
Total MPP8,208
 7,247
 7,867
 6,893
9,673
 9,367
 9,517
 8,878
Letters of Credit (notional)19,555
 17,780
 17,694
 15,154
14,691
 17,508
 16,457
 17,035
Total Mission Asset Activity$101,005
 $95,326
 $95,916
 $88,539
$94,342
 $96,782
 $93,657
 $95,127

In 20152017, the FHLB fulfilled its mission by providing a key source of readily available and competitively priced wholesale funding to its memberMember financial institutions, supporting its commitment to affordable housing and community investment, and paying stockholders a competitive dividend return on their capital investment.

The balance of Mission Asset Activity – which we define as Advances, Letters of Credit, and total MPP (including purchase commitments) – was $101.0$94.3 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase2017, a decrease of $5.7$2.4 billion (six percent) (three percent) from year-end 2014. This growth was2016, primarily driven by an increase in the principal balancelower Letters of Advances. As ofCredit balances. At December 31, 2015, members2017, 72 percent of Members held Mission Asset Activity, which was relatively stable compared to prior years.

Based on the most-recently available figures, Members funded onan average 3.4of 3.3 percent of their assets with Advances, and the market penetration rate was relatively stable with approximately 70 percent of members holding Mission Asset Activity. The majority of membersAdvances. As in recent years, most Members continued to have modest demand for new Advance borrowings due to measured economic growth, an abundance of deposits and significant amounts of liquidity made available as a result of the actions of the Federal Reserve System.borrowings.

The MPP principal balance of mortgage loans held for portfolio at December 31, 2015rose$1.0 $0.5 billion (14 percent) (six percent) from year-end 2014.2016. The slower growth reflected ongoing improvements in the housing market and low mortgage rates.MPP compared to 2016 reflected less refinancing activity by homeowners. During 20152017, we purchased $2.4$1.7 billion of mortgage loans, while principal reductions totaled $1.4$1.2 billion. Residual credit risk exposure in the mortgage loan portfolio continued to be minimal.

Based on earnings in 20152017 earnings,, we contributed $28accrued $35 million tofor the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) pool of funds to be awardedavailable to membersMembers in 2016.2018. In addition to the required AHP assessment, we continued our voluntary sponsorship of two other housing programs, which provide resources to pay for accessibility rehabilitation and emergency repairs for special needs and elderly homeowners and to help membersMembers aid their communities following natural disasters.
 
Investments and Other Assets
The balance of investments at December 31, 20152017 was $37.4$27.1 billion, an increase of $11.3$1.7 billion (44(seven percent) from year-end 2014. Most of the increase was because we held more short-term liquidity investments at the end of 2015.2016. At December 31, 2015,2017, investments included $15.3$14.8 billion of mortgage-backed securities and $22.1$12.3 billion of other investments, which were mostly short-term instruments held for liquidity.

Investment balances averaged $27.3 billion in 2015, a decrease of $0.2 billion (one percent) from 2014's average. This reflected minimal changes in average liquidity investments and mortgage-backed securities. All of our mortgage-backed securities held at December 31, 20152017 were issued and guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or a U.S. agency.

25
Table of Contents


The balance of cash and due from banks at December 31, 2015 was $10 million, compared to $3.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The 2014 balance was larger than normal due to holding $3.1 billion in deposits at the Federal Reserve on that date.


Investments averaged $24.6 billion in 2017, a decrease of $2.8 billion compared to 2016 primarily driven by lower liquidity investments. It is normal for liquidity investments to vary by up to several billion dollars on a daily basis. We maintained an adequatea robust amount of asset liquidity throughout the year under2017 across a variety of liquidity measures as discussed in the "Liquidity Risk" section of "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management."
 
Capital
Capital adequacy remained strong throughout 2015, exceeding2017, surpassing all minimum regulatory capital requirements. The GAAP capital-to-assets ratio at December 31, 20152017 was 4.364.83 percent, while the regulatory capital-to-assets ratio was 4.404.88 percent. Both ratios exceeded the regulatory required minimum of four percent. Regulatory capital includes mandatorily redeemable capital stock accounted for as a liability under GAAP. The average GAAP and regulatory capital ratios in 2015 were 4.81 percent and 4.88 percent, respectively, higher than the year-end ratios. The year-end ratios reflected the higher amount of short-term liquidity balances we carried on that date.

The amounts of GAAP and regulatory capital increased $242$187 million and $213$185 million, respectively, in 2015,2017, due primarily to growth in retained earnings and purchases of capital stock by members to support Advance growth.

Total retainedassociated with Mission Asset Activity. Retained earnings weretotaled $765940 million at December 31, 20152017, an increase of $76106 million (1113 percent) from year-end 20142016. We believe the amount of retained earnings is sufficient to protect against members' impairment risk of their capital stock investment in the FHLB and to provide the opportunity to stabilize future dividends. Our Capital Plan also has safeguards to prevent financial leverage ratios from falling below regulatory minimum levels.

Results of Operations

Overall Results
The table below summarizes our results of operations.
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Net income$249
 $244
 $261
$314
 $268
 $254
Affordable Housing Program accrual28
 28
 30
Affordable Housing Program assessments35
 30
 28
Return on average equity (ROE)4.90% 4.93% 5.10%6.15% 5.35% 5.04%
Return on average assets0.24
 0.24
 0.28
0.31
 0.25
 0.24
Weighted average dividend rate4.00
 4.00
 4.18
5.00
 4.00
 4.00
Average 3-month LIBOR0.32
 0.23
 0.27
1.26
 0.74
 0.32
Average overnight Federal funds effective rate0.13
 0.09
 0.11
ROE spread to 3-month LIBOR4.58
 4.70
 4.83
4.89
 4.61
 4.72
Dividend rate spread to 3-month LIBOR3.68
 3.77
 3.91
3.74
 3.26
 3.68
ROE spread to Federal funds effective rate4.77
 4.84
 4.99
Dividend rate spread to Federal funds effective rate3.87
 3.91
 4.07

Net income in 20152017 increased $46 million (17 percent) compared to 2016. The increase was $5 million (two percent)the result of higher net interest income, which was driven primarily by lower net amortization of premiums and discounts related to mortgage assets and Consolidated Obligations, higher net spreads earned on short-term and LIBOR-indexed assets, and higher earnings from capital as short-term interest rates rose.

Earnings levels continued to represent competitive returns on stockholders' capital investment. ROE was significantly higher than in 2014. ROE was similarshort-term rates in the last two years andperiods presented above, while we paid the same dividend ratemaintained risk exposures in each of the last nine quarters. Although there were a number of factors that affected earnings, in the aggregate they nearly offset one another and no individual factor experienced a change that significantly affected operating results or indicated a concern about future profitability. This steady performance reflected the net impact of a stable business and interest rate environment, a modest increase in average assets, a relatively constant composition of assets, a consistent and conservative management of risk,line with our appetite for a moderate increase in operating expenses, and a prudent use of derivative transactions.

to low risk profile. The spreadsspread between ROE and short-term interest rates, 3-month LIBOR and Federal funds, areis a market benchmarksbenchmark we believe memberMember stockholders use to assess the competitiveness of the return on their capital investment.

In December 2017, we paid stockholders a quarterly 5.50 percent annualized dividend rate on their capital investment in our company. Earnings continuedOur dividend rate paid increased 25 to 50 basis points each quarter in 2017 driven in large part by the effects of higher shorter-term interest rates.

We believe that our operations and financial condition will continue to generate steady and competitive profitability, reflecting the combination of a stable business model and operating environment, and a consistent and conservative management of risk. Our business model is structured to be sufficientable to provide competitive returns on stockholders' capital investment. Consistent with experience overabsorb sharp changes in Mission Asset Activity because we can undertake commensurate changes in liability balances and capital. Factors that can cause significant periodic earnings volatility currently are changes in spreads between LIBOR and our short-term funding costs, recognition of net amortization, and unrealized fair value adjustments related to the last several years, ROE was significantly above short-term rates, resulting in the ROE spreads being wider than the long-term historical average spread.use of derivatives.


26
Table of Contents

Effect of Interest Rate Environment
Trends in market interest rates strongly influence the results of operations and profitability via how they affect members'Members' demand for Mission Asset Activity, spreads on assets, funding costs and decisions in managing the tradeoffs in our market risk/return profile. The following table presents key market interest rates (obtained from Bloomberg L.P.).
Year 2015 Year 2014 Year 2013Year 2017 Year 2016 Year 2015
Ending Average Ending Average Ending AverageEnding Average Ending Average Ending Average
Federal funds effective0.20% 0.13% 0.06% 0.09% 0.07% 0.11%1.33% 1.00% 0.55% 0.39% 0.20% 0.13%
3-month LIBOR0.61
 0.32
 0.26
 0.23
 0.25
 0.27
1.69
 1.26
 1.00
 0.74
 0.61
 0.32
2-year LIBOR1.18
 0.88
 0.90
 0.62
 0.49
 0.44
2.08
 1.65
 1.45
 1.00
 1.18
 0.88
10-year LIBOR2.19
 2.18
 2.28
 2.65
 3.09
 2.47
2.40
 2.29
 2.34
 1.70
 2.19
 2.18
2-year U.S. Treasury1.05
 0.67
 0.67
 0.45
 0.38
 0.30
1.89
 1.39
 1.19
 0.83
 1.05
 0.67
10-year U.S. Treasury2.27
 2.13
 2.17
 2.53
 3.03
 2.34
2.41
 2.33
 2.45
 1.84
 2.27
 2.13
15-year mortgage current coupon (1)
2.32
 2.13
 2.10
 2.34
 2.68
 2.21
2.52
 2.40
 2.49
 1.94
 2.32
 2.13
30-year mortgage current coupon (1)
3.02
 2.88
 2.85
 3.23
 3.63
 3.07
3.00
 3.03
 3.14
 2.63
 3.02
 2.88
Year 2015 by Quarter - AverageYear 2017 by Quarter - Average
Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4
Federal funds effective0.11% 0.13% 0.13% 0.16%0.70% 0.95% 1.15% 1.20%
3-month LIBOR0.26
 0.28
 0.31
 0.41
1.07
 1.20
 1.31
 1.47
2-year LIBOR0.84
 0.86
 0.88
 0.93
1.56
 1.55
 1.60
 1.90
10-year LIBOR2.09
 2.24
 2.28
 2.10
2.38
 2.21
 2.20
 2.35
2-year U.S. Treasury0.59
 0.60
 0.68
 0.82
1.23
 1.29
 1.36
 1.69
10-year U.S. Treasury1.97
 2.15
 2.22
 2.18
2.44
 2.26
 2.24
 2.37
15-year mortgage current coupon (1)
1.96
 2.09
 2.25
 2.20
2.50
 2.34
 2.30
 2.46
30-year mortgage current coupon (1)
2.71
 2.88
 2.98
 2.94
3.18
 3.00
 2.94
 3.01
(1)Simple average of current coupon rates of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac par mortgage-backed security indications.

Short-termResults of operations continued to benefit from a lack of sharp changes in interest rates, remained low in 2015. In December 2015,especially significant upward movements.

During 2017, the Federal Reserve increased its target overnight Federal funds increased from a zero0.50 to 0.250.75 percent range to a 0.251.25 to 0.501.50 percent range. OtherIn addition, increases in short-term rates during 2017 improved income because we have a substantial amount of assets that reprice to current interest rates remained consistent with their historical relationships to Federal funds during 2015. quicker than the debt funding those assets.

Average long-term rates were modestly lowerapproximately 0.50 percentage points higher in 20152017 compared to 2014.2016. The increase contributed to a slowdown of activity in the mortgage market and led to a decline in the volume of mortgage loan purchases. However, the impact of fewer purchases was offset by a slower pace of portfolio paydowns.

The persistenceWe expect the recent movements in 2015 of the low interest rate environment continued to favorably affect ourboth short- and long-term rates will have only a modest overall effect on results of operations relative to the leveland profitability, outside of interest rates for the following reasons:temporary fluctuations from net amortization and unrealized fair value adjustments on derivatives.

▪Reductions in, and low, market interest rates raise ROE compared to market rates to the extent we fund a portion of long-term assets with shorter-term debt.
▪The long-standing low rate environment has provided us the opportunity to retire many Consolidated Bonds and replace them with lower cost Obligations, at a pace exceeding paydowns of high-yielding mortgage assets, which have been slower than would be expected in more normal housing and mortgage environments.
▪Earnings generated from funding assets with interest-free capital have not decreased as much as the reduction in overall interest rates because long-term assets do not reprice immediately to the lower rates.

The current trend level of ROE spread to market interest rates is above the long-term average trend because of the factors referenced above. However, these factors have improved our net income by a smaller amount more recently because they have been present for many years. For example, over time paydowns of high-yielding mortgage assets cumulatively have increased, which has offset much of the benefit from previously retiring high-cost Bonds.


27
Table of Contents

Business Outlook and Risk Management

This section summarizes the business outlook and what we believe are our current major risk exposures. Item 1A's “Risk Factors” has a detailed discussion of risk factors that could affect our corporate objectives, financial condition, and results of operations. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management" provides details on current risk exposures.

Strategic/Business Risk
Advances.Advances: Our business is cyclical and Mission Asset Activity normally grows slowly stabilizes, or declinesstabilizes in periods of difficultmoderate macro-economic conditions,growth, when financial institutions have ample liquidity, or when there is significant growth in the money supply. Since the end of the last recession in 2009, measured economic growth has resulted in relatively slow growth in consumer, mortgage and commercial loans across the broad membership both in absolute terms and relative to deposit growth.

Other factors continuing to constrain widespread demand for Advances are the extremely low levels of interest rates and little deviation in Advance rates versus deposit rates, and the Federal Reserve's ongoing actions to provide an extraordinary amount of deposit-based liquidity to attempt to stimulate economic growth.

In the last several years, the percentage of assets that membersMembers funded with Advances showed little variation, in the range of three to four percent. We would expect to see a broad-based increase in Advance demand when the economy experiences an improved and sustained growth trend or if changes in Federal Reserve policy reduce other sources of liquidity available to members.

The relative balance between loan and deposit fluctuations can provide an indication of potential memberMember Advance demand. From September 30, 20142016 to September 30, 20152017 (the most recent period for which data are available), aggregate loan portfolios of Fifth District depository institutions grew $106.8$76.0 billion (8.4(5.1 percent) while their aggregate deposit balances fell $29.9rose $111.6 billion (1.4(4.8 percent). The data include the effect of large mergers and acquisitions only when they are available for both comparison dates. Most of the loan growth and deposit declinegrowth in this period occurred from our largest members,Members, which is consistent with the concentration of nationwide financial activity.

Excluding We may see a broad-based increase in Advance demand if one or more of the five members with over $50 billionfollowing occur: aggregate loan portfolios of assets and recent acquisitions, aggregate loans increased $13.1 billion (6.6 percent) in the 12-month period whileour Members grow quicker than aggregate deposits, grew $12.1 billion (5.1 percent). This more recentthe economy experiences a sustained growth trend, interest rates continue to increase over time, or changes in Federal Reserve policy reduce other sources of loan growth exceeding deposit growth could produce increased demand for Advances over time.liquidity available to Members.

MPP.MPP: MPP balances are influenced by conditions in the housing and mortgage markets, the competitiveness of prices we offer to purchase loans as well as program features, and activity from our largest sellers.

Our ongoing strategy for the MPP has two components: 1) increase the number of regular sellers and participants in the program; and 2) increase purchases while maintaining balances at a prudent level relative to capital and total assets to effectively manage market and credit risks consistent with our risk appetite.

Regulatory and Legislative Risk
General.General: The FHLBank System currently faces heightenedis subject to legislative and regulatory risks and uncertainties, which we believe has affected, and could continue to affect, our Mission Asset Activity, capitalization, and results of operations.oversight. Legislative and regulatory actions applicable, directly or indirectly, to the FHLBank System in the last eight yearsdecade have raised our operating costs and increased uncertainty regarding the business model and membership base under which the FHLBanks may operate in the future. This is due primarily to the uncertainty around potential future GSE reform, which shows no signs of resolution.resolution, and the evolution of mortgage financing moving towards financial institutions currently not eligible for FHLBank membership. See Item 1A's "Risk Factors" for more discussion. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of GSE reform and whether our membership base will be legislatively and regulatorily permitted to evolve in concert with the housing finance market.

LIBOR Replacement: In July 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, a regulator of financial services firms and financial markets in the U.K., stated that they will plan for a phase out of regulatory oversight of LIBOR interest rate indices. The Financial Conduct Authority has indicated they will support the LIBOR indices through 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate(s). Other financial services regulators and industry groups are evaluating the planned phase-out of LIBOR and the development of alternate interest rate indices or reference rate(s). While it is unclear as to what the overall financial impact of these developments will be, many of our assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR, so we will continue to monitor any alternative reference rate proposals as they are developed. See Item 1A's "Risk Factors" for more discussion.

Core Mission Achievement. Over the years, we have adopted numerous indicators to assess achievement of our mission. These include metrics related to Mission Asset Activity, profitability, capital adequacy and safety and soundness. In July 2015, the Finance Agency issued an Advisory Bulletin to formalize a measure of FHLBank mission achievement across the System. The Advisory Bulletin established a goal for the sum of average Advances and purchased mortgage loans (collectively called Primary Mission Assets) to equal or exceed 70 percent of average Consolidated Obligations (i.e., the Primary Mission Assets ratio). Consolidated Obligations is used as a comparison because it reflects the major source of our franchise value as a GSE. If the metric falls below the 70 percent preferred ratio, an FHLBank would be expected to include in its strategic plan actions aimed at increasing the ratio, which could include consideration of Supplemental Mission Assets and Activities, such as Letters of Credit issued to members. During 2015, our Primary Mission Assets metric exceeded the Finance Agency's preferred ratio.

28
Table of Contents


Membership Requirements.In January 2016, the Finance Agency issued a final rule on membership requirements. The primary changes to membership requirements are to:

▪ban currently-eligible captive insurance companies as eligible members in an FHLBank, and

▪clarify matters related to defining the principal place of business for eligible financial institution members for purposes of determining their appropriate FHLBank district.

As a result, our current captive insurance company members must terminate their memberships one year after the rule's effective date. In addition, the rule allows these members until the end of the one-year period to repay their existing Advances, but prohibits them from taking new Advances or renewing existing Advances that expire after the rule’s effective date.

We believe that the final rule will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations despite the loss of current and potential captive insurance members. However, we are concerned that the rule could constrain the ability of the FHLBanks to fulfill their mission of promoting housing finance through providing liquidity and funding to financial institutions engaged in housing finance activities. We believe captive insurance companies are important institutions in helping to deepen and diversify the flow of funds in the mortgage markets.

Privately Insured Credit Unions. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress passed into law a provision permitting privately-insured state-chartered credit unions to apply for membership in the FHLBank System. Based on the number and size of such institutions in our district, we believe that this change in eligible members will have only a small effect on Mission Asset Activity.

Dodd-Frank Act and Related Regulations.Regulatory agencies continue to promulgate rules covering derivatives activities as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. A joint rule of several agencies issued in 2015 that will affect the FHLBanks mandates the exchange of initial and variation margin for interest rate swaps not cleared through a central clearinghouse. Margins are based on swaps' market value and their relative risk. The rule is effective April 1, 2016 and has a staggered implementation schedule of up to four years. We already post and collect margin on uncleared swaps. Therefore, we believe the largest impact of the rule will be the elimination of thresholds permitted on daily variation margin for new swaps transacted after the implementation date. This will eliminate the amount of uncollateralized exposure between derivative counterparties and reduce counterparty risk. We believe the impact of the rule will not be material to our company.

Market Risk
During 2015,2017, as in 2014,2016, the market risk exposure to changing interest rates was moderate overall and well within policy limits. We believe that profitability would not become uncompetitive unless long-terminterest rates were to permanently increase over the next 12 months by five percentage points or more combined with short-term rates increasing to at least seven percent.change quickly and significantly. We believe such a stress scenario is extremelyvery unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Our market risk exposure to lower long-term interest rates, even up to two percentage points, would result in ROE remaining well above market interest rates.

Capital Adequacy
We believe membersMembers place a high value on their capital investment in our company. We maintained compliance with regulatory capital requirements. Capital ratios at December 31, 20152017, and all throughout the year, exceeded the regulatory required minimum of four percent. We believe that the amount of our retained earnings is sufficient to protect against Members' impairment risk of their capital stock investment in the FHLB and to provide the opportunity to stabilize or augment future dividends. Our capital policies and Capital Plan hasalso have safeguards to prevent financial leverage from increasing beyondensure we meet regulatory minimums or below safe levels.and prudential capital requirements.


Credit Risk
In 2015,2017, we continued to experience a de minimis level of overall residual credit risk exposure from our Credit Services, making investments, and executing derivative transactions. We believe policies and procedures related to credit underwriting, Advance collateral management, and transactions with investment and derivative counterparties continue to fully mitigate these risks. Therefore, weWe have never experienced any credit losses, and we continue to have no loan loss reserves or impairment recorded for these instruments.

Residual credit risk exposure in the mortgage loan portfolio was minimal. The allowance for credit losses in the MPP continued to declinewas stable during the year and was $2$1 million at December 31, 2015.2017.


29
Table of Contents

Liquidity Risk
Our liquidity position remained strong during 2015,2017, as did our overall ability to fund operations through the issuance of Consolidated Obligations at acceptable interest costs. Investor demand for FHLBank System debt continued to be robust. There were no substantive stresses on market access or liquidity from external market and political events. Additionally, the FHLBanks have expanded their role as a market liquidity provider in recent years driven in part by demand from large banks to help satisfy their Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) regulatory requirement. The System's expanded role as a market liquidity provider may require us to hold more liquidity. A key component of the System's role is helping members liquefy mortgage assets by pledging them to FHLBanks as collateral for longer-term Advances and using the proceeds to purchase High Quality Liquid Assets, which benefits the LCR. Furthermore, demand for short-term funding has increased more recently due to the effects of the SEC's money market reforms, which have caused investors and fund managers to shift from prime money funds to government money funds. Although we can make no assurances, we expect this to continue to be the case and believe there is only a remote possibility of a liquidity or funding crisis in the FHLBank System that could impair our ability to participate, on a cost-effective basis, in issuances of new debt, service outstanding debt, maintain adequate capitalization,capital levels, or pay competitive dividends.


ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

Mission Asset Activity

Mission Assets are the primary means by which we fulfill our mission with direct connections to members.Members. We regularly monitor theour balance sheet concentration of Mission Asset Activity. In 2015,2017, our Primary Mission Asset ratio, which measures the sum of average Advances and mortgage loans as defined in "Regulatory and Legislative Risk"a percentage of average Consolidated Obligations, was 81 percent, well above the Executive Overview, was 79Finance Agency preferred ratio of 70 percent. In assessing overall mission achievement, we also consider supplemental sources of Mission Asset Activity, the most significant of which is Letters of Credit issued to members.Members.

30
Table of Contents


Credit Services

Credit Activity and Advance Composition
The tables below show trends in Advance balances by major programs and in the notional amount of Letters of Credit.
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
Adjustable/Variable Rate Indexed:       
Adjustable/Variable Rate-Indexed:       
LIBOR$47,312
 65% $51,839
 74%$32,420
 47% $44,289
 64%
Other617
 1
 515
 1
941
 1
 918
 1
Total47,929
 66
 52,354
 75
33,361
 48
 45,207
 65
Fixed-Rate:              
REPO10,568
 14
 5,201
 7
Repurchase based (REPO)19,890
 28
 10,786
 15
Regular Fixed-Rate9,248
 13
 7,398
 11
11,191
 16
 9,618
 14
Putable (2)
1,046
 1
 1,617
 2
280
 —
 565
 1
Amortizing/Mortgage Matched2,706
 4
 2,734
 4
2,776
 4
 2,596
 4
Other1,745
 2
 995
 1
2,479
 4
 1,135
 1
Total25,313
 34
 17,945
 25
36,616
 52
 24,700
 35
Other Advances1
 —
 —
 —
Total Advances Principal$73,242
 100% $70,299
 100%$69,978
 100% $69,907
 100%
              
Letters of Credit (notional)$19,555
   $17,780
  $14,691
   $17,508
  
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 June 30, 2015 March 31, 2015December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2017 March 31, 2017
Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
 Balance 
Percent(1)
Adjustable/Variable-Rate Indexed:                              
LIBOR$47,312
 65% $49,313
 64% $48,242
 68% $49,103
 73%$32,420
 47% $35,567
 53% $38,061
 53% $40,319
 66%
Other617
 1
 565
 1
 597
 1
 407
 1
941
 1
 896
 1
 643
 1
 442
 —
Total47,929
 66
 49,878
 65
 48,839
 69
 49,510
 74
33,361
 48
 36,463
 54
 38,704
 54
 40,761
 66
Fixed-Rate:                              
REPO10,568
 14
 12,023
 16
 8,499
 12
 4,061
 6
Repurchase based (REPO)19,890
 28
 13,753
 20
 16,857
 24
 6,982
 12
Regular Fixed-Rate9,248
 13
 9,385
 12
 8,184
 11
 7,977
 12
11,191
 16
 11,246
 17
 10,610
 15
 9,587
 16
Putable (2)
1,046
 1
 1,557
 2
 1,570
 2
 1,580
 3
280
 —
 358
 —
 429
 1
 493
 1
Amortizing/Mortgage Matched2,706
 4
 2,723
 3
 2,703
 4
 2,662
 4
2,776
 4
 2,716
 4
 2,698
 4
 2,656
 4
Other1,745
 2
 1,637
 2
 1,223
 2
 825
 1
2,479
 4
 3,439
 5
 1,814
 2
 841
 1
Total25,313
 34
 27,325
 35
 22,179
 31
 17,105
 26
36,616
 52
 31,512
 46
 32,408
 46
 20,559
 34
Other Advances1
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
Total Advances Principal$73,242
 100% $77,203
 100% $71,018
 100% $66,615
 100%$69,978
 100% $67,975
 100% $71,112
 100% $61,320
 100%
                              
Letters of Credit (notional)$19,555
   $17,594
   $19,006
   $16,905
  $14,691
   $16,796
   $17,175
   $17,411
  
(1)As a percentage of total Advances principal.    
(2)Excludes Putable Advances where the related put options have expired. SuchThese Advances are classified based on their current terms.

The modest growth and variability in Advance balances in 2015 was driven primarily by changes in variable-rate and short-term repurchase (REPO) Advances asat the reductionend of 2017 were similar to year-end 2016. As shown in the need for variable-rate funding from our largest member was more than offset by REPO Advance borrowings. The increase in REPO Advance borrowings was primarily from new insurance company members. However, the borrowings from these new members are requiredtables above, REPOs tend to be paid off over the next year due to the Finance Agency's 2016 final rule on membership requirements, which is discussed further in the "Executive Overview."our most volatile Advance product because a majority of them have overnight maturities.

Members increased their available lines in the Letters of Credit program by $1.8 billion (10 percent) in 2015. Letters of Credit balances averaged $17.7 billion during 2015, an increaseat December 31, 2017 decreased by 16 percent compared to the end of $2.5 billion (17 percent) from the2016. However, average balance during 2014.Letters of Credit balances decreased only three percent in 2017. We

31
Table of Contents

normally earn fees on Letters of Credit based on the actual average amount of the Letters utilized, which generally is less than the notional amount issued.

Advance Usage
In addition to analyzing Advance balances by dollar trends, and the number of members utilizing them, we monitor the degree to which membersMembers use Advances to fund their balance sheets. The following table shows the unweighted, average ratio of each member'sMember's Advance balance to its most-recently available figures for total assets.
 December 31, 2015 September 30, 2015 June 30, 2015 March 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Average Advances-to-Assets for Members         
Assets less than $1.0 billion (623 members)3.26% 3.20% 3.14% 3.06% 3.24%
Assets over $1.0 billion (76 members)4.35
 4.75
 3.90
 3.08
 3.75
All members3.37
 3.35
 3.22
 3.06
 3.29
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2017 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Average Advances-to-Assets for Members         
Assets less than $1.0 billion (575 Members)3.04% 3.11% 3.00% 2.87% 3.07%
Assets over $1.0 billion (85 Members)4.95
 4.73
 4.90
 4.03
 3.87
All Members3.28
 3.31
 3.23
 3.01
 3.17

The Advance usage ratios wereratio across all Members was slightly higher at year-end 2015the end of 2017 compared to year-end 2014,2016, driven primarily by an increaseincreased demand in short-term borrowings and the inclusion of borrowingsAdvances from several new insurance company members. Usage ratio trends for members with assets less than $1.0 billion were stable within a narrow range during the same time periods.few large-asset Members.

The following table shows Advance usage of membersMembers by charter type.
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of AdvancesPar Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances
Commercial Banks$53,479
 73% $59,119
 84%$52,899
 76% $53,743
 77%
Thrifts and Savings Banks5,220
 7
 4,067
 6
Savings Institutions7,369
 10
 6,857
 10
Credit Unions957
 1
 1,110
 1
1,293
 2
 1,191
 2
Insurance Companies13,428
 19
 5,408
 8
8,357
 12
 8,043
 11
Community Development Financial Institutions2
 —
 1
 —
1
 —
 3
 —
Total member Advances73,086
 100
 69,705
 99
Former member borrowings156
 —
 594
 1
Total Member Advances69,919
 100
 69,837
 100
Former Member borrowings59
 —
 70
 —
Total par value of Advances$73,242
 100% $70,299
 100%$69,978
 100% $69,907
 100%

The following tables present principal balances for the five membersMembers with the largest Advance borrowings.
(Dollars in millions)                
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Name Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances Name Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances Name Par Value of Advances Percent of Total Par Value of Advances
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. $35,350
 48% JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. $41,300
 59% $23,950
 34% JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. $32,300
 46%
U.S. Bank, N.A. 10,086
 14
 U.S. Bank, N.A. 8,338
 12
 8,975
 13
 U.S. Bank, N.A. 8,563
 12
Capstead Insurance, LLC 2,875
 4
 The Huntington National Bank 2,083
 3
Nationwide Life Insurance Company 2,279
 3
 Nationwide Life Insurance Company 1,761
 3
Third Federal Savings and Loan Association 2,162
 3
 Western-Southern Life Assurance Co 1,623
 2
 3,756
 5
 Third Federal Savings and Loan Association 3,049
 4
The Huntington National Bank 3,732
 5
 Fifth Third Bank 2,517
 4
Fifth Third Bank 3,140
 4
 The Huntington National Bank 2,433
 3
Total of Top 5 $52,752
 72% Total of Top 5 $55,105
 79% $43,553
 61% Total of Top 5 $48,862
 69%

Advance concentration ratios are influenced by, and generally similar to, concentration ratios of financial activity among our Fifth District financial institutions. We believe that having large financial institutions that actively use our Mission Asset Activity augments the value of membership to all members.Members. For example, such activity improves our operating efficiency, increases our earnings and thereby contributions to housing and community investment programs,programs. Over time, this activity may enable us over time to obtain more favorable funding costs, and helps us maintain competitively priced Mission Asset Activity.


32
Table of Contents

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio (Mortgage Purchase Program, or "MPP")MPP)

The table below shows principal purchases and reductions of loans in the MPP for each of the last two years.
(In millions)2015 20142017 2016
Balance, beginning of year$6,796
 $6,643
$8,926
 $7,758
Principal purchases2,348
 1,226
1,747
 2,830
Principal reductions(1,386) (1,073)(1,219) (1,662)
Balance, end of year$7,758
 $6,796
$9,454
 $8,926

The increase inMost of the principal loan balances in 2015purchases resulted from higher amountsactivity of loan purchases, particularly from our two largest sellers who drive program balances. In 2015, 99 members2017, 92 Members sold us mortgage loans, with the number of monthly sellers averaging 65.59. All loans acquired in 20152017 were conventional loans.

The following tables show the percentage of principal balances from PFIs supplying five percent or more of total principal and the percentage of principal balances from all other PFIs. As shown in the table below, MPP activity is concentrated amongst a few members.Members.
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015  December 31, 2014December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016
Principal % of Total  Principal % of TotalPrincipal % of Total  Principal % of Total
Union Savings Bank$2,242
 29% Union Savings Bank$1,593
 23%$3,247
 34% Union Savings Bank$2,886
 32%
Guardian Savings Bank FSB933
 10
 Guardian Savings Bank FSB855
 10
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
839
 11
 
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
1,074
 16
516
 5
 
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
660
 7
Guardian Savings Bank FSB633
 8
 Guardian Savings Bank FSB406
 6
All others4,044
 52
 All others3,723
 55
4,758
 51
 All others4,525
 51
Total$7,758
 100% Total$6,796
 100%$9,454
 100% Total$8,926
 100%
(1)Former member.Member.

We closely track the refinancing incentives of our mortgage assets (including loans in the MPP and mortgage-backed securities) because the option for homeowners to change their principal payments normally represents a largethe largest portion of our market risk exposure.exposure and can affect MPP balances. MPP principal paydowns in all of 20152017 equated to a 14nine percent annual constant prepayment rate, updown from the 1215 percent rate for all of 2014, as the refinancing incentives for many of our2016 due to an increase in mortgage assets increased.rates in late 2016 that persisted throughout 2017.

The MPP's composition of balances by loan type, original final maturity, and weighted-average mortgage note rate did not change materially in 2015.2017. The weighted average mortgage note rate fell from 4.36 percentonly 0.04 percentage points in 2017 to end the year at the end of 2014 to 4.14 percent at the end of 2015. This decline reflected a continuing trend of prepayments of higher rate mortgages and purchases of lower rate mortgages.3.91 percent. MPP yields earned in 2015,2017, after consideration of funding and hedging costs, continued to offer favorable returns relative to their market and credit risk exposure.

Housing and Community Investment

In 2015,2017, we accrued $28$35 million of earnings for the Affordable Housing Program, which will be awarded to membersMembers in 2016.2018. This amount represents no changean increase of $5 million from 20142016 due to the similar amount ofhigher earnings in each year.2017.

Including funds available in 20152017 from previous years, we had $27$29 million available for the competitive Affordable Housing Program in 2015,2017, which we awarded to 7065 projects through a single competitive offering. In addition, we disbursed $9$10 million to 171 members172 Members on behalf of 1,8692,126 homebuyers through the Welcome Home Program, which assists homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. In total, just over one-quarternearly one-third of membersMembers received approval for funding under the two Affordable Housing Programs. 
Additionally, in 20152017 our Board committed $1$1.5 million to the Carol M. Peterson Housing Fund, (CMP Fund), which helped 151218 homeowners, and continued its commitment to the $5 million Disaster Reconstruction Program. Both are voluntary programs beyond the 10 percent of earnings that we are required by law to set aside for the Affordable Housing Program.

Our activities to support affordable housing and economic development also include offering Advances through the Affordable Housing Program, Community Investment Program and Economic Development Program with below-market interest rates at

33
Table of Contents

or near zero profit for us.funding costs. At the end of 2015,2017, Advance balances under these programs totaled $449$442 million. AHP Advance balances have declined in recent years, reflecting our preference to distribute AHP subsidy in the form of grants.

Investments

The table below presents the ending and average balances of the investment portfolio.
(In millions)2015 20142017 2016
Ending Balance Average Balance Ending Balance Average BalanceEnding Balance Average Balance Ending Balance Average Balance
Liquidity investments$22,110
 $12,590
 $11,319
 $11,856
$12,286
 $9,757
 $10,818
 $12,177
Mortgage-backed securities15,246
 14,664
 14,688
 15,594
14,772
 14,710
 14,516
 15,061
Other investments (1)
—
 85
 —
 98
—
 84
 —
 144
Total investments$37,356
 $27,339
 $26,007
 $27,548
$27,058
 $24,551
 $25,334
 $27,382
(1)The average balance includes the rights or obligations to cash collateral, which are included in the fair value of derivative assets or derivative liabilities on the Statements of Condition at period end.

We continued to maintain an amplea robust amount of asset liquidity. Liquidity investment levels can vary significantly based on liquidity needs, the availability of acceptable net spreads, the number of eligible counterparties that meet our unsecured credit risk criteria, and changes in the amount of Mission Assets. It is normal for liquidity investments to vary by up to several billion dollars on a daily basis.

Certain dealers, who play a large role in facilitating the distribution of our debt to investors, are being more reluctant to expand the amount of our debt on their balance sheets over quarter- and year-ends primarily due to the perceived growing burden of their regulatory capital environment associated with Basel. Because of this, we conservatively carried a larger amount of liquidity leading up to year-end 2015 to satisfy any potential member borrowing needs during a period where accessing additional liquidity may be more challenging.

Our overarching strategy for balances of mortgage-backed securities is to keep holdings as close as possible to the regulatory maximum of three times regulatory capital, subject to the availability of securities that we believe provide acceptable risk/return tradeoffs. The ratio of mortgage-backed securities to regulatory capital was 2.83 at December 31, 2017. The balance of mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2015 represented a 2.91 multiple of regulatory capital and2017 consisted of $11.3$12.3 billion of securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (of which $1.76.3 billion were floating-rate securities), $0.9$0.5 billion of floating-rate securities issued by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and $3.0$2.0 billion of securities issued by Ginnie Mae (a majority of which(which are primarily fixed rate). The NCUA securities have coupons tied to one-month LIBOR with interest rate caps ranging from seven to eight percent. We held no private-label mortgage-backed securities.
The table below shows principal purchases, paydowns and paydownssales of our mortgage-backed securities for each of the last two years.
(In millions)Mortgage-backed Securities PrincipalMortgage-backed Securities Principal
2015 20142017 2016
Balance, beginning of year$14,715
 $16,087
$14,487
 $15,203
Principal purchases3,099
 722
2,679
 3,016
Principal paydowns(2,611) (2,094)(2,420) (2,925)
Principal sales—
 (807)
Balance, end of year$15,203
 $14,715
$14,746
 $14,487

Principal paydowns in 20152017 equated to a 1615 percent annual constant prepayment rate, up from a 13compared to an 18 percent rate in 2014. Purchases have outpaced paydowns this year due to the availability of mortgage securities offering attractive risk/return trade-offs.2016.


34
Table of Contents

Consolidated Obligations

The table below presents the ending and average balances of our participations in Consolidated Obligations.
(In millions)2015 20142017 2016
Ending Balance Average Balance Ending Balance Average BalanceEnding Balance Average Balance Ending Balance Average Balance
Discount Notes:              
Par$77,225
 $52,714
 $41,238
 $35,996
$46,259
 $43,166
 $44,711
 $49,853
Discount(26) (8) (6) (4)(48) (42) (21) (18)
Total Discount Notes77,199
 52,706
 41,232
 35,992
46,211
 43,124
 44,690
 49,835
Bonds:              
Unswapped fixed-rate26,962
 26,350
 26,124
 25,513
26,710
 26,707
 25,373
 26,495
Unswapped adjustable-rate4,065
 13,385
 27,610
 29,355
20,895
 18,500
 18,290
 14,512
Swapped fixed-rate4,010
 6,489
 5,390
 3,697
6,552
 7,131
 9,510
 7,959
Total par Bonds35,037
 46,224
 59,124
 58,565
54,157
 52,338
 53,173
 48,966
Other items (1)
68
 90
 93
 116
6
 29
 18
 68
Total Bonds35,105
 46,314
 59,217
 58,681
54,163
 52,367
 53,191
 49,034
Total Consolidated Obligations (2)
$112,304
 $99,020
 $100,449
 $94,673
$100,374
 $95,491
 $97,881
 $98,869
(1)Includes unamortized premiums/discounts, fair value option valuation adjustments, hedging and other basis adjustments.
(2)
The 11 FHLBanks have joint and several liability for the par amount of all of the Consolidated Obligations issued on their behalves. The par amount of the outstanding Consolidated Obligations for all of the FHLBanks was (in millions) $905,2021,034,260 and $847,175989,311 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.

Our preferred sources of funding forWe fund LIBOR-indexed assets arewith Discount Notes, adjustable-rate Bonds, and swapped fixed-rate Bonds because they give us the ability to effectively match the LIBOR rate reset periods embedded in these assets. During 2015, we shiftedAt December 31, 2017, the balance of Discount Notes was higher than at year-end 2016 due to the increase in certain short-term Advances and liquidity investments at the end of the year. However, the average balance of Discount Notes was lower in 2017 primarily due to continuing to shift the composition of thisshorter-term funding moreaway from Discount Notes towards unswapped adjustable-rate LIBOR Bonds, which normally have longer maturities than Discount Notes. This change providedThe intent is to lower funding costsexposure to unforeseen liquidity risk and compression in the current market environmentspreads between LIBOR and therefore improved earnings as discussed in the "Net Interest Income" section of "Results of Operations." Discount Note balances also increased due to growth in Advance balances, most of which was in the short-term REPO program, as well as liquidity investments in order to ensure that member borrowing needs were met at year-end 2015.

Notes. This change in funding composition increases riskalso reduced the income benefits associated with the elevated spreads experienced in 2017 (compared to changes in spreadshistorical averages) between cashflows received on LIBOR-indexed assets and interest paid on Discount Notes. We believe the increased usage of Discount Note funding did not materially raise this risk because of the historically favorable relationship between the two rate indices.

The composition of unswapped fixed-rate Bonds, which typically have initial maturities greater than one year, was relatively stable in 20152017 compared to 2014.2016. The following table shows the allocation on December 31, 20152017 of unswapped fixed-rate Bonds according to their final remaining maturity and next call date (for callable Bonds). We believe that the allocations of Bonds among these classifications provide effective mitigation of market risk exposure to both higher and lower interest rates.
(In millions)Year of Maturity Year of Next CallYear of Maturity Year of Next Call
CallableNoncallableAmortizingTotal CallableCallableNoncallableTotal Callable
Due in 1 year or less$30
$3,343
$1
$3,374
 $6,229
$615
$3,546
$4,161
 $6,585
Due after 1 year through 2 years410
3,628
—
4,038
 240
704
4,579
5,283
 232
Due after 2 years through 3 years1,270
3,205
—
4,475
 —
1,036
3,489
4,525
 36
Due after 3 years through 4 years995
3,020
—
4,015
 —
1,629
2,588
4,217
 —
Due after 4 years through 5 years553
2,383
—
2,936
 —
357
1,824
2,181
 —
Thereafter3,211
4,913
—
8,124
 —
2,512
3,831
6,343
 —
Total$6,469
$20,492
$1
$26,962
 $6,469
$6,853
$19,857
$26,710
 $6,853

35
Table of Contents


Deposits

Total deposits with us are normally a relatively minor source of low-cost funding. Total interest bearing deposits at December 31, 20152017 were $0.80.6 billion, an increasea decrease of 10 percent$0.1 billion from year-end 2014.2016. The average balance of total interest bearing deposits in 20152017 was $0.8$0.7 billion, a decrease of one percent$0.1 billion from the average balance during 20142016.

Derivatives Hedging Activity and Liquidity

Our use of and accounting for derivatives is discussed in the "Effect of the Use of Derivatives on Net Interest Income" section in "Results of Operations." Liquidity is discussed in the "Liquidity Risk" section in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management.”

Capital Resources

The GLB Act and Finance Agency regulations specify limits on how much we can leverage capital by requiring that we maintain, at all times, at least a four percent regulatory capital-to-assets ratio. A lower ratio indicates more leverage. If financial leverage increases too much, or becomes too close to the regulatory limit, we have discretionary ability within our Capital Plan to enact changes to ensure capitalization remains strong and in compliance with regulatory limits.

We have always complied with our regulatory capital requirements. The following tables present capital amounts and capital-to-assets ratios, on both a GAAP and regulatory basis.
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)2015 20142017 2016
Period End Average Period End AveragePeriod End Average Period End Average
GAAP and Regulatory Capital              
GAAP Capital Stock$4,429
 $4,344
 $4,267
 $4,298
$4,241
 $4,183
 $4,157
 $4,214
Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock38
 61
 63
 105
30
 46
 35
 88
Regulatory Capital Stock4,467
 4,405
 4,330
 4,403
4,271
 4,229
 4,192
 4,302
Retained Earnings765
 745
 689
 666
940
 928
 834
 813
Regulatory Capital$5,232
 $5,150
 $5,019
 $5,069
$5,211
 $5,157
 $5,026
 $5,115
2015 20142017 2016
Period End Average Period End AveragePeriod End Average Period End Average
GAAP and Regulatory Capital-to-Assets Ratio              
GAAP4.36% 4.81% 4.63% 4.90%4.83% 5.00% 4.76% 4.76%
Regulatory(1)4.40
 4.88
 4.71
 5.01
4.88
 5.06
 4.80
 4.85
(1)At all times, the FHLBanks must maintain at least a four percent minimum regulatory capital-to-assets ratio.

We consider the regulatory ratio to be a better representation of financial leverage than the GAAP ratio because, although the GAAP ratio treats mandatorily redeemable capital stock as a liability, it protects investors in our debt in the same manner as GAAP capital stock and retained earnings. Both GAAP and regulatory capital-to-assets ratios remained above the regulatory required minimum of four percent. The reduction in these ratios at December 31, 2015 was a temporary result of the elevated liquidity we carried at that time due to the reasons discussed above.

36
Table of Contents

The following table presents the sources of change in regulatory capital stock balances in 20152017 and 2014.2016.
(In millions)2015 20142017 2016
Regulatory stock balance at beginning of year$4,330
 $4,814
$4,192
 $4,467
Stock purchases:      
Membership stock13
 11
13
 34
Activity stock178
 73
341
 58
Stock repurchases/redemptions:      
Redemption of member excess(1) (1)
Repurchase of member excess—
 (498)
Redemption of Member excess(259) (285)
Withdrawals(53) (69)(16) (82)
Regulatory stock balance at the end of the year$4,467
 $4,330
$4,271
 $4,192

The table below shows the amount of excess capital stock.
(In millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Excess capital stock (Capital Plan definition)$461
 $504
$391
 $347
Cooperative utilization of capital stock$521
 $441
$585
 $525
Mission Asset Activity capitalized with cooperative capital stock$13,034
 $11,020
$14,620
 $13,133

A portion of capital stock is excess, meaning it is not required as a condition to being a memberMember and not required to capitalize Mission Asset Activity. Excess capital stock provides a base of capital to manage financial leverage at prudent levels, augments

loss protections for bondholders, and capitalizes a portion of growth in Mission Assets. The amount of excess capital stock, as defined by our Capital Plan, was $461$391 million at December 31, 2015,2017. We could repurchase all excess stock on a decreasetimely basis and continue to meet our regulatory and prudential capital requirements.

See the "Capital Adequacy" section in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management” for discussion of $43 million from year-end 2014.our retained earnings.

Membership and Stockholders

In 2015,2017, we added 2110 new memberMember stockholders and lost 27 members,37 Members, ending the year at 699. Most members660 Member stockholders. The 37 Members lost included 19 Members that merged with other Fifth District members and, therefore, the impact on our earnings and Mission Asset Activity was small. Of the members lost, 17 merged with other members, eightMembers, six that merged out of the District, one merged with a District non-member,that withdrew from membership, and one relocated its charter out11 captive insurance companies that were no longer eligible for membership effective February 2017 based on the Finance Agency’s 2016 final rule on membership requirements. The subsequent loss of District.the captive insurance company Members did not significantly affect our financial condition or results of operations.

In 2015,2017, there were no material changes in the allocation of membership by state, charter type, or asset size. At the end of 2015,2017, the composition of membership by state was Ohio with 304,302, Kentucky with 184, and Tennessee with 199, and Kentucky with 196.

The Finance Agency issued a final rule on FHLBank membership in January 2016. This rule imposes new membership requirements and eliminates all currently eligible captive insurance companies from FHLBank membership, as discussed in "Executive Overview." The ruling also requires that these entities, which represented 15 members totaling $6.6 billion in Advances at December 31, 2015, pay off existing Advances within one year and cease any new borrowings. The subsequent loss of this membership segment will not significantly affect our financial condition or results of operations.174.

The following table provides the number of memberMember stockholders by charter type.
December 31,December 31,
2015 20142017 2016
Commercial Banks418
 442
385
 402
Thrifts and Savings Banks99
 101
Savings Institutions92
 96
Credit Unions124
 120
132
 130
Insurance Companies54
 38
46
 55
Community Development Financial Institutions4
 4
5
 4
Total699
 705
660
 687


37
Table of Contents

The following table provides the ownership of capital stock by charter type.
(In millions)December 31,December 31,
2015 20142017 2016
Commercial Banks$3,425
 $3,441
$3,232
 $3,224
Thrifts and Savings Banks378
 376
Savings Institutions416
 391
Credit Unions128
 121
169
 141
Insurance Companies497
 328
423
 400
Community Development Financial Institutions1
 1
1
 1
Total GAAP Capital Stock4,429
 4,267
4,241
 4,157
Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock38
 63
30
 35
Total Regulatory Capital Stock$4,467
 $4,330
$4,271
 $4,192

Credit union membersMembers hold relatively less stock than their membership proportion because they tend to be smaller than the average memberMember and borrow less. Insurance company membersMembers hold relatively more stock than their membership proportion because they tend to be larger than the average memberMember and borrow more.


The following table provides a summary of memberMember stockholders by asset size.
December 31,December 31,
Member Asset Size (1)
2015 20142017 2016
Up to $100 million177
 182
171
 172
> $100 up to $500 million370
 381
338
 359
> $500 million up to $1 billion76
 76
66
 71
> $1 billion76
 66
85
 85
Total Member Stockholders699
 705
660
 687
(1)
The December 31 membership composition reflects members'Members' assets as of the most-recently available figures for total assets.

Most membersMembers are smaller community financial institutions, with 7877 percent having assets up to $500 million. As noted elsewhere, having larger membersMembers is important to help achieve our mission objectives, including providing valuable products and services to all members.Members.


38
Table of Contents


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Components of Earnings and Return on Equity

The following table is a summary income statement for the last three years. Each ROE percentage is computed by dividing income or expense for the category by the average amount of stockholders' equity for the period.
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 2013
 Amount 
ROE (1)
 Amount 
ROE (1)
 Amount 
ROE (1)
Net interest income$322
 6.35% $317
 6.40 % $328
 6.40 %
Reversal for credit losses—
 —
 —
 (0.01) (7) (0.15)
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses322
 6.35
 317
 6.41
 335
 6.55
Net gains on derivatives and hedging activities13
 0.26
 7
 0.13
 8
 0.16
Other non-interest income17
 0.33
 16
 0.32
 12
 0.23
Total non-interest income30
 0.59
 23
 0.45
 20
 0.39
Total revenue352
 6.94
 340
 6.86
 355
 6.94
Total non-interest expense75
 1.49
 68
 1.38
 64
 1.26
Assessments28
 0.55
 28
 0.55
 30
 0.58
Net income$249
 4.90% $244
 4.93 % $261
 5.10 %
(Dollars in millions)2017 2016 2015
 Amount 
ROE (1)
 Amount 
ROE (1)
 Amount 
ROE (1)
Net interest income$429
 8.42 % $363
 7.24 % $327
 6.50%
Provision for credit losses—
 0.01
 —
 —
 —
 —
Net interest income after provision for credit losses429
 8.41
 363
 7.24
 327
 6.50
Non-interest income:           
Net realized gains from sale of held-to-maturity securities—
 —
 39
 0.77
 —
 —
Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities(24) (0.48) (47) (0.95) 13
 0.26
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option10
 0.20
 40
 0.81
 1
 0.02
Other non-interest income, net13
 0.25
 14
 0.29
 16
 0.31
Total non-interest (loss) income(1) (0.03) 46
 0.92
 30
 0.59
Total income428
 8.38
 409
 8.16
 357
 7.09
Non-interest expense79
 1.54
 111
 2.21
 75
 1.50
Affordable Housing Program assessments35
 0.69
 30
 0.60
 28
 0.55
Net income$314
 6.15 % $268
 5.35 % $254
 5.04%
(1)The ROE amounts have been computed using dollars in thousands. Accordingly, recalculations based upon the disclosed amounts (millions) in this tablemillions may produce nominally different results.

Net income was steady in 2015 compared to 2014, although there was variation in individual factors that determine earnings. Profitability remained competitive as ROE continued to significantly exceed our benchmarks relative to short-term interest rates. Details on the individual factors contributing to the level and changes in profitability are explained in the sections below.
Net Interest Income
The largest component of net income is net interest income. Our principal goal in managing net interest income is to balance the trade-offs between maintaining a moderate market risk profile and ensuring profitability remains competitive. Effective risk/return management requires us to focus principally on the relationships among assets and liabilities that affect net interest income, rather than individual balance sheet and income statement accounts in isolation.


Our ROE normally is lower than that of many other financial institutions because of the cooperative wholesale business model that results in narrow spreads to funding costs on our primary assets, (Advances), the moderate overall risk profile, and the strategic objective to have a positive correlation of dividendsearnings to short-term interest rates.

Components of Net Interest Income
We generate net interest income from the following two components:

▪
Net interest rate spread. This component equals the balance of total earning assets multiplied by the difference between the book yield on interest-earning assets and the book cost of interest-bearing liabilities. It is composed of net (amortization)/accretion, prepayment fees on Advances, and all other earnings from interest-earning assets net of funding costs. The latter is the largest component and represents the coupon yields of interest-earning assets net of the coupon costs of Consolidated Obligations and deposits.
▪
Earnings from funding assets with capital (“earnings from capital”). Because of our relatively low net interest rate spread compared to other financial institutions, we have historically derived a substantial proportionportion of net interest income from deploying interest-free capital in interest-earning assets. We deploy much of the capital in short-term and adjustable-rate assets in order to help ensure that ROE moves in the same direction as short-term interest rates and to help control market risk exposure.

39
Table of Contents


The following table shows the major components of net interest income. Reasons for the variance in net interest income between the periods are discussed below.

(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Amount % of Earning Assets Amount % of Earning Assets Amount % of Earning AssetsAmount % of Earning Assets Amount % of Earning Assets Amount % of Earning Assets
Components of net interest rate spread:                      
Net (amortization)/accretion (1) (2)
$(30) (0.03)% $(11) (0.01)% $(1) —%$(20) (0.02)% $(54) (0.05)% $(24) (0.02)%
Prepayment fees on Advances, net (2)
3
 —
 4
 —
 2
 —
1
 —
 10
 0.01
 3
 —
Other components of net interest rate spread314
 0.30
 291
 0.29
 290
 0.31
382
 0.38
 360
 0.34
 314
 0.30
Total net interest rate spread287
 0.27
 284
 0.28
 291
 0.31
363
 0.36
 316
 0.30
 293
 0.28
Earnings from funding assets with interest-free capital35
 0.04
 33
 0.03
 37
 0.04
66
 0.06
 47
 0.05
 34
 0.03
Total net interest income/net interest margin (3)
$322
 0.31 % $317
 0.31 % $328
 0.35%$429
 0.42 % $363
 0.35 % $327
 0.31 %
(1)Includes (amortization)/accretion of premiums/discounts on mortgage assets and Consolidated Obligations and deferred transaction costs (concession fees) for Consolidated Obligations.
(2)These components of net interest rate spread have been segregated to display their relative impact.
(3)Net interest margin is net interest income before provision/(reversal)/provision for credit losses as a percentage of average total interest earning assets.

Net Amortization/Accretion: Net amortization/accretion (generally referred to as "amortization") includes monthly recognition of premiums and discounts paid on purchases of mortgage assets, as well as premiums, discounts and concessions paid on Consolidated Obligations.Obligations and other hedging basis adjustments. Periodic amortization adjustments do not necessarily indicate a trend in economic return over the entire life of mortgage assets, although it is one component of lifetime economic returns.

Amortization increaseddecreased in 2015,2017 compared to 2014,2016 primarily due to lower amortization of issuance costs (concession fees) on Consolidated Obligations and lower amortization of purchased mortgage premiums. Concession fee amortization was higher in 2016 because net premium balances grewof the decision to call certain Bonds as rates fell in 2016. Amortization of purchased mortgage premiums was lower in 2017 as a result of slower prepayments (actual and projected, as applicable) given the higher mortgage rates in 2017. Amortization was higher in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily because of an acceleration in prepayments speeds as long-term interest rates continue to fluctuate around very low levels. Amortization was lower than normalgenerally declined in 2013 due to a decline in actual and projected prepayment speeds in response to higher mortgage rates.2016.

Prepayment Fees on Advances: Fees for members'Members' early repayment of certain Advances are designed to make us economically indifferent to whether membersMembers hold Advances to maturity or repay them before maturity. Although Advance prepayment fees can be and have been significant in the past, they were minimal in 2015, 20142017 and 2013,2015, reflecting a low amount of memberMember prepayments of Advances. Advance prepayment fees were higher in 2016 due to the prepayment of Advances related to an in-district merger in the third quarter of 2016.

Other Components of Net Interest Rate Spread: Excluding net amortization and prepayment fees, the total other components of net interest rate spread increased $23$22 million in 20152017 compared to 2014, while it increased only $12016, compared to an increase of $46 million in 2014 compared to 2013.2016 over 2015. The following factors presented in approximate order of impact from largest to smallest,primarily accounted for the changes in other components of net interest rate spread.increase.

20152017 Versus 20142016
▪
LIBOR Asset funding-Higher spreads on short-term and LIBOR-indexed Advances-Favorable:Favorable: NetWider spreads on outstanding short-term and LIBOR-indexed Advances relative to funding costs on Discount Notes and adjustable-rate Bonds increased net interest income increased by an estimated $18 million because we transitioned$44 million. This increase in net interest income was partially offset by earnings reductions in other non-interest income related to derivatives and hedging activities. The wider spreads were due to Advances repricing quicker than the debt funding them and regulatory requirements for the money market industry, which became effective in October 2016. These requirements have raised investor demand for short-term government and GSE debt compared to prime institutional funds, improving the pricing advantage for our funding. This factor was partially offset by a decrease in the amount of LIBOR-indexed assets from adjustable-rate LIBOR Bonds more towardsfunded by lower-cost Discount Notes in response to a reduction in the cost of Discount Notes compared to the cost of adjustable-rate LIBOR Bonds.Notes.
▪
Growth in MPP growth-balances-Favorable:Favorable: TheA $0.9 billion higher average balance of mortgageMPP loans held for portfolio increased $0.8 billion, which increased net interest income by an estimated $11$13 million.
▪
Advance growth-Higher spreads on liquidity investments-Favorable: FavorableThe $3.8 billion growth in average Advance balances improved net interest income by an estimated $8 million.
▪
Fixed-rate asset funding-Unfavorable:: A reduction in the amount of short-term debt funding longer-term fixed-rate mortgages loweredHigher spreads earned on liquidity investments increased net interest income by an estimated $7 million. These spreads widened primarily due to liquidity investments repricing to higher rates quicker than the debt funding them and due to the improved pricing advantage for our funding given the money market reform discussed above.
▪
Lower MPP spread-spreads on mortgage assets-Unfavorable: Lower spreads earned on MPP loans and mortgage-backed securities decreased net interest income by an estimated $38 million. The decline was driven by actions taken to reduce market risk exposure, and by continued paydownpaydowns of higher-yielding mortgage assets and low-cost debt led to a decline in the spread earned on mortgage loans, decreasing net interest incomedebt. These negative factors were partially offset by an estimated $6 million.increase in spreads from additional utilization of hedging with derivatives (swaptions) and the decision to call and replace certain debt at lower rates throughout the first three quarters of 2016.
▪
Lower balances on mortgage-backed securities-Advance balances-Unfavorable:The $1.6 billion decline in average balance of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio declined $0.9 billion, whichAdvance balances decreased net interest income by an estimated $5 million.

40
Table of Contents

▪
Other factors-Favorable: Various other factors, including, but not limited to, a decrease in the amount of mandatorily redeemable capital stock and higher spreads earned on mortgage-backed securities, increased net interest income by an estimated $4 million.

20142016 Versus 20132015
▪
Asset-liability management-Funding of LIBOR-indexed assets-Unfavorable:Favorable: Management strategies and actions related to reducing our market risk exposure, along with changes in the market rate environment, lowered earnings on a net basis of $29 million for the following reasons:
1)Net interest income decreased $18 million due to a decline in mortgage asset spreads resulting from management actions to reduce market risk exposureon LIBOR-indexed assets increased by extending debt maturities and from continued run-off of higher yielding mortgages.
2)Net interest income declined $11an estimated $25 million primarily becausefor the cost of Discount Notes rose relative to LIBOR. Secondarily, we extended maturities of Discount Notes in order to reduce the burden of replacing Discount Notes as frequently.same reasons discussed above.
▪
Advance growth-Growth in MPP Balances-Favorable: FavorableThe $5.1: A $1.0 billion growth inhigher average Advance balances at higher spreads improvedbalance of MPP loans increased net interest income by an estimated $26$12 million.
▪
Higher balancesspreads on mortgage-backed securities-liquidity investments-Favorable:Favorable: The average balance of the mortgage-backed security portfolio increased $1.3 billion compared to 2013's average, whichHigher spreads earned on liquidity investments increased net interest income by an estimated $5$4 million. The increase in spreads was primarily driven by the larger increase in rates earned on liquidity investments relative to their associated funding.
▪
Higher spreads on MPP loans-Favorable: An increase in the spread earned on mortgage loans improved net interest income by an estimated $3 million. The increase was driven by additional utilization of hedging with derivatives (swaptions) and the decision to call and replace debt at lower rates driven by declines in long-term interest rates. These factors were partially offset by continued paydowns of higher-yielding mortgage assets and low-cost debt.
▪
Higher spreads on mortgage-backed securities-Favorable: Higher spreads earned on new mortgage-backed securities increased net interest income by an estimated $3 million.

Earnings from Capital: The earningsEarnings from funding assets with interest-free capital did not change significantlyincreased $19 million and $13 million in 2015 compared to 20142017 and 20132016, respectively, due to the continued lowhigher short-term interest rate environment.rates.



41
Table of Contents

Average Balance Sheet and Rates
The following table providestables provide average balances and rates for major balance sheet accounts, which determine the changes in the net interest rate spread. All data include the impact of interest rate swaps, which we allocate to each asset and liability category according to their designated hedging relationship. The changes in the net interest rate spread and net interest margin in 2015 versus 2014 and in 2014 versus 2013 occurred mostly from the net impact of the factors discussed above in “Components of Net Interest Income.”
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
 Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
 Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
 Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
 Average Balance Interest 
Average Rate (1)
Assets                                  
Advances$70,458
 $369
 0.52% $66,642
 $318
 0.48% $61,574
 $308
 0.50%$67,656
 $905
 1.34% $69,282
 $587
 0.85% $70,458
 $369
 0.52%
Mortgage loans held for portfolio (2)
7,611
 246
 3.23
 6,804
 237
 3.48
 7,065
 269
 3.80
9,447
 297
 3.14
 8,541
 261
 3.06
 7,581
 251
 3.32
Federal funds sold and securities
purchased under resale agreements
11,493
 14
 0.12
 9,673
 7
 0.07
 9,110
 8
 0.09
9,184
 94
 1.02
 11,218
 44
 0.39
 11,493
 14
 0.12
Interest-bearing deposits in banks (3) (4) (5)
1,141
 2
 0.20
 2,244
 3
 0.15
 1,414
 2
 0.14
624
 6
 1.03
 1,071
 6
 0.57
 1,141
 2
 0.20
Mortgage-backed securities14,664
 326
 2.22
 15,594
 343
 2.20
 14,320
 313
 2.19
14,710
 306
 2.08
 15,061
 325
 2.16
 14,664
 326
 2.22
Other investments (4)
41
 —
 0.11
 37
 —
 0.08
 26
 —
 0.12
33
 —
 0.83
 32
 —
 0.44
 41
 —
 0.11
Loans to other FHLBanks—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 4
 —
 0.13
—
 —
 —
 3
 —
 0.41
 —
 —
 —
Total interest-earning assets105,408
 957
 0.91
 100,994
 908
 0.90
 93,513
 900
 0.96
101,654
 1,608
 1.58
 105,208
 1,223
 1.16
 105,378
 962
 0.92
Less: allowance for credit losses
on mortgage loans
2
     6
     12
    1
     1
     2
    
Other assets163
     169
     190
    264
     218
     163
    
Total assets$105,569
     $101,157
     $93,691
    $101,917
     $105,425
     $105,539
    
Liabilities and Capital                                  
Term deposits$132
 —
 0.20
 $93
 —
 0.19
 $120
 —
 0.17
$76
 1
 0.72
 $100
 —
 0.35
 $132
 —
 0.20
Other interest bearing deposits (5)
704
 —
 0.01
 753
 —
 0.01
 955
 —
 0.01
621
 4
 0.68
 734
 1
 0.13
 704
 —
 0.01
Discount Notes52,706
 65
 0.12
 35,992
 28
 0.08
 34,574
 37
 0.11
43,124
 385
 0.89
 49,835
 174
 0.35
 52,706
 65
 0.12
Unswapped fixed-rate Bonds26,425
 528
 2.00
 25,605
 519
 2.03
 23,117
 488
 2.11
26,768
 527
 1.97
 26,549
 532
 2.00
 26,425
 528
 2.00
Unswapped adjustable-rate Bonds13,385
 21
 0.15
 29,355
 33
 0.11
 24,319
 35
 0.14
18,500
 185
 1.00
 14,512
 84
 0.58
 13,385
 21
 0.15
Swapped Bonds6,504
 19
 0.29
 3,721
 7
 0.20
 4,673
 7
 0.15
7,099
 75
 1.05
 7,973
 66
 0.83
 6,504
 19
 0.29
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock61
 2
 4.00
 105
 4
 4.01
 139
 5
 3.95
46
 2
 5.42
 88
 3
 4.01
 61
 2
 4.00
Other borrowings—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
 4
 —
 0.12
1
 —
 1.17
 —
 —
 0.37
 —
 —
 —
Total interest-bearing liabilities99,917
 635
 0.64
 95,624
 591
 0.62
 87,901
 572
 0.65
96,235
 1,179
 1.22
 99,791
 860
 0.86
 99,917
 635
 0.64
Non-interest bearing deposits—
     4
     18
    2
     1
     —
    
Other liabilities578
     573
     651
    582
     618
     578
    
Total capital5,074
     4,956
     5,121
    5,098
     5,015
     5,044
    
Total liabilities and capital$105,569
     $101,157
     $93,691
    $101,917
     $105,425
     $105,539
    
                                  
Net interest rate spread    0.27%     0.28%     0.31%    0.36%     0.30%     0.28%
Net interest income and
net interest margin (6)
  $322
 0.31%   $317
 0.31%   $328
 0.35%  $429
 0.42%   $363
 0.35%   $327
 0.31%
Average interest-earning assets to
interest-bearing liabilities
    105.50%     105.62%     106.38%    105.63%     105.43%     105.47%
(1)Amounts used to calculate average rates are based on dollars in thousands. Accordingly, recalculations based upon the disclosed amounts (millions)in millions may not produce the same results.
(2)Non-accrual loans are included in average balances used to determine average rate.
(3)Includes certificates of deposit and bank notes that are classified as available-for-sale securities.
(4)Includes available-for-sale securities based on their amortized costs. The yield information does not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected as a component of stockholders' equity for available-for-sale securities.
(5)The average balance amounts include the rights or obligations to cash collateral, which are included in the fair value of derivative assets or derivative liabilities on the Statements of Condition at period end.
(6)Net interest margin is net interest income before provision/(reversal)/provision for credit losses as a percentage of average total interest earning assets.
            
2015 Versus 2014.Rates on short-term interest-earningand adjustable-rate assets and liabilities rose because averagein 2017 and 2016 following the increases in short-term interest rates were slightly higherLIBOR and the Federal funds target rate. The result was increases in 2015. The average rate on mortgage-backed securities also rose nominally due to a change in composition. However, the average rate of total interest-earning assets increased only 0.01 percentage point in 2015 because of the continued very low interest rate environment and higher net amortization.


42
Table of Contents

The average rate on total interest-bearing liabilities increased marginally due to modest increasesinterest-earning assets of 0.42 and 0.24 percentage points in short-term interest rates that were partially offset by lower average long-term rates, more favorable funding spreads to market rates,2017 and the transition of a large amount of LIBOR-indexed funding into lower-cost Discount Notes funding.2016, respectively.

The net interest spread and net interest margin remained stable as the higher recognition of mortgage premium amortizationimpact was offset by the net other components of net interest rate spread discussedan overall increase in the previous section.

2014 Versus 2013. The net interest spread and net interest margin decreased due to an in both 2016 and 2017. The larger increase in Advances balances and, secondarily,2017 was due to the net effect of the otherfavorable earnings factors discussed in the previous section. Althoughsection, with the Advance growth increased net interest income because of alargest contributing factor being the larger asset base,increase in rates earned on short-term and LIBOR-indexed Advances relative to the growth lowered the spread and margin because Advances tend to have narrower spreads to funding costs compared to mortgage assets.associated funding.

The decline in the average rate on total earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities resulted from the continued low rate environment and an increase in the balance sheet composition of instruments (due to the Advance growth) that tend to carry lower interest rates. The low rate environment particularly resulted in a decline in the average rate of long-term assets (such as certain Advances and mortgage loans held for portfolio) and long-term liabilities (unswapped fixed-rate Bonds). This is because a substantial portion of the principal paid down on these assets and liabilities, which had higher rates, was replaced with new assets and liabilities at lower rates.

Rates on short-term assets (Federal funds sold and securities sold under resale agreements) and liabilities (short-term borrowings and unswapped adjustable-rate Bonds) decreased slightly in 2014 as the low-rate rate environment continued.


43
Table of Contents

Volume/Rate Analysis
Changes in both average balances (volume) and interest rates influence changes in net interest income. Theincome, as shown in the following table summarizes these changes and trends in interest income and interest expense.table.
(In millions)2015 over 2014 2014 over 20132017 over 2016 2016 over 2015
Volume (1)(3)
 
Rate (2)(3)
 Total 
Volume (1)(3)
 
Rate (2)(3)
 Total
Volume (1)(3)
 
Rate (2)(3)
 Total 
Volume (1)(3)
 
Rate (2)(3)
 Total
Increase (decrease) in interest income                      
Advances$19
 $32
 $51
 $25
 $(15) $10
$(14) $332
 $318
 $(6) $224
 $218
Mortgage loans held for portfolio27
 (18) 9
 (10) (22) (32)28
 8
 36
 31
 (21) 10
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements1
 6
 7
 1
 (2) (1)(9) 59
 50
 —
 30
 30
Interest-bearing deposits in banks(2) 1
 (1) 1
 —
 1
(4) 4
 —
 —
 4
 4
Mortgage-backed securities(20) 3
 (17) 28
 2
 30
(7) (12) (19) 8
 (9) (1)
Other investments—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
Loans to other FHLBanks—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
Total25
 24
 49
 45
 (37) 8
(6) 391
 385
 33
 228
 261
Increase (decrease) in interest expense                      
Term deposits—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
—
 1
 1
 —
 —
 —
Other interest-bearing deposits—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
—
 3
 3
 —
 1
 1
Discount Notes16
 21
 37
 1
 (10) (9)(26) 237
 211
 (3) 112
 109
Unswapped fixed-rate Bonds17
 (8) 9
 51
 (20) 31
4
 (9) (5) 2
 2
 4
Unswapped adjustable-rate Bonds(22) 10
 (12) 7
 (9) (2)27
 74
 101
 2
 61
 63
Swapped Bonds7
 5
 12
 (2) 2
 —
(8) 17
 9
 5
 42
 47
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock(2) —
 (2) (1) —
 (1)(2) 1
 (1) 1
 —
 1
Other borrowings—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
Total16
 28
 44
 56
 (37) 19
(5) 324
 319
 7
 218
 225
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$9
 $(4) $5
 $(11) $—
 $(11)$(1) $67
 $66
 $26
 $10
 $36
(1)Volume changes are calculated as the change in volume multiplied by the prior year rate.
(2)Rate changes are calculated as the change in rate multiplied by the prior year average balance.
(3)Changes that are not identifiable as either volume-related or rate-related, but rather are equally attributable to both volume and rate changes, have been allocated to the volume and rate categories based upon the proportion of the absolute value of the volume and rate changes.

Effect of the Use of Derivatives on Net Interest Income
The following table shows the effect of using derivatives on net interest income. The effect on earnings from the non-interestother components of derivatives, related toincluding market value adjustments, is provided in “Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense.”
(In millions)

2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Advances:          
Amortization of hedging activities in net interest income$(3) $(3) $(3)$(2) $(3) $(3)
Net interest settlements included in net interest income(84) (91) (107)(18) (60) (84)
Mortgage loans:          
Amortization of derivative fair value adjustments in net interest income(4) (4) (2)(3) (7) (5)
Consolidated Obligation Bonds:          
Net interest settlements included in net interest income20
 18
 27
(1) 8
 20
Decrease to net interest income$(71) $(80) $(85)$(24) $(62) $(72)

Most of our use of derivatives synthetically convert the intermediate- and long-term fixed interest rates on certain Advances and Bonds to adjustable-coupon rates tied to short-term LIBOR (mostly one-(one- and three-month repricing resets). These adjustable-rate coupons normally carry lower interest rates than the fixed rates.fixed-rates. The use of derivatives lowered net interest income in each period primarily because the Advances that were swapped to short-term LIBOR had higher fixed interest rates than the Bonds

44
Table of Contents

that were swapped to short-term LIBOR. We accepted this reduction in earnings because it enabled us, as we designed, to significantly lower market risk exposure by creating a much closer match of actual cash flows between assets and liabilities than would occur otherwise. TheHowever, the reduction in earnings was similarless in 2015, 2014, and 2013.2017 due to the recent increases in short-term LIBOR.

Provision for Credit Losses

In 2015 and 2014, delinquency trends2017, we recorded a $0.5 million provision for estimated incurred credit losses in the MPP continuedrelated to decrease while home prices were relatively steady, resultingthe hurricanes that impacted the United States in the third quarter of 2017 compared to no provision for estimated incurred credit losses in 20152016 and a $0.5 million reversal for estimated incurred credit losses in 2014. In 2013, we recorded a $7.5 million reversal for estimated incurred credit losses in the MPP driven by higher home prices combined with improved delinquency trends in that year. Further information is in2015. See the "Credit Risk - MPP" section in "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management" and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements.Statements for additional information on credit exposure in the MPP.

Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense

The following table presents non-interest income and non-interest expense for each of the last three years.
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Non-interest income     
Net gains on derivatives and hedging activities$13
 $7
 $8
Non-interest (loss) income     
Net realized gains from sale of held-to-maturity securities$—
 $39
 $—
Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities(24) (47) 13
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option10
 40
 1
Other non-interest income, net17
 16
 12
13
 14
 16
Total non-interest income$30
 $23
 $20
Total non-interest (loss) income$(1) $46
 $30
Non-interest expense          
Compensation and benefits$40
 $37
 $34
$46
 $42
 $40
Other operating expense22
 17
 17
19
 26
 22
Finance Agency7
 7
 5
7
 6
 7
Office of Finance4
 4
 5
4
 4
 4
Litigation settlement—
 25
 —
Other2
 3
 3
3
 8
 2
Total non-interest expense$75
 $68
 $64
$79
 $111
 $75
Average total assets$105,569
 $101,157
 $93,691
$101,917
 $105,425
 $105,539
Average regulatory capital5,150
 5,069
 5,271
5,157
 5,115
 5,120
Total non-interest expense to average total assets (1)
0.07% 0.07% 0.07%0.08% 0.11% 0.07%
Total non-interest expense to average regulatory capital (1)
1.47
 1.35
 1.22
1.53
 2.17
 1.48
(1)Amounts used to calculate percentages are based on dollars in thousands. Accordingly, recalculations based upon the disclosed amounts (millions)in millions may not produce the same results.

Non-interestThe $47 million decrease in non-interest (loss) income increased in 2015 compared2017 was primarily due to 2014 primarily from largerhigher non-interest income in 2016 as a result of gains on the sale of securities. Each of the securities sold had less than 15 percent of the original acquired principal remaining and were sold under our periodic clean-up process. Secondarily, the lower non-interest (loss) income was driven by larger losses from derivatives and hedging activities, net of gains on financial instruments held under the fair value option in 20152017 than in 2016. The table below presents further information on the net effect of derivatives and hedging activities on non-interest income.
Non-interest expense decreased in the 2017 compared to 2014,2016 primarily due to a settlement of approximately $25 million in December 2016 of all claims related to the 2008 Lehman bankruptcy. In addition, non-interest expense was lower in 2017 than in 2016 due to lower operating expenses driven by a decrease in legal fees.

Non-interest income was higher in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to the gain on sale of securities as presenteddiscussed in the table below. The change in2017 to 2016 comparison. In addition, non-interest expense was higher in 2016 compared to 2015 resulted primarily from higher legal fees and compensation and benefits.due to the litigation settlement discussed above.


45
Table of Contents

Effect of Derivatives and Hedging Activities on Non-Interest Income
The following tables present the net effect of derivatives and hedging activities on non-interest income.
(In millions)2015 2014 2013
Net gains on derivatives and hedging activities     
Advances:     
Gains on fair value hedges$2
 $5
 $10
Gains on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting1
 —
 5
Mortgage loans:     
Gains (losses) on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting1
 —
 (11)
Consolidated Obligation Bonds:     
Gains on fair value hedges1
 —
 1
Gains on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting8
 2
 3
Total net gains on derivatives and hedging activities13
 7
 8
Net gains on financial instruments held at fair value (1)
1
 2
 —
Total net effect of derivatives and hedging activities$14
 $9
 $8
(In millions)2017
 Advances Mortgage Loans Consolidated Obligation Bonds 
Balance Sheet (1)
 
Other (2)
 Total
Net effect of derivatives and hedging activities           
(Losses) gains on fair value hedges$(1) $—
 $1
 $—
 $—
 $—
Gains (losses) on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting1
 4
 (13) (17) —
 (25)
Other (2)
—
 —
 —
 —
 1
 1
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities—
 4
 (12) (17) 1
 (24)
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option (3)
—
 —
 10
 —
 —
 10
Total net effect on non-interest income$—

$4

$(2)
$(17) $1
 $(14)
(In millions)2016
 Advances Mortgage Loans Consolidated Obligation Bonds 
Balance Sheet (1)
 Total
Net effect of derivatives and hedging activities         
Gains on fair value hedges$1
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $1
Gains (losses) on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting—
 3
 (57) 6
 (48)
Total net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities1
 3
 (57) 6
 (47)
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option (3)
—
 —
 40
 —
 40
Total net effect on non-interest income$1

$3

$(17)
$6
 $(7)
(In millions)2015
 Advances Mortgage Loans Consolidated Obligation Bonds Total
Net effect of derivatives and hedging activities       
Gains on fair value hedges$2
 $—
 $1
 $3
Gains on derivatives not receiving hedge accounting1
 1
 8
 10
Total net gains on derivatives and hedging activities3
 1
 9
 13
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option (3)
—
 —
 1
 1
Total net effect on non-interest income$3

$1

$10

$14
(1)Balance sheet includes swaptions, which are not designated as hedging a specific financial instrument.
(2)Other includes the price alignment amount on derivatives for which variation margin is characterized as a daily settled contract.
(3)Includes only those gains or losses on financial instruments held at fair value that have an economic derivative "assigned."

The amountstotal amount of income volatility in derivatives and hedging activities were modestduring 2017, 2016, and 2015 was moderate compared to the notional principal amounts well within the range of normal historical fluctuation, and consistent with the close hedging relationships of our derivative transactions. The volatility represents both unrealized fair value gains and losses on instruments we expect to hold to maturity and the realized costs of utilizing swaptions to hedge market risk exposure associated with mortgage assets.

Analysis of Quarterly ROE

The following table summarizes the components of 2015's2017's quarterly ROE and provides quarterly ROE for 20142016 and 2013.2015.
 
1st  Quarter
2nd  Quarter
3rd  Quarter
4th  Quarter
Total
Components of 2015 ROE:     
Net interest income:     
Other net interest income6.84 %6.80 %6.89 %6.98 %6.88 %
Net amortization(0.61)(0.07)(0.93)(0.70)(0.58)
Prepayment fees0.08
0.02
0.03
0.08
0.05
Total net interest income6.31
6.75
5.99
6.36
6.35
Reversal for credit losses—
—
—
—
—
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses6.31
6.75
5.99
6.36
6.35
Net gains on derivatives and
   hedging activities
0.43
0.18
0.42
—
0.26
Other non-interest income0.23
0.26
0.31
0.52
0.33
Total non-interest income0.66
0.44
0.73
0.52
0.59
Total revenue6.97
7.19
6.72
6.88
6.94
Total non-interest expense1.44
1.51
1.46
1.53
1.49
Assessments0.56
0.58
0.53
0.54
0.55
2015 ROE4.97 %5.10 %4.73 %4.81 %4.90 %
      
2014 ROE4.51 %5.00 %5.07 %5.14 %4.93 %
      
2013 ROE5.49 %4.80 %5.37 %4.78 %5.10 %
 
1st  Quarter
2nd  Quarter
3rd  Quarter
4th  Quarter
Total
Components of 2017 ROE:     
Net interest income:     
Other net interest income8.74 %8.83 %8.79 %8.78 %8.78 %
Net amortization(0.45)(0.36)(0.36)(0.41)(0.39)
Prepayment fees0.03
0.01
0.06
0.01
0.03
Total net interest income8.32
8.48
8.49
8.38
8.42
Provision for credit losses—
—
0.04
—
0.01
Net interest income after provision for credit losses8.32
8.48
8.45
8.38
8.41
Net (losses) gains on derivatives and
   hedging activities
(0.65)1.06
(0.52)(1.75)(0.48)
Other non-interest (loss) income(0.21)(0.25)0.27
1.95
0.45
Total non-interest (loss) income(0.86)0.81
(0.25)0.20
(0.03)
Total revenue7.46
9.29
8.20
8.58
8.38
Total non-interest expense1.62
1.57
1.56
1.44
1.54
Affordable Housing Program assessments0.59
0.78
0.67
0.72
0.69
2017 ROE5.25 %6.94 %5.97 %6.42 %6.15 %
      
2016 ROE4.50 %4.93 %4.82 %7.15 %5.35 %
      
2015 ROE5.32 %4.70 %5.23 %4.93 %5.04 %

The moderate volatility in quarterly ROEsROE during 2017 was primarily driven by unrealized gains and losses related to the net effect of derivatives and hedging activities. ROE in 2015first three quarters of 2017 was higher than the first three quarters of 2016 primarily due to lower net amortization of premiums and discounts related to mortgage assets and Consolidated Obligations, higher net spreads earned on short-term and LIBOR-indexed assets, and higher earnings from capital. However, ROE in the fourth quarter of 2016 was higher than the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily due to the gains on derivatives and hedging activities, and gains on financial instruments held at fair value, which are included in other non-interest income. Quarterly ROEs in 2014 and 2013 had similar levelsfrom the sale of volatility as experienced in 2015.securities.


46
Table of Contents

Segment Information

Note 18 of the Notes to Financial Statements presents information on our two operating business segments. We manage financial operations and market risk exposure primarily at the macro level, and within the context of the entire balance sheet, rather than exclusively at the level of individual segments. Under this approach, the market risk/return profile of each segment may not match, or possibly even have the same trends as, what would occur if we managed each segment on a stand-alone basis. The tables below summarize each segment's operating results for the periods shown.
      
(Dollars in millions)Traditional Member Finance MPP Total
2015     
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses$250
 $72
 $322
Net income$192
 $57
 $249
Average assets$97,932
 $7,637
 $105,569
Assumed average capital allocation$4,707
 $367
 $5,074
Return on average assets (1)
0.20% 0.74% 0.24%
Return on average equity (1)
4.08% 15.41% 4.90%
      
2014     
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses$238
 $79
 $317
Net income$181
 $63
 $244
Average assets$94,333
 $6,824
 $101,157
Assumed average capital allocation$4,622
 $334
 $4,956
Return on average assets (1)
0.19% 0.93% 0.24%
Return on average equity (1)
3.91% 18.96% 4.93%
      
2013     
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses$229
 $106
 $335
Net income$184
 $77
 $261
Average assets$86,609
 $7,082
 $93,691
Assumed average capital allocation$4,733
 $388
 $5,121
Return on average assets (1)
0.21% 1.09% 0.28%
Return on average equity (1)
3.88% 20.00% 5.10%
      
(Dollars in millions)Traditional Member Finance MPP Total
2017     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses$335
 $94
 $429
Net income$243
 $71
 $314
Average assets$91,485
 $10,432
 $101,917
Assumed average capital allocation$4,576
 $522
 $5,098
Return on average assets (1)
0.27% 0.68% 0.31%
Return on average equity (1)
5.30% 13.60% 6.15%
      
2016     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses$288
 $75
 $363
Net income$205
 $63
 $268
Average assets$96,855
 $8,570
 $105,425
Assumed average capital allocation$4,607
 $408
 $5,015
Return on average assets (1)
0.21% 0.73% 0.25%
Return on average equity (1)
4.45% 15.44% 5.35%
      
2015     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses$250
 $77
 $327
Net income$192
 $62
 $254
Average assets$97,932
 $7,607
 $105,539
Assumed average capital allocation$4,680
 $364
 $5,044
Return on average assets (1)
0.20% 0.82% 0.24%
Return on average equity (1)
4.10% 17.14% 5.04%

(1)Amounts used to calculate returns are based on numbers in thousands. Accordingly, recalculations based upon the disclosed amounts (millions)in millions may not produce the same results.

Traditional Member Finance Segment
20152017 Versus 2014.2016:The increase in net income in 2017 compared to 2016 was due primarily to lower net amortization and higher spreads earned on short-term and LIBOR-indexed Advances as discussed in the "Components of Net Interest Income" section above. These positive factors were partially offset by lower spreads on mortgage-backed securities.

2016 Versus 2015:The increase in net income was due primarily to gains from the sale of securities in the fourth quarter of 2016 and higher spreads earned on Advances primarily from lower funding costs asLIBOR-indexed assets. These positive factors were partially offset by a resultsettlement in the fourth quarter of using more Discount Notes, growth in average Advance balances,2016 of all claims related to the 2008 Lehman bankruptcy and largernet unrealized net gainslosses on derivatives and hedging activities. These items were partially offset by lower average balances on mortgage-backed securities.

2014 Versus 2013. The increase in net interest income was due to Advance growth, an increase in mortgage-backed securities leverage, and a decrease in net amortization expense of mortgage-backed securities. However, net income decreased as these factors were more than offset by a decrease in unrealized net gains on derivatives and hedging activities. Despite the decrease in net income, ROE increased slightly in 2014 primarily due to a lower amount of capital.

MPP Segment
Compared to the Traditional Member Finance segment, the MPP segment can exhibit more earnings volatility relative to short-term interest rates and more credit risk exposure. However, the MPP segment also provides the opportunity for enhancing risk-adjustedto enhance risk-

adjusted returns, which normally augments earnings. Although mortgage assets are the largest source of our market risk, we

47
Table of Contents

believe that we have historically managed this risk prudently and consistently with our risk appetite and corporate objectives. We also believe that these assets do not excessively elevate the balance sheet's overall market risk exposure.

2017 Versus 2016:The MPP continued to earn a substantial level of profitability compared to market interest rates, with a moderate amount of market risk and smalla minimal amount of credit risk. In 2015,2017, the MPP averaged seven10 percent of total average assets while accounting for 23 percent of earnings.

2015 Versus 2014.Net interest income decreased resulting from higher netincreased in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to lower amortization expenseof purchased premiums on mortgage loans and concession fees on Consolidated Obligations and the continued paydown of higher-yielding mortgage assets and low-cost debt, which werepositive impact from growth in average MPP balances. The increase in net income was partially offset by growth inlower spreads earned on MPP, balances.

2014 Versus 2013.Net interest income decreased resulting from higher net amortization expense, smaller reversalsas a result of MPP creditactions taken to reduce market risk exposure, and losses management actions to extend debt maturities, run-off of higher yielding MPP loans, and lower average MPP balances. Net income decreased by a smaller amount because the factors above were partially offset by a small gain in 2014, compared to losses in 2013, on derivatives and hedging activities.

2016 Versus 2015:Net income increased slightly in 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to growth in MPP balances and a higher net spread, resulting from an increase in the use of swaptions to hedge interest rate risk and the decision to call and replace debt at lower rates. These favorable factors were mostly offset by the increased amortization of purchased mortgage premiums. Secondarily, profitability decreased due to the paydown of higher-yielding mortgage loans and low-cost debt.


QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT RISK MANAGEMENT

Overview

We face various risks that could affect the ability to achieve our mission and corporate objectives. We generally categorize risks as: 1) business/strategic risk, 2) regulatory/legislative risk, 3) market risk (also referred to as interest rate or prepayment risk), 4) credit risk, 5) capital adequacy (capital risk), 6) funding/liquidity risk, 7) concentration risk, 8) accounting risk, and 8)9) operational risk. Our Board of Directors establishes objectives regarding risk philosophy, risk appetite, risk tolerances, and financial performance expectations. Market, capital, credit, liquidity, concentration, and operational risks are discussed below. Other risks are discussed throughout this filing.

We strive to maintain a risk profile that ensures we operate safely and soundly, promotes prudent growth in Mission Asset Activity, consistently generates competitive earnings, and protects the par value of members'Members' capital stock investment. We believe our business is financially sound and adequately capitalized on a risk-adjusted basis.

We practice this conservative risk philosophy in many ways:

▪We operate with moderate market risk and limited residual credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, and capital impairment risk.

▪We have a prioritybusiness objective to ensure competitive and relatively stable profitability.

▪We make conservative investment choices in terms of the types of investments we purchase and counterparties with which we engage.

▪We use derivatives to hedge individual assets and liabilities and to help hedgereduce market risk exposure.

▪We maintain a prudent amount of financial leverage.

▪We are judicious in instituting regular, large-scale, district-wide repurchases of excess stock.

▪We have significantly increased retained earnings in recent years and hold an amount of retained earnings that we believe is consistent with protectingwill protect the par value of capital stock and providingprovide for dividend stabilization.

▪We create a working and operating environment that emphasizes a stable employee base.

48
Table of Contents


We have numerous Board-adopted policies and processes that address risk management including risk appetite, tolerances, limits, guidelines, and regulatory compliance. Our cooperative business model, corporate objectives, capital structure, and regulatory oversight provide us clear incentives to minimize risk exposures. Our policies and operating practices are designed to limit risk exposures from ongoing operations in the following broad ways:

▪by anticipating potential business risks and developing appropriate responses;

▪by defining permissible lines of business;

▪by limiting the kinds of assets we are permitted to hold in terms of their credit risk exposure and the kinds of hedging and financing arrangements we are permitted to use;

▪by limiting the amount of market risk and capital risk to which we are permitted to be exposed;

▪by specifying very conservative tolerances for credit risk posed by Advances;

▪by specifying capital adequacy minimums; and

▪by requiring strict adherence to internal controls and operating procedures, adequate insurance coverage, and comprehensive Human Resources policies, procedures, and strategies.

Market Risk

Overview
Market risk exposure is the risk that profitability and the value of stockholders' capital investment may decrease and that profitability may bebecome uncompetitive as a result of changes and volatility in the market environment and economy. Along with business/strategic risk, market risk is normally our largest residual risk.

Our risk appetite is to maintain market risk exposure in a moderate range while earning a competitive return on members'Members' capital stock investment. There is normally a tradeoff between long-term market risk exposure and shorter-term exposure. Effective management of both componentseach component is important in order to attract and retain membersMembers and capital and to support Mission Asset Activity.

The primary challenges in managing market risk exposure arise from 1) the tradeoff between earning a competitive return and correlating profitability with short-term interest rates and 2) the market risk exposure of owning mortgage assets. Mortgage assets grant homeowners prepayment options that could adversely affect our financial performance when interest rates increase or decrease. We mitigate the market risk of mortgage assets primarily by funding them principally with a portfolio of long-term fixed-rate callable and noncallable Bonds that haveand, secondarily, with swaptions derivative transactions. The Bonds and swaptions provide expected cash flows that are similar to the aggregate cash flows expected from mortgage assets under a wide range of interest rate and prepayment environments. Because it is normally cost-prohibitive to completely mitigate mortgage prepayment risk, a residual amount of market risk normally remains after funding and hedging activities. In 2015, we introduced the use of purchasing options on interest rate swaps (swaptions derivatives) as an additional hedging strategy. Use of these derivatives represent, and will continue to represent, a small component of overall hedging practices.

We analyze market risk using numerous analytical measures under a variety of interest rate and business scenarios, including stressed scenarios, and perform sensitivity analyses on the many variables that can affect market risk, using several market risk models from third-party software companies. These models employ rigorous valuation techniques for the optionality that exists in mortgage prepayments, call and put options, and caps/floors. We regularly assess the effects of different assumptions, techniques and methodologies on the measurements of market risk exposure, including comparisons to alternative models and information from brokers/dealers.

Policy Limits on Market Risk Exposure
We have five sets of policy limits regarding market risk exposure, which primarily measure long-term market risk exposure. We determine compliance with our policy limits at every month end or more frequently if market or business conditions change significantly or are volatile.

▪
Market Value of Equity Sensitivity. The market value of equity for the entire balance sheet in two hypothetical interest rate scenarios (up 200 basis points and down 200 basis points from the current interest rate environment) must be between positive and negative 10 percent of the current balance sheet's market value of equity. The interest rate

49
Table of Contents

movements are “shocks,” defined as instantaneous, permanent, and parallel changes in interest rates in which every point on the yield curve is changed by the same amount.

▪
Duration of Equity. The duration of equity for the entire balance sheet in the current (“flat rate” or “base case”) interest rate environment must be between positive and negative five years and in the two interest rate shock scenarios (up 200 basis points and down 200 basis points from the current interest rate environment) must be between positive and negative six years.

▪
Mortgage Assets Portfolio. The change in net market value of the mortgage assets portfolio as a percentage of the book value of portfolio assets must be between positive and negative three percent in each of the two interest rate shock scenarios. Net market value is defined as the market value of assets minus the market value of liabilities, with no assumed capital allocation.

▪
Market Capitalization. The market capitalization ratio (defined as the ratio of the market value of equity to the par value of regulatory stock) must be above 95 percent in the current rate environment and must be above 90 percent in each of the two interest rate shock scenarios.

▪
Mortgage Assets as a Multiple of Regulatory Capital. The amount of mortgage assets must be less than six times the amount of regulatory capital.

In addition, Finance Agency regulations and an internal policy provide controls on market risk exposure by restricting the types of mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and other investments we can hold. We also manage market risk exposure by charging membersMembers prepayment fees on many Advance programs where an early termination of an Advance would result in an economic loss to us.

In practice we carry a substantially smaller amount of market risk exposure by establishing a strategic management range that is well within policy limits.

Market Value of Equity and Duration of Equity - Entire Balance Sheet
Two key measures of long-term market risk exposure are the sensitivities of the market value of equity and the duration of equity to changes in interest rates and other variables, as presented in the following tables for various instantaneous and permanent interest rate shocks.shocks (in basis points). We compiled average results using data for each month end. Given the current very low level of rates, the down rate shocks are nonparallel scenarios, with short-term rates decreasing less than long-term rates such that no rate falls below zero.

Market Value of Equity
(Dollars in millions)Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300
Average Results                          
2015 Full Year             
2017 Full Year             
Market Value of Equity$4,697
 $4,792
 $4,958
 $4,969
 $4,875
 $4,729
 $4,568
$4,702
 $4,765
 $4,973
 $5,021
 $4,956
 $4,881
 $4,815
% Change from Flat Case(5.5)% (3.6)% (0.2)% —
 (1.9)% (4.8)% (8.1)%(6.3)% (5.1)% (0.9)% —
 (1.3)% (2.8)% (4.1)%
2014 Full Year             
2016 Full Year             
Market Value of Equity$4,763
 $4,908
 $4,961
 $4,889
 $4,771
 $4,626
 $4,479
$4,571
 $4,595
 $4,720
 $4,843
 $4,791
 $4,655
 $4,509
% Change from Flat Case(2.6)% 0.4 % 1.5 % —
 (2.4)% (5.4)% (8.4)%(5.6)% (5.1)% (2.5)% —
 (1.1)% (3.9)% (6.9)%
Month-End Results                          
December 31, 2015             
December 31, 2017             
Market Value of Equity$4,565
 $4,652
 $4,849
 $4,888
 $4,795
 $4,656
 $4,507
$4,764
 $4,837
 $5,095
 $5,165
 $5,097
 $5,027
 $4,955
% Change from Flat Case(6.6)% (4.8)% (0.8)% —
 (1.9)% (4.7)% (7.8)%(7.8)% (6.3)% (1.3)% —
 (1.3)% (2.7)% (4.1)%
December 31, 2014             
December 31, 2016             
Market Value of Equity$4,714
 $4,824
 $4,938
 $4,920
 $4,835
 $4,688
 $4,524
$4,587
 $4,660
 $4,803
 $4,770
 $4,654
 $4,543
 $4,457
% Change from Flat Case(4.2)% (2.0)% 0.4 % —
 (1.7)% (4.7)% (8.1)%(3.8)% (2.3)% 0.7 % —
 (2.4)% (4.8)% (6.6)%


50
Table of Contents

Duration of Equity
 
(In years)Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300
Average Results             
2015 Full Year(5.7) (4.6) (1.7) 1.0
 2.8
 3.4
 3.5
2014 Full Year(3.7) (2.1) 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.3 3.3
Month-End Results             
December 31, 2015(6.9) (5.7) (2.8) 0.6
 2.8
 3.3
 3.2
December 31, 2014(3.8) (3.4) (0.2) 1.0
 2.6
 3.5
 3.7
(In years)Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300
Average Results             
2017 Full Year(1.7) (4.2) (3.8) 0.4
 1.6
 1.4
 1.4
2016 Full Year(2.3) (2.8) (3.4) (0.8) 2.3
 3.1
 3.3
Month-End Results             
December 31, 2017(2.0) (5.3) (4.4) 0.5
 1.5
 1.4
 1.5
December 31, 2016(2.0) (3.7) (1.7) 1.8
 2.5
 2.0
 1.8

During 2015, as in 2014, consistent with our historical practice andWe took actions during 2017 to reduce market risk appetite, we positionedto rising interest rates. The overall market risk exposure to higherchanging interest rates was at a moderate level. Market risklevel and well within policy limits. The dollar amount of equity exposure to lower rates continued tofor any individual rate shock can be slightly favorableobtained by multiplying the percentage change of the market value of equity by the amount of total capital. The durations of equity provide an estimate of the change in most scenarios unless allmarket value of equity for a 1.00 percentage point further change in interest rates decline to levels at (or near) zero.from the rate shock level.

Based on the totality of our risk analysis, we expect that profitability, defined as the level of ROE compared with short-term market rates, will remain competitive unless interest rates change by extremely large amounts in a short period of time. Decreases in long-term interest rates, even up toby two percentage points, (which would put fixed-rate mortgages below two percent) would still result in profitability being well above market interest rates. Similarly, we believe that profitability would not become uncompetitive in a rising rate environment unless long-terminterest rates were to permanently increase over the next 12 monthsin a short period of time by five percentage points or more combined with short-term rates increasing toand persist at least seven percent.the higher levels for a long period of time.

Market Risk Exposure of the Mortgage Assets Portfolio
The mortgage assets portfolio normally accounts for almost all market risk exposure because of prepayment volatility that we cannot completely hedge while maintaining sufficient net spreads. Sensitivities of the market value of equity allocated to the mortgage assets portfolio under interest rate shocks (in basis points) are shown below. At December 31, 20152017, the average mortgage assets portfolio had an assumed capital allocation of $1.1$1.2 billion based on the entire balance sheet's regulatory capital-to-assets ratio. Average results are compiled using data for each month-end.month end. The market value sensitivities are one measure we use to analyze the portfolio's estimated market risk exposure.

% Change in Market Value of Equity-Mortgage Assets Portfolio
 Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300
Average Results             
2015 Full Year(33.1)% (22.7)% (4.1)% — (8.0)% (21.3)% (36.3)%
2014 Full Year(19.1)% (3.9)% 3.6 % — (9.7)% (22.1)% (35.0)%
Month-End Results             
December 31, 2015(41.7)% (30.8)% (6.4)% — (9.6)% (24.4)% (40.7)%
December 31, 2014(25.0)% (13.7)% (1.0)% — (7.9)% (21.4)% (36.6)%
 Down 300 Down 200 Down 100 Flat Rates Up 100 Up 200 Up 300
Average Results             
2017 Full Year(36.1)% (29.1)% (6.8)% — (3.8)% (8.6)% (12.8)%
2016 Full Year(31.7)% (29.4)% (15.5)% — (3.1)% (15.3)% (29.0)%
Month-End Results             
December 31, 2017(39.4)% (32.2)% (8.7)% — (2.4)% (4.9)% (7.8)%
December 31, 2016(28.4)% (18.5)% 0.7 % — (10.4)% (20.3)% (27.7)%

The risk exposure of the mortgage assets portfolio to changing interest rates was similar in 2015at year-end 2017 compared to 2014 exceptthe end of 2016 was lower in extreme fallingrising rate scenarios where all interestand higher in lower rate scenarios driven by our actions taken to reduce risk to rising rates are at or marginally above zero. The dollar amount of exposure for any individual rate shock can be obtained by multiplying the percentage change by the assumed equity allocation.along with normal changes in balance sheet composition. We believe the mortgage assetsasset portfolio continuedwill continue to haveprovide an acceptable amount of market risk exposure relative to its actual and expected profitability andadjusted return consistent with our risk appetite philosophy.


51
Table of Contents

Use of Derivatives in Market Risk Management
A key component of hedging market risk exposure is the use of derivatives transactions, as discussed in Item 1 "Business."derivative transactions. The following table presents the notional principal amounts of the derivatives classified by how we designate the hedging relationship. The notional amount of derivatives at December 31, 20152017 decreased by $0.4$2.6 billion (four(15 percent) from the end of 2014.2016, driven primarily by normal fluctuations in balance sheet composition.
(In millions) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Hedged Item/Hedging InstrumentHedging ObjectiveFair Value HedgeEconomic Hedge Fair Value HedgeEconomic HedgeHedging ObjectiveFair Value HedgeEconomic Hedge Fair Value HedgeEconomic Hedge
Advances:        
Pay-fixed, receive-float interest rate swap (without options)Converts the Advance's fixed rate to a variable-rate index.$3,007
$15
 $1,734
$15
Converts the Advance's fixed rate to a variable-rate index.$4,686
$15
 $3,605
$15
Pay-fixed, receive-float interest rate swap (with options)Converts the Advance's fixed rate to a variable-rate index and offsets option risk in the Advance.1,187
48
 1,653
128
Converts the Advance's fixed rate to a variable-rate index and offsets option risk in the Advance.379
150
 696
33
Total Advances 4,194
63
 3,387
143
 5,065
165
 4,301
48
Mortgage Loans:        
Forward settlement agreementProtects against changes in market value of fixed-rate Mandatory Delivery Contracts resulting from changes in interest rates.—
462
 —
439
Protects against changes in market value of fixed-rate Mandatory Delivery Contracts resulting from changes in interest rates.—
212
 —
511
Consolidated Obligations Bonds:        
Receive-fixed, pay-float interest rate swap (without options)Converts the Bond's fixed rate to a variable-rate index.1,184
2,494
 760
2,215
Converts the Bond's fixed rate to a variable-rate index.874
5,529
 1,229
6,789
Receive-fixed, pay-float interest rate swap (with options)Converts the Bond's fixed rate to a variable-rate index and offsets option risk in the Bond.170
162
 155
2,277
Converts the Bond's fixed rate to a variable-rate index and offsets option risk in the Bond.54
95
 130
1,362
Total Consolidated Obligations
Bonds
 1,354
2,656
 915
4,492
 928
5,624
 1,359
8,151
Balance Sheet:        
Interest rate swaptionsProvides the option to enter into an interest rate swap to offset interest-rate or prepayment risk.—
281
 —
—
Provides the option to enter into an interest rate swap to offset interest-rate or prepayment risk.—
2,316
 —
2,346
Stand-Alone Derivatives:        
Mandatory Delivery ContractsExposure to fair-value risk associated with fixed rate mortgage purchase commitments.—
450
 —
451
Exposure to fair-value risk associated with fixed rate mortgage purchase commitments.—
219
 —
441
Total $5,548
$3,912
 $4,302
$5,525
 $5,993
$8,536
 $5,660
$11,497

See Note 11 of the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information on how we use derivatives and the types of assets and liabilities hedged with derivatives.

Capital Adequacy

Retained Earnings
We must hold sufficient capital to protect against exposure to various risks, including market, credit, and operational. We regularly conduct a variety of measurements and assessments for capital adequacy. Our current retained earningsAt December 31, 2017, our capital management policy setsset forth a range of $375$225 million to $600$425 million as the minimum amount of retained earnings we believe is necessary to mitigate impairment risk from market risk exposure and to provide for dividend stability.stability from factors that could cause earnings to be volatile. At December 31, 20152017, the $765$940 million of retained earnings was comprised of $556$617 million unrestricted (an increase of $27$43 million from year-end 2014)2016) and $209$323 million restricted (an increase of $49$63 million from year-end 2014)2016), which bypursuant to the FHLBank System's Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement we are not permitted to distribute as dividends.

Due
We believe that the current amount of retained earnings, which exceeds the policy range, is sufficient to the regulatory environmentmitigate Members' impairment risk of their capital stock investment and employing abundance of caution, weto provide for dividend stabilization. We will continue to carry a greater amount of retained earnings than required by the policy and will continue to bolster capital adequacy over time by allocating a portion of earnings to a separatethe required restricted retained earnings account in accordance with the FHLBank System's Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement. We believe that the current amount of retained earnings is sufficient to mitigate members' impairment risk of their capital stock investment and to provide the opportunity to stabilize dividends when profitability may be volatile.account.


52
Table of Contents

Risk-Based Capital
The following table shows the amount of risk-based capital required based on Finance Agency prescribed measurements. By regulation, we are required to hold permanent capital at least equal to the amount of risk-based capital.
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015 Monthly Average 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 Monthly Average 2017 December 31, 2016
Market risk-based capital$206
 $155
 $125
$421
 $330
 $184
Credit risk-based capital280
 253
 246
261
 272
 262
Operational risk-based capital145
 122
 111
204
 180
 134
Total risk-based capital requirement631
 530
 482
886
 782
 580
Total permanent capital5,232
 5,150
 5,019
5,211
 5,157
 5,026
Excess permanent capital$4,601
 $4,620
 $4,537
$4,325
 $4,375
 $4,446
Risk-based capital as a percent of permanent capital12% 10% 10%17% 15% 12%

The risk-based capital requirement has historically not been a constraint on operations, and we do not use it to actively manage any of our risks. It has normally ranged from 10 to 20 percent of permanent capital. This measure has been at the low end of the range for several years, primarily due to the low level of interest rates during this period limiting estimated exposure to extreme lower rate scenarios. The amount of required risk-based capital increased at year-end 2015 versus year-end 2014 due to higher MPP balances and changes in interest rate volatility that affected the market risk component.

Dodd-Frank Stress Test
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, all FHLBanks are required to perform an annual stress test for capital adequacy. Our test wasWe completed and published the test in July 2015,November 2017, based on our financial condition as of September 30, 2014December 31, 2016 and the methodology prescribed by the Finance Agency. Capital adequacy was sufficient under all established scenarios to fully absorb losses under both adverse and severely adverse economic conditions.

Market Capitalization Ratios
We measure two sets of market capitalization ratios. One measures the market value of equity (i.e., total capital) relative to the par value of regulatory capital stock (which is GAAP capital stock and mandatorily redeemable capital stock). The other measures the market value of total capital relative to the book value of total capital, which includes all components of capital. The measures provide a point-in-time indication of the FHLB's liquidation or franchise value and can also serve as a measure of realized or potential market risk exposure.

The following table presents the market value of equity to regulatory capital stock (excluding retained earnings) for several interest rate environments.
December 31, 2015 Monthly Average Year Ended December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 Monthly Average Year Ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital Stock - Base Case (Flat Rates) Scenario109% 113% 114%121% 119% 114%
Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital Stock - Down Shock (1)
109
 113
 114
119
 117
 115
Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital Stock - Up Shock (2)
104
 107
 108
118
 115
 108
(1)Represents a down shock of 100 basis points.
(2)Represents an up shock of 200 basis points.

A base case value below par100 percent (par) could indicate that, in the remote event of an immediate liquidation scenario involving redemption of all capital stock, capital stock may be returned to stockholders at a value below par. This could be due to experiencing risks that lower the market value of capital and/or to having an insufficient amount of retained earnings. In 2015,2017, the market capitalization ratios in the scenarios presented continued to be above our policy requirements. The base case ratio of 121 percent was modestly higher at the minimum policy limits identified above. Although the ratios declined slightly at December 31, 2015end of 2017 compared to the end of 20142016 driven mostly by changes in interest rates, market pricing and average for 2015, they remained acceptable becausecontinued growth in retained earnings, which were 1722 percent of regulatory capital stock at

December 31, 20152017. The ratio remains acceptable and well above policy requirements, as we maintained risk exposures at moderate levels.


53
Table of Contents

The following table presents the market value of equity to the book value of total capital.
December 31, 2015 Monthly Average Year Ended December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 Monthly Average Year Ended December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Market Value of Equity to Book Value of Capital - Base Case (Flat Rates) Scenario (1)
94% 97% 98%99% 98% 95%
Market Value of Equity to Book Value of Capital - Down Shock (1)(2)
93
 97
 99
98
 97
 96
Market Value of Equity to Book Value of Capital - Up Shock (1)(3)
89
 92
 94
97
 95
 91
(1)Capital includes total capital and mandatorily redeemable capital stock.
(2)Represents a down shock of 100 basis points.
(3)Represents an up shock of 200 basis points.

A base-case value below par indicates that we have realized or could realize risks (especially market risk) such that the market value of total capital owned by stockholders, which includes regulatory capital stock and retained earnings, is below par value (i.e., below 100 percent of the total book value). The base-case ratio of 9499 percent at December 31, 20152017 indicates that the market value of total capital is $345$46 million below the par value of total capital. In a scenario in which interest rates increase 200 basis points, the market value of total capital would be $577$184 million below the par value of total capital, whichcapital. This indicates that capital stock would still be redeemable at par butin a liquidation scenario, stockholders would not receive the full sum of their total equity ownership claims in the FHLB, which include both capital stock and retained earnings. We believe the likelihood of a liquidation scenario is extremely remote; and therefore, we accept the risk of diluting equity ownership in such a scenario.

Credit Risk

Overview
Our business entails a significant amount of inherent credit risk exposure. We believe our risk management practices, discussed below, bring the amount of residual credit risk to a minimal level. We have no loan loss reserves or impairment recorded for Credit Services, investments, and derivatives and a minimal amount of legacy credit risk exposure to the MPP.

Credit Services
Overview: We have policies and practices to manage credit risk exposure from our secured lending activities, which include Advances and Letters of Credit. The objective of our credit risk management is to equalize risk exposure across membersMembers and counterparties to a zero level of expected losses, consistent with our conservative risk management principles and desire to have virtually no residual credit risk related to memberMember borrowings.

Collateral: We require each memberMember to provide us a security interest in eligible collateral before it can undertake any secured borrowing. At December 31, 20152017, our policy of over-collateralization resulted in total collateral pledged of $306.5$328.7 billion to serve members'Members' total borrowing capacity of $260.6$272.2 billion. of which $187.5 billion was available to support new credit services. The estimated value of pledged collateral is discounted in order to offset market, credit, and liquidity risks that may affect the collateral's realizable value in the event it must be liquidated. Over-collateralization by one memberMember is not applied to another member.Member.


The table below shows the total pledged collateral (unadjusted for Collateral Maintenance Requirements)Lendable Value Rates).
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
(Dollars in billions)  Percent of Total   Percent of Total  Percent of Total   Percent of Total
Collateral Amount Pledged Collateral Collateral Amount Pledged CollateralCollateral Amount Pledged Collateral Collateral Amount Pledged Collateral
Single-family loans$174.0
 57% $140.4
 55%
Single family loans$192.3
 58% $188.7
 59%
Multi-family loans44.9
 15
 38.2
 15
59.7
 18
 56.7
 18
Bond securities32.9
 11
 22.3
 9
Commercial real estate31.0
 10
 29.5
 12
38.6
 12
 33.8
 11
Home equity loans/lines of credit23.1
 7
 22.0
 9
24.9
 8
 24.9
 8
Bond Securities12.5
 4
 13.8
 4
Farm real estate0.6
 —
 0.6
 —
0.7
 —
 0.6
 —
Total$306.5
 100% $253.0
 100%$328.7
 100% $318.5
 100%


54
Table of Contents

At December 31, 2015, 642017, 66 percent of collateral was related to residential mortgage lending in single-family loans and home equity loans/lines of credit. The collateral composition remained consistent with the end of 2014.

We assign each memberMember one of fourthree levels of collateral status: Blanket, Securities, Listing, and Physicalor Delivery. Assignment is based in part on an internal credit rating model that reflects our view of the member'sMember's current financial condition and performance. Blanket collateral status, which we assign to approximately 90 percent of borrowers, is the least restrictive status and is available to lower-risk bank and credit union members.Members. Approximately 5354 percent of pledged collateral is under Blanket status. We monitor the level of eligible collateral pledged under Blanket status using quarterly regulatory financial reports or periodic collateral “Certification” documents submitted by all significant borrowers.

Under Listing collateral status, a memberMember provides us detailed information on specifically identified individual loans that meet certain minimum qualifications. Physical Delivery is the most restrictive collateral status, which we assign to membersMembers experiencing significant financial difficulties, insurance companies, pledging loans,Community Development Financial Institutions and newly chartered institutions. We require borrowers in Physical Delivery status to deliver into our custody securities and/or original notes, mortgages or deeds of trust. Under any collateral status, membersMembers may elect to pledge bond securities, which we either hold in our custody or, less often, have third parties control on our behalf.

We use third-party services to regularly estimate market values of collateral under Listing and PhysicalDelivery status. Third-party services use various proprietary models to estimate market values. Assumptions may be made on factors that affect collateral value, such as market liquidity, discount rates, prepayments, liquidation and servicing costs in the event of a default and economic and market conditions. We have policies and procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of collateral valuations.

Borrowing Capacity/Lendable Value: We determine borrowing capacity against pledged collateral by establishing minimum levelsapplying collateral discounts, or haircuts, to the value of over-collateralization (Collateral Maintenance Requirements or CMRs). CMRsthe collateral. These haircuts result in a lendable value, or borrowing capacityLendable Value Rates (LVRs) that isare less than the amount of pledged collateral.

CMRsLVRs are determined by statistical analysis and management assumptions relating to historical price volatility, inherent credit risks, liquidation costs, and the current credit and economic environment. We apply CMRLVR results to the estimated values of pledged assets. CMRsLVRs vary among pledged assets and membersMembers based on the Member institution type, the financial strength of the memberMember institution, the levelform of collateral status,valuation, the issuer of bond collateral or the quality of securitized assets, the marketability of the pledged assets, the payment performance of pledged loan collateral, and the quality of loan collateral as reflected in the manner in which it was underwritten and is administered.underwritten. Effective July 2017, we updated LVRs resulting in minor changes in borrowing capacity for most Members.

The table below indicates the range of lendable values remaining after the application of CMRsLVRs for each major collateral type pledged at December 31, 2015. These ranges did not change from the end of 2014.2017.
 Lending Values Applied to Collateral
Blanket Status: 
Prime 1-4 family loans67-87%71-83%
Multi-family loans53-77%59-77%
Prime home equity loans/lines of credit57-77%53-63%
Commercial real estate loans61-80%67-87%
Farm real estate loans65-83%74-87%
Listing Status/Physical Delivery: 
Cash/U.S. Government/U.S. Treasury/U.S. agency securities79-100%92-100%
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities/collateralized mortgage obligations79-98%91-98%
Private-label residential mortgage-backed securities43-87%62-90%
Private-label commercial mortgage-backed securities33-86%54-88%
Municipal securities25-93%78-93%
Small Business Administration certificates88-93%92-95%
Prime 1-4 family loans67-94%69-87%
Multi-family loans57-87%63-83%
HomePrime home equity loans/lines of credit63-87%65-80%
Commercial real estate loans65-91%69-87%
Farm real estate loans67-91%71-83%

The ranges of lendable values exclude subprime and nontraditional mortgage loan collateral. Loans pledged by lower risk membersMembers for which we require only high level, summary reporting of eligible balances are generally discounted more heavily than loans on which we have detailed loan structure and underwriting information. For any form of loan collateral, additional

55
Table of Contents

credit risk based adjustments may be made to an individual member’sMember’s collateral that results in a lower lendable value than that indicated in the above table.

Subprime and Nontraditional Mortgage Loan Collateral: We have policies and processes to identify subprime and nontraditional residential mortgage loans pledged by members.Members. We perform collateral reviews sometimes engaging third parties, to determine whetherestimate the pledged loans meet our definitionvolume of subprime and nontraditional or both.loans pledged. Depending on the quality of underwriting and administration, we may subject these loans to higher CMRs. We also limit the overall percentage of borrowing capacity that members can receive from subprime and nontraditional collateral.lower LVRs.
 
Internal Credit Ratings: We perform credit underwriting of our membersMembers and nonmember borrowers and assign them an internal credit rating on a scale of one to seven, with a higher number representing a less favorable assessment of the institution's credit and overall financial condition. TheThese credit ratings are based on internal ratings models, credit analysisanalyses and consideration of available credit ratings from independent credit rating organizations. The creditCredit ratings are used in conjunction with other measures of the credit risk and pledged collateral, as described above, in managing secured credit risk exposure to member and nonmember borrowers.exposure.

A less favorable credit rating can cause us to 1) decrease the institution's borrowing capacity via higher CMRs,lower LVRs, 2) require the institution to provide an increased level of detail on pledged collateral, 3) require it to deliver collateral into our custody, 4) prompt us to more closely and/or frequently monitor the institution using several established processes, and/or 5) limit the institution's exposure through borrowing restrictions (e.g., maturity restrictions on new Advances or requiring prepaymentsrestrictions on existing Advances)borrowing capacity from higher risk collateral sources). In 2017, we updated our internal credit rating model scoring for certain Member types, generally resulting in more Members being rated slightly lower. The impact to these Members' borrowing capacity was minimal.


The following tables show the distribution of internal credit ratings we assigned to memberMember and nonmember borrowers, which we use to help manage credit risk exposure.
(Dollars in billions)(Dollars in billions)      (Dollars in billions)      
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Borrowers   Borrowers Borrowers   Borrowers
   Collateral-Based    Collateral-Based   Collateral-Based    Collateral-Based
Credit   Borrowing Credit   Borrowing   Borrowing Credit   Borrowing
Rating Number Capacity Rating Number Capacity Number Capacity Rating Number Capacity
1-3 582
 $251.7
 1-3 547
 $131.1
 532
 $262.4
 1-3 599
 $265.8
4 85
 5.2
 4 107
 74.9
 101
 9.2
 4 67
 6.7
5 29
 3.6
 5 37
 3.6
 28
 0.5
 5 22
 1.2
6 8
 0.1
 6 14
 0.2
 5
 0.1
 6 8
 0.1
7 7
 —
 7 12
 0.3
 5
 —
 7 3
 —
Total 711
 $260.6
 Total 717
 $210.1
 671
 $272.2
 Total 699
 $273.8

A “4” rating is our assessmentWe consider Members with credit ratings of the lowest level of satisfactory performance."1" through "4" to be financially sound institutions. At December 31, 20152017, 4438 borrowers (six percent of the total) had credit ratings of "5" through "7," a net decreaseincrease of 19five Members from the end of 2014.2016. These membersMembers had $3.70.6 billion of borrowing capacity at December 31, 20152017. ThereAdditionally, the decrease in Members with a credit rating of "1" through "3" in 2017 was a net decreaseresult of 22 members who had a "4" credit rating and a net increase of 35 members with credit ratings of "1," "2," or "3." These trends indicate a general improvementthe decline in the overall financial conditionnumber of our members duringMembers and the recovery cycle forupdated credit rating model scoring noted above. We believe the overall economy and housing market.credit rating distribution continues to show a financially sound membership base.

Member Failures, Closures, and Receiverships: There were no memberMember failures in 2015.2017.

MPP
Overview.Overview: We believe that theThe residual amount of credit risk exposure to loans in the MPP is minimal, based on the following factors:

▪various credit enhancements for conventional loans, which are designed to protect us against credit losses;
▪conservative underwriting and loan characteristics consistent with favorable expected credit performance;
▪a small overall amount of delinquencies and defaults when compared to national averages;

56
Table of Contents

▪credit losses totaling $1.9$0.8 million in 20152017 and $16.7$18.7 million over the life of the program, which represent an immaterial percentage of conventional loans' current unpaid principal balances at December 31, 20152017 and of total purchases-to-date for the entire MPP; and
▪in addition to the low program-to-date credit losses, based on financial analysis, we believe that future credit losses will not harm capital adequacy and will not significantly affect profitability except under the most extreme and unlikely credit conditions.

Portfolio Loan Characteristics: The following table shows FICO® credit scores of homeowners at origination dates for the conventional loan portfolio.
FICO® Score (1)
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
< 620 —% —% —% —%
620 to < 660 1
 2
 1
 1
660 to < 700 7
 8
 6
 6
700 to < 740 17
 18
 16
 16
>= 740 75
 72
 77
 77
        
Weighted Average 762
 760
 765
 764
(1)
Represents the FICO® score at origination.

There was littleno change in the distribution of FICO® scores at origination in 20152017 compared to 2014.2016. The distribution of FICO® scores at origination is one indication of the portfolio's overall favorable credit quality. At December 31, 2015, 752017, 77 percent of the

portfolio had scores at an excellent level of 740 or above and 9293 percent had scores above 700, which is a threshold generally considered indicative of homeowners'homeowners with good credit quality.

The following tables show loan-to-value ratios for conventional loans based on values estimated at the origination dates and current values estimated at the noted periods. The estimated current ratios are based on original loan values, principal paydowns that have occurred since origination, and a third-party estimate of changes in historical home prices for the zip code in which each loan resides. Both measures are weighted by current unpaid principal.
 Based on Estimated Origination Value  Based On Estimated Current Value Based on Estimated Origination Value  Based On Estimated Current Value
Loan-to-Value December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Loan-to-Value December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Loan-to-Value December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
<= 60% 16% 17% <= 60% 33% 34% 14% 15% <= 60% 41% 38%
> 60% to 70% 16
 16
 > 60% to 70% 22
 25
 15
 16
 > 60% to 70% 29
 26
> 70% to 80% 55
 55
 > 70% to 80% 28
 25
 56
 55
 > 70% to 80% 24
 28
> 80% to 90% 8
 7
 > 80% to 90% 13
 12
 9
 9
 > 80% to 90% 5
 7
> 90% 5
 5
 > 90% to 100% 4
 3
 6
 5
 > 90% to 100% 1
 1
     > 100% —
 1
     > 100% —
 —
Weighted Average 72% 72% Weighted Average 65% 65% 73% 73% Weighted Average 61% 63%

The levels of loan-to-value ratios in the last several years are consistent with the portfolio's excellent credit quality. At December 31, 2015,2017, we estimated that 17six percent of loans have current loan-to-value ratios above 80 percent, relatively unchanged compared to eight percent at the end of 2014.2016. The improvement in the 2017 current loan-to-value ratios reflected the six percent average increase in housing prices nationwide during the year.

Based on the available data, we believe we have minimal exposure to loans in the MPP considered to have characteristics of “subprime” or “alternative/nontraditional” loans. Further, we do not knowingly purchase any loan that violates the terms of our Anti-Predatory Lending Policy.


57
Table of Contents

The following table presents the geographical allocation based on the unpaid principal balance of conventional loans in the MPPMPP. The geographical allocation is concentrated in Ohio as shown inand was consistent with the following table based on unpaid principal balance.allocation at the end of 2016.
 December 31, 2015  December 31, 2014
Ohio63% Ohio61%
Kentucky14
 Kentucky13
Indiana10
 Indiana8
Tennessee3
 Tennessee3
Michigan1
 Michigan2
All others9
 All others13
Total100% Total100%
December 31, 2017
Ohio65%
Kentucky14
Indiana11
Tennessee2
Michigan1
All others7
Total100%

Credit Enhancements: Conventional mortgage loans are supported against credit losses by various combinations of primary mortgage insurance (PMI), supplemental mortgage insurance (SMI) (for loans purchased before February 2011), and the Lender Risk Account (LRA). The LRA is a holdbackhold back of a portion of the initial purchase price to cover expected credit losses for a specific pool of loans. Starting after five years from the loan purchase date, we may return the holdbackhold back to PFIs if they manage credit risk to predefined acceptable levels of exposure on the loan pools they sell to us. As a result, some pools of loans may have sufficient credit enhancements to recapture all losses while other pools of loans may not. The LRA had balances of $158201 million and $129$188 million at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016, respectively. For more information, see Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


Credit Performance: The table below provides an analysis of conventional loans delinquent or in the process of foreclosure, along with the national average serious delinquency rate.
Conventional Loan DelinquenciesConventional Loan Delinquencies
(Dollars in millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Early stage delinquencies - unpaid principal balance (1)
$51
 $61
$43
 $47
Serious delinquencies - unpaid principal balance (2)
$32
 $43
$17
 $23
Early stage delinquency rate (3)
0.7% 1.0%0.5% 0.5%
Serious delinquency rate (4)
0.4% 0.7%0.2% 0.3%
National average serious delinquency rate (5)
1.8% 2.4%2.0% 2.5%
(1)Includes conventional loans 30 to 89 days delinquent and not in foreclosure.
(2)Includes conventional loans that are 90 days or more past due or where the decision of foreclosure or a similar alternative such as pursuit of deed-in-lieu has been reported.
(3)Early stage delinquencies expressed as a percentage of the total conventional loan portfolio.
(4)Serious delinquencies expressed as a percentage of the total conventional loan portfolio.
(5)
National average number of fixed-rate prime and subprime conventional loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure is based on the most recent national delinquency data available. The December 31, 20152017 rate is based on September 30, 20152017 data.

The MPP has experienced a small amount of delinquencies, and foreclosures with the serious delinquency rate continuing to be well below national averages.

We consider a high risk loan as having a current loan-to-value ratio above 100 percent. At December 31, 2015,Historically, high risk loans hadhave experienced a moderateminimal amount of serious delinquencies (i.e., delinquencies that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure). For example, of the $20$9 million of conventional principal balances with current estimated loan-to-values above 100 percent $1 million (six percent)at December 31, 2017, none of them were seriously delinquent. We believe these data further support our view that the overall portfolio is comprised of high-quality, well-performing loans.


58
Table of Contents

Credit Losses: The following table shows the effects of credit enhancements on the estimation of credit losses at the noted periods. Estimated incurred credit losses, after credit enhancements, are accounted for in the allowance for credit loss or as a charge off (i.e., a reduction to the principal of mortgage loans held for portfolio).
(In millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Estimated incurred credit losses, before credit enhancements$(14) $(23)$(6) $(9)
Estimated amounts deemed recoverable by:      
Primary mortgage insurance1
 2
1
 1
Supplemental mortgage insurance8
 13
3
 5
Lender Risk Account2
 3
1
 2
Estimated incurred credit losses, after credit enhancements$(3) $(5)$(1) $(1)
 
The data presented above provideminimal amount of incurred credit losses provides further informationsupport on the aggregate health of the portfolio. Credit risk exposure depends on the actual and potential credit performance of the loans in each pool compared to the pool's equity (on individual loans) and credit enhancements, including PMI, the LRA, and SMI. We have assessed that we do not have any credit risk exposure to our PMI providers and our estimation of credit exposure to SMI providers was not considered material at December 31, 2017.

The estimateDuring the third quarter of credit2017, two significant hurricanes impacted areas in which we have mortgage loan borrowers, including the southeastern coast of Texas and areas of Florida, Georgia and certain other southeastern states. Based on internal analysis utilizing the information currently available, we do not expect that the potential losses at December 31, 2015 decreasedresulting from the endhurricanes will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of 2014 due to realized credit losses as problem loans continued to liquidate and as delinquency trends and housing prices improved.operations.

In addition to the allowance for credit losses recorded, we regularly analyze potential ranges of additional lifetime credit risk exposure for the loans in the MPP. Even under adverse macroeconomic scenarios, for either home prices or unemployment rates, we expect that further credit losses would not significantly decrease profitability.

Credit Risk Exposure to Insurance Providers:
PMI
Some of our conventional loans carry PMI as a credit enhancement feature. Based on the guidelines of the MPP, we have assessed that we do not have any credit risk exposure to our PMI providers.

SMI
Another credit enhancement feature on some conventional loans is SMI purchased from Genworth and Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC). Beginning February 1, 2011, we discontinued use of SMI as a credit enhancement for new loan purchases; instead, we now augment credit enhancements with a greater amount of the purchase proceeds added to the LRA. At December 31, 2015, we had $1.4 billion of conventional loans purchased prior to February 2011 with outstanding SMI coverage through Genworth and MGIC that are paying down over time. Due to the possibility that MGIC and Genworth may not pay all of the future insurance claims we make, we estimate that $0.3 million of payments are not probable, which is reflected in our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2015. The estimation of SMI exposure, similar to overall trends of our loan losses, has declined over the last several years.

Investments
Liquidity Investments: We purchase liquidity investments from counterparties that have a strong ability to repay principal and interest. Liquidity investments are either unsecured, guaranteed by the U.S. government, or secured (i.e., collateralized). For unsecured liquidity investments, we invest in the debt securities of highly rated, investment-grade institutions, have appropriate and conservative limits on dollar and maturity exposure to each institution, and have strong credit underwriting practices, including active monitoring of credit quality of our counterparties and of the environment in which they operate. We purchase liquidity investments from counterparties that have a strong ability to repay principal and interest.

Our unsecured liquidity investments to a counterparty or group of affiliated counterparties are limited by Finance Agency regulations to maturities of no more than nine months and limited to a dollar amount based on a percentage of eligible regulatory capital (defined as the lessor of our regulatory capital or the eligible amount of a counterparty's Tier 1 capital). The permissible percentage ranges from one percent to 15 percent based on the counterparty's lowest long-term credit rating of its debt from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). In addition, pursuant to a Finance Agency regulation, we complement reliance on NRSRO ratings for unsecured investment activity by also considering internal credit risk analytics on unsecured counterparties.


59
Table of Contents

The lowest long-term credit rating for a counterparty to which we are permitted to extend credit is double-B. In practice, for many years,However, we have generally invested funds only in those eligible institutions with long-term credit ratings of at least single-A. In addition, we restrict maturities, reduce dollar exposure, and avoid new investments with counterparties we deem to represent elevated credit risk.

The following table presents the carrying value of liquidity investments outstanding in relation to the counterparties' lowest long-term credit ratings provided by Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and/or Fitch Advisory Services. For resale agreements, the ratings shown are based on ratings of the associated collateral.
(In millions)December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
Long-Term RatingLong-Term Rating
AA A TotalAA A Total
Unsecured Liquidity Investments          
Federal funds sold$4,305
 $6,540
 $10,845
$1,465
 $2,185
 $3,650
Certificates of deposit600
 100
 700
800
 100
 900
Total unsecured liquidity investments4,905
 6,640
 11,545
2,265
 2,285
 4,550
Guaranteed/Secured Liquidity Investments          
Securities purchased under agreements to resell10,532
 —
 10,532
7,702
 —
 7,702
Government-sponsored enterprises (1)
33
 —
 33
U.S. Treasury obligations34
 —
 34
Total guaranteed/secured liquidity investments10,565
 —
 10,565
7,736
 —
 7,736
Total liquidity investments$15,470
 $6,640
 $22,110
$10,001
 $2,285
 $12,286
December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
Long-Term RatingLong-Term Rating
AA A TotalAA A Total
Unsecured Liquidity Investments          
Federal funds sold$2,100
 $4,500
 $6,600
$1,280
 $2,977
 $4,257
Certificates of deposit950
 400
 1,350
1,300
 —
 1,300
Total unsecured liquidity investments3,050
 4,900
 7,950
2,580
 2,977
 5,557
Guaranteed/Secured Liquidity Investments          
Securities purchased under agreements to resell3,343
 —
 3,343
5,230
 —
 5,230
Government-sponsored enterprises (1)
26
 —
 26
31
 —
 31
Total guaranteed/secured liquidity investments3,369
 —
 3,369
5,261
 —
 5,261
Total liquidity investments$6,419
 $4,900
 $11,319
$7,841
 $2,977
 $10,818
(1)Consists of securities that are issued and effectively guaranteed by Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac, which have the support of the U.S. government, although they are not obligations of the U.S. government.

During 2015,2017, we purchased a portion of our total liquidity investments from counterparties for which the investments are secured with collateral (secured resale agreements). We believe these investments present little orvirtually no credit risk exposure to us.


60
Table of Contents

The following table presents credit ratings of our unsecured investment credit exposures by the domicile of the counterparty or the domicile of the counterparty's parent for U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks.
(In millions) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2017
 
Counterparty Rating (1)
   
Counterparty Rating (1)
  
Domicile of Counterparty 
Sovereign Rating (1)
 AA A Total AA A Total
Domestic AA+ $840
 $2,190
 $3,030
 $565
 $—
 $565
U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks:            
Canada AAA 1,765
 940
 2,705
 200
 1,200
 1,400
Australia 1,000
 —
 1,000
Netherlands —
 510
 510
Norway —
 500
 500
Germany 300
 75
 375
Sweden AAA 200
 940
 1,140
 200
 —
 200
Australia AAA 1,100
 —
 1,100
Finland AAA 1,000
 —
 1,000
Germany AAA —
 940
 940
Norway AAA —
 940
 940
Netherlands AAA —
 440
 440
United Kingdom AA+ —
 250
 250
Total U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks 
 4,065
 4,450
 8,515
 1,700
 2,285
 3,985
Total unsecured investment credit exposure 
 $4,905
 $6,640
 $11,545
 $2,265
 $2,285
 $4,550
(1)Represents the lowest long-term credit rating provided by Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and/or Fitch Advisory Services.

The following table presents the remaining contractual maturity of our unsecured investment credit exposure by the domicile of the counterparty or the domicile of the counterparty's parent for U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks.
(In millions) December 31, 2015 December 31, 2017
Domicile of Counterparty Overnight Due 2 days through 30 days Due 31 days through 90 days Total Overnight Due 2 days through 30 days Due 31 days through 90 days Total
Domestic $3,030
 $—
 $—
 $3,030
 $265
 $—
 $300
 $565
U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks:                
Canada 2,405
 100
 200
 2,705
 1,100
 200
 100
 1,400
Australia 1,000
 —
 —
 1,000
Netherlands 510
 —
 —
 510
Norway 500
 —
 —
 500
Germany 75
 —
 300
 375
Sweden 940
 100
 100
 1,140
 200
 —
 —
 200
Australia 1,000
 —
 100
 1,100
Finland 1,000
 —
 —
 1,000
Germany 940
 —
 —
 940
Norway 940
 —
 —
 940
Netherlands 440
 —
 —
 440
United Kingdom 150
 —
 100
 250
Total U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks 7,815
 200
 500
 8,515
 3,385
 200
 400
 3,985
Total unsecured investment credit exposure $10,845
 $200
 $500
 $11,545
 $3,650
 $200
 $700
 $4,550

At December 31, 20152017, all of the $11.54.6 billion of unsecured investment exposure was to counterparties with holding companies domiciled in countries receiving either AAA or AA+AA long-term sovereign ratings. Furthermore, we restrict a significant portion of unsecured lending to overnight maturities, which further limits risk exposure to these counterparties. By Finance Agency regulation, all counterparties exposed to non-U.S. countries are required to be domestic U.S. branches of foreign counterparties. We also limit exposure to counterparties and countries that could have significant direct or indirect exposure to European sovereign debt.

61
Table of Contents


Mortgage-Backed Securities.Securities:
 
GSE Mortgage-Backed Securities
At December 31, 20152017, $11.3$12.3 billion of mortgage-backed securities held were GSE securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which provide credit safeguards by guaranteeing either timely or ultimate payments of principal and interest. We believe that the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lower the chance that they would not be able to fulfill their credit guarantees and that the securities issued by these two GSEs are effectively government guaranteed. In addition, based on the data available to us and our purchase practices, we believe that most of the mortgage loans backing our GSE mortgage-backed securities are of high quality with acceptable credit performance.

Mortgage-Backed Securities Issued by Other Government Agencies
We also invest in mortgage-backed securities issued and guaranteed by Ginnie Mae and the NCUA. These investments totaled $3.9$2.5 billion at December 31, 20152017. We believe that the strength of the issuers' guarantees and backing by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government is sufficient to protect us against credit losses on these securities.

Derivatives
Credit Risk Exposure: We mitigate most of the credit risk exposure resulting from derivative transactions through collateralization.collateralization or use of daily settled contracts. The table below presents the credit rating for derivative positions to which we had credit risk exposure at December 31, 20152017.
(In millions)                
Credit Rating (1)
 Total Notional Net Derivatives Fair Value Before Collateral Cash Collateral Pledged To (From) Counterparty Net Credit Exposure to Counterparties
Non-member counterparties:        
 Total Notional Net Derivatives Fair Value Before Collateral and Variation Margin for Daily Settled Contracts 
Cash Collateral Pledged to (from) Counterparties and Variation Margin for Daily Settled Contracts (1)
 Net Credit Exposure to Counterparties
Nonmember counterparties:        
Asset positions with credit exposure:                
Uncleared derivatives:                
A $385
 $2
 $—
 $2
Baa/BBB 536
 2
 (2) —
A-rated $89
 $—
 $—
 $—
Total uncleared derivatives 89
 —
 —
 —
Cleared derivatives (2)
 4,574
 56
 (20) 36
Liability positions with credit exposure:                
Cleared derivatives (2)
 5,952
 (6) 31
 25
 6,340
 (73) 97
 24
Total derivative positions with credit exposure to non-member counterparties 6,873
 (2) 29
 27
Total derivative positions with credit exposure to nonmember counterparties 11,003
 (17) 77
 60
Member institutions (3)
 130
 —
 —
 —
 177
 1
 —
 1
Total $7,003
 $(2) $29
 $27
 $11,180
 $(16) $77
 $61

(1)Each category includes the related plus (+) and minus (-) ratings (i.e., “A” includes “A+” and “A-” ratings).Cleared derivatives include variation margin for daily settled contracts of $74 million at December 31, 2017.
(2)Represents derivative transactions cleared with LCH.Clearnet LLC and CME Clearing, the FHLB's clearinghouses, which are not rated. LCH.Clearnet LLC's parent company, LCH Group Holdings Ltd, was rated A+ by Standard & Poor's; however, on May 31, 2017, Standard & Poor's lowered the rating to A and withdrew the rating at LCH Group Holdings Ltd.'s request. LCH Group Holdings Ltd.'s ultimate parent, London Stock Exchange Group Plc is rated A3 by Moody's and A- by Standard & Poor's. CME Clearing's parent, CME Group Inc. is rated Aa3 by Moody's and AA- by Standard & Poor's.
(3)Represents Mandatory Delivery Contracts.

Based on both
Our exposure to cleared derivatives is primarily associated with our requirement to post initial margin through the clearing agent to the Derivatives Clearing Organizations. The amount of cash collateral pledged as initial margin has increased from our use of cleared derivatives. However, the use of cleared derivatives mitigates credit risk exposure because a central counterparty is substituted for individual counterparties.

At December 31, 2017, the gross and net exposures, we had a minimal amountexposure of uncleared derivatives with residual credit risk exposure on uncleared derivatives throughout 2015.was less than $1 million. Gross exposure would likely increase if interest rates rise and could increase if the composition of our derivatives change. However, contractual collateral provisions in these derivatives would limit net exposure to acceptable levels.

Although we cannot predict if we will realize credit risk losses from any of our derivatives counterparties, we believe that all of themthe counterparties will be able to continue making timely interest payments and, more generally, to continue to satisfy the terms and conditions of their derivative contracts with us. As of December 31, 20152017, we had $0.3 billion$20 million of notional principal of interest rate swaps outstanding towith one member,Member, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which also had outstanding credit services with us. Due to the amount of market value collateralization, we had no outstanding credit exposure to this counterparty related to interest rate swaps outstanding.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity Overview
We strive to be in a liquidity position at all times to meet the borrowing needs of our Members and to meet all current and future financial commitments. This objective is achieved by managing liquidity positions to maintain stable, reliable, and cost-effective sources of funds while taking into account market conditions, Member demand, and the maturity profile of assets and liabilities. Our liquidity position complies with the FHLBank Act, Finance Agency regulations, and internal policies.
The FHLBank System's primary source of funds is the sale of Consolidated Obligations in the capital markets. Our ability to obtain funds through the sale of Consolidated Obligations at acceptable interest costs depends on the financial market's perceived riskiness of the Obligations and on prevailing conditions in the capital markets, particularly the short-term capital markets. The System's favorable debt ratings, the implicit U.S. government backing of our debt, and our effective risk management practices are instrumental in ensuring stable and satisfactory access to the capital markets.

We believe our liquidity position, as well as that of the System, continued to be strong during 2017. Our overall ability to effectively fund our operations through debt issuances remained sufficient. Investor demand for System debt was robust in 2017. Although we can make no assurances, we expect this to continue to be the case. We believe the possibility of a liquidity or funding crisis in the System that would impair our ability to participate, on a cost-effective basis, in issuances of debt, service outstanding debt, maintain adequate capitalization, or pay competitive dividends is remote. See the "Consolidated Obligations" section of "Analysis of Financial Condition" for further information about our funding actions throughout 2017 aimed at lowering exposure to unforeseen liquidity risks given the System's critical role as a liquidity provider in the financial services market.

The System works collectively to manage and monitor the System-wide liquidity and funding risks. Liquidity risk includes the risk the System could have difficulty rolling over short-term Obligations when market conditions change, also called refinancing risk. The System has a large reliance on short-term funding; therefore, it has a sharp focus on managing liquidity risk to very low levels. As shown on the Statements of Cash Flows, in 2017, our portion of the System's debt issuances totaled $449.8 billion for Discount Notes and $27.1 billion for Bonds. Access to short-term debt markets has been reliable because investors, driven by increased liquidity preferences and risk aversion, including the effects of money market fund reform, have sought the System’s short-term debt, which has led to increased utilization of debt maturing in one year or less. See the Notes to Financial Statements for more detailed information regarding maturities of certain financial assets and liabilities which are instrumental in determining the amount of liquidity risk. In addition to contractual maturities, other assumptions regarding cash flows such as estimated prepayments, embedded call optionality, and scheduled amortization are considered when managing liquidity risks.

A primary way that we manage liquidity risk is to meet operational and contingency liquidity requirements. We satisfied the operational liquidity requirement by both meeting a contingency liquidity requirement, discussed below, and because we were able to adequately access the capital markets to issue debt. Liquidity investments, most of which were overnight, were generally in the range of $5 billion to $15 billion during 2017. In addition, Finance Agency guidance requires us to target at least 5 to 15 consecutive days of a positive amount of liquidity based on specific assumptions under two scenarios. We target holding at least three extra days of positive liquidity under each scenario, although as market conditions warrant we may hold, and often do hold, additional amounts.

Contingency Liquidity Requirement
Contingency liquidity risk is the potential inability to meet liquidity needs because our access to the capital markets to issue Consolidated Obligations is restricted or suspended for a period of time due to a market disruption, operational failure, or real or perceived credit quality problems. We continued to hold an ample amount of liquidity reserves to protect against contingency liquidity risk.
(In millions)December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Contingency Liquidity Requirement   
Total Contingency Liquidity Reserves (1)
$40,850
 $32,127
Total Requirement (2)
(32,349) (24,224)
Excess Contingency Liquidity Available$8,501
 $7,903

(1)Includes, among others, cash, overnight Federal funds, overnight deposits, self-liquidating term Federal funds, 95 percent of the market value of available-for-sale negotiable securities, and 75 percent of the market value of certain held-to-maturity obligations, including obligations of the United States, U.S. government agency obligations and mortgage-backed securities.

(2)Includes net liabilities maturing in the next seven business days, assets traded not yet settled, Advance commitments outstanding, Advances maturing in the next seven business days, and a three percent hypothetical increase in Advances.

Deposit Reserve Requirement
To support our Member deposits, we also must meet a statutory deposit reserve requirement. The sum of our investments in obligations of the United States, deposits in eligible banks or trust companies, and Advances with a final maturity not exceeding five years must equal or exceed the current amount of Member deposits. The following table presents the components of this liquidity requirement.
(In millions)December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Deposit Reserve Requirement   
Total Eligible Deposit Reserves$73,728
 $72,114
Total Member Deposits(649) (765)
Excess Deposit Reserves$73,079
 $71,349

Contractual Obligations
Lehman Brothers Derivatives:The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at SeeDecember 31, 2017. We believe that, as in the past, we will continue to have sufficient liquidity, including from access to the debt markets to issue Consolidated Obligations, to satisfy these obligations on a timely basis.
(In millions)< 1 year 1 < 3 years 3 < 5 years > 5 years Total
Contractual Obligations         
Long-term debt (Bonds) - par (1)
$28,940
 $10,612
 $8,262
 $6,343
 $54,157
Operating leases (include premises and equipment)1
 2
 2
 3
 8
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock19
 2
 8
 1
 30
Commitments to fund mortgage loans219
 —
 —
 —
 219
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations2
 5
 5
 32
 44
Total Contractual Obligations$29,181
 $10,621
 $8,277
 $6,379
 $54,458

(1)Does not include Discount Notes and contractual interest payments related to Bonds. Total is based on contractual maturities; the actual timing of payments could be affected by factors affecting redemptions.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet items at December 31, 2017. For more information, see Note 20 of the Notes to Financial Statements for information on derivatives we had with Lehman Brothers at the time of their bankruptcy in September 2008.Statements.
(In millions)< 1 year 1 < 3 years 3 < 5 years > 5 years Total
Off-balance sheet items (1)
         
Commitments to fund additional Advances$5
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $5
Standby Letters of Credit14,389
 92
 186
 24
 14,691
Standby bond purchase agreements27
 45
 —
 —
 72
Consolidated Obligations traded, not yet settled310
 —
 —
 —
 310
Total off-balance sheet items$14,731
 $137
 $186
 $24
 $15,078
(1)Represents notional amount of off-balance sheet obligations.


62
Table of Contents

Exposure to Member Concentration Risk

We regularly assess concentration risks from business activity. We believe that the current concentration of Advance activity is consistent with our risk management philosophy, and the impact of borrower concentration on market risk, credit risk, and operational risk, after considering mitigating controls, is small.minimal.

Our business is designed to support significant changes in asset levels without having to undergo material changes in staffing, operations, risk practices, or general resource needs. A key reason for this scalability is that the Capital Plan provides for additional capital when Mission Assets grow and the opportunity for us to retire capital when Mission Assets decline, thereby acting, along with our efficient operating expenses, to preserve competitive profitability.
 
We believe the effect on credit risk exposure from borrower concentration is minimal because of our application of normal credit risk mitigations, the most important of which is over-collateralization of borrowings. In the remote possibility of failure of a memberMember to whom we lent a large amount of Advances, combined with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's decision not to repay Advances, we would implement our memberMember failure plan. Our memberMember failure plan, which we test periodically, would liquidate collateral to recover losses from losing principal and interest on the Advance balances.

Advance concentration has a minimal effect on market risk exposure because Advances are largely match funded.funded by Consolidated Obligations and interest rate swaps that have similar interest rate characteristics. Furthermore, additional increases in Advance concentration would not materially affect capital adequacy because Advance growth is supported by new purchases of capital stock as required by the Capital Plan.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity Overview
The FHLBank System's primary source of funds is the sale of Consolidated Obligations in the capital markets. Our ability to obtain funds through the sale of Consolidated Obligations depends in part on prevailing conditions in the capital markets, particularly the short-term capital markets, due to a large reliance on short-term funding. As shown on the Statements of Cash Flows, in 2015, our portion of the System's debt issuances totaled $306.0 billion for Discount Notes and $19.0 billion for Bonds. The System's favorable debt ratings, the implicit U.S. government backing of our debt, and our effective risk management have been instrumental in ensuring satisfactory access to the capital markets.

Our liquidity position remained strong during 2015, and our overall ability to fund our operations through debt issuances at acceptable interest costs remained sufficient. Investor demand of System debt remains robust and, we believe, increased in 2015. Although we can make no assurances, we expect this to continue to be the case. We believe the possibility of a liquidity or funding crisis in the System that would impair our ability to participate, on a cost-effective basis, in issuances of new debt, service outstanding debt, maintain adequate capitalization, or pay competitive dividends is remote.

In 2015, the Office of Finance instituted several enhancements to its short-term debt issuance programs on behalf of the FHLBanks. The enhancements were responses to certain dealers, who ultimately distribute our debt to investors, being more reluctant to temporarily hold as much debt on their balance sheets at quarter- and year-ends. Such reluctance is a result of the perceived growing burden of their regulatory capital environment. Enhancements included modifying the Discount Notes auction to a single-price (Dutch) award method to determine winning bids, replacing the 9-week maturity with an 8-week maturity, extending the marketing period for debt issuance, and changes to the dealer compensation structure. We believe these enhancements will improve the ability of System debt to reach investors in a timely manner in the changing regulatory environment.

We must meet both operational and contingency liquidity requirements. We satisfied the operational liquidity requirement by both meeting a contingency liquidity requirement, discussed below, and because we were able to adequately access the capital markets to issue debt. Liquidity investments, most of which were overnight, were generally in the range of $5 billion to $15 billion during the first nine months of 2015 before increasing above $20 billion in the fourth quarter. The increase was driven by the dealer balance sheet constraints and positioning to fulfill possible same-day member Advance demand. Liquidity balances decreased towards the $10 billion to $15 billion range in the first quarter of 2016. In addition, Finance Agency guidance requires us to target at least 5 to 15 consecutive days of positive liquidity based on specific assumptions under two scenarios. We target holding at least three extra days of positive liquidity under each scenario, although as market conditions warrant we may hold, and often do hold, additional amounts. Similar to the increase in the amount of liquidity in the fourth quarter, we also increased the number of days of positive liquidity.


63
Table of Contents

Contingency Liquidity Requirement
Contingency liquidity risk is the potential inability to meet liquidity needs because our access to the capital markets to issue Consolidated Obligations is restricted or suspended for a period of time due to a market disruption, operational failure, or real or perceived credit quality problems. We continued to hold an ample amount of liquidity reserves to protect against contingency liquidity risk.
(In millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Contingency Liquidity Requirement   
Total Contingency Liquidity Reserves (1)
$41,932
 $30,594
Total Requirement (2)
(28,420) (12,155)
Excess Contingency Liquidity Available$13,512
 $18,439

(1)Includes, among others, cash, overnight Federal funds, overnight deposits, self-liquidating term Federal funds, 95 percent of the market value of available-for-sale negotiable securities, and 75 percent of the market value of certain held-to-maturity obligations, including obligations of the United States, U.S. government agency obligations and mortgage-backed securities.

(2)Includes net liabilities maturing in the next seven business days, assets traded not yet settled, Advance commitments outstanding, Advances maturing in the next seven business days, and a three percent hypothetical increase in Advances.

Deposit Reserve Requirement
To support our member deposits, we also must meet a statutory deposit reserve requirement. The sum of our investments in obligations of the United States, deposits in eligible banks or trust companies, and Advances with a final maturity not exceeding five years must equal or exceed the current amount of member deposits. The following table presents the components of this liquidity requirement.
(In millions)December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Deposit Reserve Requirement   
Total Eligible Deposit Reserves$82,036
 $77,920
Total Member Deposits(804) (730)
Excess Deposit Reserves$81,232
 $77,190

Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2015. The allocations according to the expiration terms and payment due dates of these obligations were not materially different from those at the end of 2014. Changes reflected normal business variations. We believe that, as in the past, we will continue to have sufficient liquidity, including from access to the debt markets to issue Consolidated Obligations, to satisfy these obligations on a timely basis.
(In millions)< 1 year 1 < 3 years 3 < 5 years > 5 years Total
Contractual Obligations         
Long-term debt (Bonds) - par (1)
$9,809
 $9,958
 $7,131
 $8,139
 $35,037
Operating leases (include premises and equipment)1
 2
 1
 5
 9
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock33
 —
 5
 —
 38
Commitments to fund mortgage loans450
 —
 —
 —
 450
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations3
 5
 5
 25
 38
Total Contractual Obligations$10,296
 $9,965
 $7,142
 $8,169
 $35,572

(1)Does not include Discount Notes and contractual interest payments related to Bonds. Total is based on contractual maturities; the actual timing of payments could be affected by factors affecting redemptions.


64
Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The following table summarizes our off-balance sheet items at December 31, 2015. The allocations according to the expiration terms and payment due dates of these items were not materially different from those at the end of 2014, and changes reflected normal business variations. For more information, see Note 20 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
(In millions)< 1 year 1 < 3 years 3 < 5 years > 5 years Total
Off-balance sheet items (1)
         
Standby Letters of Credit$19,417
 $41
 $42
 $55
 $19,555
Standby bond purchase agreements86
 26
 10
 —
 122
Consolidated Obligations traded, not yet settled—
 10
 30
 20
 60
Total off-balance sheet items$19,503
 $77
 $82
 $75
 $19,737
(1)Represents notional amount of off-balance sheet obligations.

Operational RiskRisks

Operational risk is defined as the risk of an unexpected loss resulting from human error, fraud, inability to enforce legal contracts, or deficiencies in internal controls or information systems. We mitigate operational riskrisks through adherence to internal policies, conformance with entity level controls, department procedures and controls, usethrough an emphasis on the importance of tested information systems, disaster recovery provisions for those systems, acquisition of insurance coverage to help protect us from financial exposure relating to errors or fraud by our personnel, and comprehensive policies and procedures related to Human Resources.risk management, as further discussed below. In addition, the Internal Audit Department, which reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, regularly monitors and tests compliance with our policies, procedures, applicable regulatory requirements and best practices.

Internal Department Procedures and Controls
Each of our departments maintains and regularly reviews and enhances, as needed, a system of internal procedures and controls, including those that address proper segregation of duties. Each system is designed to prevent any one individual from processing the entirety of a transaction that affects memberMember accounts, correspondent FHLB accounts or third-party servicers providing support to us. We review daily and periodic transaction activity reports in a timely manner to detect erroneous or fraudulent activity. Procedures and controls also are assessed on an enterprise-wide basis, independently from the business unit departments. We also are in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Sections 302 and 404, which focus on the control environment over financial reporting.

Information Systems
We rely heavily upon internal and third-party information systems and other technology to conduct and manage our business. Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our computer systems, software and networks may be subjected to “cyberattacks”cyberattacks (e.g., breaches,

unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events) that could jeopardize the confidentiality or integrity of such information, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations.
We mitigate the risk associated with cyberattacks through the implementation of multiple layers of security controls. Administrative, physical, and logical controls are in place for establishing, administering and actively monitoring system access, sensitive data, and system change. Additionally, separate groups within our organization and/or third parties validate the strength of our security and confirm that established policies and procedures are adequately followed.
Disaster Recovery Provisions
We have a Business Resumption Contingency Plan that provides us with the ability to maintain operations in various scenarios of business disruption. A committee of staff reviewsWe review and updatesupdate this plan periodically to ensure that it serves our changing operational needs and those of our members.Members. We have an off-site facility in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, which is tested at least annually. We also have a back-up agreement in place with another FHLBank in the event that both of our Cincinnati-based facilities are inoperable.

Insurance Coverage
We have insurance coverage for cyber risks, employee fraud, forgery and wrongdoing, and Directors' and Officers' liability. This coverage primarily provides protection for claims alleging breach of duty, misappropriation of funds, neglect, acts of omission, employment practices, and fiduciary liability. We also have property, casualty, computer equipment, automobile, and various types of other coverage as well.


65
Table of Contents

Human Resources Policies and Procedures
The risks associated with our Human Resources function are categorized as either Employment Practices Risk or Human Capital Risk. Employment Practices Risk is the potential failure to properly administer our policies regarding employment practices and compensation and benefit programs for eligible staff and retirees, and the potential failure to observe and properly comply with federal, state and municipal laws and regulations. Human Capital Risk is the potential inability to attract and retain appropriate levels of qualified human resources to maintain efficient operations.

Comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to limit Employment Practices Risk. These are supported by an established internal control system that is routinely monitored and audited. With respect to Human Capital Risk, we strive to maintain a competitive salary and benefit structure, which is regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate to attract and retain qualified staff. In addition, we have a management succession plan that is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Introduction

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make a number of significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities (if applicable), and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported periods. Although management believes its judgments, estimates, and assumptions are reasonable, actual results may differ and other parties could arrive at different conclusions.

We have identified the following critical accounting policies that require management to make subjective or complex judgments about inherently uncertain matters. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially affected under different conditions or different assumptions related to these accounting policies.

Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activity

In accordance with Finance Agency regulations, we execute all derivatives to manage market risk exposure, not for speculation or solely for earnings enhancement. We record derivative instruments at their fair values on the Statements of Condition, and we record changes in these fair values in current period earnings. We strive to ensure that our use of derivatives maximizes the probability that they are highly effective in offsetting changes in the market values of the designated balance sheet instruments.

Fair Value Hedges
As indicated in the "Use of Derivatives in Market Risk Management" section of "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management," we designate a portion of our derivatives as fair value hedges. Fair value hedge accounting permits

the changes in fair values of the hedged risk in the hedged instruments to be recorded in the current period, thus offsetting, partially or fully, the change in fair value of the derivatives. For derivatives accounted as fair value hedges, the hedged risk is designated to be changes in LIBOR benchmark interest rates. The result is that there has been a relatively small amount of unrealized earnings volatility from hedging market risk with derivatives.

In order to determine if a derivative qualifies for fair value hedge accounting, we must assess how effective the derivative has been, and is expected to be, in hedging changes in the fair values of the risk being hedged. Each month we perform effectiveness testing using a consistently applied standard statistical methodology, regression analysis, that measures the degree of correlation and relationship between the fair values of the derivative and hedged instrument. The results of the statistical measures must pass predefined threshold values to enable us to conclude that the fair values of the derivative transaction have a close correlation with the fair values of the hedged instrument. If any measure is outside of its respective tolerance, the hedge would no longer qualify for fair value hedge accounting. This means we must then record the fair value change of the derivative in current earnings without any offset in the fair value change of the related hedged instrument. Due to the intentional matching of terms between the derivative and the hedged instrument, we expect that failing an effectiveness test will be infrequent, which has been the case historically.

If a derivative/hedged instrument transaction fails effectiveness testing, it does not mean that the hedge relationship is no longer successful in achieving its intended economic purpose. For example, a Consolidated Obligation hedged with an interest rate swap creates adjustable-rate LIBOR funding, which is used to match fund adjustable-rate LIBOR and other short-term Advances. The hedge achieves the desired result (matching the net funding with the asset) because, economically, the Advance is part of the overall hedging strategy and the reason for engaging in the derivative transaction.

66
Table of Contents


Fair value differences that have actually occurred have historically resulted in a relatively small amount of earnings volatility. Each month, we compute fair values on all derivatives and related hedged instruments across a range of interest rate scenarios. As of year-end 2015, forFor derivatives receiving long-haul fair value hedge accounting, the total net difference between the fair valuesadditional amount of the derivatives and related hedged instrumentsearnings volatility under an assumption of stressed interest rate environments as of year-end 2017 was in a range of zeropositive $8 million to negative $3$9 million. This range is minimal compared to the notional principal amount.

Fair Value Option--Economic Hedge
We account for a portion of Advance and Bond-related derivatives using an accounting election called "fair value option," which is included in the economic hedge category. An economic hedge under the fair value option does not require passing effectiveness testing to permit the derivatives'derivative's fair market value to be offset with the market value of the hedged instrument, as is required under a fair value hedge. However, it records the fair market value of the hedged instrument at its full fair value instead of only the value of hedging the benchmark interest rate (LIBOR).

The effect of electing full fair value is that the hedged instruments'instrument's market value includes the impact of changes in spreads between LIBOR and the interest rate index related to the hedged instrument. This spread includes a creditinstrument, as well as other risk component.components, such as liquidity. Therefore, full fair value results in a different kind of unrealized earnings volatility, which could be higher or lower, compared to accounting under fair value hedge treatment.

Accounting for Premiums and Discounts on Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities

The accounting for amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts can result in earnings volatility, most of which relates to our MPP, mortgage-backed securities, and Consolidated Obligations. Normally, earnings volatility associated with amortization/accretion of premiums/discounts for Obligations is less pronounced than that for mortgage assets.

When we purchase or invest in mortgages, we normally pay an amount that differs from the principal balance. A premium price is paid if the purchase price exceeds the principal amount. A discount price is paid if the purchase price is less than the principal amount. Premiums/discounts are required to be deferred and amortized/accreted to net interest income in a manner such that the yield recognized each month on the underlying asset is constant over the asset's historical life and estimated future life. This is called the constant effective (level) yield method.

We typically pay more than the principal balance when the interest rate on a purchased mortgage is greater than the prevailing market rate for similar mortgages. The net purchase premium is amortized as a reduction in the mortgage's book yield. Similarly,A discount price is paid if the purchase price is less than the principal amount. If we pay less than the principal balance, the net discount is accreted in the same manner as the premium, resulting in an increase in the mortgage's book yield.

We have historically purchased most MPP loans at premium prices. Mortgage-backed securities outstanding at the end of 20152017 were purchased at net premium prices close to par. At the end of 2015,2017, the MPP had a net premium balance of $224$228 million and mortgage-backed securities had a net premium balance of $44$25 million, resulting in a total mortgage net premium balance of $268$253 million.

When mortgage
Premiums/discounts are required to be deferred and amortized/accreted to net interest income in a manner such that a constant yield is recognized each month on the underlying asset by using either the contractual interest method (contractual method) or the retrospective interest method (retrospective method).

Contractual Method
For MPP loans, we use the contractual method, which recognizes the income effects of premiums and discounts over the contractual life of the loan based on the actual behavior of the underlying loans, including adjustments for actual prepayment activities. The contractual method does not consider changes in estimated prepayments based on assumptions about future borrower behavior.

Retrospective Method
For mortgage-backed securities, we apply the retrospective method. The retrospective method requires that we estimate principal cash flows are volatile, there can be substantial fluctuation inover the accounting recognitionestimated life of premiumsthe securities and discounts. We updatemake a retrospective adjustment of the constant effective yield method monthly using actual historical and projected principal cash flows. Projectedeach time the estimated life changes as if the new estimate had been known since the original acquisition date of the asset. Projecting principal cash flows requires us to estimate mortgage prepayment speeds, which are driven primarily by changes in interest rates. Projected prepayment speeds are derived using a market-tested third-party prepayment model. We regularly test the reasonableness and accuracy of the prepayment model by comparing its projections to actual prepayment results experienced over time and to dealer prepayment indications.

When interest rates decline, actual and projected prepayment speeds are likely to increase. This accelerates the amortization/accretion, resulting in a reduction in the mortgages' book yields on mortgage-backed securities with premium balances and an increase in book yields on mortgage-backed securities with discount balances. The opposite effect tends to occur when interest rates rise. The immediate adjustment and the schedules for future amortization/accretion are based on applying the new constant effective yield as if it had been in effect since the purchase of the assets. See Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

Our mortgages under the MPP are stratified for amortization purposes into multiple portfolios according to common characteristics such as coupon interest rate, state of origination, final original maturity (mostly 15, 20, and 30 years), loan age, and type of mortgage (i.e., conventional and FHA). We compute amortization/accretion for each mortgage-backed security separately. Projected prepayment speeds are derived using a market-tested third-party prepayment model. We regularly test the reasonableness and accuracy of the prepayment model by comparing its projections to actual prepayment results experienced over time and to dealer prepayment indications.


67
Table of Contents

It is difficult to calculate how much amortization/accretion is likely to change over time because prepayment projections are inherently subject to uncertainty. Exact trends depend on the relationship between market interest rates and coupon rates on outstanding mortgage assets, the historical evolution of mortgage interest rates, the age of the mortgage loans, demographic and population trends, and other market factors. Changes in amortization/accretion also depend on 1) the accuracy of prepayment projections compared to actual realized prepayments and 2) term structure models used to simulate possible future evolution of various interest rates. The term structure models depend heavily on theories and assumptions related to future interest rates and interest rate volatility. We strive to maintain consistency in our use of prepayment and term structure models, although we do enhance these models based on developments in theories, technologies, best practices, and market conditions.

We regularly perform analyses that test the sensitivity of premium/discount recognition for mortgage assets to changes in prepayment speeds. The following table shows, as of year-end 2015, the estimated adjustments to the immediate recognition of premium amortization/discount accretion for various interest rate shocks (with interest rates not permitted to fall below zero percent). Although some of the changes shown below would result in a substantial change in ROE in the quarter in which the rate change occurred, it currently would not materially threaten our profitability.
(In millions) -200 -100 -50 Base +50 +100 +200
  $(76) $(35) $(12) $(3) $1
 $3
 $7

Provision for Credit Losses

We evaluate Advances and the MPP to assure an adequate reserve is maintained to absorb probable losses inherent in these portfolios.

Advances
We evaluate probable credit losses inherent in Advances due to borrower default or delayed receipt of interest and principal, taking into consideration the amount recoverable from the collateral pledged by membersMembers to secure Advances. This analysis is performed for each memberMember separately on at least a quarterly basis. We believe we have adequate policies and procedures in place to effectively manage credit risk exposure on Advances. These include monitoring the creditworthiness and financial condition of the institutions to which we lend funds, determining the quality and value of collateral pledged, estimating borrowing capacity based on collateral value and type for each member,Member, and evaluating historical loss experience. At December 31, 2015,2017, we had rights to collateral (either loans or securities), on a member-by-memberMember-by-Member basis, with an estimated fair value that exceeds the amount of outstanding Advances. At the end of 2015,2017, the aggregate estimated value of this collateral was $306.5$328.7 billion. Although some of this overcollateralizationover-collateralization may reflect a desire to maintain excess borrowing capacity, all of a member'sMember's pledged collateral would be available as necessary to cover any of that member'sMember's credit obligations to the FHLB.

Based on the nature and quality of the collateral held as security for Advances, including overcollateralization,over-collateralization, our credit analyses of membersMembers and collateral, and members'Members' prior repayment history (i.e., we have never recorded a loss from an Advance), we believe that no allowance for losses was necessary at December 31, 2015.2017. See Notes 1 and 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.


Mortgage Loans Acquired Under the MPP
We analyze loans in the MPP on at least a quarterly basis by 1) estimating the incurred credit losses inherent in the portfolio and comparing these to credit enhancements, including the recoverability of insurance, and 2) establishing reserves based on the results. We apply a consistent methodology to determine our estimates.

We acquire both FHA and conventional fixed-rate mortgage loans under the MPP. Because FHA mortgage loans are U.S. government insured, we have determined that they do not require a loan loss allowance. We are protected against credit losses on conventional mortgage loans from several sources, in order of priority:

▪having the related real estate as collateral, which effectively includes the borrower's equity; and
▪by credit enhancements including 1) primary mortgage insurance, if applicable, 2) the member'sMember's available funds remaining in the Lender Risk Account, and 3) if applicable, Supplemental Mortgage Insurance coverage up to the policy limit, applied on a loan-by-loan basis.

We assume any credit exposure if losses exceed the related real estate residual value and credit enhancements.

68
Table of Contents

The key estimates and assumptions that affect our allowance for credit losses generally include:
▪the characteristics of specific conventional loans outstanding under the MPP;
▪evaluations of the overall delinquent loan portfolio through the use of migration analysis;
▪loss severity estimates;
▪historical claims and default experience;
▪expected proceeds from credit enhancements;
▪evaluation of exposure to Supplemental Mortgage Insurance providers and their ability to pay claims;
▪comparisons to industry reported data; and
▪current economic trends and conditions.
These estimates require significant judgments, especially considering the current national housing market, the inability to readily determine the fair value of all underlying properties, the application of pool level credit enhancements, and the uncertainty in other macroeconomic factors that make estimating defaults and severity imprecise.

Based on our analysis, as of December 31, 2015,2017, we determined that an allowance for credit losses of $2$1 million was required for our conventional mortgage loans in the MPP. Substantial reductions in home prices or other economic variables that affect mortgage defaults could increase credit losses experienced in the portfolio.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis for Investment Securities

We closely monitor the performance of our investment securities to evaluate our exposure to the risk of loss of principal or interest on these investments and to determine on a quarterly basis whether this risk of loss represents an other-than-temporary impairment.

An investment security is deemed impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we assess whether the amortized cost basis of the security will be recovered by considering numerous factors, as described in Notes 1 and 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements. We must recognize impairment losses if we intend to sell the security or if available evidence indicates it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. We also must recognize impairment losses when any credit losses are expected for the security. This includes consideration of market conditions and projections of future results, which requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, especially considering the uncertainty in the national housing market and other macroeconomic factors that make estimating future results imprecise.

If we were to determine that an other-than-temporary impairment existed, the security would initially be written down to current market value, with the loss recognized in non-interest income if we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If we do not intend to sell the security

and it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery, the security would be written down to current market value with a separate display of losses related to credit deterioration and losses related to all other factors on the income statement. Any non-credit loss related amounts would then be reclassified and recorded in other comprehensive income, resulting in only net credit-related losses recorded on the income statement. As of December 31, 20152017 we did not consider any of our investment securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Fair Values

We carry certain assets and liabilities on the Statement of Conditions at estimated fair value, including all derivatives, investments classified as available-for-sale and trading, and any financial instruments where we elected the fair value option. Fair value is defined as the price - the “exit price” - that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Because our financial instruments generally do not have available quoted market prices, we determine fair values based on 1) our valuation models or 2) dealer indications, which may be based on the dealers' own valuation models and/or prices of similar instruments.


69
Table of Contents

Valuation models and their underlying assumptions are based on the best estimates of management with respect to discount rates, prepayments, market volatility, and other factors. These assumptions may have a significant effect on the reported fair values of assets and liabilities, and the income and expense related thereto. The use of different assumptions or changes in the models and assumptions, as well as changes in market conditions, could result in materially different net income and retained earnings.

We have control processes designed to ensure that fair value measurements are appropriate and reliable, that they are based on observable inputs wherever possible and that our valuation approaches and assumptions are reasonable and consistently applied. Where applicable, valuations are also compared to alternative external market data (e.g., quoted market prices, broker or dealer indications, pricing services and comparative analyses to similar instruments). For further discussion regarding how we measure financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value, see Note 19 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

We categorize each of our financial instruments carried at fair value into one of three levels in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy is based upon the transparency (observable or unobservable) of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (Levels 1 and 2), while unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions of market variables (Level 3). Management utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Because items classified as Level 3 are valued using significant unobservable inputs, the process for determining the fair value of these items is generally more subjective and involves a high degree of management judgment and use of assumptions. As of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, all of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.


RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards and interpretations.


70
Table of Contents

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Income Statements (Quarter amounts are unaudited)

Summary income statements for each quarter within the last two years ended December 31, 2015 are provided in the tables below.
20152017
(In millions)
1st  Quarter
 
2nd  Quarter
 
3rd  Quarter
 
4th  Quarter
 Total
1st  Quarter
 
2nd  Quarter
 
3rd  Quarter
 
4th  Quarter
 Total
Interest income$225
 $234
 $238
 $260
 $957
$344
 $385
 $437
 $442
 $1,608
Interest expense148
 149
 161
 177
 635
241
 279
 327
 332
 1,179
Net interest income77
 85
 77
 83
 322
103
 106
 110
 110
 429
Reversal for credit losses—
 —
 —
 —
 —
Non-interest income8
 5
 10
 7
 30
Non-interest (loss) income(11) 10
 (3) 3
 (1)
Non-interest expense24
 26
 26
 27
 103
27
 29
 29
 29
 114
Net income$61
 $64
 $61
 $63
 $249
$65
 $87
 $78
 $84
 $314
20142016
(In millions)
1st Quarter
 
2nd  Quarter
 
3rd  Quarter
 
4th  Quarter
 Total
1st Quarter
 
2nd  Quarter
 
3rd  Quarter
 
4th  Quarter
 Total
Interest income$229
 $226
 $228
 $225
 $908
$303
 $298
 $308
 $314
 $1,223
Interest expense152
 149
 145
 145
 591
214
 215
 215
 216
 860
Net interest income77
 77
 83
 80
 317
89
 83
 93
 98
 363
(Reversal) provision for credit losses—
 (1) —
 1
 —
Non-interest income4
 6
 4
 9
 23
Non-interest (loss) income(4) 6
 (4) 48
 46
Non-interest expense24
 23
 25
 24
 96
28
 28
 28
 57
 141
Net income$57
 $61
 $62
 $64
 $244
$57
 $61
 $61
 $89
 $268

Investment Securities

Data on investments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 are provided in the tables below.
(In millions)Carrying Value at December 31,Carrying Value at December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Trading securities:          
Mortgage-backed securities:          
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$1
 $2
 $2
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$1
 $1
 $1
Total trading securities1
 2
 2
1
 1
 1
Available-for-sale securities:          
Certificates of deposit700
 1,350
 2,185
900
 1,300
 700
Total available-for-sale securities700
 1,350
 2,185
900
 1,300
 700
Held-to-maturity securities:          
U.S. Treasury obligations34
 —
 —
Government-sponsored enterprises33
 26
 28
—
 31
 33
Mortgage-backed securities:          
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities3,894
 2,039
 1,909
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities2,484
 3,183
 3,894
Government-sponsored enterprise single-family mortgage-backed securities10,891
 12,647
 14,150
6,703
 8,186
 10,891
Government-sponsored enterprise multi-family mortgage-backed securities460
 —
 —
5,584
 3,146
 460
Total held-to-maturity securities15,278
 14,712
 16,087
14,805
 14,546
 15,278
Total securities15,979
 16,064
 18,274
15,706
 15,847
 15,979
Securities purchased under agreements to resell10,532
 3,343
 2,350
7,702
 5,230
 10,532
Federal funds sold10,845
 6,600
 1,740
3,650
 4,257
 10,845
Total investments$37,356
 $26,007
 $22,364
$27,058
 $25,334
 $37,356

71
Table of Contents



As of December 31, 2015,2017, investments had the following maturity and yield characteristics.
(Dollars in millions)Due in one year or lessDue after one year through five yearsDue after five through 10 yearsDue after 10 yearsCarrying ValueDue in one year or lessDue after one year through five yearsDue after five through 10 yearsDue after 10 yearsCarrying Value
Trading securities:  
Mortgage-backed securities(1):
  
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$—
$—
$1
$—
$1
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$—
$—
$1
$—
$1
Total trading securities—
—
1
—
1
—
—
1
—
1
Yield on trading securities—%—%2.25%—% —%—%3.20%—% 
Available-for-sale securities:  
Certificates of deposit$700
$—
$—
$—
$700
$900
$—
$—
$—
$900
Total available-for-sale securities700
—
—
—
700
900
—
—
—
900
Yield on available-for sale securities0.31%—%—%—% 1.53%—%—%—% 
Held-to-maturity securities:  
Government-sponsored enterprises$33
$—
$—
$—
$33
U.S. Treasury obligations$34
$—
$—
$—
$34
Mortgage-backed securities(1):
  
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities—
884
—
3,010
3,894
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities—
468
—
2,016
2,484
Government-sponsored enterprise single-family mortgage-backed securities—
174
647
10,070
10,891
—
—
49
6,654
6,703
Government-sponsored enterprise multi-family mortgage-backed securities—
—
—
460
460
—
—
5,387
197
5,584
Total held-to-maturity securities33
1,058
647
13,540
15,278
34
468
5,436
8,867
14,805
Yield on held-to-maturity securities0.14%1.37%3.38%2.26% 1.09%1.86%1.92%2.33% 
Total securities$733
$1,058
$648
$13,540
$15,979
$934
$468
$5,437
$8,867
$15,706
Securities purchased under agreements to resell10,532
—
—
—
10,532
7,702
—
—
—
7,702
Federal funds sold10,845
—
—
—
10,845
3,650
—
—
—
3,650
Total investments$22,110
$1,058
$648
$13,540
$37,356
$12,286
$468
$5,437
$8,867
$27,058

(1)
Mortgage-backed securities allocated based on contractual principal maturities assuming no prepayments.

As of December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB held securities of the following issuers with a bookcarrying value greater than 10 percent of FHLB capital. The table includes government-sponsored enterprises, securities of the U.S. government, and government agencies and corporations.corporations, and privately issued certificates of deposit.
(In millions) Total Total Total Total
Name of Issuer Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
Freddie Mac $4,160
 $4,152
 $3,946
 $3,906
Fannie Mae 7,224
 7,205
 8,341
 8,280
National Credit Union Administration Trust 884
 886
Government National Mortgage Association 3,011
 2,988
 2,017
 1,994
Certificates of deposit (4 issuers) 700
 700
Other (1)
 1,402
 1,403
Total investment securities $15,979
 $15,931
 $15,706
 $15,583

(1)Includes issuers of securities that have a carrying value that is less than 10 percent of FHLB capital.

72
Table of Contents

Loan Portfolio Analysis

The FHLB's outstanding loans, loans 90 days or more past due and accruing interest, and allowance for credit loss information for the five years ended December 31 are shown below. The FHLB's interest and related shortfall on non-accrual loans and loans modified in troubled debt restructurings was not material during the years presented below.
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 2013 2012 20112017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Domestic:                  
Advances$73,292
 $70,406
 $65,270
 $53,944
 $28,424
$69,918
 $69,882
 $73,292
 $70,406
 $65,270
Real estate mortgages$7,982
 $6,989
 $6,826
 $7,548
 $7,871
$9,682
 $9,150
 $7,954
 $6,956
 $6,782
Real estate mortgages past due 90 days
or more (including those in process of foreclosure)
and still accruing interest
$42
 $66
 $89
 $113
 $145
Real estate mortgages past due 90 days
or more (including those in process of foreclosure)
and still accruing interest, unpaid principal balance
$26
 $33
 $42
 $66
 $89
Non-accrual loans, unpaid principal balance (1)
$7
 $4
 $3
 $3
 $2
$3
 $4
 $7
 $4
 $3
Troubled debt restructurings (not included above)$8
 $5
 $4
 $3
 $1
Troubled debt restructurings, unpaid principal balance (not included above)$9
 $8
 $8
 $5
 $4
Allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans,
beginning of year
$5
 $7
 $18
 $21
 $12
$1
 $2
 $5
 $7
 $18
Charge-offs(3) (2) (4) (4) (3)
(Reversal) provision for credit losses—
 —
 (7) 1
 12
Net charge-offs—
 (1) (3) (2) (4)
Provision (reversal) for credit losses—
 —
 —
 —
 (7)
Allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans,
end of year
$2
 $5
 $7
 $18
 $21
$1
 $1
 $2
 $5
 $7
Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to
average loans outstanding during the period
0.04% 0.03% 0.05% 0.06% 0.05%—% 0.01% 0.04% 0.03% 0.05%
(1)
See Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the FHLB's non-accrual policy.

Other Borrowings

Borrowings with original maturities of one year or less are classified as short-term. The following is a summary of short-term borrowings exceeding 30 percent of total capital for the years ended December 31:
(Dollars in millions)2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Discount Notes          
Outstanding at year-end (book value)$77,199
 $41,232
 $38,210
$46,211
 $44,690
 $77,199
Weighted average rate at year-end (1) (2)
0.24% 0.09% 0.09%1.23% 0.46% 0.24%
Daily average outstanding for the year (book value)$52,706
 $35,992
 $34,574
$43,124
 $49,835
 $52,706
Weighted average rate for the year (2)
0.12% 0.08% 0.11%0.89% 0.35% 0.12%
Highest outstanding at any month-end (book value)$77,199
 $41,232
 $38,926
$51,762
 $63,137
 $77,199
Bonds (short-term)          
Outstanding at year-end (par value)$4,415
 $17,810
 $21,650
$14,405
 $11,332
 $4,415
Weighted average rate at year-end (2) (3)
0.23% 0.10% 0.11%1.35% 0.66% 0.23%
Daily average outstanding for the year (par value)$6,974
 $18,810
 $16,583
$10,359
 $11,996
 $6,974
Weighted average rate for the year (2) (3)
0.13% 0.10% 0.13%0.93% 0.51% 0.13%
Highest outstanding at any month-end (par value)$13,825
 $22,235
 $22,010
$14,405
 $14,591
 $13,825
(1)Represents an implied rate without consideration of concessions.
(2)Amounts used to calculate weighted average rates for the year are based on dollars in thousands. Accordingly, recalculations based upon amounts in millions may not produce the same results.
(3)Represents the effective coupon rate.


73
Table of Contents

Term Deposits

At December 31, 2015,2017, term deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more totaled $151,775,000.$52,550,000. The table below presents the maturities for term deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more:
(In millions)
By remaining maturity at December 31, 2015
3 months or less Over 3 months but within 6 months Over 6 months but within 12 months Over 12 months but within 24 months Total
(In millions)
By remaining maturity at December 31, 2017
3 months or less Over 3 months but within 6 months Over 6 months but within 12 months Over 12 months but within 24 months Total
Time certificates of deposit$79
 $48
 $16
 $9
 $152
$30
 $7
 $13
 $3
 $53

Ratios
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Return on average assets0.24% 0.24% 0.28%0.31% 0.25% 0.24%
Return on average equity4.90
 4.93
 5.10
6.15
 5.35
 5.04
Average equity to average assets4.81
 4.90
 5.47
5.00
 4.76
 4.78
Dividend payout ratio69.24% 72.20% 68.10%66.31% 63.92% 67.68%

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Information required under this Item is set forth in the “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Risk Management” caption at Part II, Item 7, of this filing.


74
Table of Contents

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To theBoard of Directors and Shareholders of the
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying statements of condition of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati:

In our opinion, the accompanying statementsCincinnati (the “FHLB”) as of conditionDecember 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, capital and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the FHLB’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Federal Home Loan BankFHLB as of Cincinnati (the "FHLB") at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20152017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the FHLB maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework(2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The FHLB'sFHLB’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included under Item 9A in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on thesethe FHLB’s financial statements and on the FHLB'sFHLB’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the FHLB in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, andas well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement presentation.statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


Cincinnati, Ohio
March 17, 201615, 2018


We have served as the FHLB’s auditor since 1990.


75
Table of Contents


FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(In thousands, except par value)
December 31,
(In thousands, except par value)December 31,
2015 20142017 2016
ASSETS      
Cash and due from banks (Note 3)$10,136
 $3,109,970
$26,550
 $8,737
Interest-bearing deposits99
 119
140
 129
Securities purchased under agreements to resell10,531,979
 3,343,000
7,701,929
 5,229,487
Federal funds sold10,845,000
 6,600,000
3,650,000
 4,257,000
Investment securities:      
Trading securities (Note 4)1,159
 1,341
781
 970
Available-for-sale securities (Note 5)700,081
 1,349,977
899,876
 1,300,023
Held-to-maturity securities (includes $0 and $0 pledged as collateral in 2015 and 2014, respectively, that may be repledged) (a) (Note 6)
15,278,206
 14,712,271
Held-to-maturity securities (includes $0 and $0 pledged as collateral in 2017 and 2016, respectively, that may be repledged) (a) (Note 6)
14,804,970
 14,546,979
Total investment securities15,979,446
 16,063,589
15,705,627
 15,847,972
Advances (includes $15,057 and $15,042 at fair value under fair value option in 2015 and 2014, respectively) (Note 8)73,292,172
 70,405,616
Advances (includes $15,013 and $15,093 at fair value under fair value option in 2017 and 2016, respectively) (Note 8)69,918,224
 69,882,074
Mortgage loans held for portfolio:      
Mortgage loans held for portfolio (Note 9)7,981,293
 6,989,602
9,682,130
 9,149,860
Less: allowance for credit losses on mortgage loans (Note 10)1,686
 4,919
1,190
 1,142
Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net7,979,607
 6,984,683
9,680,940
 9,148,718
Accrued interest receivable94,855
 81,384
128,561
 109,886
Premises, software, and equipment, net10,436
 11,282
8,896
 9,187
Derivative assets (Note 11)26,996
 14,699
60,695
 104,753
Other assets26,055
 26,077
13,652
 37,338
TOTAL ASSETS$118,796,781
 $106,640,419
$106,895,214
 $104,635,281
LIABILITIES      
Deposits (Note 12)$804,342
 $729,936
$650,531
 $765,879
Consolidated Obligations, net (Note 13):   
Consolidated Obligations: (Note 13)   
Discount Notes77,199,208
 41,232,127
46,210,458
 44,689,662
Bonds (includes $2,214,590 and $4,209,640 at fair value under fair value option in 2015 and 2014, respectively)35,104,764
 59,216,557
Total Consolidated Obligations, net112,303,972
 100,448,684
Bonds (includes $5,577,315 and $7,895,510 at fair value under fair value option in 2017 and 2016, respectively)54,163,061
 53,190,866
Total Consolidated Obligations100,373,519
 97,880,528
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock (Note 15)37,895
 62,963
30,031
 34,782
Accrued interest payable118,823
 114,781
128,652
 119,322
Affordable Housing Program payable (Note 14)107,352
 98,103
109,877
 104,883
Derivative liabilities (Note 11)31,087
 63,767
2,893
 17,874
Other liabilities212,254
 183,177
435,198
 733,918
Total liabilities113,615,725
 101,701,411
101,730,701
 99,657,186
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
 

 
CAPITAL (Note 15)      
Capital stock Class B putable ($100 par value); issued and outstanding shares: 44,288 shares in 2015 and 42,665 shares in 20144,428,756
 4,266,543
Capital stock Class B putable ($100 par value); issued and outstanding shares: 42,411 shares in 2017 and 41,569 shares in 20164,241,140
 4,156,944
Retained earnings:      
Unrestricted556,139
 529,367
617,034
 574,122
Restricted209,438
 159,694
322,999
 260,285
Total retained earnings765,577
 689,061
940,033
 834,407
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 16)(13,277) (16,596)(16,660) (13,256)
Total capital5,181,056
 4,939,008
5,164,513
 4,978,095
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL$118,796,781
 $106,640,419
$106,895,214
 $104,635,281
(a)
Fair values: $15,229,965$14,682,329 and $14,794,32614,413,231 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

76
Table of Contents

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
INTEREST INCOME:          
Advances$366,651
 $314,800
 $305,658
$903,620
 $576,970
 $366,651
Prepayment fees on Advances, net2,723
 3,624
 2,473
1,351
 9,874
 2,723
Interest-bearing deposits88
 85
 185
181
 320
 88
Securities purchased under agreements to resell2,147
 1,261
 1,872
23,340
 9,491
 2,147
Federal funds sold12,106
 5,426
 6,232
70,287
 34,313
 12,106
Investment securities:          
Trading securities22
 25
 31
19
 20
 22
Available-for-sale securities2,198
 3,204
 1,827
6,228
 5,822
 2,198
Held-to-maturity securities325,449
 343,042
 313,181
306,204
 325,500
 325,449
Total investment securities327,669
 346,271
 315,039
312,451
 331,342
 327,669
Mortgage loans held for portfolio245,876
 236,882
 268,691
297,075
 261,071
 251,594
Loans to other FHLBanks—
 —
 5
—
 13
 —
Total interest income957,260
 908,349
 900,155
1,608,305
 1,223,394
 962,978
INTEREST EXPENSE:          
Consolidated Obligations:          
Discount Notes65,217
 27,439
 36,686
384,976
 173,595
 65,217
Bonds566,970
 559,480
 529,788
786,922
 681,757
 566,970
Total Consolidated Obligations632,187
 586,919
 566,474
1,171,898
 855,352
 632,187
Deposits360
 264
 326
4,738
 1,320
 360
Loans from other FHLBanks—
 —
 5
10
 1
 —
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock2,432
 4,190
 5,506
2,514
 3,517
 2,432
Other borrowings2
 —
 —
Total interest expense634,979
 591,373
 572,311
1,179,162
 860,190
 634,979
NET INTEREST INCOME322,281
 316,976
 327,844
429,143
 363,204
 327,999
Reversal for credit losses—
 (500) (7,450)
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER REVERSAL FOR CREDIT LOSSES322,281
 317,476
 335,294
NON-INTEREST INCOME:     
Provision for credit losses500
 —
 —
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES428,643
 363,204
 327,999
NON-INTEREST (LOSS) INCOME:     
Net losses on trading securities(18) (9) (19)(6) (5) (18)
Net realized gains from sale of held-to-maturity securities—
 38,763
 —
Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option1,057
 2,174
 330
10,409
 40,503
 1,057
Net gains on derivatives and hedging activities13,037
 6,627
 7,903
Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities(24,464) (47,431) 13,037
Standby Letters of Credit fees13,098
 10,767
 8,066
10,895
 12,195
 13,098
Other, net2,720
 3,071
 3,511
1,929
 2,206
 2,720
Total non-interest income29,894
 22,630
 19,791
Total non-interest (loss) income(1,237) 46,231
 29,894
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:          
Compensation and benefits39,766
 36,777
 33,992
45,543
 41,932
 39,766
Other operating expenses21,728
 17,454
 17,493
18,880
 25,935
 21,728
Finance Agency6,793
 7,084
 5,203
6,598
 6,325
 6,793
Office of Finance4,698
 4,374
 4,535
4,484
 4,284
 4,698
Litigation settlement—
 25,250
 —
Other2,566
 2,559
 3,164
3,213
 7,337
 2,566
Total non-interest expense75,551
 68,248
 64,387
78,718
 111,063
 75,551
INCOME BEFORE ASSESSMENTS276,624
 271,858
 290,698
348,688
 298,372
 282,342
Affordable Housing Program assessments27,906
 27,605
 29,620
35,120
 30,189
 27,906
NET INCOME$248,718
 $244,253
 $261,078
$313,568
 $268,183
 $254,436
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

77
Table of Contents

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)

For the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Net income$248,718
 $244,253
 $261,078
$313,568
 $268,183
 $254,436
Other comprehensive income adjustments:          
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities105
 97
 (121)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities(147) (58) 105
Pension and postretirement benefits3,214
 (7,651) 2,813
(3,257) 79
 3,214
Total other comprehensive income adjustments3,319
 (7,554) 2,692
(3,404) 21
 3,319
Comprehensive income$252,037
 $236,699
 $263,770
$310,164
 $268,204
 $257,755

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


78
Table of Contents

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
STATEMENTS OF CAPITAL
(In thousands)
(In thousands)
Capital Stock
Class B - Putable
 Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Total
Capital Stock
Class B - Putable
 Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive TotalShares Par Value Unrestricted Restricted Total Loss Capital
Shares Par Value Unrestricted Restricted Total Loss Capital
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201240,106
 $4,010,622
 $479,253
 $58,628
 $537,881
 $(11,734) $4,536,769
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201442,665
 $4,266,543
 $499,651
 $155,761
 $655,412
 $(16,596) $4,905,359
Comprehensive income    203,549
 50,887
 254,436
 3,319
 257,755
Proceeds from sale of capital stock7,208
 720,820
         720,820
1,912
 191,132
         191,132
Net shares reclassified to mandatorily
redeemable capital stock
(334) (33,457)         (33,457)(289) (28,919)         (28,919)
Cash dividends on capital stock    (172,202)   (172,202)   (172,202)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201544,288
 4,428,756
 530,998
 206,648
 737,646
 (13,277) 5,153,125
Comprehensive income    208,863
 52,215
 261,078
 2,692
 263,770
    214,546
 53,637
 268,183
 21
 268,204
Cash dividends on capital stock    (177,795)   (177,795)   (177,795)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201346,980
 4,697,985
 510,321
 110,843
 621,164
 (9,042) 5,310,107
Proceeds from sale of capital stock835
 83,543
         83,543
Repurchase of capital stock(4,979) (497,875)         (497,875)
Net shares reclassified to mandatorily
redeemable capital stock
(171) (17,110)         (17,110)
Comprehensive income    195,402
 48,851
 244,253
 (7,554) 236,699
Cash dividends on capital stock    (176,356)   (176,356)   (176,356)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201442,665
 4,266,543
 529,367
 159,694
 689,061
 (16,596) 4,939,008
Proceeds from sale of capital stock1,912
 191,132
         191,132
920
 92,027
         92,027
Net shares reclassified to mandatorily
redeemable capital stock
(289) (28,919)         (28,919)(3,639) (363,839)         (363,839)
Cash dividends on capital stock    (171,422)   (171,422)   (171,422)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201641,569
 4,156,944
 574,122
 260,285
 834,407
 (13,256) 4,978,095
Comprehensive income    198,974
 49,744
 248,718
 3,319
 252,037
 
  
 250,854
 62,714
 313,568
 (3,404) 310,164
Proceeds from sale of capital stock3,547
 354,654
         354,654
Net shares reclassified to mandatorily
redeemable capital stock
(2,705) (270,458)         (270,458)
Cash dividends on capital stock    (172,202)   (172,202)   (172,202)    (207,942)   (207,942)   (207,942)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201544,288
 $4,428,756
 $556,139
 $209,438
 $765,577
 $(13,277) $5,181,056
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201742,411
 $4,241,140
 $617,034
 $322,999
 $940,033
 $(16,660) $5,164,513

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


79
Table of Contents

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(In thousands)For the Years Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net income$313,568
 $268,183
 $254,436
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization57,973
 55,296
 35,793
Net change in derivative and hedging activities6,927
 63,806
 12,651
Net change in fair value adjustments on trading securities6
 5
 18
Net change in fair value adjustments on financial instruments held under fair value option(10,409) (40,503) (1,057)
Other adjustments489
 (38,774) (11)
Net change in:     
Accrued interest receivable(18,701) (15,028) (13,473)
Other assets23,686
 (24,325) (1,120)
Accrued interest payable4,743
 21,273
 4,694
Other liabilities15,456
 32,560
 41,036
Total adjustments80,170
 54,310
 78,531
Net cash provided by operating activities393,738
 322,493
 332,967
      
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
Net change in:     
Interest-bearing deposits46,981
 (113,516) 12,092
Securities purchased under agreements to resell(2,472,442) 5,302,492
 (7,188,979)
Federal funds sold607,000
 6,588,000
 (4,245,000)
Premises, software, and equipment(2,647) (1,623) (1,834)
Trading securities:     
Proceeds from maturities of long-term182
 184
 164
Available-for-sale securities:     
Net decrease (increase) in short-term400,000
 (600,000) 650,000
Held-to-maturity securities:     
Net (increase) decrease in short-term(2,753) 1,404
 (6,585)
Proceeds from maturities of long-term2,420,330
 2,924,469
 2,611,029
Proceeds from sale of long-term—
 852,199
 —
Purchases of long-term(2,992,069) (2,529,144) (3,172,521)
Advances:     
Repaid2,366,633,884
 1,364,290,711
 930,146,812
Originated(2,366,705,248) (1,360,955,355) (933,090,216)
Mortgage loans held for portfolio:     
Principal collected1,218,035
 1,661,697
 1,383,198
Purchases(1,788,156) (2,899,907) (2,414,064)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(2,636,903) 14,521,611
 (15,315,904)
      
      
      
      
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    
      

 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:     
Net income$248,718
 $244,253
 $261,078
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization41,511
 8,188
 (512)
Net change in derivative and hedging activities12,651
 16,224
 35,607
Net change in fair value adjustments on trading securities18
 9
 19
Net change in fair value adjustments on financial instruments held under fair value option(1,057) (2,174) (330)
Other adjustments(11) (393) (7,464)
Net change in:     
Accrued interest receivable(13,473) 3,746
 (1,216)
Other assets(1,120) (739) (3,244)
Accrued interest payable4,694
 (3,177) 10,829
Other liabilities41,036
 19,252
 25,470
Total adjustments84,249
 40,936
 59,159
Net cash provided by operating activities332,967
 285,189
 320,237
      
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:     
Net change in:     
Interest-bearing deposits12,092
 30,579
 119,127
Securities purchased under agreements to resell(7,188,979) (993,000) 1,450,000
Federal funds sold(4,245,000) (4,860,000) 1,610,000
Premises, software, and equipment(1,834) (686) (7,203)
Trading securities:     
Proceeds from maturities of long-term164
 228
 325
Available-for-sale securities:     
Net decrease (increase) in short-term650,000
 835,000
 (2,185,000)
Held-to-maturity securities:     
Net (increase) decrease in short-term(6,585) 1,386
 (1,247)
Proceeds from maturities of long-term2,611,029
 2,093,933
 2,686,432
Purchases of long-term(3,172,521) (719,833) (5,977,152)
Advances:     
Proceeds930,146,812
 1,120,239,271
 697,384,820
Made(933,090,216) (1,125,441,755) (708,852,213)
Mortgage loans held for portfolio:     
Principal collected1,383,198
 1,070,820
 1,890,141
Purchases(2,414,064) (1,260,888) (1,203,883)
Net cash used in investing activities(15,315,904) (9,004,945) (13,085,853)
      
      
      
      
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    
      

80
Table of Contents

          
(continued from previous page)          
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATISTATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)(In thousands)For the Years Ended December 31,
For the Years Ended December 31,2017 2016 2015
2015 2014 2013
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Net increase (decrease) in deposits and pass-through reserves$74,725
 $(200,660) $(260,961)
Net change in deposits and pass-through reserves$(99,633) $3,567
 $74,725
Net payments on derivative contracts with financing elements(28,458) (31,195) (42,054)(4,210) (23,185) (28,458)
Net proceeds from issuance of Consolidated Obligations:          
Discount Notes305,975,240
 270,415,559
 165,083,112
449,775,543
 325,535,819
 305,975,240
Bonds19,042,816
 41,461,146
 34,035,263
27,080,080
 50,922,924
 19,042,816
Payments for maturing and retiring Consolidated Obligations:          
Discount Notes(270,027,809) (267,394,419) (157,714,961)(448,296,555) (358,051,273) (270,027,809)
Bonds(43,118,354) (40,358,950) (20,166,866)(26,065,750) (32,787,008) (43,118,354)
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock191,132
 83,543
 720,820
354,654
 92,027
 191,132
Payments for repurchase/redemption of mandatorily redeemable capital stock(53,987) (70,000) (128,432)(275,209) (366,952) (53,987)
Payments for repurchase of capital stock—
 (497,875) —
Cash dividends paid(172,202) (176,356) (177,795)(207,942) (171,422) (172,202)
Net cash provided by financing activities11,883,103
 3,230,793
 21,348,126
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(3,099,834) (5,488,963) 8,582,510
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities2,260,978
 (14,845,503) 11,883,103
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents17,813
 (1,399) (3,099,834)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period3,109,970
 8,598,933
 16,423
8,737
 10,136
 3,109,970
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period$10,136
 $3,109,970
 $8,598,933
$26,550
 $8,737
 $10,136
Supplemental Disclosures:          
Interest paid$642,179
 $621,865
 $584,640
$1,157,662
 $858,401
 $642,179
Affordable Housing Program payments, net$18,657
 $23,291
 $18,503
$30,126
 $32,658
 $18,657



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


81
Table of Contents

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Background Information    

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (the FHLB), a federally chartered corporation, is one of 11 District Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks). The FHLBanks serve the public by enhancing the availability of credit for residential mortgages and targeted community development. The FHLB provides a readily available, competitively-priced source of funds to its memberMember institutions. The FHLB is a cooperative whose memberMember institutions own nearly all of the capital stock of the FHLB and may receive dividends on their investment to the extent declared by the FHLB's Board of Directors. Former membersMembers own the remaining capital stock to support business transactions still carried on the FHLB's Statements of Condition. Regulated financial depositories and insurance companies engaged in residential housing finance may apply for membership. Housing associates, including state and local housing authorities, may also borrow from the FHLB; while eligible to borrow, housing authorities are not membersMembers of the FHLB and, therefore, are not allowed to hold capital stock. A housing authority is eligible to utilize the Advance programs of the FHLB if it meets applicable statutory requirements. It must be a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved mortgagee and must also meet applicable mortgage lending, financial condition, as well as charter, inspection and supervision requirements.

All membersMembers must purchase stock in the FHLB. Members must own capital stock in the FHLB based on the amount of their total assets. Each memberMember also may be required to purchase activity-based capital stock as it engages in certain business activities with the FHLB. As a result of these requirements, the FHLB conducts business with stockholders in the normal course of business. For financial statement purposes, the FHLB defines related parties as those membersMembers with more than 10 percent of the voting interests of the FHLB's outstanding capital stock. See Note 22 for more information relating to transactions with stockholders.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (Finance Agency) is the independent Federal regulator of the FHLBanks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) and Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae). The Finance Agency's stated mission is to ensure that the housing government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) operate in a safe and sound manner so that they serve as a reliable source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment.

Each FHLBank operates as a separate entity with its own management, employees, and board of directors. The FHLB does not have any special purpose entities or any other type of off-balance sheet conduits.

The Office of Finance is a joint office of the FHLBanks established to facilitate the issuance and servicing of the debt instruments of the FHLBanks, known as Consolidated Obligations, and to prepare combined quarterly and annual financial reports of all FHLBanks. As provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932, as amended (the FHLBank Act), or by Finance Agency regulation, the FHLBanks' Consolidated Obligations are backed only by the financial resources of the FHLBanks and are the primary source of funds for the FHLBanks. Deposits, other borrowings, and capital stock issued to membersMembers provide other funds. The FHLB primarily uses its funds to provide Advances to membersMembers and to purchase loans from membersMembers through its Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP). The FHLB also provides memberMember institutions with correspondent services, such as wire transfer, security safekeeping, and settlement services.


Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation.Presentation

The FHLB's accounting and financial reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

Significant Accounting Policies

Cash Flows. In the Statements of Cash Flows, the FHLB considers non-interest bearing cash and due from banks as cash and cash equivalents. Federal funds sold are not treated as cash equivalents for purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, but are instead treated as short-term investments and are reflected in the investing activities section of the Statements of Cash Flows.


Subsequent Events. The FHLB has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure through the issuance of these financial statements and believes there have been no material subsequent events requiring additional disclosure or recognition in these financial statements.


82
Table of Contents

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make subjective assumptions and estimates. These assumptions and estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Fair Values. Some of the FHLB's financial instruments lack an available trading market with prices characterized as those that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Therefore, the FHLB uses pricing services and/or internal models employing significant estimates and present value calculations when disclosing fair values. See Note 19 for more information.

Interest Bearing Deposits, Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell, and Federal Funds Sold. These investments provide short-term liquidity and are carried at cost. Interest bearing deposits include certificates of deposits (CDs) not meeting the definition of an investment security. The FHLB treats securities purchased under agreements to resell as short-term collateralized loans, which are classified as assets on the Statements of Condition. Securities purchased under agreements to resell are held in safekeeping in the name of the FHLB by third-party custodians approved by the FHLB. If the market value of the underlying securities decrease below the market value required as collateral, the counterparty has the option to (1) place an equivalent amount of additional securities in safekeeping in the name of the FHLB or (2) remit an equivalent amount of cash. Federal funds sold consist of short-term, unsecured loans generally transacted with counterparties that are considered by the FHLB to be of investment quality.

Investment Securities. The FHLB classifies investment securities as trading, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at the date of acquisition. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date basis.

Trading. Securities classified as trading are acquired for liquidity purposes and asset/liability management and carried at fair value. The FHLB records changes in the fair value of these securities through other income as a net gain or loss on trading securities. However, the FHLB does not participate in speculative trading practices and holds these investments indefinitely as management periodically evaluates its liquidity needs.

Available-for-Sale. Securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. The change in fair value of available-for-sale securities is recorded in other comprehensive income as a net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities.

Held-to-Maturity. Securities that the FHLB has both the ability and intent to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost, representing the amount at which an investment is acquired adjusted for periodic principal repayments, amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Certain changes in circumstances may cause the FHLB to change its intent to hold a security to maturity without calling into question its intent to hold other debt securities to maturity in the future. Thus, the sale or transfer of a held-to-maturity security due to certain changes in circumstances, such as evidence of significant deterioration in the issuer's creditworthiness or changes in regulatory requirements, is not considered to be inconsistent with its original classification. Other events that are isolated, nonrecurring, and unusual for the FHLB that could not have been reasonably anticipated may cause the FHLB to sell or transfer a held-to-maturity security without necessarily calling into question its intent to hold other debt securities to maturity.

In addition, sales of held-to-maturity debt securities that meet either of the following two conditions may be considered as maturities for purposes of the classification of securities: (1) the sale occurs near enough to the security's maturity date (or call date if exercise of the call is probable) that interest rate risk is substantially eliminated as a pricing factor and changes in market interest rates would not have a significant effect on the security's fair value, or (2) the sale of the security occurs after the FHLB has already collected a substantial portion (at least 85 percent) of the principal outstanding at acquisition due either to prepayments on the security or to scheduled payments on the security payable in equal installments (both principal and interest) over its term.

Premiums and Discounts. The FHLB amortizes purchased premiums and accretes purchased discounts on mortgage-backed securities and other investment categories with a term of greater than one year using the retrospective level-yieldinterest method (retrospective method). The retrospective method requires that the FHLB estimate prepayments over the estimated life of the securities and make a retrospective adjustment of the effective yield each time that the FHLB changes the estimated life and/or prepayments as if the new estimate had been known since the original acquisition date of the

securities. The FHLB uses nationally recognized third-party prepayment models to project estimated cash flows. Due to their short term nature, the FHLB amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on other investment categories with a term of one year or less using a straight-line methodology based on the contractual maturity of the securities. Analyses of the straight-line compared to the interest, or level-yield,

83
Table of Contents

methodology have been performed by the FHLB and it has determined that the impact of the difference on the financial statements for each period reported, taken individually and as a whole, is not material.

Gains and Losses on Sales. The FHLB computes gains and losses on sales of investment securities using the specific identification method and includes these gains and losses in other income.

Investment Securities - Other-than-Temporary Impairment. The FHLB evaluates its individual available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. A security is considered impaired when its fair value is less than its amortized cost. The FHLB considers an other-than-temporary impairment to have occurred under any of the following circumstances:conditions:

▪if the FHLB has an intent to sell the impaired debt security;
▪if, based on available evidence, the FHLB believes it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the impaired debt security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis; or
▪if the FHLB does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the debt security.

Recognition of Other-than-Temporary Impairment. If either of the first two conditions above is met, the FHLB recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment charge in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value as of the Statement of Condition date. For securities in an unrealized loss position that do not meet either of thesethe first two conditions, the entire loss position, or total other-than-temporary impairment, is evaluated to determine the extent and amount of credit loss.

Advances. The FHLB reports Advances (loans to members,Members, former membersMembers or housing associates) either at amortized cost or at fair value when the fair value option is elected. Advances carried at amortized cost are reported net of premiums, discounts (including discounts on Advances related to the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), as discussed below), unearned commitment fees and hedging adjustments. The FHLB amortizes theor accretes premiums and accretes the discounts, and recognizes unearned commitment fees and hedging adjustments on Advances to interest income using a level-yield methodology. The FHLB records interest on Advances to income as earned. For Advances carried at fair value, interest income is recognized based on the contractual interest rate.

Advance Modifications. In cases in which the FHLB funds a new Advance concurrent with or within a short period of time before or after the prepayment of an existing Advance by the same borrower, the FHLB evaluates whether the new Advance meets the accounting criteria to qualify as a modification of an existing Advance or whether it constitutes a new Advance. The FHLB compares the present value of cash flows on the new Advance to the present value of cash flows remaining on the existing Advance. If there is at least a 10 percent difference in the cash flows, or if the FHLB concludes the differences between the Advances are more than minor based on qualitative factors, the Advance is accounted for as a new Advance. In all other instances, the new Advance is accounted for as a modification.

Prepayment Fees. The FHLB charges a borrower a prepayment fee when the borrower prepays certain Advances before the original maturity. The FHLB records prepayment fees, net of basis adjustments related to hedging activities included in the carrying value of the Advances, as “Prepayment fees on Advances, net” in the interest income section of the Statements of Income.

If a new Advance qualifies as a modification of the existingoriginal Advance, the net prepayment fee on the prepaid Advance is deferred, recorded in the basis of the modified Advance, and amortized/accreted using a level-yield methodology over the life of the modified Advance to Advance interest income.

For prepaid Advances that are hedged and meet the hedge accounting requirements, the FHLB terminates the hedging relationship upon prepayment and records the associated fair value gains and losses, adjusted for the prepayment fees, in interest income. If the new Advance qualifies as a modification of the original hedged Advance, the associated fair value gains or losses of the Advance and the prepayment fees are included in the basis of the modified Advance, andAdvance. Such gains or losses and prepayment fees are then amortized in interest income over the life of the modified Advance using a level-yield methodology. If the modified Advance also is hedged and the hedge meets the hedging criteria, the modified Advance is marked to fair value after the modification, and subsequent fair value changes are recorded in other income.


If a new Advance does not qualify as a modification of an existinga prepaid Advance, the existingprepaid Advance is treated as an Advance termination with subsequent funding of a new Advance and the existing fees on the prepaid Advance, net of related hedging adjustments, are recorded in interest income as “Prepayment fees on Advances, net.”

84
Table of Contents


The FHLB defers commitment fees for Advances and amortizes them to interest income using a level-yield methodology. Refundable fees are deferred until the commitment expires or until the Advance is made. The FHLB records commitment fees for Standby Letters of Credit as a deferred creditincome when it receives the fees and accretes them using a straight-line methodology over the term of the Standby Letter of Credit. Based upon past experience, the FHLB's management believes that the likelihood of Standby Letters of Credit being drawn upon is remote.

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio. The FHLB classifies mortgage loans as held for portfolio and, accordingly, reports them at their principal amount outstanding net of unamortized premiums and discounts and mark-to-markethedging basis adjustments on loans initially classified as mortgage loan commitments. The FHLB has the intent and ability to hold these mortgage loans to maturity.

Premiums and Discounts. The FHLB defers and amortizes premiums and accretes discounts paid to and received by the FHLB's participating membersMembers (Participating Financial Institutions, or PFIs) and mark-to-markethedging basis adjustments, as interest income using the retrospective method. The FHLB aggregates the mortgage loans by similar characteristics (type, maturity, note rate and acquisition date) in determining prepayment estimates for the retrospective method.contractual interest method (contractual method).

Other Fees. The FHLB may receive non-origination fees, called pair-off fees. Pair-off fees represent a make-whole provision and are assessed when a memberMember fails to deliver the quantity of loans committed to in a Mandatory Delivery Contract. Pair-off fees are recorded in other income. A Mandatory Delivery Contract is a legal commitment the FHLB makes to purchase, and a PFI makes to deliver, a specified dollar amount of mortgage loans, with a forward settlement date, at a specified range of mortgage note rates and prices.

Allowance for Credit Losses. An allowance for credit losses is separately established for each identified portfolio segment, if it is probable that a loss triggering event has occurred in the FHLB's portfolio as of the Statements of Condition date and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. To the extent necessary, an allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures is recorded as a liability. See Note 10 for details on each allowance methodology.

Portfolio Segments. A portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology for determining its allowance for credit losses. The FHLB has developed and documented a systematic methodology for determining an allowance for credit losses, where applicable, for (1) Advances, letters of credit and other extensions of credit to members,Members, collectively referred to as “credit products”; (2) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loans held for portfolio; and (3) conventional mortgage loans held for portfolio.

Classes of Financing Receivables. Classes of financing receivables generally are a disaggregation of a portfolio segment to the extent needed to understand the exposure to credit risk arising from these financing receivables. The FHLB determined that no further disaggregation of the portfolio segments identified above is needed as the credit risk arising from these financing receivables is assessed and measured by the FHLB at the portfolio segment level.

Impairment Methodology. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the FHLB will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

Loans that are on non-accrual status and that are considered collateral-dependent are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying property (net of estimated selling costs) and the amount of applicable credit enhancements. Loans are considered collateral-dependent if repayment is expected to be provided solely by the sale of the underlying property, that is, there is no other available and reliable source of repayment. Collateral-dependent loans are impaired if the fair value of the underlying collateral is insufficient to recover the unpaid principal balance on the loan. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized in the same manner as non-accrual loans noted below.

Non-accrual Loans. The FHLB places a conventional mortgage loan on non-accrual status if it is determined that either (1) the collection of interest or principal is doubtful (e.g., when a related allowance for credit losses is recorded on a loan considered to be a troubled debt restructuring as a result of the individual evaluation for impairment), or (2) interest or principal is past due for 90 days or more, except when the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection (e.g., through credit enhancements and with monthly settlements on a schedule/scheduled basis). Loans with settlements on a schedule/scheduled basis means the FHLB receives monthly principal and interest payments from the servicer regardless of whether the mortgagee is making payments to the servicer. Loans with monthly settlement on an actual/actual basis are considered well-secured; however, servicers of actual/actual loan types contractually do not advance principal and interest regardless of borrower creditworthiness. As a result, these loans are placed on non-accrual status once they become 90 days delinquent.


85
Table of Contents

For those mortgage loans placed on non-accrual status, accrued but uncollected interest is reversed against interest income. The FHLB records cash payments received on non-accrual loans first as interest income and then as a reduction of principal as specified in the contractual agreement, unless the collection of the remaining principal amount due is considered doubtful. If the collection of the remaining principal amount due is considered doubtful, cash payments received are applied first solely to principal until the remaining principal amount due is expected to be collected and then as a recovery of any charge-off, if applicable, followed by recording interest income. A loan on non-accrual status may be restored to accrual status when (1) none of its contractual principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the FHLB expects repayment of the remaining contractual interest and principal, or (2) it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection.

Charge-off Policy. A charge-off is recorded if it is estimated that the recorded investment in a loan will not be recovered. The FHLB evaluates whether to record a charge-off on a conventional mortgage loan upon the occurrence of a confirming event. Confirming events include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of foreclosure orevent, such as notification of a claim against any of the credit enhancements. As a result of adopting the Finance Agency's Advisory Bulletin 2012-02, theThe FHLB also charges off the portion of outstanding conventional mortgage loan balances in excess of fair value of the underlying property, less cost to sell and adjusted for any available credit enhancements, for loans that are 180 days or more delinquent and/or certain loans that the borrower has filed for bankruptcy.

Premises, Software and Equipment, Net. The FHLB records premises, software and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The FHLB's accumulated depreciation and amortization related to these items was $20,867,000$26,167,000 and $18,556,000$23,345,000 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016. The FHLB computes depreciation on a straight-line methodology over the estimated useful lives of assets ranging from three to ten years. The FHLB amortizes leasehold improvements on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease. The FHLB capitalizes improvements and major renewals but expenses ordinary maintenance and repairs when incurred. Depreciation and amortization expense for premises, software and equipment was $2,691,000, $3,108,000,$2,949,000, $2,883,000, and $2,549,000$2,691,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

The FHLB includes gains and losses on disposal of premises, software and equipment in other income. The net realized gain (loss) on disposal of premises, software and equipment was $11,000 $(106,000), and $13,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

The cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use is capitalized and amortized over future periods. As of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB had $5,887,000$4,725,000 and $6,659,000$4,902,000 in unamortized computer software costs. Amortization of computer software costs charged to expense was $1,965,000, $2,433,000,$2,157,000, $2,080,000, and $1,814,000$1,965,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

Derivatives. All derivatives are recognized on the Statements of Condition at their fair values and are reported as either derivative assets or derivative liabilities, net of cash collateral, including initial and certain variation margin, and accrued interest from counterparties. The fair values of derivatives are netted by counterparty when the netting requirements have been met. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as an asset and, if negative, they are classified as a liability. Cash flows associated with derivatives are reflected as cash flows from operating activities in the Statement of Cash Flows unless the derivative meets the criteria to be a financing derivative.

The FHLB utilizes two Derivative Clearing Organizations (Clearinghouses), for all cleared derivative transactions, LCH.Clearnet LLC and CME Clearing. Effective January 3, 2017, CME Clearing made certain amendments to its rulebook changing the legal characterization of variation margin payments to be daily settlement payments, rather than collateral. Variation margin related to LCH.Clearnet LLC contracts continues to be characterized as cash collateral through December 31, 2017. At both Clearinghouses, initial margin is considered cash collateral.

Derivative Designations. Each derivative is designated as one of the following:

1.a qualifying hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (a "fair value" hedge); or

2.a non-qualifying hedge (“economic hedge”) for asset/liability management purposes.

Accounting for Fair Value Hedges. If hedging relationships meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, formal documentation of the hedging relationship and an expectation to be highly effective, they are eligible for fair value hedge accounting and the offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items attributable to the hedged risk may be recorded in earnings. The application of hedge accounting generally requires the FHLB to evaluate the effectiveness of the hedging relationships at inception and on an ongoing basis and to calculate the changes in fair value of the derivatives and related

hedged items independently. This is known as the “long-haul” method of accounting. Transactions that meet more stringent criteria qualify for the “shortcut” method of hedge accounting in which an assumption can be made that the change in fair value of a hedged item exactly offsets the change in value of the related derivative. The FHLB discontinued use of the shortcut method effective July 1, 2009 for all new hedging relationships.


86
Table of Contents

Derivatives are typically executed at the same time as the hedged Advances or Consolidated Obligations, and the FHLB designates the hedged item in a qualifying hedge relationship as of the trade date. In many hedging relationships, the FHLB may designate the hedging relationship upon its commitment to disburse an Advance or trade a Consolidated Obligation in which settlement occurs within the shortest period of time possible for the type of instrument based on market settlement conventions. The FHLB records the changes in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item beginning on the trade date.

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in other income as “Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities.”

Accounting for Economic Hedges. An economic hedge is defined as a derivative hedging specific or non-specific underlying assets, liabilities, or firm commitments that does not qualify, or was not designated, for hedge accounting, but is an acceptable hedging strategy under the FHLB's risk management program. These economic hedging strategies also comply with Finance Agency regulatory requirements prohibiting speculative hedge transactions. An economic hedge by definition introduces the potential for earnings variability caused by the changes in fair value of the derivatives that are recorded in the FHLB's income but that are not offset by corresponding changes in the value of the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments. As a result, the FHLB recognizes only the change in fair value of these derivatives in other income as “Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities” with no offsetting fair value adjustments for the assets, liabilities, or firm commitments.

The difference between accruals of interest receivables and payables on derivatives that are designated as fair value hedge relationships is recognized as adjustments to the interest income or expense of the designated hedged item. The differentialsdifference between accruals of interest receivables and payables on economic hedges are recognized in other income as “Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities.”

Embedded Derivatives. The FHLB may issue debt, make Advances, or purchase financial instruments in which a derivative instrument is “embedded.” Upon execution of these transactions, the FHLB assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the Advance, debt, or purchased financial instrument (the host contract) and whether a separate, non-embedded instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When the FHLB determines that (1) the embedded derivative has economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and (2) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract, carried at fair value, and designated as a stand-alone derivative instrument pursuant to an economic hedge. However, the entire contract is carried at fair value and no portion of the contract is designated as a hedging instrument if the entire contract (the host contract and the embedded derivative) is to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current-period earnings (such as an investment security classified as “trading” as well as hybrid financial instruments that are selected for the fair value option), or if the FHLB cannot reliably identify and measure the embedded derivative for purposes of separating that derivative from its host contract.

Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting. The FHLB discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when: (1) it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of a hedged item attributable to the hedged risk; (2) the derivative and/or the hedged item expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; or (3) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate.

When hedge accounting is discontinued because the FHLB determines that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective fair value hedge of an existing hedged item, the FHLB continues to carry the derivative on the Statements of Condition at its fair value, ceases to adjust the hedged asset or liability for changes in fair value, and amortizes the cumulative basis adjustment on the hedged item into earnings over the remaining life of the hedged item using a level-yield methodology.

Consolidated Obligations. Consolidated Obligations are recorded at amortized cost unless the FHLB has elected the fair value option, in which case the Consolidated Obligations are carried at fair value.

Concessions. Dealers receive concessions in connection with the issuance of certain Consolidated Obligations. The Office of Finance prorates the amount of the concession to the FHLB based upon the percentage of the debt issued that is assumed by the

FHLB. Concessions paid on Consolidated Obligations designated under the fair value option are expensed as incurred in other non-interest expense. ConcessionsThe FHLB records concessions paid on Consolidated Obligation Bonds not designated under the fair value option as a direct deduction from their carrying amounts, consistent with the presentation of discounts on Consolidated Obligations. The concessions are deferred and amortized, using a level-yield methodology, over the terms to maturity or the expected lives of the Consolidated Obligation Bonds. Unamortized concessions are included in “Other assets,” and theThe amortization of those concessions is included in Consolidated Obligation Bond interest expense.


87
Table of Contents

The FHLB charges to expense as incurred the concessions applicable to Consolidated Obligation Discount Notes because of the short maturities of these Notes. Analyses of expensing concessions as incurred compared to a level-yield methodology have been performed by the FHLB, and it has determined that the impact of the difference on the financial statements for each period reported, taken individually and as a whole, is not material.

Discounts and Premiums. The FHLB accretes the discounts and amortizes the premiums on Consolidated Obligation Bonds to interest expense using a level-yield methodology over the terms to maturity or estimated lives of the corresponding Consolidated Obligation Bonds. Due to their short-term nature, the FHLB expenses the discounts on Consolidated Obligation Discount Notes using a straight-line methodology over the term of the Notes. Analyses of a straight-line compared to a level-yield methodology have been performed by the FHLB, and the FHLB has determined that the impact of the difference on the financial statements for each period reported, taken individually and as a whole, is not material.

Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock. The FHLB reclassifies stock subject to redemption from equity to liability upon expiration of the “grace period” after a memberMember provides written notice of redemption, gives notice of intent to withdraw from membership, or attains nonmember status by merger or acquisition, charter termination, or involuntary termination from membership, because the memberMember's shares then meet the definition of a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument. Shares meeting this definition are reclassified to a liability at fair value. Dividends declared on shares classified as a liability are accrued at the expected dividend rate and reflected as interest expense in the Statements of Income. The repurchase or redemption of mandatorily redeemable capital stock is reflected as a cash outflow in the financing activities section of the Statements of Cash Flows.

If a memberMember cancels its written notice of redemption or notice of withdrawal, the FHLB reclassifies the mandatorily redeemable capital stock from a liability to equity. After the reclassification, dividends on the capital stock are no longer classified as interest expense.

Employee Benefit Plans. The FHLB records the periodic benefit cost associated with its employee retirement plans and its contributions associated with its defined contribution plans as compensation and benefits expense in the Statements of Income.

Restricted Retained Earnings. In 2011, the FHLBanks entered into a Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement, as amended (Capital Agreement). Under the Capital Agreement, beginning in the third quarter of 2011, the FHLB contributes 20 percent of its quarterly net income to a separate restricted retained earnings account until the account balance equals at least one percent of the FHLB's average balance of outstanding Consolidated Obligations for the previous quarter. These restricted retained earnings are not available to pay dividends and are presented separately on the Statements of Condition.

Finance Agency Expenses. The FHLB funds its proportionate share of the costs of operating the Finance Agency. The portion of the Finance Agency's expenses and working capital fund paid by each FHLBank has been allocated based on each FHLBank's pro rata share of total annual assessments (which are based on the ratio between each FHLBank's minimum required regulatory capital and the aggregate minimum required regulatory capital of every FHLBank).

Office of Finance Expenses. The FHLB is assessed for its proportionate share of the costs of operating the Office of Finance. Each FHLBank's proportionate share of Office of Finance operating and capital expenditures is calculated using a formula that is based upon the following components: (1) two-thirds based upon each FHLBank's share of total Consolidated Obligations outstanding and (2) one-third based upon an equal pro rata allocation.

Voluntary Housing Programs. The FHLB classifies amounts awarded under its voluntary housing programs as other expenses.

Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The FHLBank Act requires each FHLBank to establish and fund an AHP. The FHLB charges the required funding for AHP to earnings and establishes a liability. The AHP funds provide subsidies to membersMembers to assist in the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. The FHLB issues AHP Advances at interest rates below the customary interest rate for non-subsidized Advances. When the FHLB makes an AHP Advance, the present value of the variation in the cash flow caused by the difference in the interest rate between the AHP Advance rate and the FHLB's related cost of funds for comparable maturity funding is charged against the AHP

liability and recorded as a discount on the AHP Advance. As an alternative, the FHLB also has the authority to make the AHP subsidy available to membersMembers as a grant. The discount on AHP Advances is accreted to interest income on Advances using a level-yield methodology over the life of the Advance.



88
Table of Contents

Note 2 - Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Interpretations
Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. On August 28, 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. This guidance requires that, for fair value hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness be presented in the same income statement line that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item. For cash flow hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness must be recorded in other comprehensive income. In addition, the amendments include certain targeted improvements to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. This guidance becomes effective for the FHLB for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The FHLB does not intend to adopt the new guidance early. The FHLB is in the process of evaluating this guidance, and its effect on the FHLB’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows has not yet been determined.
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. On March 30, 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance to shorten the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. This guidance is effective for the FHLB for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. This guidance should be applied using a modified retrospective method through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The FHLB does not intend to adopt this guidance early. The FHLB is in the process of evaluating this guidance, but its effect on the FHLB’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is not expected to be material.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost. On March 10, 2017, the FASB issued amended guidance that requires an employer to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs (net benefit costs). The amendments also provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs in the income statement and allow only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. This guidance became effective for the FHLB for interim and annual periods, and adopted retrospectively, beginning on January 1, 2018, for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net benefit costs in the income statement. For the capitalization of the service cost component of net benefit costs, this guidance was applied prospectively on and after the effective date. This guidance did not have a material effect on the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. On August 26, 2016, the FASB issued amendments to clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the Statement of Cash Flows. This guidance is intended to reduce existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified on the Statement of Cash Flows. This guidance became effective for the FHLB for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2018. However, adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance for the accounting of credit losses on financial instruments. The amendments require entities to immediately record the full amount of expected credit losses in their loan portfolios. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The guidance also requires, among other things, credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses and expanded disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for the FHLB for interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2020. Early application is permitted as of the interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance should be applied using a modified-retrospective approach, through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. In addition, entities are required to use a prospective transition approach for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized before the effective date. The FHLB does not intend to adopt the new guidance early. While the FHLB is still in the process of evaluating this guidance, the FHLB expects the guidance will result in an increase in the allowance for credit losses given the requirement to estimate losses for the entire estimated life of the financial asset. The extent of the impact on the FHLB’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash

flows will depend upon the composition of the FHLB’s financial assets at the adoption date and the economic conditions and forecasts at that time.
Leases. On February 25, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)FASB issued guidance which requires recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the Statement of Condition and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. In particular, this guidance requires a lessee, of operating or finance leases, to recognize on the Statement of Condition a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. However, for leases with a term of 12 monthmonths or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities.The guidance becomes effective for the FHLB for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018,on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. The guidance requires lessors and lessees to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements using a modified retrospective approach. The FHLB does not intend to adopt the new guidance early. Upon adoption, the FHLB expects to report higher assets and liabilities as a result of including right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its Statement of Condition. While the FHLB is still in the process of evaluating this guidance, andthe FHLB does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its effect on the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows has not yet been determined.flows.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance includes, but is not limited to, the following:

▪Requires equity investments (with certain exceptions) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.
▪Require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected the fair value option.
▪Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheetStatement of Condition or the accompanying notes to the financial statements.
▪Eliminates the requirement for public entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.Statement of Condition.
The guidance becomesbecame effective for the FHLB for the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and earlyon January 1, 2018. While the adoption is only permitted for certain provision. The amendments, in general, should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The FHLB is in the process of evaluating this guidance and itsaffects the FHLB's disclosures, the requirement to present the instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income did not have any effect on the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.Revenue from Contracts with Customers. On April 15, 2015,May 28, 2014, the FASB issued amendmentsguidance on revenue from contracts with customers. This guidance applies to clarifyall contracts with customers except those that are within the accounting for cloud computing arrangements. The amendments provide guidance to customers on determining whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If the arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license elementscope of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition ofcertain other software licenses. If the arrangement does not contain a software license, the customer should account for the arrangementstandards, such as a service contract.financial instruments, certain guarantees, insurance contracts, and lease contracts. This guidance became effective for the FHLB for the interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2016,2018. Given that the majority of the FHLB's financial instruments and was adopted prospectively. Theother contractual rights that generate revenue are covered by other GAAP, the adoption of this guidance had no materialdid not have any effect on the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the Statement of Condition as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the liability, consistent with the presentation of debt discounts. This guidance became effective for the FHLB for the interim and annual periods beginning on January 1, 2016, and was adopted retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a reclassification of debt issuance costs from other assets to Consolidated Obligations for each applicable prior period. The adoption of this guidance had no material effect on the FHLB's financial condition.


Note 3 - Cash and Due from Banks

Cash and due from banks on the Statement of Condition includes cash on hand, cash items in the process of collection, compensating balances, and amounts due from correspondent banks and the Federal Reserve Bank.

Compensating Balances. The FHLB maintains collected cash balances with commercial banks in return for certain services. These agreements contain no legal restrictions on the withdrawal of funds. The average collected cash balances for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were approximately $63,000$98,000 and $77,000.$50,000.


89
Table of Contents

Pass-through Deposit Reserves. The FHLB acts as a pass-through correspondent for memberMember institutions required to deposit reserves with the Federal Reserve Banks. The amount shown as “Cash and due from banks” includes pass-through reserves deposited with Federal Reserve Banks of approximately $238,000$1,805,000 and $298,000$576,000 as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016.



Note 4 - Trading Securities

Table 4.1 - Trading Securities by Major Security Types (in thousands)        
Fair ValueDecember 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Mortgage-backed securities:      
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities (1)
$1,159
 $1,341
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$781
 $970
Total$1,159
 $1,341
$781
 $970
(1)Consists of Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) mortgage-backed securities.

Table 4.2 - Net Losses on Trading Securities (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Net losses on trading securities held at period end$(18) $(9) $(19)$(6) $(5) $(18)
Net losses on trading securities$(18) $(9) $(19)$(6) $(5) $(18)


Note 5 - Available-for-Sale Securities

Table 5.1 - Available-for-Sale Securities by Major Security Types (in thousands)
December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Certificates of deposit$700,000
 $81
 $—
 $700,081
$900,000
 $—
 $(124) $899,876
Total$700,000
 $81
 $—
 $700,081
$900,000
 $—
 $(124) $899,876
              
December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Certificates of deposit$1,350,001
 $3
 $(27) $1,349,977
$1,300,000
 $38
 $(15) $1,300,023
Total$1,350,001
 $3
 $(27) $1,349,977
$1,300,000
 $38
 $(15) $1,300,023

All securities outstanding with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 20142017 and 2016 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.

Table 5.2 - Available-for-Sale Securities by Contractual Maturity (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Year of Maturity
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less$700,000
 $700,081
 $1,350,001
 $1,349,977
$900,000
 $899,876
 $1,300,000
 $1,300,023

Table 5.3 - Interest Rate Payment Terms of Available-for-Sale Securities (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Amortized cost of available-for-sale securities:      
Fixed-rate$700,000
 $1,350,001
$900,000
 $1,300,000

90
Table of Contents


Realized Gains and Losses. The FHLB had no sales of securities out of its available-for-sale portfolio for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016, or 2013.2015.


Note 6 - Held-to-Maturity Securities

Table 6.1 - Held-to-Maturity Securities by Major Security Types (in thousands)
December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
Amortized Cost (1)
 
Gross Unrecognized Holding
Gains
 Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses Fair Value
Amortized Cost (1)
 
Gross Unrecognized Holding
Gains
 Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses Fair Value
Non-mortgage-backed securities:              
Government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) (2)
$32,683
 $—
 $—
 $32,683
U.S. Treasury obligations$34,033
 $—
 $(6) $34,027
Total non-mortgage-backed securities32,683
 —
 —
 32,683
34,033
 —
 (6) 34,027
Mortgage-backed securities:              
Other U.S. obligation single-family
mortgage-backed securities (3)
3,894,432
 3,629
 (25,292) 3,872,769
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities (4)
10,891,089
 122,044
 (148,589) 10,864,544
U.S. obligation single-family
mortgage-backed securities
2,483,446
 1,974
 (23,547) 2,461,873
Government-sponsored enterprises (GSE)
single-family mortgage-backed securities
6,703,367
 37,265
 (138,960) 6,601,672
GSE multi-family mortgage-backed securities (4)
460,002
 —
 (33) 459,969
5,584,124
 4,956
 (4,323) 5,584,757
Total mortgage-backed securities15,245,523
 125,673
 (173,914) 15,197,282
14,770,937
 44,195
 (166,830) 14,648,302
Total$15,278,206
 $125,673
 $(173,914) $15,229,965
$14,804,970
 $44,195
 $(166,836) $14,682,329
              
December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
Amortized Cost (1)
 
Gross Unrecognized Holding
Gains
 Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses Fair Value
Amortized Cost (1)
 
Gross Unrecognized Holding
Gains
 Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses Fair Value
Non-mortgage-backed securities:              
GSE (2)
$26,099
 $—
 $—
 $26,099
$31,279
 $1
 $—
 $31,280
Total non-mortgage-backed securities26,099
 —
 —
 26,099
31,279
 1
 —
 31,280
Mortgage-backed securities:              
Other U.S. obligation single-family
mortgage-backed securities (3)
2,038,960
 10,021
 (1,017) 2,047,964
U.S. obligation single-family
mortgage-backed securities
3,183,219
 3,653
 (23,151) 3,163,721
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities (4)
12,647,212
 191,870
 (118,819) 12,720,263
8,186,733
 36,161
 (147,494) 8,075,400
GSE multi-family mortgage-backed securities3,145,748
 988
 (3,906) 3,142,830
Total mortgage-backed securities14,686,172
 201,891
 (119,836) 14,768,227
14,515,700
 40,802
 (174,551) 14,381,951
Total$14,712,271
 $201,891
 $(119,836) $14,794,326
$14,546,979
 $40,803
 $(174,551) $14,413,231
 
(1)Carrying value equals amortized cost.
(2)Consists of debt securities issued and effectively guaranteed by Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae, which have the support of the U.S. government, although they are not obligations of the U.S. government.
(3)Consists of Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities and/or mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the U.S. government.
(4)Consists of mortgage-backed securities issued and effectively guaranteed by Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae, which have the support of the U.S. government, although they are not obligations of the U.S. government.

Table 6.2 - Net Purchased Premiums (Discounts) Included in the Amortized Cost of Mortgage-backed Securities Classified as Held-to-Maturity (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Premiums$84,450
 $24,473
$49,713
 $60,519
Discounts(40,667) (51,357)(24,243) (31,474)
Net purchased premiums (discounts)$43,783
 $(26,884)
Net purchased premiums$25,470
 $29,045


91
Table of Contents

Table 6.3 summarizes the held-to-maturity securities with unrealized losses, which are aggregated by major security type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

Table 6.3 - Held-to-Maturity Securities in a Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (in thousands)
 December 31, 2015
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total
 Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
Mortgage-backed securities:           
Other U.S. obligation single-family
   mortgage-backed securities (1)
$2,574,649
 $(25,292) $—
 $—
 $2,574,649
 $(25,292)
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities (2)
4,332,237
 (74,068) 2,065,926
 (74,521) 6,398,163
 (148,589)
GSE multi-family mortgage-backed securities (2)

459,969
 (33) —
 —
 459,969
 (33)
Total$7,366,855
 $(99,393) $2,065,926
 $(74,521) $9,432,781
 $(173,914)
            
 December 31, 2014
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total
 Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
Mortgage-backed securities:           
Other U.S. obligation single-family
   mortgage-backed securities (1)
$—
 $—
 $197,625
 $(1,017) $197,625
 $(1,017)
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities (2)
631,907
 (1,348) 5,555,049
 (117,471) 6,186,956
 (118,819)
Total$631,907
 $(1,348) $5,752,674
 $(118,488) $6,384,581
 $(119,836)
 December 31, 2017
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total
 Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
Non-mortgage-backed securities:           
U.S. Treasury obligations$34,027
 $(6) $—
 $—
 $34,027
 $(6)
Total non-mortgage-backed securities34,027

(6)
—

—

34,027

(6)
Mortgage-backed securities:           
U.S. obligation single-family
   mortgage-backed securities
1,193,566
 (10,455) 657,209
 (13,092) 1,850,775
 (23,547)
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities1,169,590
 (14,171) 3,578,537
 (124,789) 4,748,127
 (138,960)
GSE multi-family mortgage-backed securities1,133,452
 (4,307) 136,051
 (16) 1,269,503
 (4,323)
Total mortgage-backed securities3,496,608
 (28,933) 4,371,797
 (137,897) 7,868,405
 (166,830)
Total$3,530,635
 $(28,939) $4,371,797
 $(137,897) $7,902,432
 $(166,836)
            
 December 31, 2016
 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or more Total
 Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
Mortgage-backed securities:           
U.S. obligation single-family
   mortgage-backed securities
$2,151,584
 $(23,151) $—
 $—
 $2,151,584
 $(23,151)
GSE single-family mortgage-backed securities4,548,897
 (90,119) 1,193,241
 (57,375) 5,742,138
 (147,494)
GSE multi-family mortgage-backed securities1,897,043
 (3,906) —
 —
 1,897,043
 (3,906)
Total$8,597,524
 $(117,176) $1,193,241
 $(57,375) $9,790,765
 $(174,551)
(1)Consists of Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities.
(2)Consists of mortgage-backed securities issued and effectively guaranteed by Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae, which have the support of the U.S. government, although they are not obligations of the U.S. government.

Table 6.4 - Held-to-Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Year of Maturity
Amortized Cost (1)
 Fair Value 
Amortized Cost (1)
 Fair Value
Amortized Cost (1)
 Fair Value 
Amortized Cost (1)
 Fair Value
Non-mortgage-backed securities:              
Due in 1 year or less$32,683
 $32,683
 $26,099
 $26,099
$34,033
 $34,027
 $31,279
 $31,280
Due after 1 year through 5 years—
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
Due after 5 years through 10 years—
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
Due after 10 years—
 —
 —
 —
—
 —
 —
 —
Total non-mortgage-backed securities32,683
 32,683
 26,099
 26,099
34,033
 34,027
 31,279
 31,280
Mortgage-backed securities (2)
15,245,523
 15,197,282
 14,686,172
 14,768,227
14,770,937
 14,648,302
 14,515,700
 14,381,951
Total$15,278,206
 $15,229,965
 $14,712,271
 $14,794,326
$14,804,970
 $14,682,329
 $14,546,979
 $14,413,231
(1)Carrying value equals amortized cost.
(2)Mortgage-backed securities are not presented by contractual maturity because their expected maturities will likely differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment fees.

92
Table of Contents


Table 6.5 - Interest Rate Payment Terms of Held-to-Maturity Securities (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Amortized cost of non-mortgage-backed securities:      
Fixed-rate$32,683
 $26,099
$34,033
 $31,279
Total amortized cost of non-mortgage-backed securities32,683
 26,099
34,033
 31,279
Amortized cost of mortgage-backed securities:      
Fixed-rate12,664,603
 12,091,591
8,003,906
 9,706,072
Variable-rate2,580,920
 2,594,581
6,767,031
 4,809,628
Total amortized cost of mortgage-backed securities15,245,523
 14,686,172
14,770,937
 14,515,700
Total$15,278,206
 $14,712,271
$14,804,970
 $14,546,979

Realized Gains and Losses. From time to time theThe FHLB may sellsold securities out of its held-to-maturity portfolio. These securities, generally, haveportfolio during the period noted below in Table 6.6, each of which had less than 15 percent of the acquired principal outstanding at the time of the sale. These sales arewere considered maturities for the purposes of security classification. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, or 2013, the FHLB did not sell any held-to-maturity securities.

Table 6.6 - Proceeds from Sale and Gains on Held-to-Maturity Securities (in thousands)
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2017 2016 2015
Proceeds from sale of held-to-maturity securities$—
 $852,199
 $—
Gross gains from sale of held-to-maturity securities—
 38,763
 —

Note 7 - Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis

The FHLB evaluates any of its individual available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment securities holdings in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.

For its Other U.S. obligations and GSE investments (mortgage-backed securities and non-mortgage-backed securities), the FHLB has determined that the strength of the issuers' guarantees through direct obligations or support from the U.S. government is sufficient to protect the FHLB from losses based on current expectations. As a result, the FHLB determined that, as of December 31, 20152017, all of the gross unrealized losses on these investments were temporary as the declines in market value of these securities were not attributable to credit quality. Furthermore, the FHLB does not intend to sell the investments, and it is not more likely than not that the FHLB will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases. As a result, the FHLB did not consider any of these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 20152017.

The FHLB also reviewed its available-for-sale securities that have experienced unrealized losses at December 31, 2017 and determined that the unrealized losses were temporary, based on the creditworthiness of the issuers and the related collateral characteristics, and that the FHLB will recover its entire amortized cost basis. Additionally, because the FHLB does not intend to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that the FHLB will be required to sell the securities before recovery, it did not consider the investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2017.

The FHLB did not consider any of its investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 20142016.


Note 8 - Advances

The FHLB offers a wide range of fixed- and variable-rate Advance products with different maturities, interest rates, payment characteristics and optionality. Fixed-rate Advances generally have maturities ranging from one day to 30 years. Variable-rate advances generally have maturities ranging from less than 30 days to 10 years, where the interest rates reset periodically at a fixed spread to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or other specified index. The following table presents Advance redemptions by contractual maturity, including index-amortizing Advances, which are presented according to their predetermined amortization schedules.

93
Table of Contents


Table 8.1 - Advance Redemption Terms (dollars in thousands)
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Redemption Term Amount 
Weighted Average Interest
Rate
 Amount 
Weighted Average Interest
Rate
Amount 
Weighted Average Interest
Rate
 Amount 
Weighted Average Interest
Rate
Overdrawn demand deposit accounts$1,302
 1.55% $—
 —%
Due in 1 year or less $27,177,311
 0.57% $14,139,630
 0.40%40,473,141
 1.55
 23,129,060
 0.85
Due after 1 year through 2 years 12,360,345
 0.79
 14,810,847
 0.54
15,655,118
 1.69
 21,503,138
 1.06
Due after 2 years through 3 years 15,839,007
 0.77
 12,829,760
 0.69
6,537,170
 1.74
 14,292,353
 1.12
Due after 3 years through 4 years 11,107,509
 0.78
 14,222,722
 0.60
1,980,655
 2.00
 5,322,050
 1.26
Due after 4 years through 5 years 3,391,892
 1.06
 10,724,619
 0.54
893,283
 2.07
 963,105
 1.78
Thereafter 3,366,205
 1.69
 3,570,929
 1.51
4,437,731
 2.17
 4,697,315
 1.75
Total par value 73,242,269
 0.75
 70,298,507
 0.60
69,978,400
 1.66
 69,907,021
 1.07
Commitment fees (629)   (699)  (510)   (534)  
Discount on AHP Advances (9,396)   (12,110)  
Discount on Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Advances(5,795)   (7,435)  
Premiums 2,744
   3,058
  1,789
   2,061
  
Discounts (8,386)   (12,572)  (4,252)   (5,994)  
Hedging adjustments 65,513
   129,390
  (51,421)   (13,138)  
Fair value option valuation adjustments and accrued interest 57
   42
  13
   93
  
Total $73,292,172
   $70,405,616
  $69,918,224
   $69,882,074
  

The FHLB offers certain fixed and variable-rate Advances to membersMembers that may be prepaid on specified dates (call dates) without incurring prepayment or termination fees (callable Advances). If the call option is exercised, replacement funding may be available. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the FHLB had callable Advances (in thousands) of $14,095,712 and $15,098,357.available to Members. Other Advances may only be prepaid subject to a prepayment fee paid to the FHLB that makes the FHLB financially indifferent to the prepayment of the Advance.

Table 8.2 - Advances by Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date (in thousands)
Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call DateDecember 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Overdrawn demand deposit accounts$1,302
 $—
Due in 1 year or less$33,384,838
 $23,003,946
46,390,733
 33,831,156
Due after 1 year through 2 years11,289,035
 12,159,384
15,054,889
 15,901,805
Due after 2 years through 3 years13,959,002
 9,659,975
3,768,534
 13,608,214
Due after 3 years through 4 years10,356,770
 12,295,893
2,903,655
 2,982,425
Due after 4 years through 5 years2,747,419
 9,970,280
506,557
 2,243,105
Thereafter1,505,205
 3,209,029
1,352,730
 1,340,316
Total par value$73,242,269
 $70,298,507
$69,978,400
 $69,907,021

The FHLB also offers putable Advances. With a putable Advance, the FHLB effectively purchases put options from the memberMember that allows the FHLB to terminate the Advance at predetermined dates. The FHLB normally would exercise its put option when interest rates increase relative to contractual rates. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the FHLB had putable Advances, excluding those where the related put options have expired, totaling (in thousands) $1,046,400 and $1,617,400.


94
Table of Contents

Table 8.3 - Advances by Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put/ConvertPut Date for Putable/ConvertiblePutable Advances (in thousands)
Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put/Convert DateDecember 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Put DateDecember 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Overdrawn demand deposit accounts$1,302
 $—
Due in 1 year or less$28,111,211
 $15,753,030
40,588,641
 23,499,560
Due after 1 year through 2 years11,895,945
 14,663,847
15,649,618
 21,248,138
Due after 2 years through 3 years15,549,007
 12,115,860
6,537,170
 14,286,853
Due after 3 years through 4 years11,098,009
 13,649,722
1,980,655
 5,322,050
Due after 4 years through 5 years3,391,892
 10,715,119
893,283
 963,105
Thereafter3,196,205
 3,400,929
4,327,731
 4,587,315
Total par value$73,242,269
 $70,298,507
$69,978,400
 $69,907,021

Table 8.4 - Advances by Interest Rate Payment Terms (in thousands)                    
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Fixed-rate (1)
      
Due in one year or less$15,599,101
 $8,638,946
$26,505,900
 $16,330,685
Due after one year9,713,857
 9,306,104
10,109,877
 8,369,765
Total fixed-rate (1)
25,312,958
 17,945,050
36,615,777
 24,700,450
Variable-rate (1)
      
Due in one year or less11,578,210
 5,500,684
13,968,543
 6,798,375
Due after one year36,351,101
 46,852,773
19,394,080
 38,408,196
Total variable-rate (1)
47,929,311
 52,353,457
33,362,623
 45,206,571
Total par value$73,242,269
 $70,298,507
$69,978,400
 $69,907,021
(1)Payment terms based on current interest rate terms, which reflect any option exercises or rate conversions that have occurred subsequent to the related Advance issuance.

Credit Risk Exposure. The FHLB's potential credit risk from Advances is concentrated in commercial banks and insurance companies. The FHLB's Advances outstanding that were greater than or equal to $1.0 billion per borrower were $57.4$54.8 billion (78.4(78.3 percent) and $56.6$55.5 billion (80.5(79.4 percent) at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively. These Advances were made to 812 and 69 borrowers (members(Members and former members)Members) at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016. See Note 10 for information related to the FHLB's credit risk on Advances and allowance methodology for credit losses.

Table 8.5 - Borrowers Holding Five Percent or more of Total Advances, Including Any Known Affiliates that are Members of the FHLB (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Principal % of Total Par Value of Advances Principal % of Total Par Value of AdvancesPrincipal % of Total Par Value of Advances Principal % of Total Par Value of Advances
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.$35,350
 48% JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.$41,300
 59%$23,950
 34% JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.$32,300
 46%
U.S. Bank, N.A.10,086
 14
 U.S. Bank, N.A.8,338
 12
8,975
 13
 U.S. Bank, N.A.8,563
 12
Third Federal Savings and Loan Association3,756
 5
 Total$40,863
 58%
The Huntington National Bank3,732
 5
  

 

Total$45,436
 62% Total$49,638
 71%$40,413
 57%    


95
Table of Contents


Note 9 - Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio

Total mortgage loans held for portfolio represent residential mortgage loans under the MPP that the FHLB's membersMembers originate, credit enhance, and then sell to the FHLB. The FHLB does not service any of these loans. The FHLB plans to retain its existing portfolio of mortgage loans.

Table 9.1 - Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Unpaid principal balance:      
Fixed rate medium-term single-family mortgage loans (1)
$1,478,780
 $1,393,525
$1,128,749
 $1,320,585
Fixed rate long-term single-family mortgage loans6,278,904
 5,402,479
8,325,465
 7,605,088
Total unpaid principal balance7,757,684
 6,796,004
9,454,214
 8,925,673
Premiums205,600
 179,540
217,716
 211,058
Discounts(1,989) (2,460)(3,173) (3,740)
Hedging basis adjustments (2)
19,998
 16,518
13,373
 16,869
Total mortgage loans held for portfolio$7,981,293
 $6,989,602
$9,682,130
 $9,149,860

(1)Medium-term is defined as a term of 15 years or less.
(2)Represents the unamortized balance of the mortgage purchase commitments' market values at the time of settlement. The market value of the commitment is included in the basis of the mortgage loan and amortized accordingly.

Table 9.2 - Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio by Collateral/Guarantee Type (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Unpaid principal balance:      
Conventional mortgage loans$7,277,584
 $6,203,318
$9,129,003
 $8,534,542
FHA mortgage loans480,100
 592,686
325,211
 391,131
Total unpaid principal balance$7,757,684
 $6,796,004
$9,454,214
 $8,925,673

For information related to the FHLB's credit risk on mortgage loans and allowance for credit losses, see Note 10.

Table 9.3 - Members, Including Any Known Affiliates that are Members of the FHLB, and Former Members Selling Five Percent or more of Total Unpaid Principal (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2015  December 31, 2014December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016
Principal % of Total  Principal % of TotalPrincipal % of Total  Principal % of Total
Union Savings Bank$2,242
 29% Union Savings Bank$1,593
 23%$3,247
 34% Union Savings Bank$2,886
 32%
Guardian Savings Bank FSB933
 10
 Guardian Savings Bank FSB855
 10
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
839
 11
 
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
1,074
 16
516
 5
 
PNC Bank, N.A. (1)
660
 7
Guardian Savings Bank FSB633
 8
 Guardian Savings Bank FSB406
 6
 
(1)
Former member.Member.     


Note 10 - Allowance for Credit Losses

The FHLB has established an allowance methodology for each of the FHLB's portfolio segments: credit products (Advances, Letters of Credit and other extensions of credit to members)Members); FHA mortgage loans held for portfolio; and conventional mortgage loans held for portfolio.

Credit productsProducts

The FHLB manages its credit exposure to credit products through an integrated approach that includes establishing a credit limit for each borrower, includes an ongoing review of each borrower's financial condition, and is coupled with collateral and lending policies to limit risk of loss while balancing borrowers' needs for a reliable source of funding. In addition, the FHLB lends to eligible borrowers in accordance with federal statutes,law, including the FHLBank Act and Finance Agency regulations,

96
Table of Contents

which require the FHLB to obtain sufficient collateral to fully secure credit products. The estimated value of the collateral required to secure each member'sMember's credit products is calculated by applying collateral discounts, or haircuts, to the value of the collateral. The FHLB accepts certain investment securities, residential mortgage loans, deposits and other real estate related assets as collateral. In addition, community financial institutions are eligible to utilize expanded statutory collateral provisions for small business, agriculture loans and community development loans. The FHLB's capital stock owned by its memberMember borrowers is also pledged as collateral. Collateral arrangements and a member’sMember’s borrowing capacity vary based on the financial condition and

performance of the institution, the types of collateral pledged and the overall quality of those assets. The FHLB can also require additional or substitute collateral to protect its security interest. Management of the FHLB believes that these policies effectively manage the FHLB's credit risk from credit products.

Members experiencing financial difficulties are subject to FHLB-performed “stress tests” of the impact of poorly performing assets on the member’sMember’s capital and loss reserve positions. Depending on the results of these tests and the level of overcollateralization,over-collateralization, a memberMember may be allowed to maintain pledged loan assets in its custody, may be required to deliver those loans into the custody of the FHLB or its agent, and/or may be required to provide details on these loans to facilitate an estimate of their fair value. The FHLB perfects its security interest in all pledged collateral. The FHLBank Act affords any security interest granted to the FHLB by a memberMember priority over the claims or rights of any other party except for claims or rights of a third party that would be entitled to priority under otherwise applicable law and that are held by a bona fide purchaser for value or by a secured party holding a prior perfected security interest.

Using a risk-based approach, the FHLB considers the payment status, collateralization levels, and borrower's financial condition to be indicators of credit quality for its credit products. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB had rights to collateral on a member-by-memberMember-by-Member basis with an estimated value in excess of its outstanding extensions of credit.

The FHLB evaluates and makes changes to its collateral guidelines, as necessary, based on current market conditions. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB did not have any Advances that were past due, in non-accrual status or impaired. In addition, there were no troubled debt restructurings related to credit products of the FHLB during 20152017 or 20142016.

The FHLB has not experienced any credit losses on Advances since it was founded in 1932. Based upon the collateral held as security, its credit extension and collateral policies and the repayment history on credit products, the FHLB did not record any credit losses on credit products as of December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016. Accordingly, the FHLB did not record any allowance for credit losses on Advances.

At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB did not record any liability to reflect an allowance for credit losses for off-balance sheet credit exposures. See Note 20 for additional information on the FHLB's off-balance sheet credit exposure.

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio - FHA

The FHLB invests in fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties insured by the FHA. The FHLB expects to recover any losses from such loans from the FHA. Any losses from these loans that are not recovered from the FHA would be due to a claim rejection by the FHA and, as such, would be recoverable from the selling participating financial institutions. Therefore, the FHLB only has credit risk for these loans if the seller or servicer fails to pay for losses not covered by the FHA insurance. As a result, the FHLB did not establish an allowance for credit losses on its FHA insured mortgage loans. Furthermore, due to the insurance, none of these mortgage loans have been placed on non-accrual status.

Mortgage Loans Held for Portfolio - Conventional Mortgage Purchase Program (MPP)

The FHLB determines the allowance for conventional loans through analyses that include consideration of various data observations such as past performance, current performance, loan portfolio characteristics, collateral-related characteristics, industry data, and prevailing economic conditions. The measurement of the allowance for credit losses consists of: (1) collectively evaluating homogeneous pools of residential mortgage loans; (2) reviewing specifically identified loans for impairment; and (3) considering other relevant qualitative factors.

Collectively Evaluated Mortgage Loans. The credit risk analysis of conventional loans evaluated collectively for impairment considers historical delinquency migration, applies estimated loss severities, and incorporates the associated credit enhancements in order to determine the FHLB's best estimate of probable incurred losses at the reporting date. The FHLB performs the credit risk analysis of all conventional mortgage loans at the individual Master Commitment Contract level to properly determine the credit enhancements available to recover losses on loans under each individual Master Commitment Contract. The Master Commitment Contract is an agreement with a memberMember in which the memberMember agrees to make a best efforts attempt to sell a specific dollar amount of loans to the FHLB generally over a one-year period. Migration analysis is a

97
Table of Contents

methodology for determining, through the FHLB's experience over a historical period, the rate of default on loans. The FHLB applies migration analysis to loans based on payment status categories such as current, 30, 60, and 90 days past due. The FHLB then estimates based on historical experience, how many loans in these categories may migrate to a loss realization event and applies a current loss severity to estimate losses. The estimated losses are then reduced by the probable cash flows resulting from available credit enhancements. Any credit enhancement cash flows that are projected and assessed as not probable of receipt do not reduce estimated losses.


Individually Evaluated Mortgage Loans. Conventional mortgage loans that are considered troubled debt restructurings are specifically identified for purposes of calculating the allowance for credit losses. The FHLB measures impairment of these specifically identified loans by either estimating the present value of expected cash flows, estimating the loan's observable market price, or estimating the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The FHLB removes specifically identified loans evaluated for impairment from the collectively evaluated mortgage loan population.

Qualitative Factors. The FHLB also assesses other qualitative factors in its estimation of loan losses for the collectively evaluated population. This amount represents a subjective management judgment, based on facts and circumstances that exist as of the reporting date, that is intended to cover other incurred losses that may not otherwise be captured in the methodology described above.

Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Losses on Mortgage Loans. The following tables present a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses on conventional mortgage loans as well as the recorded investment in mortgage loans by impairment methodology. The recorded investment in a loan is the unpaid principal balance of the loan adjusted for accrued interest, unamortized premiums or discounts, hedging basis adjustments and direct write-downs. The recorded investment is not net of any allowance.

Table 10.1 - Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Losses on Conventional Mortgage Loans (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Balance, beginning of period$4,919
 $7,233
 $17,907
$1,142
 $1,686
 $4,919
Net charge offs(3,233) (1,814) (3,224)(452) (544) (3,233)
Reversal for credit losses—
 (500) (7,450)
Provision for credit losses500
 —
 —
Balance, end of period$1,686
 $4,919
 $7,233
$1,190
 $1,142
 $1,686

Table 10.2 - Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investment on Conventional Mortgage Loans by Impairment Methodology (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Allowance for credit losses, end of period:   
Allowance for credit losses:   
Collectively evaluated for impairment$1,686
 $4,766
$1,190
 $1,142
Individually evaluated for impairment—
 153
—
 —
Total allowances for credit losses$1,686
 $4,919
Recorded investment, end of period:   
Total allowance for credit losses$1,190
 $1,142
Recorded investment:   
Collectively evaluated for impairment$7,510,089
 $6,402,994
$9,373,393
 $8,772,681
Individually evaluated for impairment9,385
 8,639
10,109
 9,889
Total recorded investment$7,519,474
 $6,411,633
$9,383,502
 $8,782,570


98
Table of Contents

Credit Enhancements. The conventional mortgage loans under the MPP are supported by some combination of credit enhancements (primary mortgage insurance (PMI), supplemental mortgage insurance (SMI) and the Lender Risk Account (LRA), including pooled LRA for those membersMembers participating in an aggregated MPP pool). The amount of credit enhancements needed to protect the FHLB against credit losses is determined through use of a third-party default model. These credit enhancements apply after a homeowner's equity is exhausted. Beginning in February 2011, the FHLB discontinued the use of SMI for all new loan purchases and replaced it with expanded use of the LRA. The LRA is funded by the FHLB as a portion of the purchase proceeds to cover expected losses. The LRA is recorded in other liabilities in the Statements of Condition. Excess funds over required balances are distributed to the memberMember in accordance with a step-down schedule that is established upon execution of a Master Commitment Contract, subject to performance of the related loan pool. The LRA established for a pool of loans is limited to only covering losses of that specific pool of loans.


Table 10.3 - Changes in the LRA (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
LRA at beginning of year$129,213
 $115,236
 $102,680
$187,684
 $158,010
 $129,213
Additions33,100
 18,947
 18,331
20,677
 34,338
 33,100
Claims(1,747) (2,075) (4,118)(506) (885) (1,747)
Scheduled distributions(2,556) (2,895) (1,657)(7,110) (3,779) (2,556)
LRA at end of period$158,010
 $129,213
 $115,236
$200,745
 $187,684
 $158,010


99
Table of Contents

Credit Quality Indicators. Key credit quality indicators for mortgage loans include the migration of past due loans, non-accrual loans, and loans in process of foreclosure.foreclosure, and non-accrual loans. The table below summarizes the FHLB's key credit quality indicators for mortgage loans.

Table 10.4 - Recorded Investment in Delinquent Mortgage Loans (dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
Conventional MPP Loans FHA Loans TotalConventional MPP Loans FHA Loans Total
Past due 30-59 days delinquent$42,606
 $31,846
 $74,452
$36,662
 $20,992
 $57,654
Past due 60-89 days delinquent10,125
 9,887
 20,012
8,040
 6,974
 15,014
Past due 90 days or more delinquent30,575
 17,426
 48,001
16,702
 10,484
 27,186
Total past due83,306
 59,159
 142,465
61,404
 38,450
 99,854
Total current mortgage loans7,436,168
 429,551
 7,865,719
9,322,098
 291,371
 9,613,469
Total mortgage loans$7,519,474
 $488,710
 $8,008,184
$9,383,502
 $329,821
 $9,713,323
Other delinquency statistics:          
In process of foreclosure, included above (1)
$23,171
 $7,043
 $30,214
$10,039
 $4,767
 $14,806
Serious delinquency rate (2)
0.42% 3.63% 0.62%0.19% 3.19% 0.29%
Past due 90 days or more still accruing interest (3)
$25,016
 $17,426
 $42,442
$15,431
 $10,484
 $25,915
Loans on non-accrual status, included above$6,753
 $—
 $6,753
$2,713
 $—
 $2,713
          
December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
Conventional MPP Loans FHA Loans TotalConventional MPP Loans FHA Loans Total
Past due 30-59 days delinquent$49,053
 $42,744
 $91,797
$39,409
 $23,206
 $62,615
Past due 60-89 days delinquent13,597
 12,881
 26,478
9,350
 8,275
 17,625
Past due 90 days or more delinquent42,991
 25,045
 68,036
21,773
 14,054
 35,827
Total past due105,641
 80,670
 186,311
70,532
 45,535
 116,067
Total current mortgage loans6,305,992
 522,042
 6,828,034
8,712,038
 351,299
 9,063,337
Total mortgage loans$6,411,633
 $602,712
 $7,014,345
$8,782,570
 $396,834
 $9,179,404
Other delinquency statistics:          
In process of foreclosure, included above (1)
$34,854
 $11,687
 $46,541
$15,412
 $5,841
 $21,253
Serious delinquency rate (2)
0.68% 4.27% 0.99%0.26% 3.59% 0.40%
Past due 90 days or more still accruing interest (3)
$41,857
 $25,045
 $66,902
$19,408
 $14,054
 $33,462
Loans on non-accrual status, included above$3,574
 $—
 $3,574
$3,908
 $—
 $3,908
(1)Includes loans where the decision of foreclosure or a similar alternative such as pursuit of deed-in-lieu has been reported. Loans in process of foreclosure are included in past due or current loans dependent on their delinquency status.
(2)Loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure (including past due or current loans in the process of foreclosure) expressed as a percentage of the total loan portfolio class recorded investment amount.
(3)Each conventional loan past due 90 days or more still accruing interest is on a schedule/scheduled monthly settlement basis and contains one or more credit enhancements. Loans that are well secured and in the process of collection as a result of remaining credit enhancements and schedule/scheduled settlement are not placed on non-accrual status.

The FHLB did not have any real estate owned at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016.
    

100
Table of Contents

Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans.Table 10.5 presents the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance, and related allowance associated with loans individually evaluated for investment.

Table 10.5 - Individually Evaluated Impaired Loan Statistics by Product Class Level (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Conventional MPP loansRecorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related AllowanceRecorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance
With no related
allowance
$9,385
 $9,187
 $—
 $5,297
 $5,165
 $—
$10,109
 $9,912
 $—
 $9,889
 $9,708
 $—
With an allowance—
 —
 —
 3,342
 3,293
 153
—
 —
 —
 —
 —
 —
Total$9,385
 $9,187
 $—
 $8,639
 $8,458
 $153
$10,109
 $9,912
 $—
 $9,889
 $9,708
 $—

Table 10.6 - Average Recorded Investment of Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans and Related Interest Income Recognized (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Individually impaired loansAverage Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income RecognizedAverage Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
Conventional MPP Loans$8,433
 $438
 $8,029
 $417
 $6,615
 $348
$8,950
 $418
 $9,440
 $466
 $8,433
 $438

Troubled Debt Restructurings. A troubled debt restructuring is considered to have occurred when a concession is granted to a borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties and that concession would not have been considered otherwise. The FHLB's troubled debt restructurings primarily involve loans where an agreement permits the recapitalization of past due amounts up to the original loan amount and certain loans discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The FHLB had 60 and 53 modified loans considered troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. A loan considered a troubled debt restructuring is individually evaluated for impairment when determining its related allowance for credit losses. Credit loss is measured by factoring inestimating expected cash shortfalls incurred as of the reporting date.

The FHLB's recorded investment in modified loans considered troubled debt restructurings was (in thousands) $9,385$10,109 and $8,639$9,889 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively. The amount of troubled debt restructurings is not considered material to the FHLB's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
      

Note 11 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Nature of Business Activity

The FHLB is exposed to interest rate risk primarily from the effect of interest rate changes on its interest-earning assets and on the interest-bearing liabilities that finance these assets. The goal of the FHLB's interest-rate risk management strategy is not to eliminate interest-rate risk, but to manage it within appropriate limits. To mitigate the risk of loss, the FHLB has established policies and procedures, which include guidelines on the amount of exposure to interest rate changes it is willing to accept. In addition, the FHLB monitors the risk to its interest income, net interest margin and average maturity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

The FHLB transacts its derivatives with large banks and major broker-dealers. Some of these banks and broker-dealers or their affiliates buy, sell, and distribute Consolidated Obligations. Derivative transactions may be either executed with a counterparty (uncleared derivatives) or cleared through a Futures Commission Merchant (i.e., clearing agent) with a Derivative Clearing Organization (cleared derivatives).

Once a derivative transaction has been accepted for clearing by a Derivative Clearing Organization (Clearinghouse), the derivative transaction is novated and the executing counterparty is replaced with the Clearinghouse. The FHLB is not a derivative dealer and does not trade derivatives for short-term profit.


101
Table of Contents

Consistent with Finance Agency regulations, the FHLB enters into derivatives to manage the interest rate risk exposures inherent in otherwise unhedged assets and funding positions, to achieve the FHLB's risk management objectives and to act as an intermediary between its membersMembers and counterparties. The use of derivatives is an integral part of the FHLB's financial management strategy. However, Finance Agency regulations and the FHLB's financial management policy prohibit trading in, or the speculative use of, derivative instruments and limit credit risk arising from them.

The most common ways in which the FHLB uses derivatives are to:
▪reduce the interest rate sensitivity and repricing gaps of assets and liabilities;
▪preserve a favorable interest rate spread between the yield of an asset (e.g., an Advance) and the cost of the related liability (e.g., the Consolidated Obligation Bond used to fund the Advance);
▪manage embedded options in assets and liabilities;
▪reduce funding costs by combining a derivative with a Consolidated Obligation Bond, as the cost of a combined funding structure can be lower than the cost of a comparable Consolidated Obligation Bond;
▪preserve a favorable interest rate spread between the yield of an asset (e.g., an Advance) and the cost of the related liability (e.g., the Consolidated Obligation Bond used to fund the Advance); without the use of derivatives, this interest rate spread could be reduced or eliminated when a change in the interest rate on the Advance does not match a change in the interest rate on the Bond; and
▪protect the value of existing asset or liability positions.

Types of Derivatives

The FHLB may enter into interest rate swaps (including callable and putable swaps), swaptions, interest rate cap and floor agreements, calls, puts, futures, and forward contracts to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates.primarily uses the following derivative instruments:

Interest rate swaps - An interest rate swap is an agreement between two entities to exchange cash flows in the future. The agreement sets the dates on which the cash flows will be paidexchanged and the manner in which the cash flows will be calculated. One of the simplest forms of an interest rate swap involves the promise by one party to pay cash flows equivalent to the interest on a notional principal amount at a predetermined fixed rate for a given period of time. In return for this promise, this party receives cash flows equivalent to the interest on the same notional principal amount at a variable-rate index for the same period of time. The variable-rate transacted by the FHLB in its derivatives is LIBOR.

Swaptions - A swaption is an option on a swap that gives the buyer the right to enter into a specified interest rate swap at a certain time in the future. The FHLB may enter into both payer swaptions and receiver swaptions. A payer swaption is the option to make fixed interest payments at a later date and a receiver swaption is the option to receive fixed interest payments at a later date.

Forwards Contracts - The FHLB may use forwardForwards contracts in ordergives the buyer the right to hedge interest-rate risk.buy or sell a specific type of asset at a specific time at a given price. For example, certain mortgage purchase commitments entered into by the FHLB are considered derivatives. The FHLB may hedge these commitments by selling to-be-announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities for forward settlement. A TBA represents a forward contract for the sale of mortgage-backed securities at a future agreed upon date for an established price.


Application of Derivatives

The FHLB documents at inception all relationships between derivatives designated as hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions, and its method of assessing effectiveness. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to assets and liabilities on the Statements of Condition.

The FHLB may use certain derivatives as fair value hedges of associated financial instruments. However, because the FHLB uses derivatives when they are considered to be the most cost-effective alternative to achieve the FHLB's financial and risk management objectives, it may enter into derivatives that do not necessarily qualify for hedge accounting (economic hedges). The FHLB re-evaluates its hedging strategies from time to time and may change the hedging techniques it uses or adopt new strategies.

102
Table of Contents

 
Types of Hedged Items

The FHLB documents at inception all relationships between derivatives designated as hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions, and its method of assessing effectiveness. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to assets and liabilities on the Statements of Condition. The FHLB also formally assesses (both at the hedge's inception and at least quarterly) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain effective in future periods. The FHLB currently uses regression analyses to assess the effectiveness of its hedges.The types of assets and liabilities currently hedged with derivatives are:
Investments - The interest rate and prepayment risks associated with the FHLB's investment securities are managed through a combination of debt issuance and, possibly, derivatives. The FHLB may manage the prepayment and interest rate risksrisk by funding investment securities with Consolidated Obligations that have call features or by hedging the prepayment risk with caps or floors, callable swaps or swaptions. The FHLB may also purchase swaptions to minimize the prepayment risk embedded in certain investments. Although these derivatives are valid economic hedges against the prepayment risk of the investments, they are not specifically linked to individual investments and therefore do not receive fair value hedge accounting. These derivatives are marked-to-market through earnings.

Advances - The FHLB offers a wide arrayrange of fixed- and variable-rate Advance structures to meet members' funding needs. These Advances may haveproducts with different maturities, up to 30 years with variable or fixedinterest rates, and may include early termination features or options. The repricingpayment characteristics, and optionality embedded in certain Advances may create interest-rate risk.optionality. The FHLB may use derivatives to manage the repricing and/or option characteristics of Advances in order to more closely match the characteristics of the FHLB's funding liabilities. In general, whenever a memberMember executes a fixed-rate Advance or a variable-rate Advance with embedded options, the FHLB willmay simultaneously execute a derivative with terms that offset the terms and embedded options if any, in the Advance. For example, the FHLB may hedge a fixed-rate Advance with an interest rate swap where the FHLB pays a fixed-rate coupon and receives a floating-rate coupon,variable-rate, effectively converting the fixed-rate Advance to a floating-ratevariable-rate Advance. These types of hedges are typically treated as fair value hedges.

When issuing a putable Advance, the FHLB effectively purchases a put option from the memberMember that allows the FHLB to put or extinguish the fixed-rate Advance, which the FHLB normally would exercise when interest rates increase. The FHLB may hedge these Advances by entering into a cancelable derivative.

Mortgage Loans - The FHLB invests in fixed-rate mortgage loans. The prepayment options embedded in these mortgage loans can result in extensions or contractions in the expected repayment of these investments, depending on changes in actual and estimated prepayment speeds. The FHLB may manage the interest rate and prepayment risks associated with mortgagesmortgage loans through a combination of debt issuance and derivatives. The FHLB issues both callable and noncallable debt and prepayment linked Consolidated Obligations to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on the mortgage loans. The FHLB may purchase swaptions to minimize the prepayment risk embedded in mortgage loans. Although these derivatives are valid economic hedges against the prepayment risk of the loans, they are not specifically linked to individual loans and therefore do not receive fair value hedge accounting. These derivatives are marked-to-market through earnings.

Consolidated Obligations - The FHLB entersmay enter into derivatives to hedge the interest rate risk associated with its specific debt issuances. The FHLB manages the risk arising from changing market prices and volatility of a Consolidated Obligation by matching the cash inflow on a derivative with the cash outflow on the Consolidated Obligation.

For example, fixed-rate Consolidated Obligations are issued and the FHLB may simultaneously enter into a matching interest rate swap in which the counterparty pays fixed cash flows to the FHLB designed to mirror in timing and amount the cash outflows the FHLB pays on the Consolidated Obligation. The FHLB pays a variable cash flow that closely matches the interest payments it receives on short-term or variable-rate Advances, typically 3-month LIBOR. These transactions are treated as fair value hedges.
 
This strategy of issuing BondsConsolidated Obligations while simultaneously entering into derivatives enables the FHLB to offer a wider range of attractively priced Advances to its membersMembers and may allow the FHLB to reduce its funding costs. The continued

attractiveness of such debt depends on yield relationships between the BondFHLB's Consolidated Obligations and the derivative markets. If conditions in these markets change, the FHLB may alter the types or terms of the Bonds that it issues. By acting in both the capital and the swap markets, the FHLB may raise funds at lower costs than through the issuance of simple fixed- or variable-rate Consolidated Obligations in the capital markets alone.Obligations.


103
Table of Contents

Firm Commitments - Certain mortgage loan purchase commitments, such as mortgage delivery commitments, are considered derivatives. The FHLB may hedge these commitments by selling TBA mortgage-backed securities for forward settlement. The mortgage loan purchase commitment and the TBA used in the firm commitment hedging strategy (economic hedge) are recordedtreated as a derivative asset or derivative liability at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in the current periodan economic hedge and are marked-to-market through earnings. When the mortgage loan purchase commitment derivative settles, the current market value of the commitment is included in the basis of the mortgage loan and amortized accordingly.

Financial Statement Effect and Additional Financial Information

The notional amount of derivatives serves as a factor in determining periodic interest payments or cash flows received and paid. The notional amount reflects the FHLB's involvement in the various classes of financial instruments and represents neither the actual amounts exchanged nor the overall exposure of the FHLB to credit and market risk; the overall risk is much smaller. The risks of derivatives only can be measured meaningfully on a portfolio basis that takes into account the counterparties, the types of derivatives, the items being hedged and any offsets between the derivatives and the items being hedged.

Table 11.1 summarizes the notional amount, fair value of derivative instruments including(excluding fair value adjustments related to variation margin on settled daily contracts), and total derivative assets and liabilities. Total derivative assets and liabilities include the effect of netting adjustments, cash collateral and cash collateral.variation margin for daily settled contracts. For purposes of this disclosure, the derivative values include the fair value of derivatives and the related accrued interest.

Table 11.1 - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (in thousands)
December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
Notional Amount of Derivatives Derivative Assets Derivative LiabilitiesNotional Amount of Derivatives Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:          
Interest rate swaps$5,548,351
 $12,205
 $77,950
$5,992,762
 $59,389
 $10,771
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:          
Interest rate swaps2,719,000
 1,051
 4,029
5,789,265
 1,040
 72,976
Interest rate swaptions281,000
 683
 —
2,316,000
 3,171
 —
Forward rate agreements462,000
 1,680
 69
212,000
 27
 230
Mortgage delivery commitments449,856
 342
 1,650
218,651
 453
 17
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments3,911,856
 3,756
 5,748
8,535,916
 4,691
 73,223
Total derivatives before netting and collateral adjustments$9,460,207
 15,961
 83,698
Netting adjustments and cash collateral (1)
  11,035
 (52,611)
Total derivatives before adjustments$14,528,678
 64,080
 83,994
Netting adjustments, cash collateral and variation margin for daily settled contracts (1)
  (3,385) (81,101)
Total derivative assets and total derivative liabilities  $26,996
 $31,087
  $60,695
 $2,893
          
December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
Notional Amount of Derivatives Derivative Assets Derivative LiabilitiesNotional Amount of Derivatives Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments:          
Interest rate swaps$4,301,547
 $19,826
 $138,150
$5,660,420
 $37,379
 $26,610
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:          
Interest rate swaps4,635,000
 900
 6,559
8,199,000
 2,135
 64,661
Interest rate swaptions2,346,000
 13,335
 —
Forward rate agreements439,000
 6
 4,924
511,000
 681
 166
Mortgage delivery commitments451,292
 3,799
 1
440,849
 319
 10,628
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments5,525,292
 4,705
 11,484
11,496,849
 16,470
 75,455
Total derivatives before netting and collateral adjustments$9,826,839
 24,531
 149,634
Total derivatives before adjustments$17,157,269
 53,849
 102,065
Netting adjustments and cash collateral (1)
  (9,832) (85,867)  50,904
 (84,191)
Total derivative assets and total derivative liabilities  $14,699
 $63,767
  $104,753
 $17,874
 
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions, and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same clearing agent and/or counterparty.counterparty, and effective January 3, 2017, includes fair value adjustments on derivatives for which variation margin is characterized as a daily settled contract. Cash collateral posted and related accrued interest was (in thousands) $66,685$64,079 and $78,755$180,169 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016. Cash collateral received and related accrued interest was (in thousands) $3,039$60,794 and $2,720$45,074 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016. Variation margin for daily settled contracts was (in thousands) $74,431 at December 31, 2017 and $0 at December 31, 2016.



104
Table of Contents

Table 11.2 presents the components of net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities as presented in the Statements of Income.

Table 11.2 - Net (Losses) Gains on Derivatives and Hedging Activities (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Derivatives and hedged items in fair value hedging relationships:          
Interest rate swaps$2,762
 $5,127
 $10,837
$(60) $697
 $2,762
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:          
Economic hedges:          
Interest rate swaps2,515
 628
 7,456
(4,067) (69,266) 2,515
Interest rate swaptions(274) —
 —
(17,016) 6,229
 (274)
Forward rate agreements(1,090) (15,465) (845)(6,054) 2,794
 (1,090)
Net interest settlements6,623
 706
 328
(8,298) 12,009
 6,623
Mortgage delivery commitments2,501
 15,631
 (9,873)10,424
 106
 2,501
Total net gains (losses) related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments10,275
 1,500
 (2,934)
Net gains on derivatives and hedging activities$13,037
 $6,627
 $7,903
Total net (losses) gains related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments(25,011) (48,128) 10,275
Other (1)
607
 —
 —
Net (losses) gains on derivatives and hedging activities$(24,464) $(47,431) $13,037
(1)Consists of price alignment amount on derivatives for which variation margin is characterized as a daily settled contract.

Table 11.3 presents by type of hedged item, the gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the FHLB's net interest income.

Table 11.3 - Effect of Fair Value Hedge-Related Derivative Instruments (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
2017Gain/(Loss) on Derivative Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Item Net Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness 
Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income(1)
Hedged Item Type:       
Advances$35,570
 $(36,152) $(582) $(17,907)
Consolidated Bonds240
 282
 522
 (1,101)
Total$35,810
 $(35,870) $(60) $(19,008)
2016       
Hedged Item Type:       
Advances$76,401
 $(75,744) $657
 $(59,560)
Consolidated Bonds(6,641) 6,681
 40
 7,624
Total$69,760
 $(69,063) $697
 $(51,936)
2015Gain/(Loss) on Derivative Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Item Net Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness 
Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income(1)
       
Hedged Item Type:              
Advances$62,657
 $(60,453) $2,204
 $(83,571)$62,657
 $(60,453) $2,204
 $(83,571)
Consolidated Bonds(10,930) 11,488
 558
 19,787
(10,930) 11,488
 558
 19,787
Total$51,727
 $(48,965) $2,762
 $(63,784)$51,727
 $(48,965) $2,762
 $(63,784)
2014       
Hedged Item Type:       
Advances$76,295
 $(71,315) $4,980
 $(91,232)
Consolidated Bonds(15,633) 15,780
 147
 18,298
Total$60,662
 $(55,535) $5,127
 $(72,934)
2013       
Hedged Item Type:       
Advances$156,025
 $(145,843) $10,182
 $(106,452)
Consolidated Bonds(26,341) 26,996
 655
 27,038
Total$129,684
 $(118,847) $10,837
 $(79,414)
 
(1)The
For fair value hedge relationships, the net effect of derivatives in fair value hedge relationships, on net interest income is included in the interest income or interest expense line item of the respective hedged item type. These amounts include the effect of net interest settlements attributable to designated fair value hedges but do not include (in thousands) $(3,424)$(2,131), $(3,310)$(2,908), and $(3,022) $(3,424)of (amortization)/accretion related to fair value hedging activities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016 and 2013.2015.


105
Table of Contents

Credit Risk on Derivatives

The FHLB is subject to credit risk due to the risk of non-performance by counterparties to its derivative transactions, and manages credit risk through credit analysis, collateral requirements and adherence to the requirements set forth in its policies, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations, and Finance Agency regulations.

For uncleared derivatives, the degree of credit risk depends on the extent to which master netting arrangements are included in these contracts to mitigate the risk. The FHLB requires collateral agreements with collateral delivery thresholds on the majority of its uncleared derivatives.

For cleared derivatives, the Clearinghouse is the FHLB's counterparty. The Clearinghouse notifies the clearing agent of the required initial and variation margin and the clearing agent in turn notifies the FHLB. The FHLB utilizes two Clearinghouses for all cleared derivative transactions, LCH.Clearnet LLC and CME Clearing. Effective January 3, 2017, CME Clearing made certain amendments to its rulebook changing the legal characterization of variation margin payments to be daily settlement payments, rather than collateral. Variation margin related to LCH.Clearnet LLC contracts continues to be presented as cash collateral through December 31, 2017. At both Clearinghouses, initial margin continues to be considered collateral. The requirement that the FHLB post initial and variation margin through the clearing agent, to the Clearinghouse, exposes the FHLB to credit risk if the clearing agent or the Clearinghouse fails to meet its obligations. The use of cleared derivatives is intended to mitigate credit risk exposure because a central counterparty is substituted for individual counterparties and collateralcollateral/payments for changes in the value of cleared derivatives is posted daily through a clearing agent.

Certain of the FHLB's uncleared derivative contracts contain credit-risk-related contingent features that require the FHLB to post additional collateral with its counterparties if there is deterioration in the FHLB's credit ratings. The aggregate fair value of such uncleared derivatives in a net liability position (before cash collateral and related accrued interest) at December 31, 2017 was (in thousands) $2,260, for which the FHLB was not required to post any collateral. If the FHLB's credit ratings had been lowered to the next lower rating, the FHLB would not have been required to deliver any additional collateral at December 31, 2017.

For cleared derivatives, the Clearinghouse determines initial margin requirements and generally credit ratings are not factored into the initial margin. However, clearing agents may require additional initial margin to be posted based on credit considerations, including, but not limited to, credit rating downgrades. At December 31, 2017, the FHLB was not required to post additional initial margin by its clearing agents based on credit considerations.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities

The FHLB presents derivative instruments, related cash collateral, including any initial and certain variation margin, received or pledged, and associated accrued interest, on a net basis by clearing agent and/or by counterparty when it has met the netting requirements.

The FHLB has analyzed the enforceability of offsetting rights incorporated in its cleared derivative transactions and determined that the exercise of those offsetting rights by a non-defaulting party under these transactions should be upheld under applicable law upon an event of default including bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar proceeding involving the Clearinghouse or the FHLB's clearing agent, or both. Based on this analysis, the FHLB presents a net derivative receivable or payable for all of its transactions through a particular clearing agent with a particular Clearinghouse.

Certain of the FHLB's uncleared derivative contracts contain provisions that require the FHLB to post additional collateral with its counterparties if there is deterioration in the FHLB's credit ratings. The aggregate fair value of all uncleared derivatives with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a net liability position (before cash collateral and related accrued interest) at December 31, 2015 was (in thousands) $64,235, for which the FHLB had posted collateral with a fair value of (in thousands) $34,867 in the normal course of business.

If one of the FHLB's credit ratings had been lowered to the next lower rating that would have triggered additional collateral to be delivered, the FHLB would have been required to deliver up to an additional (in thousands) $5,588 of collateral at fair value to its derivatives counterparties at December 31, 2015.

For cleared derivatives, the Clearinghouse determines initial margin requirements and generally credit ratings are not factored into the initial margin. However, clearing agents may require additional initial margin to be posted based on credit considerations, including, but not limited to, credit rating downgrades. At December 31, 2015, the FHLB was not required to post additional initial margin by its clearing agents based on credit considerations.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities

The FHLB presents derivative instruments, related cash collateral, including initial and variation margin, received or pledged, and associated accrued interest, on a net basis by clearing agent and/or by counterparty when it has met the netting requirements.


106
Table of Contents

Table 11.4 presents separately the fair value of derivative instruments meeting or not meeting netting requirements, including the related collateral received from or pledged to counterparties.counterparties and variation margin for daily settled contracts. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB did not receive or pledge any non-cash collateral. Any overcollateralizationover-collateralization under an individual clearing agent and/or counterparty level is not included in the determination of the net unsecured amount.

Table 11.4 - Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Derivative Liabilities (in thousands)
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
 Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities
Derivative instruments meeting netting requirements:       
Gross recognized amount:       
Uncleared derivatives$8,046
 $70,178
 $19,585
 $141,352
Cleared derivatives5,893
 11,801
 1,141
 3,357
Total gross recognized amount13,939
 81,979
 20,726
 144,709
Gross amounts of netting adjustments and cash collateral:       
Uncleared derivatives(7,844) (40,810) (19,544) (82,510)
Cleared derivatives18,879
 (11,801) 9,712
 (3,357)
Total gross amounts of netting adjustments and cash collateral11,035
 (52,611) (9,832) (85,867)
Net amounts after netting adjustments and cash collateral:       
Uncleared derivatives202
 29,368
 41
 58,842
Cleared derivatives24,772
 —
 10,853
 —
Total net amounts after netting adjustments and cash collateral24,974
 29,368
 10,894
 58,842
Derivative instruments not meeting netting requirements (1):
       
Uncleared derivatives2,022
 1,719
 3,805
 4,925
Total derivative instruments not meeting netting requirements (1)
2,022
 1,719
 3,805
 4,925
Total derivative assets and total derivative liabilities:       
     Uncleared derivatives2,224
 31,087
 3,846
 63,767
     Cleared derivatives24,772
 —
 10,853
 —
   Total derivative assets and total derivative liabilities$26,996
 $31,087
 $14,699
 $63,767
 December 31, 2017
 
Derivative Instruments Meeting Netting Requirements

    
 Gross Recognized Amount 
Gross Amounts of Netting Adjustments, Cash Collateral and Variation Margin for Daily Settled Contracts(1)
 
Derivative Instruments Not Meeting Netting Requirements(2)
 Total Derivative Assets and Total Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Assets:       
Uncleared$5,239
 $(5,215) $480
 $504
Cleared58,361
 1,830
 —
 60,191
Total
 

 

 $60,695
Derivative Liabilities:       
Uncleared$8,773
 $(6,127) $247
 $2,893
Cleared74,974
 (74,974) —
 —
Total
 

 

 $2,893
        
 December 31, 2016
 Derivative Instruments Meeting Netting Requirements    
 Gross Recognized Amount Gross Amounts of Netting Adjustments, Cash Collateral 
Derivative Instruments Not Meeting Netting Requirements(2)
 Total Derivative Assets and Total Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Assets:       
Uncleared$15,506
 $(14,737) $1,000
 $1,769
Cleared37,343
 65,641
 —
 102,984
Total
 
 
 $104,753
Derivative Liabilities:       
Uncleared$21,378
 $(14,298) $10,794
 $17,874
Cleared69,893
 (69,893) —
 —
Total
 
 
 $17,874
(1)Variation margin for daily settled contracts was (in thousands) $74,431 at December 31, 2017.
(2)Represents mortgage delivery commitments and forward rate agreements that are not subject to an enforceable netting agreement.


Note 12 - Deposits

The FHLB offers demand and overnight deposits to membersMembers and qualifying nonmembers. In addition, the FHLB offers short-term interest bearing deposit programs to members,Members, and in certain cases, qualifying nonmembers. A memberMember that services mortgage loans may deposit funds collected in connection with the mortgage loans at the FHLB, pending disbursement of such funds to the owners of the mortgage loans. The FHLB classifies these items as other interest bearing deposits.

Certain financial institutions have agreed to maintain compensating balances in consideration for correspondent and other non-credit services. These balances are included in interest bearing deposits on the accompanying financial statements. The compensating balances required to be held by the FHLB averaged (in thousands) $3,171,708$22,370 and $3,597,698$108,008 during 20152017 and 2014.2016.

Deposits classified as demand, overnight, and other pay interest based on a daily interest rate. Term deposits pay interest based on a fixed rate determined at the issuance of the deposit. The average interest rates paid on interest bearing deposits was 0.68 percent, 0.16 percent, and 0.04 percent 0.03 percent,during 2017, 2016, and 0.03 percent during 2015, 2014, and 2013.2015.

Non-interest bearing deposits represent funds for which the FHLB acts as a pass-through correspondent for memberMember institutions required to deposit reserves with the Federal Reserve Banks.

107
Table of Contents


Table 12.1-12.1 - Deposits (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Interest bearing:      
Demand and overnight$646,902
 $624,446
$590,617
 $611,432
Term151,825
 99,600
52,600
 149,350
Other5,377
 5,592
5,509
 4,521
Total interest bearing804,104
 729,638
648,726
 765,303
   
Non-interest bearing:      
Other238
 298
1,805
 576
Total non-interest bearing238
 298
1,805
 576
Total deposits$804,342
 $729,936
$650,531
 $765,879

The aggregate amount of time deposits with a denomination of $250 thousand or more was (in thousands) $151,775$52,550 and $99,550$149,300 as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.


Note 13 - Consolidated Obligations

Consolidated Obligations consist of Consolidated Bonds and Discount Notes. The FHLBanks issue Consolidated Obligations through the Office of Finance as their agent. In connection with each debt issuance, each FHLBank specifies the amount of debt it wants issued on its behalf. The Office of Finance tracks the amount of debt issued on behalf of each FHLBank. In addition, the FHLBank records as a liability its specific portion of Consolidated Obligations for which it is the primary obligor.

The Finance Agency and the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury oversee the issuance of FHLBank debt through the Office of Finance. Consolidated Bonds aremay be issued primarily to raise short-, intermediate-, and long-term funds for the FHLBanks and are not subject to any statutory or regulatory limits on maturity. Consolidated Discount Notes are issued primarily to raise short-term funds and have original maturities up to one year. These notes generally sell at less than their face amount and are redeemed at par value when they mature.

Although the FHLB is primarily liable for its portion of Consolidated Obligations, the FHLB is also jointly and severally liable with the other 10 FHLBanks for the payment of principal and interest on all Consolidated Obligations of each of the other FHLBanks. The Finance Agency, at its discretion, may require any FHLBank to make principal or interest payments due on any Consolidated Obligation whether or not the Consolidated Obligation represents a primary liability of such FHLBank. Although an FHLBank has never paid the principal or interest payments due on a Consolidated Obligation on behalf of another FHLBank, if that event should occur, Finance Agency regulations provide that the paying FHLBank is entitled to reimbursement from the non-complying FHLBank that is primarily liable for thosethat Consolidated Obligation for any payments and other associated costs, including interest to be determined by the Finance Agency. If, however, the Finance Agency determines that the non-complying FHLBank is unable to satisfy its repayment obligations, the Finance Agency may allocate the outstanding liabilities of the non-complyingthat FHLBank among the remaining FHLBanks on a pro rata basis in proportion to each FHLBank's participation in all Consolidated Obligations outstanding or in any other manner it may determine to ensure that the FHLBanks operate in a safe and sound manner.


108
Table of Contents

The par values of the 11 FHLBanks' outstanding Consolidated Obligations were approximately $905.2$1,034.3 billion and $847.2$989.3 billion at December 31, 20152017 and 2014. Regulations2016. Finance Agency regulations require the FHLB to maintain unpledged qualifying assets equal to its participation in the Consolidated Obligations outstanding. Qualifying assets are defined as cash; secured Advances; obligations of or fully guaranteed by the United States; obligations, participations, or other instruments of or issued by Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae; mortgages, obligations, or other securities which are or ever have been sold by Freddie Mac under the FHLBank Act; and such securities as fiduciary and trust funds may invest in under the laws of the state in which the FHLB is located. Any assets subject to a lien or pledge for the benefit of holders of any issue of Consolidated Obligations are treated as if they were free from lien or pledge for purposes of compliance with these regulations.

Table 13.1 - Consolidated Discount Notes Outstanding (dollars in thousands)
 Book Value Par Value 
Weighted Average Interest Rate (1)
December 31, 2015$77,199,208
 $77,225,334
 0.24%
December 31, 2014$41,232,127
 $41,238,122
 0.09%
 Book Value Par Value 
Weighted Average Interest Rate (1)
December 31, 2017$46,210,458
 $46,258,644
 1.23%
December 31, 2016$44,689,662
 $44,710,521
 0.46%
(1)Represents an implied rate without consideration of concessions.

Table 13.2 - Consolidated Bonds Outstanding by Contractual Maturity (dollars in thousands)
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Year of Contractual Maturity Amount Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount Weighted Average Interest Rate
Due in 1 year or less $9,808,000
 0.91% $32,477,000
 0.24% $28,940,265
 1.34% $20,970,750
 0.87%
Due after 1 year through 2 years 5,143,750
 1.42
 6,918,000
 1.19
 5,841,800
 1.74
 12,811,000
 1.12
Due after 2 years through 3 years 4,814,000
 1.64
 4,594,000
 1.56
 4,770,565
 1.89
 4,359,000
 1.81
Due after 3 years through 4 years 4,090,000
 1.89
 4,245,000
 1.79
 6,017,000
 1.92
 3,566,000
 1.95
Due after 4 years through 5 years 3,041,000
 2.09
 2,647,000
 2.08
 2,244,620
 2.24
 4,970,000
 1.87
Thereafter 8,139,000
 2.80
 8,217,000
 2.79
 6,343,055
 2.72
 6,496,000
 2.65
Index amortizing notes 943
 5.25
 25,297
 5.07
Total par value 35,036,693
 1.74
 59,123,297
 1.00
 54,157,305
 1.69
 53,172,750
 1.39
Premiums 90,189
   103,477
   86,521
   84,275
  
Discounts (24,525)   (25,161)   (30,669)   (32,804)  
Hedging adjustments 3,817
   15,304
   (3,146)   (2,865)  
Fair value option valuation adjustment and
accrued interest
 (1,410)   (360)   (46,950)   (30,490)  
Total $35,104,764
   $59,216,557
   $54,163,061
   $53,190,866
  

Consolidated ObligationsBonds outstanding were issued with either fixed-rate coupon payment terms or variable-rate coupon payment terms that may use a variety of indices for interest rate resets, includingare indexed primarily to LIBOR. To meet the expected specific needs of certain investors in Consolidated Obligations, both fixed-rate Bonds and variable-rate Bonds may contain features that result in complex coupon payment terms and call options. When these Consolidated ObligationsBonds are issued, the FHLB may enter into derivatives containing features that offset the terms and embedded options, if any, of the Consolidated Obligations.Bonds.

Table 13.3 - Consolidated Bonds Outstanding by Call Features (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Par value of Consolidated Bonds:      
Non-callable$28,235,693
 $49,976,297
$47,155,305
 $46,007,750
Callable6,801,000
 9,147,000
7,002,000
 7,165,000
Total par value$35,036,693
 $59,123,297
$54,157,305
 $53,172,750


109
Table of Contents

Table 13.4 - Consolidated Bonds Outstanding by Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date (in thousands)
Year of Contractual Maturity or Next Call Date December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Due in 1 year or less $16,339,000
 $40,774,000
 $35,029,265
 $26,489,750
Due after 1 year through 2 years 4,881,750
 5,413,000
 5,369,800
 12,006,000
Due after 2 years through 3 years 3,499,000
 3,317,000
 3,715,565
 3,894,000
Due after 3 years through 4 years 3,020,000
 2,685,000
 4,388,000
 2,805,000
Due after 4 years through 5 years 2,383,000
 1,992,000
 1,823,620
 3,964,000
Thereafter 4,913,000
 4,917,000
 3,831,055
 4,014,000
Index amortizing notes 943
 25,297
Total par value $35,036,693
 $59,123,297
 $54,157,305
 $53,172,750

Consolidated Bonds, beyond having fixed-rate or variable-rate interest-rate payment terms, may also have a step-up interest-rate payment type. Step-up bonds pay interest at increasing fixed rates for specified intervals over the life of the Consolidated Bond. These Consolidated Bonds generally contain provisions enabling the FHLB to call the Consolidated Bonds at its option on the step-up dates.

Table 13.5 - Consolidated Bonds by Interest-rate Payment Type (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Par value of Consolidated Bonds:      
Fixed-rate$30,806,693
 $31,363,297
$33,252,305
 $34,682,750
Variable-rate4,065,000
 27,610,000
20,895,000
 18,290,000
Step-up165,000
 150,000
10,000
 200,000
Total par value$35,036,693
 $59,123,297
$54,157,305
 $53,172,750

Concessions on Consolidated Obligations. Unamortized concessions included in other assets were (in thousands) $13,042 and $14,184 at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The amortization of these concessions is included in Consolidated Obligation interest expense and totaled (in thousands) $13,280, $7,380, and $7,026 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.


Note 14 - Affordable Housing Program (AHP)

The FHLBank Act requires each FHLBank to establish an AHP. Each FHLBank provides subsidies in the form of direct grants and below-market interest rate Advances to membersMembers who use the funds to assist in the purchase, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. Annually, the FHLBanks must set aside for the AHP the greater of $100 million or 10 percent of net earnings. For purposes of the AHP calculation, net earnings is defined as net income before assessments, plus interest expense related to mandatorily redeemable capital stock. The FHLB accrues AHP expense monthly based on its net earnings. The FHLB reduces the AHP liability as membersMembers use subsidies.

If the FHLB experienced a net loss during a quarter, but still had net earnings for the year, the FHLB's obligation to the AHP would be calculated based on the FHLB's year-to-date net earnings. If the FHLB had net earnings in subsequent quarters, it would be required to contribute additional amounts to meet its calculated annual obligation. If the FHLB experienced a net loss for a full year, the FHLB would have no obligation to the AHP for the year, because each FHLB'sFHLBank's required annual AHP contribution is limited to its annual net earnings. If the aggregate 10 percent calculation described above was less than $100 million for the FHLBanks, each FHLBank would be required to contribute a pro rata amount sufficient to assure that the aggregate contributions of the FHLBanks equaled $100 million. The pro ration would be made on the basis of an FHLBank's income in relation to the income of all FHLBanks for the previous year.

There was no shortfall, as described above, in 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, or 2013.2015. If an FHLBank finds that its required AHP obligations are contributing to its financial instability, it may apply to the Finance Agency for a temporary suspension of its contributions. The FHLB has never made such an application. The FHLB had outstanding principal in AHP-related Advances (in thousands) of $85,145$60,515 and $102,465$69,569 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016.

110
Table of Contents


Table 14.1 - Analysis of AHP Liability (in thousands)
2015 20142017 2016
Balance at beginning of year$98,103
 $93,789
$104,883
 $107,352
Assessments (current year additions)27,906
 27,605
35,120
 30,189
Subsidy uses, net(18,657) (23,291)(30,126) (32,658)
Balance at end of year$107,352
 $98,103
$109,877
 $104,883


Note 15 - Capital

The FHLB is subject to three capital requirements under its Capital Plan and the Finance Agency rules and regulations. Regulatory capital does not include accumulated other comprehensive income, but does include mandatorily redeemable capital stock.

1.
Risk-based capital. The FHLB must maintain at all times permanent capital, defined as Class B stock and retained earnings, in an amount at least equal to the sum of its credit risk, market risk, and operations risk capital requirements, all of which are calculated in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Finance Agency.

2.
Total regulatory capital. The FHLB is required tomust maintain at all times a total regulatory capital-to-assets ratio of at least four percent. Total regulatory capital is the sum of permanent capital, Class A stock, any general loss allowance, if consistent with GAAP and not established for specific assets, and other amounts from sources determined by the Finance Agency as available to absorb losses.

3.
Leverage capital. The FHLB is required tomust maintain at all times a leverage capital-to-assets ratio of at least five percent. Leverage capital is defined as the sum of permanent capital weighted 1.5 times and all other capital without a weighting factor.

The Finance Agency may require the FHLB to maintain greater permanent capital than is required based on Finance Agency rules and regulations.

At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB was in compliance with each of these capital requirements.

Table 15.1 - Capital Requirements (dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Minimum Requirement Actual Minimum Requirement ActualMinimum Requirement Actual Minimum Requirement Actual
Risk-based capital$630,604
 $5,232,228
 $481,835
 $5,018,567
$886,033
 $5,211,204
 $579,629
 $5,026,133
Capital-to-assets ratio (regulatory)4.00% 4.40% 4.00% 4.71%4.00% 4.88% 4.00% 4.80%
Regulatory capital$4,751,871
 $5,232,228
 $4,265,617
 $5,018,567
$4,275,809
 $5,211,204
 $4,185,411
 $5,026,133
Leverage capital-to-assets ratio (regulatory)5.00% 6.61% 5.00% 7.06%5.00% 7.31% 5.00% 7.21%
Leverage capital$5,939,839
 $7,848,342
 $5,332,021
 $7,527,851
$5,344,761
 $7,816,806
 $5,231,764
 $7,539,200

The FHLB currently offers only Class B stock, which is issued and redeemed at a par value of $100 per share. Class B stock may be issued to meet membership and activity stock purchase requirements, to pay dividends, and to pay interest on mandatorily redeemable capital stock. Membership stock is required to become a memberMember of and maintain membership in the FHLB. The membership stock requirement is based upon a percentage of the member'sMember's total assets, currently determined within a declining range from 0.12 percent to 0.03 percent of each member'sMember's total assets, with a current minimum of $1 thousand and a current maximum of $25 million for each member.Member. In addition to membership stock, a memberMember may be required to hold activity stock to capitalize its Mission Asset Activity with the FHLB.

Mission Asset Activity includes Advances, certain funds and rate Advance commitments, and MPP activity that occurred after implementation of the Capital Plan on December 30, 2002. Members must maintain an activity stock balance at least equal to the minimum activity allocation percentage, which currently is zero percent for the MPP and two percent for all other Mission

111
Table of Contents

Asset Activity. If a memberMember owns more than the maximum activity allocation percentage, which currently is four percent of all Mission Asset Activity, the additional stock is that member'sMember's excess stock. The FHLB's unrestricted excess stock is defined as total Class B stock minus membership stock, activity stock calculated at the maximum allocation percentage, shares reserved for exclusive use after a stock dividend, and shares subject to redemption and withdrawal notices. The FHLB's excess stock may normally be used by membersMembers to support a portion of their activity stock requirement as long as those membersMembers maintain at least their minimum activity stock allocation percentage.

A memberMember may request redemption of all or part of its Class B stock or may withdraw from membership by giving five years' advance written notice. When the FHLB repurchases capital stock, it must first repurchase shares for which a redemption or withdrawal notice's five-year redemption period or withdrawal period has expired. Since its Capital Plan was implemented, the FHLB has repurchased, at its discretion, all memberMember shares subject to outstanding redemption notices prior to the expiration of the five-year redemption period.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (GLB Act) made membership in the FHLBanks voluntary for all members. Any memberMember that has withdrawn from membership may not be readmitted to membership in any FHLBank until five years from the divestiture date for all capital stock that was held as a condition of membership, unless the institution has canceled its notice of withdrawal prior to the divestiture date. This restriction does not apply if the memberMember is transferring its membership from one FHLBank to another on an uninterrupted basis.

In accordance with the FHLBank Act, eachEach class of FHLB stock is considered putable by the memberMember and the FHLB may repurchase, in its sole discretion, any member'sMember's stock investments that exceed the required minimum amount. However, there are significant statutory and regulatory restrictions on the obligation to redeem, or right to repurchase, the outstanding stock. As a result, whether or not a memberMember may have its capital stock in the FHLB repurchased (at the FHLB's discretion at any time before the end of the redemption period) or redeemed (at a member'sMember's request, completed at the end of a redemption period) will depend on whether the FHLB is in compliance with those restrictions.

The FHLB's retained earnings are owned proportionately by the current holders of Class B stock. The holders' interest in the retained earnings is realized at the time the FHLB periodically declares dividends or at such time as the FHLB is liquidated. The FHLB's Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends in either cash or capital stock, assuming the FHLB is in compliance with Finance Agency rules and regulations.

Restricted Retained Earnings. The Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement (Capital Agreement) is intended to enhance the capital position of each FHLBank. The Capital Agreement provides that each FHLBank contributes 20 percent of its net income each quarter to a separate restricted retained earnings account until the balance of that account equals at least one percent of that FHLBank's average balance of outstanding Consolidated Obligations for the previous quarter. These restricted retained earnings are not available to pay dividends but are available to absorb unexpected losses, if any, that the FHLBank may experience. At December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 the FHLB had (in thousands) $209,438322,999 and $159,694260,285 in restricted retained earnings.

Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock. The FHLB is a cooperative whose members and former membersMembers own allmost of the FHLB's capital stock. Former Members (including certain nonmembers that own the FHLB's capital stock as a result of a merger or acquisition, relocation, charter termination, or involuntary termination of an FHLB Member) own the remaining capital stock to support business transactions still carried on the FHLB's Statements of Condition. Member shares cannot be purchased or sold except between the FHLB and its membersMembers at its $100 per share par value, as mandated by the FHLB's Capital Plan. The FHLB reclassifies stock subject to redemption from equity to liability upon expiration of the “grace period” after a memberMember submits a written redemption request or withdrawal notice, or when the memberMember attains nonmember status by merger or acquisition, relocation, charter termination, or involuntary termination of membership. A memberMember may cancel or revoke its written redemption request or its withdrawal notice prior to the end of the five-year redemption period. Under the FHLB's Capital Plan, there is a five calendar day “grace period” for revocation of a redemption request and a 30 calendar day “grace period” for revocation of a withdrawal notice during which the memberMember may cancel the redemption request or withdrawal notice without a penalty or fee. The cancellation fee after the “grace period” is currently two percent of the requested amount in the first year and increases one percent a year until it reaches a maximum of six percent in the fifth year. The cancellation fee can be waived by the FHLB's Board of Directors for a bona fide business purpose.

Stock subject to a redemption or withdrawal notice that is within the “grace period” continues to be considered equity because there is no penalty or fee to retract these notices. Expiration of the “grace period” triggers the reclassification from equity to a liability (mandatorily redeemable capital stock) at fair value because after the “grace period” the penalty to retract these notices is considered substantive. If a memberMember cancels its written notice of redemption or notice of withdrawal, the FHLB will reclassify mandatorily redeemable capital stock from a liability to equity. Dividends related to capital stock classified as a liability are accrued at the expected dividend rate and reported as interest expense in the Statements of Income. For the years

112
Table of Contents

ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 20132015 dividends on mandatorily redeemable capital stock in the amount (in thousands) of $2,432, $4,190$2,514, $3,517 and $5,506$2,432 were recorded as interest expense.

Table 15.2 - Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock Roll Forward (in thousands)
201520142013201720162015
Balance, beginning of year$62,963
$115,853
$210,828
$34,782
$37,895
$62,963
Capital stock subject to mandatory redemption reclassified
from equity
28,919
17,110
33,457
270,458
363,839
28,919
Redemption (or other reduction) of mandatorily redeemable
capital stock
(53,987)(70,000)(128,432)(275,209)(366,952)(53,987)
Balance, end of year$37,895
$62,963
$115,853
$30,031
$34,782
$37,895

The number of stockholders holding the mandatorily redeemable capital stock was 15, 1126, 28 and 1115 at December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

As of December 31, 20152017 there was one memberwere no Members or former Members that had requested redemptions of capital stock whose stock had not been reclassified as mandatorily redeemable capital stock because the “grace periods” had not yet expired on these requests.

Table 15.3 shows the amount of mandatorily redeemable capital stock by contractual year of redemption. The year of redemption in the table is the end of the five-year redemption period. Consistent with the Capital Plan currently in effect, the FHLB is not required to redeem membership stock until five years after either (i) the membership is terminated or (ii) the FHLB receives notice of withdrawal. The FHLB is not required to redeem activity-based stock until the later of the expiration of the notice of redemption or until the activity to which the capital stock relates no longer remains outstanding. If activity-based stock becomes excess stock as a result of an activity no longer remaining outstanding, the FHLB may repurchase such shares, in its sole discretion, subject to the statutory and regulatory restrictions on capital stock redemption.

The GLB Act states that an FHLBank may repurchase, in its sole discretion, any member's stock investments that exceed the required minimum amount.

Table 15.3 - Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock by Contractual Year of Redemption (in thousands)
Contractual Year of Redemption December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Year 1 $—
 $130
 $20
 $—
Year 2  —
 —
 1,811
 29
Year 3 41
 —
 439
 2,264
Year 4  2,265
 55
 2,912
 865
Year 5  2,876
 2,278
 5,257
 6,307
Past contractual redemption date due to remaining activity (1)
 32,713
 60,500
Thereafter (1)
 610
 623
Past contractual redemption date due to remaining activity (2)
 18,982
 24,694
Total $37,895
 $62,963
 $30,031
 $34,782
(1)
Represents mandatorily redeemable capital stock resulting from a Finance Agency rule effective February 2016, that made captive insurance companies ineligible for FHLB membership. Captive insurance companies that were admitted as FHLB Members prior to September 12, 2014, will have their membership terminated no later than February 19, 2021. Captive insurance companies that were admitted as FHLB Members on or after September 12, 2014, had their membership terminated no later than February 19, 2017. The related mandatorily redeemable capital stock is not required to be redeemed until five years after the Member's termination.
(2)Represents mandatorily redeemable capital stock that is past the end of the contractual redemption period because there is activity outstanding to which the mandatorily redeemable capital stock relates.

Excess Capital Stock. Finance Agency regulations limit the ability of an FHLBank to create memberMember excess stock under certain circumstances. The FHLB may not pay dividends in the form of capital stock or issue new excess stock to membersMembers if its excess stock exceeds one percent of its total assets or if the issuance of excess stock would cause the FHLB's excess stock to exceed one percent of its total assets. At December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB had excess capital stock outstanding totaling less than one percent of its total assets. At December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB was in compliance with the Finance Agency's excess stock rules.



113
Table of Contents

Note 16 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The following tables summarize the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016, and 2013.2015.

Table 16.1 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (in thousands)
      
Net unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities Pension and postretirement benefits Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) incomeNet unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities Pension and postretirement benefits Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2012$—
 $(11,734) $(11,734)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification:     
Net unrealized loss(121) —
 (121)
Net actuarial gains—
 803
 803
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income:     
Amortization - pension and postretirement benefits—
 2,010
 2,010
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income(121) 2,813
 2,692
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2013(121) (8,921) (9,042)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification:     
Net unrealized gains97
 —
 97
Net actuarial loss—
 (9,496) (9,496)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income:     
Amortization - pension and postretirement benefits—
 1,845
 1,845
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)97
 (7,651) (7,554)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2014(24) (16,572) (16,596)$(24) $(16,572) $(16,596)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification:          
Net unrealized gains105
 —
 105
105
 —
 105
Net actuarial gains—
 598
 598
—
 598
 598
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income:          
Amortization - pension and postretirement benefits—
 2,616
 2,616
—
 2,616
 2,616
Net current period other comprehensive income105
 3,214
 3,319
105
 3,214
 3,319
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2015$81
 $(13,358) $(13,277)81
 (13,358) (13,277)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification:     
Net unrealized losses(58) —
 (58)
Net actuarial losses—
 (2,283) (2,283)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income:     
Amortization - pension and postretirement benefits—
 2,362
 2,362
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income(58) 79
 21
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 201623
 (13,279) (13,256)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification:     
Net unrealized losses(147) —
 (147)
Net actuarial losses—
 (4,964) (4,964)
Reclassifications from other comprehensive income to net income:     
Amortization - pension and postretirement benefits—
 1,707
 1,707
Net current period other comprehensive loss(147) (3,257) (3,404)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2017$(124) $(16,536) $(16,660)

Note 17 - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

Qualified Defined Benefit Multi-employer Plan. The FHLB participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan), a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan is treated as a multi-employer plan for accounting purposes, but operates as a multiple-employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, certain multi-employer plan disclosures, including the certified zone status, are not applicable to the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan. Under the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan, contributions made by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers because assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. Also, in the event a participating employer is unable to meet its contribution requirements, the required contributions for the other participating employers could increase proportionately. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan covers substantially all officers and employees of the FHLB who meet certain eligibility requirements.


114
Table of Contents

The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan operates on a plan year from July 1 through June 30. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan files one Form 5500 on behalf of all employers who participate in the plan. The Employer Identification Number is 13-5645888 and the three-digit plan number is 333. There are no collective bargaining agreements in place at the FHLB.

The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan's annual valuation process includes calculating the plan's funded status and separately calculating the funded status of each participating employer. The funded status is defined as the market value of assets divided by the funding target (100 percent of the present value of all benefit liabilities accrued at that date). As permitted by ERISA, the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan accepts contributions for the prior plan year up to eight and a half months after the end of the prior plan year. As a result, the market value of assets at the valuation date (July 1) will increase by any subsequent contributions designated for the immediately preceding plan year ended June 30.
 
The most recent Form 5500 available for the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan is for the year ended June 30, 2014.2016. The FHLB contributed more than five percent of the total contributions to the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for the plan year ended June 30, 2016. The FHLB did not contribute more than five percent of the total contributions to the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for the plan yearyears ended June 30, 20142015 and 2013.2014.

Table 17.1 - Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan Net Pension Cost and Funded Status (dollars in thousands)
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Net pension cost charged to compensation and benefit expense for
the year ended December 31
$6,348
 $6,041
 $5,516
$8,340
 $6,659
 $6,348
Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan funded status as of July 1106.89%
(a) 
111.44%
(b) 
101.31%111.30%
(a) 
104.72%
(b) 
107.01%
FHLB's funded status as of July 1124.97% 128.27% 107.36%124.35% 118.53% 124.97%
(a)The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan's funded status as of July 1, 20152017 is preliminary and may increase because the plan's participants were permitted to make contributions for the plan year ended June 30, 20152017 through March 15, 2016.2018. Contributions made on or before March 15, 2016,2018, and designated for the plan year ended June 30, 2015,2017, will be included in the final valuation as of July 1, 2015.2017. The final funded status as of July 1, 20152017 will not be available until the Form 5500 for the plan year July 1, 20152017 through June 30, 20162018 is filed (this Form 5500 is due to be filed no later than April 2017)2019).
(b)The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan's funded status as of July 1, 20142016 is preliminary and may increase because the plan's participants were permitted to make contributions for the plan year ended June 30, 20142016 through March 15, 2015.2017. Contributions made on or before March 15, 2015,2017, and designated for the plan year ended June 30, 2014,2016, will be included in the final valuation as of July 1, 2014.2016. The final funded status as of July 1, 20142016 will not be available until the Form 5500 for the plan year July 1, 20142016 through June 30, 20152017 is filed (this Form 5500 is due to be filed no later than April 2016)2018).

Qualified Defined Contribution Plan. The FHLB also participates in the Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions, a tax-qualified, defined contribution pension plan. The FHLB contributes a percentage of the participants' compensation by making a matching contribution equal to a percentage of voluntary employee contributions, subject to certain limitations. The FHLB contributed $992,000, $943,000,$1,191,000, $1,026,000, and $875,000$992,000 in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013,2015, respectively.

Nonqualified Supplemental Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan). The FHLB maintains a nonqualified, unfunded defined benefit plan. The plan ensures that participants receive the full amount of benefits to which they would have been entitled under the qualified defined benefit plan in the absence of limits on benefit levels imposed by the IRS. There are no funded plan assets. The FHLB has established a grantor trust, which is included in held-to-maturity securities on the Statements of Condition, to meet future benefit obligations and current payments to beneficiaries.

Postretirement Benefits Plan. The FHLB also sponsors a postretirement benefits planPostretirement Benefits Plan that includes health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retirees. Future retirees are eligible for the postretirement benefits plan if they were hired prior to August 1, 1990, are age 55 or older, and their age plus years of continuous service at retirement are greater than or equal to 80. Spouses are covered subject to required contributions. There are no funded plan assets that have been designated to provide postretirement benefits.


115
Table of Contents

Table 17.2 presents the obligations and funding status of the FHLB's nonqualified supplemental defined benefit retirement planDefined Benefit Retirement Plan and postretirement benefits plan.Postretirement Benefits Plan. The benefit obligation represents projected benefit obligation for the nonqualified supplemental defined benefit retirement planDefined Benefit Retirement Plan and accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the postretirement benefits plan.Postretirement Benefits Plan.

Table 17.2 - Benefit Obligation, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status (in thousands)
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits PlanDefined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits Plan
Change in benefit obligation:20152014 2015201420172016 20172016
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$33,860
$26,511
 $5,197
$3,957
$34,303
$32,540
 $4,867
$5,116
Service cost668
524
 74
53
882
730
 28
50
Interest cost1,222
1,234
 203
190
1,367
1,317
 197
219
Actuarial (gain) loss(413)8,335
 (185)1,161
Actuarial loss (gain)5,060
2,617
 (96)(334)
Benefits paid(2,797)(2,744) (173)(164)(2,067)(2,901) (201)(184)
Benefit obligation at end of year32,540
33,860
 5,116
5,197
39,545
34,303
 4,795
4,867
Change in plan assets:      
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year—
—
 —
—
—
—
 —
—
Employer contribution2,797
2,744
 173
164
2,067
2,901
 201
184
Benefits paid(2,797)(2,744) (173)(164)(2,067)(2,901) (201)(184)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year—
—
 —
—
—
—
 —
—
Funded status at end of year$(32,540)$(33,860) $(5,116)$(5,197)$(39,545)$(34,303) $(4,795)$(4,867)

Amounts recognized in “Other liabilities” on the Statements of Condition for the FHLB's nonqualified supplemental defined benefit planDefined Benefit Retirement Plan and postretirement benefits planPostretirement Benefits Plan as of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were (in thousands) $37,656$44,340 and $39,057.$39,170.

Table 17.3 - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (in thousands)
 Defined Benefit Retirement Plan 
Postretirement
Benefits Plan
 2015 2014 2015 2014
Net actuarial loss$12,447
 $15,409
 $911
 $1,163
 Defined Benefit Retirement Plan 
Postretirement
Benefits Plan
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net actuarial loss$16,106
 $12,748
 $430
 $531

Table 17.4 - Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,For the Years Ended December 31,
Defined Benefit
Retirement Plan
 Postretirement Benefits Plan
Defined Benefit
Retirement Plan
 Postretirement Benefits Plan
2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
Net Periodic Benefit Cost                      
Service cost$668
 $524
 $494
 $74
 $53
 $58
$882
 $730
 $668
 $28
 $50
 $74
Interest cost1,222
 1,234
 986
 203
 190
 199
1,367
 1,317
 1,222
 197
 219
 203
Amortization of net loss2,549
 1,845
 1,948
 67
 —
 62
1,702
 2,316
 2,549
 5
 46
 67
Net periodic benefit cost$4,439
 $3,603
 $3,428
 $344
 $243
 $319
$3,951
 $4,363
 $4,439
 $230
 $315
 $344
Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income         ��            
Net (gain) loss(413) 8,335
 215
 (185) 1,161
 (1,018)
Net loss (gain)$5,060
 $2,617
 $(413) $(96) $(334) $(185)
Amortization of net loss(2,549) (1,845) (1,948) (67) —
 (62)(1,702) (2,316) (2,549) (5) (46) (67)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income(2,962) 6,490
 (1,733) (252) 1,161
 (1,080)3,358
 301
 (2,962) (101) (380) (252)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and
other comprehensive income
$1,477

$10,093

$1,695

$92

$1,404

$(761)$7,309

$4,664

$1,477

$129

$(65)
$92


116
Table of Contents

Table 17.5 presents the estimated net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year.

Table 17.5 - Amortization for Next Fiscal Year (in thousands)
 Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits Plan
Net actuarial loss$1,839
 $46
    
 Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits Plan
Net actuarial loss$1,944
 $—

Table 17.6 presents the key assumptions used for the actuarial calculations to determine benefit obligations for the nonqualified supplemental defined benefit retirement planDefined Benefit Retirement Plan and postretirement benefits plan.Postretirement Benefits Plan.

Table 17.6 - Benefit Obligation Key Assumptions
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits PlanDefined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits Plan
2015 2014 2015 20142017 2016 2017 2016
Discount rate4.02% 3.67% 4.33% 3.96%3.45% 3.91% 3.53% 4.10%
Salary increases4.50% 4.50% N/A
 N/A
5.00% 4.50% N/A
 N/A

Table 17.7 presents the key assumptions used for the actuarial calculations to determine net periodic benefit cost for the FHLB's defined benefit retirement plansDefined Benefit Retirement Plan and postretirement benefit plans.Postretirement Benefit Plan.

Table 17.7 - Net Periodic Benefit Cost Key Assumptions
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits PlanDefined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefits Plan
2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015
Discount rate3.67% 4.32% 3.26% 3.96% 4.88% 4.16%3.91% 4.02% 3.67% 4.10% 4.33% 3.96%
Salary increases4.50% 4.50% 4.50% N/A
 N/A
 N/A
4.50% 4.50% 4.50% N/A
 N/A
 N/A

Table 17.8 - Postretirement Benefits Plan Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates
2015 20142017 2016
Assumed for next year8.00% 8.50%7.00% 7.50%
Ultimate rate5.50% 5.25%5.00% 5.50%
Year that ultimate rate is reached2020
 2024
2021
 2020

The effect of a percentage point increase in the assumed health care trend rates would be an increase in net periodic postretirement benefit expense of $63,000$45,000 and in accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) of $1,022,000.$844,000. The effect of a percentage point decrease in the assumed health care trend rates would be a decrease in net periodic postretirement benefit expense of $49,000$35,000 and in APBO of $805,000.$677,000.

The discount rates for the disclosures as of December 31, 20152017 were determined by using a discounted cash flow approach, which incorporates the timing of each expected future benefit payment. Estimated future benefit payments are based on each plan's census data, benefit formulas and provisions, and valuation assumptions reflecting the probability of decrement and survival. The present value of the future benefit payments is determined by using weighted average duration based interest rate yields from a variety of highly rated relevant corporate bond indices as of December 31, 2015,2017, and solving for the single discount rate that produces the same present value.


117
Table of Contents

Table 17.9 presents the estimated future benefits payments reflecting expected future services for the years ended after December 31, 2015.2017.

Table 17.9 - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (in thousands)
Years Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefit Plan Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Postretirement Benefit Plan
2016 $3,006
 $161
2017 2,227
 161
2018 2,197
 176
 $2,182
 $203
2019 2,278
 172
 2,311
 199
2020 1,902
 184
 1,964
 207
2021 - 2025 8,547
 1,179
2021 2,111
 226
2022 2,257
 230
2023 - 2027 9,940
 1,262


Note 18 - Segment Information

The FHLB has identified two primary operating segments based on its method of internal reporting: Traditional Member Finance and the MPP. These segments reflect the FHLB's two primary Mission Asset Activities and the manner in which they are managed from the perspective of development, resource allocation, product delivery, pricing, credit risk and operational administration. The segments identify the principal ways the FHLB provides services to memberMember stockholders. The FHLB, as an interest rate spread manager, considers a segment's net interest income, net interest rate spread and, ultimately, net income as the key factors in allocating resources. Resource allocation decisions are made by considering these profitability measures in the context of the historical, current and expected risk profile of each segment and the entire balance sheet, as well as current incremental profitability measures relative to the incremental market risk profile.

Overall financial performance and risk management are dynamically managed primarily at the level of, and within the context of, the entire balance sheet rather than at the level of individual business segments or product lines. Also, the FHLB hedges specific asset purchases and specific subportfolios in the context of the entire mortgage asset portfolio and the entire balance sheet. Under this holistic approach, the market risk/return profile of each business segment does not correspond, in general, to the performance that each segment would generate if it were completely managed on a separate basis, and it is not possible to accurately determine what the performance would be if the two business segments were managed on a stand-alone basis. Further, because financial and risk management is a dynamic process, the performance of a segment over a single identified period may not reflect the long-term expected or actual future trends for the segment.

The Traditional Member Finance segment includes products such as Advances and investments and the borrowing costs related to those assets. The FHLB assigns its investments to this segment primarily because they historically have been used to provide liquidity for Advances and to support the level and volatility of earnings from Advances. All interest rate swaps and a portion of swaptions, including their market value adjustments, are allocated to the Traditional Member Finance segment. The FHLB executed all of its interest rate swaps in its management of market risk for the Traditional Member Finance segment. The FHLB enters into swaptions to minimize the prepayment risk in its overall mortgage asset portfolio.

Income from the MPP is derived primarily from the difference, or spread, between the yield on mortgage loans and the borrowing cost of Consolidated Obligations outstanding allocated to this segment at the time debt is issued. MPP income also includes the gains (losses) on derivatives associated with the MPP segment, comprising all mortgage delivery commitments and forward rate agreements and a portion of swaptions.

Both segments also earn income from investment of interest-free capital. Capital is allocated proportionate to each segment's average assets based on the total balance sheet's average capital-to-assets ratio. Expenses are allocated based on cost accounting techniques that include direct usage, time allocations and square footage of space used. AHP assessments are calculated using the current assessment rates based on the income before assessments for each segment.

118
Table of Contents

The following tables set forth the FHLB's financial performance by operating segment for the years ended December 31.

Table 18.1 - Financial Performance by Operating Segment (in thousands)
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 
Traditional Member
Finance
 MPP Total
2015     
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses$250,076
 $72,205
 $322,281
Non-interest income28,586
 1,308
 29,894
Non-interest expense64,925
 10,626
 75,551
Income before assessments213,737
 62,887
 276,624
Affordable Housing Program assessments21,618
 6,288
 27,906
Net income$192,119
 $56,599
 $248,718
Average assets$97,932,122
 $7,637,197
 $105,569,319
Total assets$110,789,438
 $8,007,343
 $118,796,781
2014     
Net interest income$237,828
 $79,148
 $316,976
Reversal for credit losses—
 (500) (500)
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses237,828
 79,648
 317,476
Non-interest income22,460
 170
 22,630
Non-interest expense58,876
 9,372
 68,248
Income before assessments201,412
 70,446
 271,858
Affordable Housing Program assessments20,560
 7,045
 27,605
Net income$180,852
 $63,401
 $244,253
Average assets$94,333,213
 $6,824,283
 $101,157,496
Total assets$99,629,924
 $7,010,495
 $106,640,419
2013     
Net interest income$229,559
 $98,285
 $327,844
Reversal for credit losses—
 (7,450) (7,450)
Net interest income after reversal for credit losses229,559
 105,735
 335,294
Non-interest income (loss)30,505
 (10,714) 19,791
Non-interest expense55,459
 8,928
 64,387
Income before assessments204,605
 86,093
 290,698
Affordable Housing Program assessments21,011
 8,609
 29,620
Net income$183,594
 $77,484
 $261,078
Average assets$86,609,248
 $7,081,377
 $93,690,625
Total assets$96,336,915
 $6,843,787
 $103,180,702
      
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 
Traditional Member
Finance
 MPP Total
2017     
Net interest income$334,383
 $94,760
 $429,143
Provision for credit losses—
 500
 500
Net interest income after provision for credit losses334,383
 94,260
 428,643
Non-interest income (loss)2,979
 (4,216) (1,237)
Non-interest expense67,571
 11,147
 78,718
Income before assessments269,791
 78,897
 348,688
Affordable Housing Program assessments27,230
 7,890
 35,120
Net income$242,561
 $71,007
 $313,568
2016     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses$287,721
 $75,483
 $363,204
Non-interest income40,423
 5,808
 46,231
Non-interest expense99,758
 11,305
 111,063
Income before assessments228,386
 69,986
 298,372
Affordable Housing Program assessments23,190
 6,999
 30,189
Net income$205,196
 $62,987
 $268,183
2015     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses$250,076
 $77,923
 $327,999
Non-interest income28,586
 1,308
 29,894
Non-interest expense64,925
 10,626
 75,551
Income before assessments213,737
 68,605
 282,342
Affordable Housing Program assessments21,618
 6,288
 27,906
Net income$192,119
 $62,317
 $254,436


Table 18.2 - Asset Balances by Operating Segment (in thousands)
119
 Assets
 Traditional Member
Finance		 MPP Total
December 31, 2017$95,525,754
 $11,369,460
 $106,895,214
December 31, 201695,456,372
 9,178,909
 104,635,281

Table of Contents

Note 19 - Fair Value Disclosures

The fair value amounts recorded on the Statements of Condition and presented in the related note disclosures have been determined by the FHLB using available market information and the FHLB's best judgment of appropriate valuation methods. The fair values reflect the FHLB's judgment of how a market participant would estimate the fair values.

Fair Value Hierarchy. The FHLB records trading securities, available-for-sale securities, derivative assets, derivative liabilities, certain Advances and certain Consolidated Obligation Bonds at fair value on a recurring basis, and on occasion, certain mortgage loans held for portfolio on a nonrecurring basis. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The inputs are evaluated and an overall level for the measurement is determined. This overall level is an indication of how market observable

the fair value measurement is. An entity must disclose the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the measurements are classified.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

Level 1 Inputs - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the reporting entity can access on the measurement date.
 
Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable inputs for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; (3) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals, and implied volatilities); and (4) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The FHLB reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of the valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in/out at fair value as of the beginning of the quarter in which the changes occur. The FHLB did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 20152017 or 20142016.


120
Table of Contents

Table 19.1 presents the carrying value, fair value, and fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities of the FHLB. These values do not represent an estimate of the overall market value of the FHLB as a going concern, which would take into account future business opportunities and the net profitability of assets versus liabilities.
 
Table 19.1 - Fair Value Summary (in thousands)
December 31, 2015December 31, 2017
  Fair Value  Fair Value
Financial InstrumentsCarrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments and Cash Collateral (1) 
Carrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments, Cash Collateral, and Variation Margin for Daily Settled Contracts(1)
Assets:                      
Cash and due from banks$10,136
 $10,136
 $10,136
 $—
 $—
 $—
$26,550
 $26,550
 $26,550
 $—
 $—
 $—
Interest-bearing deposits99
 99
 —
 99
 —
 —
140
 140
 —
 140
 —
 —
Securities purchased under agreements to resell10,531,979
 10,531,979
 —
 10,531,979
 —
 —
7,701,929
 7,701,934
 —
 7,701,934
 —
 —
Federal funds sold10,845,000
 10,845,000
 —
 10,845,000
 —
 —
3,650,000
 3,650,000
 —
 3,650,000
 —
 —
Trading securities1,159
 1,159
 —
 1,159
 —
 —
781
 781
 —
 781
 —
 —
Available-for-sale securities700,081
 700,081
 —
 700,081
 —
 —
899,876
 899,876
 —
 899,876
 —
 —
Held-to-maturity securities15,278,206
 15,229,965
 —
 15,229,965
 —
 —
14,804,970
 14,682,329
 —
 14,682,329
 —
 —
Advances (2)
73,292,172
 73,089,912
 —
 73,089,912
 —
 —
69,918,224
 69,894,641
 —
 69,894,641
 —
 —
Mortgage loans held for portfolio,
net
7,979,607
 8,106,224
 —
 8,075,390
 30,834
 —
9,680,940
 9,731,947
 —
 9,714,802
 17,145
 —
Accrued interest receivable94,855
 94,855
 —
 94,855
 —
 —
128,561
 128,561
 —
 128,561
 —
 —
Derivative assets26,996
 26,996
 —
 15,961
 —
 11,035
60,695
 60,695
 —
 64,080
 —
 (3,385)
Liabilities:                      
Deposits804,342
 804,140
 —
 804,140
 —
 —
650,531
 650,422
 —
 650,422
 —
 —
Consolidated Obligations:                      
Discount Notes77,199,208
 77,183,854
 —
 77,183,854
 —
 —
46,210,458
 46,209,716
 —
 46,209,716
 —
 —
Bonds (3)
35,104,764
 35,317,688
 —
 35,317,688
 —
 —
54,163,061
 54,095,627
 —
 54,095,627
 —
 —
Mandatorily redeemable capital
stock
37,895
 37,895
 37,895
 —
 —
 —
30,031
 30,031
 30,031
 —
 —
 —
Accrued interest payable118,823
 118,823
 —
 118,823
 —
 —
128,652
 128,652
 —
 128,652
 —
 —
Derivative liabilities31,087
 31,087
 —
 83,698
 —
 (52,611)2,893
 2,893
 —
 83,994
 —
 (81,101)
Other:                      
Commitments to extend credit for Advances—
 4
 —
 4
 —
 —
Standby bond purchase agreements—
 698
 —
 698
 —
 —
—
 354
 —
 354
 —
 —
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions, and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same counterparty.counterparty, and effective January 3, 2017, includes fair value adjustments on derivatives for which variation margin is characterized as a daily settled contract. Variation margin for daily settled contracts was (in thousands) $74,431 at December 31, 2017.
(2)
Includes (in thousands) $15,057$15,013 of Advances recorded under the fair value option at December 31, 20152017.
(3)
Includes (in thousands) $2,214,5905,577,315 of Consolidated Obligation Bonds recorded under the fair value option at December 31, 20152017.



121
Table of Contents

December 31, 2014December 31, 2016
  Fair Value  Fair Value
Financial InstrumentsCarrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments and Cash Collateral (1) 
Carrying Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments and Cash Collateral(1) 
Assets:                      
Cash and due from banks$3,109,970
 $3,109,970
 $3,109,970
 $—
 $—
 $—
$8,737
 $8,737
 $8,737
 $—
 $—
 $—
Interest-bearing deposits119
 119
 —
 119
 —
 —
129
 129
 —
 129
 —
 —
Securities purchased under agreements to resell3,343,000

3,343,002
 —
 3,343,002
 —
 —
5,229,487

5,229,487
 —
 5,229,487
 —
 —
Federal funds sold6,600,000
 6,600,000
 —
 6,600,000
 —
 —
4,257,000
 4,257,000
 —
 4,257,000
 —
 —
Trading securities1,341
 1,341
 —
 1,341
 —
 —
970
 970
 —
 970
 —
 —
Available-for-sale securities1,349,977
 1,349,977
 —
 1,349,977
 —
 —
1,300,023
 1,300,023
 —
 1,300,023
 —
 —
Held-to-maturity securities14,712,271
 14,794,326
 —
 14,794,326
 —
 —
14,546,979
 14,413,231
 —
 14,413,231
 —
 —
Advances (2)
70,405,616
 70,279,438
 —
 70,279,438
 —
 —
69,882,074
 69,842,730
 —
 69,842,730
 —
 —
Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net6,984,683
 7,219,198
 —
 7,178,047
 41,151
 —
9,148,718
 9,174,790
 —
 9,152,186
 22,604
 —
Accrued interest receivable81,384
 81,384
 —
 81,384
 —
 —
109,886
 109,886
 —
 109,886
 —
 —
Derivative assets14,699
 14,699
 —
 24,531
 —
 (9,832)104,753
 104,753
 —
 53,849
 —
 50,904
Liabilities:                      
Deposits729,936
 729,782
 —
 729,782
 —
 —
765,879
 765,628
 —
 765,628
 —
 —
Consolidated Obligations:                      
Discount Notes41,232,127
 41,224,739
 —
 41,224,739
 —
 —
44,689,662
 44,689,594
 —
 44,689,594
 —
 —
Bonds (3)
59,216,557
 59,496,247
 —
 59,496,247
 —
 —
53,190,866
 53,278,571
 —
 53,278,571
 —
 —
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock62,963
 62,963
 62,963
 —
 —
 —
34,782
 34,782
 34,782
 —
 —
 —
Accrued interest payable114,781
 114,781
 —
 114,781
 —
 —
119,322
 119,322
 —
 119,322
 —
 —
Derivative liabilities63,767
 63,767
 —
 149,634
 —
 (85,867)17,874
 17,874
 —
 102,065
 —
 (84,191)
Other:                      
Standby bond purchase agreements—
 1,381
 —
 1,381
 —
 —
—
 708
 —
 708
 —
 —
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same counterparty.
(2)
Includes (in thousands) $15,04215,093 of Advances recorded under the fair value option at December 31, 20142016.
(3)
Includes (in thousands) $4,209,6407,895,510 of Consolidated Obligation Bonds recorded under the fair value option at December 31, 20142016.

Summary of Valuation Methodologies and Primary Inputs.

Cash and due from banks: The fair value equals the carrying value.

Interest-bearing deposits: The fair value is determined based on each security's quoted prices, excluding accrued interest, as of the last business day of the period.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell: The fair value of overnight securities purchased under agreements to resell approximates the carrying value. The fair value of term securities purchased under agreements to resell is determined by calculating the present value of the future cash flows and reducing the amount for accrued interest receivable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for securities with similar terms. Based on the fair value of the related collateral held, the securities purchased under agreements to resell were fully collateralized for the periods presented.

Federal funds sold: The fair value of overnight Federal funds sold approximates the carrying value. The fair value of term Federal funds sold is determined by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in these calculations are the rates for Federal funds with similar terms, as approximated by adding an estimated current spread to the LIBOR Swap Curve for Federal funds with similar terms. The fair value excludes accrued interest.


122
Table of Contents

Trading securities: The FHLB's trading portfolio generally consists of mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae. Quoted market prices in active markets are not available for these securities.

To value mortgage-backed security holdings, the FHLB obtainsincorporates prices from fourmultiple designated third-party pricing vendors, when available. The pricing vendors use various proprietary models to price mortgage-backed securities. The inputs to those models are derived from various sources including, but not limited to: benchmark yields, reported trades, dealer estimates, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers and other market-related data. BecauseAs many mortgage-backed securities do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing vendors use available information such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing to determine the prices for individual securities. Each pricing vendor has an established challenge process in place for all mortgage-backed security valuations, which facilitates resolution of potentially erroneous prices identified by the FHLB.

The FHLB has conducted reviews of themultiple pricing methods employed by the third-party vendors to confirm and further augment its understanding of the vendors' pricing processes, methodologies and control procedures for specific instruments.

The FHLB's valuation technique for estimating the fair values of mortgage-backed securities first requires the establishment of a “median” price for each security. If four prices are received, the average of the middle two prices is the median price; if three prices are received, the middle price is the median price; if two prices are received, the average of the two prices is the median price; and if one price is received, it is the median price (and also the final price) subject to validation of outliers. All prices that are within a specified tolerance threshold of the median price are included in the “cluster” of prices that are averaged to compute a “default” price.

All prices that are outside the threshold (“outliers”) are subject to further analysis (including, but not limited to, comparison to prices provided by an additional third-party valuation service, prices for similar securities, non-binding dealer estimates, and/or use of an internal model that is deemed most appropriate) to determine if an outlier is a better estimate of fair value. If an outlier (or some other price identified in the analysis) is determined to be a better estimate of fair value, then the outlier (or the other price as appropriate) is used as the final price rather than the default price. Alternatively, if the analysis confirms that an outlier is in fact not representative of fair value and the default price is the best estimate, then the default price is used as the final price. In all cases, the final price is used to determine the fair value of the security.

If all prices received for a security are outside the tolerance threshold level of the median price, then there is no default price, and the final price is determined by an evaluation of all outlier prices as described above.

Four vendorMultiple prices were received for mostsubstantially all of the FHLB's mortgage-backed security holdings and the final prices for those securities were computed by averaging the prices received. Based on the FHLB's review of the pricing methods and controls employed by the third-party pricing vendors and the relative lack of dispersion among the vendor prices, the FHLB believes its final prices result in reasonable estimates of fair value and further that the fair value measurements are classified appropriately in the fair value hierarchy.

Available-for-sale securities: The FHLB's available-for-sale portfolio generally consists of certificates of deposit. Quoted market prices in active markets are not available for these securities. Therefore, the fair value is determined based on each security's indicative fair value obtained from a third-party vendor. The FHLB performs several validation steps in order to verify the accuracy and reasonableness of these fair values. These steps may include, but are not limited to, a detailed review of instruments with significant periodic price changes and a derived fair value from an option-adjusted discounted cash flow methodology using market-observed inputs for the interest rate environment and similar instruments.

Held-to-maturity securities: The FHLB's held-to-maturity portfolio generally consists of U.S. Treasury obligations and discount notes issued by Freddie Mac and/or Fannie Mae (non-mortgage-backed securities), and mortgage-backed securities. Quoted market prices are not available for these securities. The fair value for each individual mortgage-backed security is determined by using the third-party vendor approach described above. In general, in order to determine the fair value of its non-mortgage backed securities, the FHLB can use either (a) an income approach based on a market-observable interest rate curve that may be adjusted for a spread, or (b) prices received from third-party pricing vendors. The income approach uses indicative fair values derived from a discounted cash flow methodology. The FHLB believes that both methodologies result in fair values that are reasonable and similar in all material respects based on the nature of the financial instruments being measured.


123
Table of Contents

For its U.S. Treasury obligations and discount notes issued by Freddie Mac, and/or Fannie Mae, the FHLB determines the fair value using the income approach. The market-observable interest rate curvecurves used by the FHLB includesinclude the Treasury Curve and U.S. Government Agency Fair Value Curve.

Advances: The FHLB determines the fair values of Advances by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the Advances excluding accrued interest. The discount rates used in these calculations are the replacement rates for Advances with similar terms, as approximated either by adding an estimated current spread to the LIBOR Swap Curve or by using current indicative market yields, as indicated by the FHLB's pricing methodologies for Advances with similar current terms. Advance pricing is determined based on the FHLB's rates on Consolidated Obligations. In accordance with Finance Agency regulations, Advances with a maturity and repricing period greater than six months require a prepayment fee sufficient to make the FHLB financially indifferent to the borrower's decision to prepay the Advances. Therefore, the fair value of Advances does not assume prepayment risk.

For swapped option-based Advances, the fair value is determined (independently of the related derivative) by the discounted cash flow methodology based on the LIBOR Swap Curve and forward rates at period end adjusted for the estimated current spread on new swapped Advances to the swap curve. For swapped Advances with a conversion option, the conversion option is valued by taking into account the LIBOR Swap Curve and forward rates at period end and the market's expectations of future interest rate volatility implied from current market prices of similar options.

Mortgage loans held for portfolio, net: The fair values of performing mortgage loans are determined based on quoted market prices offered to approved membersMembers as indicated by the FHLB's MPP pricing methodologies for mortgage loans with similar current terms excluding accrued interest. The quoted prices offered to membersMembers are based on Fannie Mae price indications on to-be-announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities and FHA price indications on government-guaranteed loans. The FHLB then adjusts these indicative prices to account for particular features of the FHLB's MPP that differ from the Fannie Mae and FHA securities. These features include, but may not be limited to, the MPP's credit enhancements, and marketing adjustments that reflect the FHLB's cooperative business model and preferences for particular kinds of loans and mortgage note rates. These quoted prices, however, can change rapidly based upon market conditions and are highly dependent upon the underlying prepayment assumptions. In order to determine the fair values, the loan amounts are also reduced for the FHLB's estimate of expected net credit losses. The fair value of conventional mortgage loans 90 days or more delinquent are based on the estimated values of the underlying collateral or the present value of future cash flows and as such are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Impaired mortgage loans held for portfolio: The estimated fair values of impaired mortgage loans held for portfolio on a non-recurring basis are based on property values obtained from a third-party pricing vendor.

Accrued interest receivable and payable: The fair value approximates the carrying value.

Derivative assets/liabilities: The FHLB's derivative assets/liabilities generally consist of interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions, TBA mortgage-backed securities (forward rate agreements), and mortgage delivery commitments. The FHLB's interest rate related derivatives (swaps and swaptions) are traded in the over-the-counter market. Therefore, the FHLB determines the fair value of each individual instrument using market value models that use readily observable market inputs as their basis (inputs that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources). The FHLB uses a mid-market pricing convention as a practical expedient for fair value measurements within a bid-ask spread. These models reflect the contractual terms, including the period to maturity, as well as the significant inputs noted below. The fair value determination uses the standard valuation technique of discounted cash flow analysis.

The FHLB performs several validation steps to verify the reasonableness of the fair value output generated by the primary market value model. In addition to an annual model validation, the FHLB prepares a monthly reconciliation of the model's fair values to estimates of fair values provided by the derivative counterparties. The FHLB believes these processes provide a reasonable basis for it to place continued reliance on the derivative fair values generated by the model.

The fair value of TBA mortgage-backed securities is based on independent indicative and/or quoted prices generated by market transactions involving comparable instruments. The FHLB determines the fair value of mortgage delivery commitments using market prices from the TBA/mortgage-backed security market or TBA/Ginnie Mae market and adjustments noted below.


124
Table of Contents

The FHLB's discounted cash flow analysis uses market-observable inputs. Inputs, by class of derivative, are as follows:

Interest rate swaps and interest rate swaptions:
▪Discount rate assumption. Overnight Index Swap Curve;
▪Forward interest rate assumption. LIBOR Swap Curve; and
▪Volatility assumption. Market-based expectations of future interest rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options.

TBA mortgage-backed securities:
▪Market-based prices by coupon class and expected term until settlement.


Mortgage delivery commitments:
▪TBA securities prices. Market-based prices by coupon class and expected term until settlement, adjusted to reflect the contractual terms of the mortgage delivery commitments, similar to the mortgage loans held for portfolio process. The adjustments to the market prices are market observable, or can be corroborated with observable market data.

The FHLB is subject to credit risk due to the risk of nonperformance by counterparties to its derivative transactions. For uncleared derivatives, the degree of credit risk depends on the extent to which master netting arrangements are included in these contracts to mitigate the risk. In addition, the FHLB requires collateral agreements with collateral delivery thresholds on its uncleared derivatives. The FHLB has evaluated the potential for the fair value of the instruments to be impacted by counterparty credit risk and has determined that no adjustments were significant or necessary to the overall fair value measurements.

The fair values of the FHLB's derivatives include accrued interest receivable/payable and related cash collateral remitted to/received from counterparties. The estimated fair values of the accrued interest receivable/payable and cash collateral approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. Derivatives are presented on a net basis by counterparty when it has met the netting requirements. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as an asset and if negative, they are classified as a liability.

Deposits: The FHLB determines the fair values of FHLB deposits with fixed rates by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the deposits and reducing this amount for accrued interest payable. The discount rates used in these calculations are the cost of deposits with similar terms.

Consolidated Obligations: The FHLB determines the fair values of Discount Notes by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows from the Discount Notes excluding accrued interest. The discount rates used in these calculations are current replacement rates for Discount Notes with similar current terms, as approximated by adding an estimated current spread to the LIBOR Swap Curve. Each month's cash flow is discounted at that month's replacement rate.

The FHLB determines the fair values of non-option-based Consolidated Obligation Bonds by calculating the present value of scheduled future cash flows from the bonds excluding accrued interest. Inputs used to determine fair value of these Consolidated Obligation Bonds are the discount rates, which are estimated current market yields, as indicated by the Office of Finance, for bonds with similar current terms. 

The FHLB determines the fair values of option-based Consolidated Obligation Bonds based on pricing received from designated third-party pricing vendors. The pricing vendors used apply various proprietary models to price Consolidated Obligation Bonds. The inputs to those models are derived from various sources including, but not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, dealer estimates, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and other market-related data. Since many Consolidated Obligation Bonds do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing vendors use available information, as applicable, such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing to determine the prices for individual Consolidated Obligation Bonds. Each pricing vendor has an established challenge process in place for all valuations, which facilitates resolution of potentially erroneous prices identified by the FHLB.

When pricing vendors are used, the FHLB's valuation technique first requires the establishment of a “median” price for each Consolidated Obligation Bond. If four prices are received, the average of the middle two prices is the median price; if three prices are received, the middle price is the median price; if two prices are received, the average of the two prices is the median price; and if one price is received, it is the median price (and also the final price) subject to validation of outliers. All prices that

125
Table of Contents

are within a specified tolerance threshold of the median price are included in the “cluster” of prices that are averaged to compute a “default” price.
All prices that are outside the threshold (“outliers”) are subject to further analysis (including, but not limited to, comparison to prices provided by an additional third-party valuation service, prices for similar securities, non-binding dealer estimates, and/or use of an internal model that is deemed most appropriate) to determine if an outlier is a better estimate of fair value. If an outlier (or some other price identified in the analysis) is determined to be a better estimate of fair value, then the outlier (or the other price as appropriate) is used as the final price rather than the default price. Alternatively, if the analysis confirms that an outlier is in fact not representative of fair value and the default price is the best estimate, then the default price is used as the final price. In all cases, the final price is used to determine the fair value of the security.

If all prices received for a Consolidated Obligation Bond are outside the tolerance threshold level of the median price, then there is no default price, and the final price is determined by an evaluation of all outlier prices as described above.

FourMultiple vendor prices were received for the FHLB's Consolidated Obligation Bonds and the final prices for those bonds were computed by averaging the prices received. Based on the FHLB's review of the pricing methods and controls employed by the third-party pricing vendors and the relative lack of dispersion among the vendor prices, the FHLB believes its final prices result in reasonable estimates of fair value and that the fair value measurements are classified appropriately in the fair value hierarchy.


The FHLB has conducted reviews of its pricing vendors to confirm and further augment its understanding of the vendors' pricing processes, methodologies and control procedures for Consolidated Obligation Bonds.

Adjustments may be necessary to reflect the 11 FHLBanks' credit quality when valuing Consolidated Obligation Bonds measured at fair value. Due to the joint and several liability for Consolidated Obligations, the FHLB monitors its own creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of the other FHLBanks to determine whether any credit adjustments are necessary in its fair value measurement of Consolidated Obligation Bonds. No adjustments were considered necessary at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016.

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock: The fair value of capital stock subject to mandatory redemption is par value for the dates presented, as indicated by memberMember contemporaneous purchases and sales at par value. FHLB stock can only be acquired by membersMembers at par value and redeemed at par value. FHLB stock is not traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of stock outside the cooperative structure.

Commitments: The fair values of standby bond purchase agreements are based on the present value of the estimated fees taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements.

Subjectivity of estimates. Estimates of the fair values of financial assets and liabilities using the methods described above and other methods are highly subjective and require judgments regarding significant matters such as the amount and timing of future cash flows, prepayment speeds, interest rate volatility, distributions of future interest rates used to value options, and discount rates that appropriately reflect market and credit risks. The judgments also include the parameters, methods, and assumptions used in models to value the options. The use of different assumptions could have a material effect on the fair value estimates. Since these estimates are made as of a specific point in time, they are susceptible to material near term changes.


126

Table of Contents

Fair Value Measurements.

Table 19.2 presents the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are recorded on a recurring or nonrecurring basis at December 31, 20152017 or 2014,and 2016, by level within the fair value hierarchy. The FHLB records nonrecurring fair value adjustments to reflect partial write-downs on certain mortgage loans.

Table 19.2 - Fair Value Measurements (in thousands)
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
Total   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustment and Cash Collateral (1)
Total   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustments, Cash Collateral, and Variation Margin for Daily Settled Contracts(1)
Recurring fair value measurements - Assets                  
Trading securities:                  
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$1,159
 $—
 $1,159
 $—
 $—
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$781
 $—
 $781
 $—
 $—
Available-for-sale securities:                  
Certificates of deposit700,081
 —
 700,081
 —
 —
899,876
 —
 899,876
 —
 —
Advances15,057
 —
 15,057
 —
 —
15,013
 —
 15,013
 —
 —
Derivative assets:                  
Interest rate related24,974
 —
 13,939
 —
 11,035
60,215
 —
 63,600
 —
 (3,385)
Forward rate agreements1,680
 —
 1,680
 —
 —
27
 —
 27
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments342
 —
 342
 —
 —
453
 —
 453
 —
 —
Total derivative assets26,996
 —
 15,961
 —
 11,035
60,695
 —
 64,080
 —
 (3,385)
Total assets at fair value$743,293
 $—
 $732,258
 $—
 $11,035
$976,365
 $—
 $979,750
 $—
 $(3,385)
                  
Recurring fair value measurements - Liabilities                  
Consolidated Obligation Bonds$2,214,590
 $—
 $2,214,590
 $—
 $—
$5,577,315
 $—
 $5,577,315
 $—
 $—
Derivative liabilities:                  
Interest rate related29,368
 —
 81,979
 —
 (52,611)2,646
 —
 83,747
 —
 (81,101)
Forward rate agreement69
 —
 69
 —
 —
230
 —
 230
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments1,650
 —
 1,650
 —
 —
17
 —
 17
 —
 —
Total derivative liabilities31,087
 —
 83,698
 —
 (52,611)2,893
 —
 83,994
 —
 (81,101)
Total liabilities at fair value$2,245,677
 $—
 $2,298,288
 $—
 $(52,611)$5,580,208
 $—
 $5,661,309
 $—
 $(81,101)
                  
Nonrecurring fair value measurements - Assets (2)
                  
Mortgage loans held for portfolio$6,270
 $—
 $—
 $6,270
  $598
 $—
 $—
 $598
  
(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions, cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same counterparty, and effective January 3, 2017, includes fair value adjustments on derivatives for which variation margin is characterized as a daily settled contract. Variation margin for daily settled contracts was (in thousands) $74,431 at December 31, 2017.
(2)The fair value information presented is as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017.




 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016
 Total   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustment and Cash Collateral (1)
Recurring fair value measurements - Assets         
Trading securities:         
U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$970
 $—
 $970
 $—
 $—
Available-for-sale securities:         
Certificates of deposit1,300,023
 —
 1,300,023
 —
 —
Advances15,093
 —
 15,093
 —
 —
Derivative assets:         
Interest rate related103,753
 —
 52,849
 —
 50,904
Forward rate agreements681
 —
 681
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments319
 —
 319
 —
 —
Total derivative assets104,753
 —
 53,849
 —
 50,904
Total assets at fair value$1,420,839
 $—
 $1,369,935
 $—
 $50,904
          
Recurring fair value measurements - Liabilities         
Consolidated Obligation Bonds$7,895,510
 $—
 $7,895,510
 $—
 $—
Derivative liabilities:         
Interest rate related7,080
 —
 91,271
 —
 (84,191)
Forward rate agreements166
 —
 166
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments10,628
 —
 10,628
 —
 —
Total derivative liabilities17,874
 —
 102,065
 —
 (84,191)
Total liabilities at fair value$7,913,384
 $—
 $7,997,575
 $—
 $(84,191)
          
Nonrecurring fair value measurements - Assets (2)
         
Mortgage loans held for portfolio$1,388
 $—
 $—
 $1,388
  

(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same counterparty.
(2)The fair value information presented is as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015.




127
Table of Contents

 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
 Total   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Netting Adjustment and Cash Collateral (1)
Recurring fair value measurements - Assets         
Trading securities:         
Other U.S. obligation single-family mortgage-backed securities$1,341
 $—
 $1,341
 $—
 $—
Available-for-sale securities:         
Certificates of deposit1,349,977
 —
 1,349,977
 —
 —
Advances15,042
 —
 15,042
 —
 —
Derivative assets:         
Interest rate related10,894
 —
 20,726
 —
 (9,832)
Forward rate agreements6
 —
 6
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments3,799
 —
 3,799
 —
 —
Total derivative assets14,699
 —
 24,531
 —
 (9,832)
Total assets at fair value$1,381,059
 $—
 $1,390,891
 $—
 $(9,832)
          
Recurring fair value measurements - Liabilities         
Consolidated Obligation Bonds$4,209,640
 $—
 $4,209,640
 $—
 $—
Derivative liabilities:         
Interest rate related58,842
 —
 144,709
 —
 (85,867)
Forward rate agreements4,924
 —
 4,924
 —
 —
Mortgage delivery commitments1
 —
 1
 —
 —
Total derivative liabilities63,767
 —
 149,634
 —
 (85,867)
Total liabilities at fair value$4,273,407
 $—
 $4,359,274
 $—
 $(85,867)

(1)Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow the FHLB to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by the FHLB with the same counterparty.2016.

Fair Value Option. The fair value option provides an irrevocable option to elect fair value as an alternative measurement for selected financial assets, financial liabilities, unrecognized firm commitments, and written loan commitments not previously carried at fair value. It requires a company to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which it has chosen to use fair value on the face of the Statements of Condition. Fair value is used for both the initial and subsequent measurement of the designated assets, liabilities and commitments, with the changes in fair value recognized in net income. If elected, interest income and interest expense on Advances and Consolidated Bonds carried at fair value are recognized based solely on the contractual amount of interest due or unpaid. Any transaction fees or costs are immediately recognized into other non-interest income or other non-interest expense.

The FHLB has elected the fair value option for certain financial instruments that either do not qualify for hedge accounting or may be at risk for not meeting hedge effectiveness requirements. These fair value elections were made primarily in an effort to mitigate the potential income statement volatility that can arise from economic hedging relationships in which the carrying value of the hedged item is not adjusted for changes in fair value.



128
Table of Contents19.3 presents net gains related to financial assets and liabilities in which the fair value option was elected during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.


Table 19.3 – Changes in Fair Values for Items Measured at Fair Value Pursuant to the Election of the Fair Value Option - Financial Assets and Liabilities (in thousands)
 For the Years Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
 Advances Consolidated Bonds Advances Consolidated Bonds Advances Consolidated Bonds
Interest income (expense)$255
 $(13,201) $82
 $(5,899) $—
 $(4,914)
Net gains on changes in fair value under fair value option15
 1,042
 20
 2,154
 —
 330
Total changes in fair value included in current period earnings$270
 $(12,159) $102
 $(3,745) $—
 $(4,584)
 For the Years Ended December 31,
Net Gains on Financial Instruments Held under Fair Value Option2017 2016 2015
Advances$(81) $37
 $15
Consolidated Bonds10,490
 40,466
 1,042
Total net gains$10,409
 $40,503
 $1,057

For instruments recorded under the fair value option, the related contractual interest income and contractual interest expense are recorded as part of net interest income on the Statements of Income. The remaining changes in fair value for instruments in which the fair value option has been elected are recorded as “Net gains on financial instruments held under fair value option” in the Statements of Income. The FHLB has determined that no adjustments to the fair values of its instruments recorded under the fair value option for instrument-specific credit risk were necessary as of December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016.

The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate unpaid principal balance outstanding and the aggregate fair value for Advances and Consolidated Bonds for which the fair value option has been elected.

Table 19.4 – Aggregate Unpaid Balance and Aggregate Fair Value (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Fair Value Aggregate Fair Value Over/(Under) Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Fair Value Aggregate Fair Value Over/(Under) Aggregate Unpaid Principal BalanceAggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Fair Value Aggregate Fair Value Over/(Under) Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance Aggregate Fair Value Aggregate Fair Value Over/(Under) Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance
Advances (1)
$15,000
 $15,057
 $57
 $15,000
 $15,042
 $42
$15,000
 $15,013
 $13
 $15,000
 $15,093
 $93
Consolidated Bonds2,216,000
 2,214,590
 (1,410) 4,210,000
 4,209,640
 (360)5,624,265
 5,577,315
 (46,950) 7,926,000
 7,895,510
 (30,490)

(1)At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, none of the Advances were 90 days or more past due or had been placed on non-accrual status.


Note 20 - Commitments and Contingencies

As previously described, Consolidated Obligations are backed only by the financial resources of the FHLBanks. The joint and several liability Finance Agency regulation authorizes the Finance Agency to require any FHLBank to repay all or a portion of the principal and interest on Consolidated Obligations for which another FHLBank is the primary obligor. No FHLBank has ever been asked or required to repay the principal or interest on any Consolidated Obligation on behalf of another FHLBank, and as of December 31, 2015,2017, and through the filing date of this report, the FHLB does not believe that it is probable that it will be asked to do so.

The FHLB determined that it was not necessary to recognize a liability for the fair values of its joint and several obligation related to other FHLBanks' Consolidated Obligations at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016. The joint and several obligations are mandated by Finance Agency regulations and are not the result of arms-length transactions among the FHLBanks. The FHLBanks have no control over the amount of the guaranty or the determination of how each FHLBank would perform under the joint and several obligation.

129
Table of Contents


Table 20.1 - Off-Balance Sheet Commitments (in thousands)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Notional AmountExpire within one year Expire after one year Total Expire within one year Expire after one year TotalExpire within one year Expire after one year Total Expire within one year Expire after one year Total
Standby Letters of Credit outstanding$19,417,093
 $137,995
 $19,555,088
 $17,233,206
 $546,385
 $17,779,591
$14,388,745
 $302,237
 $14,690,982
 $17,029,024
 $479,119
 $17,508,143
Commitments for standby bond purchases85,865
 36,510
 122,375
 37,490
 149,705
 187,195
27,230
 44,645
 71,875
 28,810
 77,240
 106,050
Commitments to fund additional Advances5,000
 —
 5,000
 —
 —
 —
Commitments to purchase mortgage loans449,856
 —
 449,856
 451,292
 —
 451,292
218,651
 —
 218,651
 440,849
 —
 440,849
Unsettled Consolidated Bonds, at par (1)(2)
60,000
 —
 60,000
 17,000
 —
 17,000
Unsettled Consolidated Discount Notes, at par (1)
—
 —
 —
 5,000
 —
 5,000
309,662
 —
 309,662
 5,500
 —
 5,500
(1)Expiration is based on settlement period rather than underlying contractual maturity of Consolidated Obligations.
(2)
Of the total unsettled Consolidated Bonds, $0 and $17,000 (in thousands) were hedged with associated interest rate swaps at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Standby Letters of Credit. AThe FHLB issues Standby LetterLetters of Credit is a financing arrangement betweenon behalf of its Members to support certain obligations of the FHLBMembers to third-party beneficiaries. These Standby Letters of Credit are subject to the same collateralization and its member.borrowing limits that are applicable to Advances. Standby Letters of Credit may be offered to assist Members in facilitating residential housing finance, community lending, and asset-liability management, and to provide liquidity. In particular, Members often use Standby Letters of Credit as collateral for deposits from federal and state government agencies. Standby Letters of Credit are executed for membersMembers for a fee. If the FHLB is required to make payment for a beneficiary's draw, the paymentMember either reimburses the FHLB for the amount isdrawn or, subject to the FHLB's discretion, the amount drawn may be converted into a collateralized Advance to the member. These Member. However, Standby Letters of Credit usually expire without being drawn upon.Standby Letters of Credit have original expiration periods of up to 19 years, currently expiring no later than 2024. Unearned fees and the value of guarantees related to Standby Letters of Credit are recorded in other liabilities and amounted to (in thousands) $4,666$3,889 and $4,441$5,057 at December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016.

The FHLB monitors the creditworthiness of its membersMembers that have Standby Letters of Credit. In addition, Standby Letters of Credit are subject to the same collateralization and borrowing limits that apply to Advances and are fully collateralized at the time of issuance. As a result, the FHLB has deemed it unnecessary to record any additional liability on these commitments.

Standby Bond Purchase Agreements. The FHLB has executed standby bond purchase agreements with one state housing authority whereby the FHLB, for a fee, agrees as a liquidity provider if required, to purchase and hold the authority's bonds until the designated marketing agent can find a suitable investor or the housing authority repurchases the bonds according to a schedule established by the standby agreement. Each standby agreement dictates the specific terms that would require the FHLB to purchase the bonds. The bond purchase commitments entered into by the FHLB have original expiration periods up to 53 years, currently no later than 2020, although some are renewable at the option of the FHLB. During 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB was not required to purchase any bonds under these agreements.

Commitments to Purchase Mortgage Loans. The FHLB enters into commitments that unconditionally obligate the FHLB to purchase mortgage loans. Commitments are generally for periods not to exceed 90 days. The delivery commitments are recorded as derivatives at their fair values.

Pledged Collateral. The FHLB may pledge securities, as collateral, related to derivatives. See Note 11 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for additional information about the FHLB's pledged collateral and other credit-risk-related contingent features.

Lease Commitments. The FHLB charged to operating expenses net rental and related costs of approximately $1,966,000,$1,990,000, $1,816,000,1,899,000, and $1,713,000$1,966,000 for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013.

Table 20.2 - Future Minimum Rentals for Operating Leases (in thousands)
Year        
 Premises Equipment Total
2016 $768
 $146
 $914
2017 771
 143
 914
2018 791
 72
 863
2019 796
 —
 796
2020 812
 —
 812
Thereafter 5,053
 —
 5,053
Total $8,991
 $361
 $9,352

130
Table of Contents


2015. Total future minimum operating lease payments were $7,815,000 at December 31, 2017. Lease agreements for FHLB premises generally provide for increases in the basic rentals resulting from increases in property taxes and maintenance expenses. Such increases are not expected to have a material effect on the FHLB.FHLB's financial condition or results of operations.

Legal Proceedings. From time to time, the FHLB is subject to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In March 2010, the FHLB was advised by representatives of the Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. bankruptcy estate that they believed that the FHLB had been unjustly enriched in connection with the close out of its interest rate swap transactions with Lehman at the time of the Lehman bankruptcy in 2008 and that the bankruptcy estate was entitled to the $43 million difference between the settlement amount the FHLB paid Lehman in connection with the close-out transactions and the market value payment the FHLB received when replacing the swaps with other counterparties. In May 2010, the FHLB received a Derivatives Alternative Dispute Resolution notice from the Lehman bankruptcy estate with a settlement demand of $65.8 million, plus interest accruing primarily at LIBOR plus 14.5 percent since the bankruptcy filing, based on their view of how the settlement amount should have been calculated. In accordance with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Order of the Bankruptcy Court administering the Lehman estate, senior management of the FHLB participated in a non-binding mediation in New York in August 2010, and counsel for the FHLB continued discussions with the court-appointed mediator for several weeks thereafter. The mediation concluded in October 2010 without a settlement of the claims asserted by the Lehman bankruptcy estate. In April 2013, Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc., through Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and the Plan Administrator under the Modified Third Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and its Affiliated Debtors, filed an adversary complaint in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York against the FHLB seeking (a) a declaratory judgment on the interpretation of certain provisions and the calculation of amounts due under the agreement governing the 2008 swap transactions described above, and (b) additional amounts alleged as due as part of the termination of such transactions. The FHLB believes that it correctly calculated, and fully satisfied its obligation to Lehman in September 2008, and the FHLB intends to vigorously defend itself.

The FHLB also is subject to other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. The FHLB would record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount cancould be reasonably estimated. After consultation with legal counsel, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liability, if any, arising out of theseany matters will have a material effect on the FHLB's financial condition or results of operations.



Note 21 - Transactions with Other FHLBanks

The FHLB notes all transactions with other FHLBanks on the face of its financial statements. Occasionally, the FHLB loans short-term funds to and borrows short-term funds from other FHLBanks. These loans and borrowings are transacted at then current market rates when traded. There were no such loans or borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, or 2013.2015. The following table details the average daily balance of lending and borrowing between the FHLB and other FHLBanks for the for the years ended December 31.

Table 21.1 - Lending and Borrowing Between the FHLB and Other FHLBanks (in thousands)
Average Daily Balances for the Years Ended December 31,Average Daily Balances for the Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132017 2016 2015
Loans to other FHLBanks$—
 $438
 $3,740
$14
 $3,142
 $—
Borrowings from other FHLBanks68
 68
 4,110
959
 273
 68

In addition, the FHLB may, from time to time, assume the outstanding primary liability for Consolidated Obligations of another FHLBank (at then current market rates on the day when the transfer is traded) rather than issuing new debt for which the FHLB is the primary obligor. The FHLB then becomes the primary obligor on the transferred debt. There are no formal arrangements governing the transfer of Consolidated Obligations between the FHLBanks, and these transfers are not investments of one FHLBank in another FHLBank. Transferring debt at current market rates enables the FHLBank System to satisfy the debt issuance needs of individual FHLBanks without incurring the additional selling expenses (concession fees) associated with new debt. It also provides the transferring FHLBanks with outlets for extinguishing debt structures no longer required for their balance sheet management strategies.

There were no Consolidated Obligations transferred to the FHLB during the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016, or 2013.2015. The FHLB had no Consolidated Obligations transferred to other FHLBanks during these periods.


131
Table of Contents


Note 22 - Transactions with Stockholders

As a cooperative, the FHLB's capital stock is owned by its members,Members, by former membersMembers that retain the stock as provided in the FHLB's Capital Plan and by nonmember institutions that have acquired membersMembers and must retain the stock to support Advances or other activities with the FHLB. All Advances are issued to membersMembers and all mortgage loans held for portfolio are purchased from members.Members. The FHLB also maintains demand deposit accounts for members,Members, primarily to facilitate settlement activities that are directly related to Advances and mortgage loan purchases. Additionally, the FHLB may enter into interest rate swaps with its stockholders. The FHLB may not invest in any equity securities issued by its stockholders and it has not purchased any mortgage-backed securities securitized by, or other direct long-term investments in, its stockholders.

For financial statement purposes, the FHLB defines related parties as those membersMembers with more than 10 percent of the voting interests of the FHLB capital stock outstanding. Federal legislationstatute prescribes the voting rights of membersMembers in the election of both memberMember and independent directors. For memberMember directorships, the Finance Agency designates the number of memberMember directorships in a given year and an eligible voting memberMember may vote only for candidates seeking election in its respective state. For independent directorships,directors, the FHLB's Board of Directors nominates candidates to be placed on the ballot in an at-large election. For both memberMember and independent directorshipdirector elections, a memberMember is entitled to vote one share of required capital stock, subject to a statutory limitation, for each applicable directorship. Under this limitation, the total number of votes that a memberMember may cast is limited to the average number of shares of the FHLB's capital stock that were required to be held by all membersMembers in that state as of the record date for voting. Nonmember stockholders are not eligible to vote in director elections. Due to the abovementionedthese statutory limitation,limitations, no memberMember owned more than 10 percent of the voting interests of the FHLB at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016.

All transactions with stockholders are entered into in the ordinary course of business. Finance Agency regulations require the FHLB to offer the same pricing for Advances and other services to all membersMembers regardless of asset or transaction size, charter type, or geographic location. However, the FHLB may, in pricing its Advances, distinguish among membersMembers based upon its assessment of the credit and other risks to the FHLB of lending to any particular memberMember or upon other reasonable criteria that may be applied equally to all members.Members. The FHLB's policies and procedures require that such standards and criteria be applied consistently and without discrimination to all membersMembers applying for Advances.

Transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions. In the ordinary course of its business, the FHLB may provide products and services to membersMembers whose officers or directors serve as directors of the FHLB (Directors' Financial Institutions). Finance Agency regulations require that transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions be made on the same terms as those with any other member.Member. The following table reflects balances with Directors' Financial Institutions for the items indicated below. The FHLB had no mortgage-backed securities or derivatives transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016.

Table 22.1 - Transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions (dollars in millions)
December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Balance 
% of Total (1)
 Balance 
% of Total (1)
Balance 
% of Total (1)
 Balance 
% of Total (1)
Advances$3,867
 5.3% $2,929
 4.2%$3,558
 5.1% $3,947
 5.6%
MPP186
 2.4
 154
 2.3
112
 1.2
 234
 2.6
Regulatory capital stock236
 5.3
 225
 5.2
187
 4.4
 166
 4.0
(1)Percentage of total principal (Advances), unpaid principal balance (MPP), and regulatory capital stock.


132
Table of Contents

Concentrations. The following table shows regulatory capital stock balances, outstanding Advance principal balances, and unpaid principal balances of mortgage loans held for portfolio at the dates indicated toof stockholders holding five percent or more of regulatory capital stock and includeincludes any known affiliates that are membersMembers of the FHLB.

Table 22.2 - Stockholders Holding Five Percent or more of Regulatory Capital Stock (dollars in millions)
Regulatory Capital Stock Advance MPP UnpaidRegulatory Capital Stock Advance MPP Unpaid
December 31, 2015Balance % of Total  Principal Principal Balance
December 31, 2017Balance % of Total  Principal Principal Balance
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.$1,533
 34% $35,350
 $—
$1,059
 25% $23,950
 $—
U.S. Bank, N.A.475
 11
 10,086
 33
593
 14
 8,975
 23
The Huntington National Bank282
 7
 3,732
 456
Fifth Third Bank248
 6
 20
 3
248
 6
 3,140
 2

Regulatory Capital Stock Advance MPP UnpaidRegulatory Capital Stock Advance MPP Unpaid
December 31, 2014Balance % of Total Principal Principal Balance
December 31, 2016Balance % of Total Principal Principal Balance
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.$1,533
 35% $41,300
 $—
$1,317
 31% $32,300
 $—
U.S. Bank, N.A.475
 11
 8,338
 38
475
 11
 8,563
 27
Fifth Third Bank248
 6
 24
 3
248
 6
 2,517
 2
The Huntington National Bank244
 6
 2,433
 388

Nonmember Affiliates. The FHLB has relationships with three nonmember affiliates, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. The FHLB had no investments in or borrowings to any of these nonmember affiliates at December 31, 20152017 or 2014.2016. The FHLB has executed standby bond purchase agreements with one state housing authority whereby the FHLB, for a fee, agrees as a liquidity provider if required, to purchase and hold the authority's bonds until the designated marketing agent can find a suitable investor or the housing authority repurchases the bond according to a schedule established by the standby agreement. For the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the FHLB was not required to purchase any bonds under these agreements.

133
Table of Contents

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

Supplemental financial data required is set forth in the “Other Financial Information” caption at Part II, Item 7 of this report.

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

There were no changes in or disagreements with our accountants on accounting and financial disclosure during the two most recent fiscal years.

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB's management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, these two officers each concluded that, as of December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB maintained effective disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is (1) accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and (2) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of the FHLB is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The FHLB's internal control over financial reporting is designed by, or under the supervision of, the FHLB's management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The FHLB's management assessed the effectiveness of the FHLB's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.2017. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on its assessment, management of the FHLB determined that, as of December 31, 2015,2017, the FHLB's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The effectiveness of the FHLB's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20152017 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."


CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in the FHLB's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 20152017 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the FHLB's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.Other Information.

Not applicable.PwC serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the FHLB. Rule 201(c)(1)(ii)(A) of SEC Regulation S-X (the Loan Rule) prohibits an accounting firm, such as PwC, from having certain financial relationships with its audit clients and affiliated entities. Specifically, the Loan Rule provides, in relevant part, that an accounting firm generally would not be independent if it or a covered person in the firm receives a loan from a lender that is a “record or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of the audit client’s equity securities.” A covered person in the firm includes personnel on the audit engagement


134
Tableteam, personnel in the chain of Contentscommand, partners and managers who provide ten or more hours of non-audit services to the audit client, and partners in the office where the lead engagement partner practices in connection with the client.

PwC has advised the FHLB that as of December 31, 2017 PwC and certain covered persons had borrowing relationships with two FHLB Members (referred below as the “lenders”) who own more than ten percent of the FHLB’s capital stock, which under the Loan Rule, may reasonably be thought to bear on PwC’s independence with respect to the FHLB. The FHLB is providing this disclosure to explain the facts and circumstances, as well as PwC’s and the Audit Committee’s conclusions, concerning PwC’s objectivity and impartiality with respect to the audit of the FHLB.

PwC advised the Audit Committee of the Board that it believes that, in light of the facts of these borrowing relationships, its ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all matters encompassed within PwC’s audit engagement has not been impaired and that a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would reach the same conclusion. PwC has advised the Audit Committee that this conclusion is based in part on the following considerations:
▪the firm's borrowings are in good standing and neither lender has the right to take action against PwC, as borrower, in connection with the financings;
▪the debt balances outstanding are immaterial to PwC and to each lender;
▪PwC has borrowing relationships with a diverse group of lenders, therefore PwC is not dependent on any single lender or group of lenders; and
▪the PwC audit engagement team has no involvement in PwC’s treasury function and PwC’s treasury function has no oversight or ability to influence the PwC audit engagement team.

Additionally, the Audit Committee assessed PwC’s ability to perform an objective and impartial audit, including consideration of the ownership structure of the FHLB, the limited voting rights of Members and the composition of the Board of Directors. In addition to the above listed considerations, the Audit Committee considered the following:
▪although the lenders owned more than ten percent of the FHLB’s capital stock, the lenders' voting rights are each less than ten percent;
▪no individual officer or director that serves on the Board of Directors has the ability to significantly influence the FHLB based on the composition of the Board of Directors; and
▪as of December 31, 2017, and as of the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, no officer or director of either lender served on the Board of Directors of the FHLB.

Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee has concluded that PwC’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within PwC’s audit engagement has not been impaired.


PART III


Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Finance Agency has authorized us to have a total of 1718 directors: 10 memberMember directors and seveneight independent directors. Two of our independent directors are designated as public interest directors and all 1718 directors are elected by our members.Members.

For both memberMember and independent directorship elections, a memberMember institution may cast one vote per seat or directorship up for election for each share of stock that the memberMember was required to hold as of December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the election year. However, the number of votes that any memberMember may cast for any one directorship cannot exceed the average number of shares of FHLB stock that were required to be held by all membersMembers located in its state. The election process is conducted by mail. Our Board of Directors does not solicit proxies nor is any memberMember institution permitted to solicit proxies in an election.

Finance Agency regulations also provide for two separate selection processes for memberMember and independent director candidates.

Member director candidates are nominated by any officer or director of a memberMember institution eligible to vote in the respective statewide election, including the candidate's own institution. After the FHLB determines that the candidate meets all memberMember director eligibility requirements per Finance Agency regulations, the candidate may run for election and the candidate's name is placed on the ballot.

Independent director candidates are self-nominated. Any individual may submit an independent director application form to the FHLB and request to be considered for election. The FHLB reviews all application forms to determine that the individual satisfies the appropriate public interest or non-public interest independent director eligibility requirements per Finance Agency regulations before forwarding the application form to the Board for review of the candidate's qualifications and skills. The Board then nominates an individual whose name will appear on the ballot after consultation with the Affordable Housing Advisory Council and after the nominee information has been submitted to the Finance Agency for review. As part of the nomination process, the Board may consider several factors including the individual's contributions and service on the Board, if a former or incumbent director, and the specific experience and qualifications of the candidate. The Board also considers diversity in nominating independent directors and how the attributes of the candidate may add to the overall strength and skill set of the Board. These same factors are considered when the Board fills a memberMember or independent director vacancy.


135
Table of Contents

DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of March 1, 2016)2018) regarding each of our current directors.
NameAgeDirector SinceExpiration of Term as a DirectorIndependent or Member (State)AgeDirector SinceExpiration of Term as a DirectorIndependent or Member (State)
J. Lynn Anderson52201112/31/16Member (OH)54
2017 (1)
12/31/20Independent (OH)
Grady P. Appleton68200712/31/17Independent (OH)70200712/31/21Independent (OH)
Brady T. Burt45201712/31/20Member (OH)
Greg W. Caudill57201412/31/17Member (KY)59201412/31/21Member (KY)
James R. DeRoberts59200812/31/18Member (OH)61200812/31/18Member (OH)
Mark N. DuHamel60(2009-2015) 201812/31/21Member (OH)
Leslie D. Dunn70200712/31/16Independent (OH)72200712/31/20Independent (OH)
James A. England64201112/31/18Member (TN)
James A. England, Vice Chair66201112/31/18Member (TN)
Charles J. Koch69
2008 (1)
12/31/18Independent (OH)71
2008 (2)
12/31/18Independent (OH)
Robert T. Lameier63201612/31/19Member (OH)65201612/31/19Member (OH)
Michael R. Melvin71(1995-2001) 200612/31/19Member (OH)73(1995-2001) 200612/31/19Member (OH)
Thomas L. Moore69201312/31/16Member (OH)
Donald J. Mullineaux, Chair70201012/31/19Independent (KY)72201012/31/19Independent (KY)
Alvin J. Nance58200912/31/16Independent (TN)60200912/31/20Independent (TN)
Charles J. Ruma74(2002-2004) 200712/31/19Independent (OH)76(2002-2004) 200712/31/19Independent (OH)
David E. Sartore55201412/31/17Member (KY)57201412/31/21Member (KY)
William J. Small, Vice Chair65200712/31/17Member (OH)
William S. Stuard, Jr.61201112/31/18Member (TN)63201112/31/18Member (TN)
Nancy E. Uridil64201512/31/18Independent (OH)66201512/31/18Independent (OH)
James J. Vance56201712/31/20Member (OH)
(1)
Ms. Anderson, an independent director beginning in 2017, also served as a Member director from 2011-2016.
(2)
Mr. Koch, an independent director beginning in 2008, also served as a memberMember director from 1990-1995 and 1998-2006.
            
Member Directors

Finance Agency regulations govern the eligibility requirements for our memberMember directors. Each memberMember director, and each nominee to a memberMember directorship, must be a U.S. citizen and an officer or director of a memberMember that: is located in the voting state to be represented by the memberMember directorship, was a memberMember of the FHLB as of the record date, and meets all minimum capital requirements established by its appropriate Federal banking agency or state regulator.

Each memberMember director is nominated and elected by our membersMembers through an annual voting process administered by us. Any memberMember that is entitled to vote in the election may nominate an eligible individual to fill each available memberMember directorship for its voting state, and all eligible nominees must be presented to the membership in the voting state. In accordance with Finance Agency regulations, except when acting in a personal capacity, no director, officer, attorney, employee or agent of the FHLB may communicate in any manner that he or she directly or indirectly, supports or opposes the nomination or election of a particular individual for a memberMember directorship or take any other action to influence the voting with respect to a particular individual. As a result, the FHLB is not in a position to know which factors its memberMember institutions considered in nominating candidates for memberMember directorships or in voting to elect memberMember directors.

Ms. AndersonMr. Burt becamehas been the Senior Vice President-Member Solutions Integration for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Columbus,President and Chief Financial Officer of The Park National Bank, Newark, Ohio, in March 2016. Shea subsidiary of Park National Corporation, since December 2012. He also servedserves as Presidentthe Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer of Nationwide Bank from November 2009 to March 2016.Park National Corporation.

Mr. Caudill has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers National Bank, Danville, Kentucky since December 2002. He also served as President of Farmers National Bank from December 2002 until April 2016.

Mr. DeRoberts has been Chairman of The Arlington Bank, Upper Arlington, Ohio since 1999 and a partner at Gardiner Allen DeRoberts Insurance LLC, Columbus, Ohio since 2006. He has also servesserved as a director of Park National Corporation and its subsidiary, The Park National Bank, Newark, Ohio.Ohio since February 2015. In addition, he served as Chairman of The Arlington Bank from 1999 to 2017.

Mr. DuHamel has been Executive Vice President and Corporate Treasurer of The Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio since August 2016. Previously, he served as the Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer of FirstMerit Bank, N.A. from May 2015 to August 2016. In addition, he served as the Executive Vice President of FirstMerit Bank, N.A. from February 2005 to May 2015 and Treasurer of FirstMerit Bank, N.A. from 1996 to May 2015.

Mr. England has been Chairman of Decatur County Bank, Decaturville, Tennessee since 1990. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Decatur County Bank from 1990 to 2013.


136
Table of Contents

Mr. Lameier has been President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of Miami Savings Bank, Miamitown, Ohio since 1993.

Mr. Melvin has been President and a director of Perpetual Federal Savings Bank, Urbana, Ohio since 1980.

Mr. Moore has been a director at First Federal Bank of Ohio, Galion, Ohio, since 1995, serving as Chairman from November 2011 to November 2014. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Bank of Ohio from 1995 to January 2014.

Mr. Sartore became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Field & Main Bank, Henderson, Kentucky in January 2015 when Ohio Valley Financial Group and BankTrust Financial merged to form Field & Main Bank. Previously, Mr. Sartore was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ohio Valley Financial Group since 1992.

Mr. Small has been Chairman of First Defiance Financial Corp. and its subsidiary bank, First Federal Bank of the Midwest, of Defiance, Ohio, since 1999. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of First Defiance Financial Corp. from 1999 to December 2013. In addition, he served as Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Bank of the Midwest from 1999 until 2008.

Mr. Stuard has been Chairman of F&M Bank, Clarksville, Tennessee, since January 2016 and President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M Bank since January 1991.

Mr. Vance has been Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Western-Southern Life Assurance Company and related subsidiaries (Cincinnati, Ohio) since March 2016. Previously, he served as Vice President and Treasurer of Western-Southern Life Assurance Company and related subsidiaries from 1999 to March 2016.

Independent Directors

Finance Agency regulations also govern the eligibility requirements of our independent directors. Each independent director, and each nominee to an independent directorship, must be a U.S. citizen and bona fide resident of our District. At least two of our independent directors must be designated by our Board as public interest directors. Public interest independent directors must have more than four years experience representing consumer or community interest in banking services, credit needs, housing, or consumer financial protections. All other independent directors must have knowledge of or experience in one or more of the following areas: auditing and accounting; derivatives; financial management; organizational management; project development; risk management practices; and the law. Our Board of Directors nominates candidates for independent directorships. Directors, officers, employees, attorneys, or agents of the FHLB are permitted to support directly or indirectly the nomination or election of a particular individual for an independent directorship.

Ms. Anderson was the Senior Vice President-Member Solutions Integration for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, Columbus, Ohio from March 2016 to December 2016. She also served as President of Nationwide Bank from November 2009 to March 2016. Ms. Anderson is a certified public accountant and has seven years of experience serving on the board of a non-profit entity which focuses on providing low- to moderate-income housing. Ms. Anderson's prior leadership positions within the banking and insurance industries contribute skills to the Board in the areas of auditing and accounting, operations and corporate governance.

Mr. Appleton has served aswas the President and Chief Executive Officer of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC), Akron, Ohio, sincefrom January 2014.2014 to January 2018. He previouslyalso served as Executive Director of EANDC for more than 30 years. EANDC improves communities by providing quality and affordable housing, comprehensive homeownership services and economic development opportunities. Mr. Appleton's years of experience with EANDC bring insight to the Board that contributes to the FHLB's corporate objective of maximizing the effectiveness of contributions to Housing and Community Investment programs. Mr. Appleton also served as a member of the FHLB's Advisory Council from 1997 until 2006.

Ms. Dunn was Senior Vice President of Business Development, General Counsel and Secretary of Cole National Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange listed retailer now owned by Luxottica Group S.p.A., from September 1997 until October 2004. Prior to joining Cole, she had been a partner since 1985 in the Business Practice of the Jones Day law firm. She currently is engaged in various businesspublic and private company board activities and serves in leadership positions with a number of civic and philanthropic organizations. Ms. Dunn has served as a director of New York Community Bancorp, Inc. since September 2015 and serves on its Audit, Risk Assessment, Cyber, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees since September 2015.Committees. Ms. Dunn's experience as a director and senior officer of a publicly held companycompanies and as a law firm partner representing numerous publicly held companies brings perspective to the Board regarding the FHLB's status as an SEC registrant, corporate governance matters, and the Board's responsibility to oversee the FHLB's operations.

Mr. Koch is the retired Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Charter One Bank, N.A., Cleveland, Ohio. He served as Charter One's Chief Executive Officer from 1987 to 2004, and as its Chairman of the Board from 1995 to 2004, when the bank was sold to Royal Bank of Scotland. Mr. Koch was a director of the Royal Bank of Scotland from 2004 until February 2009. He is currently a director of Assurant Inc. and Citizens Financial Group. In addition, he is the Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committees of Citizens Financial Group. Mr. Koch's substantial experience in risk management and his prior leadership positions within the banking industry and various board positions held contribute skills important to the Board's responsibility for approving a strategic business plan that supports the FHLB's mission and corporate objectives.

Dr. Mullineaux is the Emeritus duPont Endowed Chair in Banking and Financial Services in the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky. He held the duPont Endowed Chair from 1984 until 2014. Previously, he was on the staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, where he served as Senior Vice President and Director of Research from

137
Table of Contents

1979 until 1984. He also served as a director of Farmers Capital Bank Corporation from 2005 until 2009. He has published numerous articles and lectured on a variety of banking topics, including risk management, financial markets and economics. He has served as the Curriculum Director for the ABA's Stonier Graduate School of Banking since 2001.from 2001 to 2016. Dr. Mullineaux brings knowledge and experience to the Board in areas vital to the operation of financial institutions in today's economy.

Mr. Nance has been Chief Executive Officer of theLHP Development LLC and PropertyLHP Management operating divisions of LHP Capital,LLC, Knoxville, Tennessee, since April 2015. Previously, he was Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Knoxville's Community Development Corporation (KCDC) Knoxville, Tennessee from 2000 to 2015. The KCDC is the public housing and redevelopment authority for the City of Knoxville and Knox County, which strives to improve Knoxville's neighborhoods and communities, including through providing quality affordable housing. Mr. Nance also served as Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, which provides assistance and support to the state's public and affordable housing agencies. In addition, Mr. Nance served an eight-year term where he held the office of Vice Chairman on the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, the state's housing finance agency, which promotes the production of affordable housing for very low, low, and moderate, income individuals and families in the state. Mr. Nance also serves on the Board of Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Nance's depth of experience with these organizations brings insight to the Board that contributes to the FHLB's corporate objective of maximizing the effectiveness of its contributions to Housing and Community Investment programs.

Mr. Ruma has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Homes Ltd., a Columbus, Ohio area homebuilder, since 1975. He served on the board of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), the state's housing agency, from 2004 to 2009. OHFA helps Ohio's first-time homebuyers, renters, senior citizens, and others find quality, affordable housing that meets their needs. OHFA's programs also support developers and property managers of affordable housing throughout the state. Mr. Ruma's years of experience in the home building industry and with the OHFA bring insight to the Board that contributes to the FHLB's mission and corporate objectives.

Ms. Uridil was the Senior Vice President of Global Operation for Moen Incorporated, North Olmsted, Ohio, from September 2005 until March 2014. Ms. Uridil is currently on the Board of Directors of Flexsteel Industries, Inc., where she serves on the Compensation Committee and chairs the Nominations and Governance Committee. Previously, Ms. Uridil served as a Senior Vice President of Estée Lauder Companies, from 2000 to 2005. Ms. Uridil also served as a Senior Vice President of Mary Kay, Incorporated, from 1996 to 2000. Serving on executive teams for global businesses for more than 18 years, Ms. Uridil has extensive experience in strategy, expense and capital management, merger and acquisition integration and sourcing. Ms. Uridil's qualifications and insight provide valuable skills to the Board in the important areas of personnel, compensation, information technology and operations.



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information (ages as of March 1, 2016)2018) regarding our executive officers.
NameAgePositionEmployee of the FHLB SinceAgePositionEmployee of the FHLB Since
Andrew S. Howell54President and Chief Executive Officer198956President and Chief Executive Officer1989
Donald R. Able55Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer198157Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer1981
James G. Dooley, Sr.64Executive Vice President-Chief Risk and Compliance Officer2006
R. Kyle Lawler58Executive Vice President-Chief Business Officer200060Executive Vice President-Chief Business Officer2000
Stephen J. Sponaugle55Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer1992
Damon v. Allen45Senior Vice President-Community Investment Officer199947Senior Vice President-Community Investment Officer1999
J. Christopher Bates40Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer200542Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer2005
Roger B. Batsel44Senior Vice President-Chief Information Officer201446Senior Vice President-Chief Information Officer2014
James G. Dooley, Sr.62Senior Vice President-Internal Audit2006
David C. Eastland58Senior Vice President-Chief Credit Officer199960Senior Vice President-Chief Credit Officer1999
Tami L. Hendrickson55Senior Vice President-Treasurer200657Senior Vice President-Treasurer2006
Stephen J. Sponaugle53Senior Vice President-Chief Risk and Compliance Officer1992
                            
Mr. Howell became President and Chief Executive Officer in June 2012. Previously, he served as the Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer since January 2008.

Mr. Able becamehas served as the Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer andsince August 2012. In addition, Mr. Able served as the Chief Financial Officer infrom January 2015. Mr. Able served2015 to December 2017, and as the Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer sincefrom March 2014 to December 2014. He

Mr. Dooley became the Executive Vice President-Chief OperatingRisk and Compliance Officer in August 2012 and hasJanuary 2018. Previously, he served as the Principal Financial Officer

138
Table of Contents

FHLB's Senior Vice President-Internal Audit since January 2007. Prior to that, he had served as the Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting and Technology Officer since January 2011.2013.

Mr. Lawler became Executive Vice President-Chief Business Officer in August 2012. Previously, he served as the Senior Vice President-Chief Credit Officer since May 2007.

Mr. Sponaugle became Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer in January 2018. Previously, he served as the Executive Vice President-Chief Risk and Compliance Officer since January 2017. Mr. Sponaugle also served as the FHLB's Senior Vice President-Chief Risk and Compliance Officer from November 2015 to December 2016, and as Senior Vice President-Chief Risk Officer from January 2007 to October 2015.

Mr. Allen became Senior Vice President-Community Investment Officer in January 2012. Previously, he served as the FHLB's Vice President and Community Investment Officer since July 2011, and as Vice President-Housing and Community Investment from January 2009 to June 2011.

Mr. Bates became Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer in January 2015. Previously, he served as the FHLB's Vice President-Controller since January 2013 and as Vice President-Assistant Controller from January 2011 to January 2013.

Mr. Batsel became Senior Vice President-Chief Information Officer in January 2014. Previously, he was the Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at MidCountry Financial Corp. from September 2011 to January 2014. Prior to that, he was the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Information Systems at Republic Bank from April 2006 to September 2011.

Mr. Dooley became Senior Vice President-Internal Audit in January 2013. Previously, he served as Vice President-Internal Audit since 2006.

Mr. Eastland became the Senior Vice President-Chief Credit Officer in January 2015. Prior to that, he had served as the FHLB's Vice President-Credit Risk Management since January 2002.

Ms. Hendrickson became Senior Vice President-Treasurer in January 2015. Previously, she served as the FHLB's Vice President-Treasurer since January 2010.

Mr. Sponaugle became the Senior Vice President-Chief Risk and Compliance Officer in November 2015. Prior to that, he had served as the FHLB's Senior Vice President-Chief Risk Officer since January 2007.

All officers are appointed annually by our Board of Directors.



AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Board of Directors has determined (1) that Ms. J. Lynn Anderson, ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee, and Committee member Mr. David E. Sartore, have the relevant accounting and related financial management expertise, and therefore are qualified, to serve as the Audit Committee financial experts within the meaning of the regulations of the SEC and (2) that each is independent under SEC Rule 10A-3(b)(1). Ms. Anderson'sAnderson has experience has principally been in the internal audit disciplines within the financial industry and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Sartore's experience has principally been in the accounting and finance disciplines within the financial industry and is a Certified Public Accountant. For additional information regarding the independence of the directors of the FHLB, see “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”

CODES OF ETHICS

The Board of Directors has adopted a “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers” that applies to the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, as well as all other executive officers. This policy serves to promote honest and ethical conduct, full, fair and accurate disclosure in the FHLB's reports to regulatory authorities and other public communications, and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Code is posted on the FHLB's Web site (www.fhlbcin.com). If a waiver of any provision of the Code is granted to a covered officer, information concerning the waiver will be posted on our Web site.

The Board of Directors has also adopted a “Standards of Conduct” policy that applies to all employees. The purpose of this policy is to promote a strong ethical climate that protects the FHLB against fraudulent activities and fosters an environment in which open communication is expected and protected.


139
Table of Contents

Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
 
20152017 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
The following provides discussion and analysis regarding our compensation program for executive officers for 2015,2017, and in particular our Named Executive Officers. Our Named Executive Officers for 20152017 were: Andrew S. Howell, President and Chief Executive Officer;Officer (CEO); Donald R. Able, Executive Vice President- Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer; R. Kyle Lawler, Executive Vice President- Chief Business Officer; Stephen J. Sponaugle, SeniorExecutive Vice President- Chief Risk and Compliance Officer and James G. Dooley, Sr.,Roger B. Batsel, Senior Vice President- Internal Audit.Chief Information Officer. Effective January 1, 2018, Mr. Sponaugle became Executive Vice President- Chief Financial Officer in anticipation of Mr. Able’s retirement in June 2018.
 
Compensation Program Overview (Philosophy and Objectives)
 
Our Board of Directors (the Board) is responsible for determining the philosophy and objectives of the compensation program. The philosophy of the program is to provide a flexible and market-based approach to compensation that attracts, retains and motivates high performing, accomplished financial services executives who, by their individual and collective performance, achieve strategic business initiatives and thereby enhance stockholder value.to fulfill the FHLB's mission. The program is primarily designed to focus executives on achieving the FHLB's mission through increasedincreasing business with memberMember institutions within established riskprofitability and profitabilityrisk tolerance levels, while also encouraging teamwork.
 
To achieve this, weWe compensate executive officers using a combination of base salary, short and long-term variable (incentive-based) cash compensation, retirement benefits and modest fringe benefits. We believe the compensation program communicates short and long-term goals and standards of performance for the FHLB's mission and key business objectives and appropriately motivates and rewards executives commensurate with their contributions and achievements. The combination of base salary, which rewards individual performance, and short and long-term incentives, which reward teamwork, creates a total compensation opportunity for executives who contribute to and influence strategic plans and who are primarily responsible for the FHLB's performance.
 
Oversight of the compensation program is the responsibility of the Board's Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board (the Committee). The Committee annually reviews the components of the compensation program to ensure that it is consistent with and supports the FHLB's mission, strategic business objectives, and annualshort and long-term goals. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee may engage executive compensation consultants to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the compensation program and in

determining the appropriate mix of compensation provided to executive officers. Because individuals are not permitted to own the FHLB's capital stock, all compensation is paid in cash and we have no equity compensation plans or arrangements.
 
The Committee recommends the President's annual compensation package to the Board, which is responsible for approving all compensation provided to the President. Additionally, the Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the compensation programsprogram's budget for all officers, including the other Named Executive Officers, and submitting its recommendations to the Board for final approval.
 
Management Involvement - Executive Compensation
 
While the Board is ultimately responsible for determining the compensation of the President and all other executive officers, the President and the Human Resources department periodically advise the Committee regarding competitive and administrative issues affecting ourthe compensation program. The President and the Human Resources department also present recommendations to the Committee regarding the compensation of all other executive officers, and administer programs approved by the Committee and the Board.
 
Finance Agency Oversight - Executive Compensation
 
The Director of the Finance Agency is required by regulation to prohibit an FHLBank from paying compensation to its executive officers that is not reasonable and comparable to that paid for employment in similar businesses involving similar duties and responsibilities. Finance Agency rules direct the FHLBanks to provide all compensation actions affecting their Named Executive Officers to the Finance Agency for review. Accordingly, following our Board's November 20152017 and January 20162018 meetings, we submitted the 20162018 base salaries as well as incentive payments earned for 20152017 for ourthe Named Executive Officers to the Finance Agency. At this time, we do not expect the regulatory requirements to have a material impact on our executive compensation plans.programs.
 

140
Table of Contents

Use of Comparative Compensation Data
 
The compensation program is designedaims to provide a market competitive compensation package when recruiting and retaining highly talented executives seeking stable, long-term employment. To this end, we gather compensation data from a wide variety of sources, including broad-based national and regional surveys, presentationsinformation on compensation programs at FHLBank System meetings,other FHLBanks, and formal and informal interactions with our compensation consultant. Our consultant, McLagan, is a nationally recognized compensation consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry. When determining compensation for our executive officers, the Committee and the President use this information to inform themselves regarding trends in compensation practices and as a comparison check against general market data (market check) to evaluate the reasonableness and effectiveness of our total compensation program and its components.
We also participate in multiple surveys including the annual McLagan Federal Home Loan Bank Custom Survey and the annual Federal Home Loan Bank System Key Position Compensation Survey. Both surveys contain executive and non-executive compensation information for various key positions across all FHLBanks. When determining the compensation program, the Committee and the President use compensation data collected from these sources to inform themselves regarding trends in compensation practices and as a comparison check against general market data (market check).
 
In setting 20162018 compensation, we concentrated our attention onprimarily relied upon information from the McLagan Federal Home Loan Bank Custom Survey as it encompassedSurvey. It encompasses information relating to 20152017 compensation from mortgage banks, commercial financial institutions, and other FHLBanks. While McLagan's compensation analysis included those financial institutions that typically had assets of less than $20 billion, and other FHLBanks. However, we believe the positions at other FHLBanks generally are more directly comparable to ours given the unique nature of the FHLBank System. The FHLBanks share the same public policy mission, interact routinely with each other, and share a common regulator and regulatory constraints, including the need for Finance Agency review of all compensation actions affecting our executive officers. However, there are significant differences across the FHLBank System, including the sizes of the various FHLBanks, the complexity of their operations, their organizational and cost structures and the types of compensation packages offered. Thus, we do not and, as a practical matter could not, calculate compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers based solely on comparisons to the other FHLBanks.

Compensation Program Approach
 
The Committee utilizes a balanced approach for delivering base salary and short and long-term incentive pay with our compensation program. While ourthe annual (short-term) incentive compensation component rewards all officers and staff for the achievement of FHLB annual strategic business goals, ourthe deferred (long-term) incentive compensation component is provided to executive and seniorcertain officers, including the Named Executive Officers, for achievement of specific, strategic and mission-related goals for which FHLB performance is measured over a three-year period. The Committee has not established or assigned specific percentages to each element of the FHLB's executive compensation program. Instead, the Committee strives to create a program that generally delivers a total compensation opportunity, i.e., base salary, annual and deferred incentive compensation and other benefits (including

(including a retirement plan), to each executive officer that, when the FHLB meets its target performance goals, is at or near the median of the other FHLBanks and is generally consistent with ourthe market check. However, individual elements of compensation as well as total compensation for individual executives may vary from the median due to an executive's tenure, experience and responsibilities.
 
While the competitiveness of the compensation program is considered an important factor for attracting and retaining executives, the Committee also reviews all elements of compensationthe program to ensure the programit is well designed and fiscally responsible from both a regulatory and corporate governance perspective.

Impact of Risk-Taking on Compensation Program
 
The Committee reviews the overall program to ensure the compensation of executive officers does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking that could threaten the long-term value of the FHLB. RiskStrong risk management is an integral part of our culture. The Committee believes that base salary is a sufficient percentage of total compensation to discourage suchexcessive risk-taking by our executive officers. The Committee also believes the mix of incentive goals, which include risk-related metrics, does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking and achieves an appropriate balance of incentive for performance between the short and long-term organizational goals. Moreover, the Committee retainsand the Board retain the discretion to reduce or withhold incentive compensation payments if it determinesa determination is made that an executive has caused the FHLB to incur such a risk that could threaten the long-term value of the FHLB.
 

141
Table of Contents

Elements of Total Compensation Program
 
The following table summarizes all compensation to the FHLB's Named Executive Officers for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015. Discussion of each component follows the table.
 
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal PositionYear 
Salary(1)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(2)
 
Change in Pension Value & Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(3)
 
All Other Compensation(4)
 TotalYear 
Salary(1)
 Bonus 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(2)
 
Change in Pension Value & Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(3)
 
All Other Compensation(4)
 Total
Andrew S. Howell2015 $728,482
 $544,843
 $889,000
 $29,536
 $2,191,861
2017 $854,808
 $—
 $650,066
 $2,149,000
 $32,837
 $3,686,711
President and Chief Executive Officer2014 692,016
 479,622
 2,431,000
 15,600
 3,618,238
President and CEO2016 800,625
 —
 648,357
 1,426,000
 27,215
 2,902,197
2013 617,775
 340,546
 189,000
 15,300
 1,162,621
2015 728,482
 —
 544,843
 889,000
 29,536
 2,191,861
                      
Donald R. Able2015 383,125
 242,198
 465,000
 15,900
 1,106,223
2017 433,846
 —
 273,250
 1,559,000
 16,200
 2,282,296
Executive Vice President-2014 358,788
 207,972
 1,498,000
 15,600
 2,080,360
2016 418,952
 50,000
 278,474
 943,000
 15,900
 1,706,326
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer2013 320,800
 160,354
 —
 15,300
 496,454
Chief Operating Officer2015 383,125
 —
 242,198
 465,000
 15,900
 1,106,223
                      
R. Kyle Lawler2015 357,885
 229,316
 244,000
 15,900
 847,101
2017 404,654
 —
 255,349
 661,000
 16,200
 1,337,203
Executive Vice President-2014 331,154
 199,572
 646,000
 15,600
 1,192,326
2016 379,385
 —
 261,931
 438,000
 15,900
 1,095,216
Chief Business Officer2013 315,087
 157,180
 26,000
 15,300
 513,567
2015 357,885
 —
 229,316
 244,000
 15,900
 847,101
                      
Stephen J. Sponaugle2015 306,752
 176,417
 181,000
 15,900
 680,069
2017 368,750
 —
 215,949
 777,000
 16,200
 1,377,899
Executive Vice President-2016 337,692
 —
 191,269
 494,000
 15,900
 1,038,861
Chief Financial Officer2015 306,752
 —
 176,417
 181,000
 15,900
 680,069
            
Roger B. Batsel (5)
2017 295,000
 —
 168,365
 38,000
 11,980
 513,345
Senior Vice President-2014 281,292
 138,781
 694,000
 15,600
 1,129,673
 

 
 

 

 

 

Chief Risk and Compliance Officer2013 245,725
 117,640
 —
 11,922
 375,287
          
James G. Dooley, Sr. (5)
2015 233,627
 118,814
 39,000
 15,900
 407,341
Senior Vice President-         

Internal Audit         

Chief Information Officer 

 
 

 

 

 

(1)Includes excess accrued vacation benefits automatically paid in accordance with established policy (applicable to all employees), which for 20152017 were as follows: Mr. Howell, $53,482;$54,808; Mr. Able, $18,125;$13,846; Mr. Lawler, $17,885;$19,654; and Mr. Sponaugle $6,752; and Mr. Dooley $2,527.$8,750.
(2)Amounts shown for 20152017 reflect total payments pursuant to the current portion of the 20152017 Incentive Plan and the deferred portion of the 20122014 Incentive Plan (2013(2015 - 20152017 performance period), as follows:
Name 2015 Incentive Plan (current incentive) 
2012 Incentive Plan
 (three-year deferred incentive)
 Total 2017 Incentive Plan (current incentive) 
2014 Incentive Plan
 (three-year deferred incentive)
 Total
Andrew S. Howell $324,084
 $220,759
 $544,843
 $338,752
 $311,314
 $650,066
Donald R. Able 140,196
 102,002
 242,198
 142,275
 130,975
 273,250
R. Kyle Lawler 130,594
 98,722
 229,316
 130,419
 124,930
 255,349
Stephen J. Sponaugle 98,910
 77,507
 176,417
 124,898
 91,051
 215,949
James G. Dooley, Sr. 76,841
 41,973
 118,814
Roger B. Batsel 87,394
 80,971
 168,365
(3)Represents change in the actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits only, which is primarily dependent on changes in interest rates, years of benefit service and salary.
(4)Amounts represent matching contributions to the qualified defined contribution pension plan in 2015.2017. For Mr. Howell, 20152017 also includes perquisites totaling $13,636,$16,637, which consisted of personal use of an FHLB-owned vehicle, premiums for an Executive long-term disability plan, spousalguest travel expenses and an airline program membership. The value of perquisites are based on the actual cash cost to the FHLB.
(5)Mr. Dooley's 2014Batsel's 2016 and 20132015 compensation amounts are not included as he was not a Named Executive Officer in those years.

Salary
Base salary is both a key component of the total compensation program and a key factor when attracting and retaining executive talent. While base salaries for the Named Executive Officers are influenced by a number of factors, the Board generally targets the median of the competitive market. Other factors affecting an executive's base salary include length of time in position, relevant experience, individual achievement, and the size and scope of assigned responsibilities as compared to the responsibilities of other executives. Base salary increases traditionally take effect at the beginning of each calendar year and are granted after a review of the individual's performance and leadership contributions to the achievement of our annual business plan goals and strategic objectives.

142
Table of Contents

 

Each of the Named Executive Officers received a base salary increase at the beginning of 2015.2017. Total salary increases, including merit and market adjustments, ranged from 5.535.00 percent to 13.2110.77 percent. For the Named Executive Officers other than the President, the Committee's actions were based on the President's recommendation for each executive, which took into consideration market data, and an evaluation of each executive's annual performance. Individually,For Mr. Howell, directors provided feedback to the Chair, and the Committee recommended, and the Board subsequently approved a salary increase of 9.22 percent for Mr. Howell.6.67 percent. In recommending and approving the 2015Mr. Howell's 2017 increase, the Committee and Board took into consideration competitive market analysis and the directors' appraisals of Mr. Howell'shis performance during the year.
  
In October 2015,2017, the Committee recommended and the Board approved a 5.254.60 percent salary increase pool for 20162018 for all employees, comprised of 3.003.10 percent for merit increases and 2.251.50 percent for market and promotional adjustments. Using the same process as described above, in November 2017, the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the following 20162018 base salaries and percent increases for the Named Executive Officers: Mr. Howell, $750,000 (11.11$840,000 (5.00 percent); Mr. Able, $400,000 (9.59$433,000 (3.10 percent); Mr. Lawler, $365,000 (7.35$405,000 (5.19 percent); Mr. Sponaugle, $325,000$390,000 (8.33 percent); and Mr. Dooley, $250,000 (8.18Batsel, $310,000 (5.08 percent). On December 17, 2015,18, 2017, we were informed that the Finance Agency had completed its review of the Board-approved compensation actions affecting the Named Executive Officers in 2016.2018.
 
Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (Incentive Plan)
The Incentive Plan is a cash-based total incentive award that is divided into two equal parts: (1) a current incentive award, and (2) a three-year deferred incentive award. The current component of the Incentive Plan is awarded annually and designed to promote and reward higher levels of performance for accomplishing Board-approved shorter-termannual goals. The long-term component of the Incentive Plan is a three-year deferred incentive award that is designed to promote higher levels of long-term performance and serve as an employment retention tool for selected executive and senior officers, including the Named Executive Officers.

The Incentive Plan goals generally reflect desired financial, operational, risk and public mission objectives for the current and future fiscal years. Each goal is weighted reflecting its relative importance and potential impact on our strategic initiativesmission and annual strategic business plan, and eachplan. Each goal is assigned a quantitative threshold, target and maximum level of performance. Each Named Executive Officer's award opportunity is based entirely on bank-wide performance. However, the Chief Risk Officer's (CRO) award opportunity is weighted 75 percent on bank-wide goals and 25 percent on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) specific goals, which are developed with the Risk Committee in order to provide incentive and maintain a certain level of independence for risk management initiatives. Additionally, the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit's award opportunity is based entirely on Internal Audit specific goals, which are developed with the Audit Committee, to maintain independence for the internal audit function.
 
When establishing the Incentive Plan goals and corresponding performance levels, the Board anticipates that we will successfully achieve a threshold level of performance nearly every year. The target level is aligned with expected performance and is anticipated to be reasonably achievable in a majority of plan years. The maximum level of performance reflects a graduated level of difficulty from the target performance level and requiresis designed to require superior performance to achieve.
 
Each executive officer, including the Named Executive Officers,Officer is assigned a total incentive award opportunity, stated as a percentage of base salary, which corresponds to the individual's level of organizational responsibility and ability to contribute to and influence overall performance. The total incentive award opportunity established for executives is designed to be comparable to incentive opportunities for executives with similar duties and responsibilities at other financial institutions, primarily other FHLBanks, and generally consistent with our market check. The Board believes the total incentive opportunity and plan design provide an appropriate, competitive reward to all officers, including the Named Executive Officers, commensurate with the achievement levels expected for the incentive goals.
 
The total incentive award earned is determined based on the actual achievement level for each goal in comparison with the performance levels established for that goal.


143
Table of Contents

The total incentive award opportunities for the 20152017 plan year stated as a percentage of base salary were as follows:
 Incentive Opportunity Incentive Opportunity
Name Threshold Target Maximum Threshold Target Maximum
Andrew S. Howell 50.0% 75.0% 100.0% 50.0% 75.0% 100.0%
Donald R. Able 40.0
 60.0
 80.0
 40.0
 60.0
 80.0
R. Kyle Lawler 40.0
 60.0
 80.0
 40.0
 60.0
 80.0
Stephen J. Sponaugle 30.0
 50.0
 70.0
 40.0
 60.0
 80.0
James G. Dooley, Sr. 30.0
 50.0
 70.0
Roger B. Batsel 30.0
 50.0
 70.0
 

If actual performance falls below the threshold level of performance, no payment is made for that goal. If actual performance exceeds the maximum level, only the value assigned as the performance maximum is paid. When actual performance falls between the assigned threshold, target and maximum performance levels, an interpolated achievement is calculated for that goal. The achievement for each goal is then multiplied by the corresponding incentive weight assigned to that goal and the results for each goal are summed to arrive at the final incentive award payable to the executive. No final awards (or payments) will be made to executives under the Incentive Plan if we receive the lowest "Composite Rating" during the most recent examination by the Finance Agency. Such a rating would indicate that we have been found to be operating in an unacceptable manner, that we exhibit serious deficiencies in corporate governance, risk management or financial condition and performance, or that we are in substantial noncompliance with laws, Finance Agency regulations or supervisory guidance.

Fifty percent of the total opportunity for the Incentive Plan is awarded in cash following the plan year (current incentive award) and 50 percent is mandatorily deferred for three years after the end of the Plan year (deferred incentive award). Deferred incentive awards are calculated based on the actual performance or achievement level for each deferred plan goal at the end of each three-year performance period, with interpolations made for results between achievement levels. The achievement level for each goal then is multiplied by the corresponding incentive weight assigned to that goal. The final value of the deferred award can be increased, decreased or remain the same based on the goal achievement level determined using separate performance measures over the three-year deferral period. For all Named Executive Officers, the final value of the deferred award is 75 percent for a Threshold level of achievement, 100 percent for a Target level of achievement, or 125 percent for a Maximum level of achievement. If a goal achievement level over the three-year deferral period is below the threshold, no payment is made for that deferred goal. The following table presents the percentages, categorized by achievement level, in which the deferred award will be adjusted:
  Achievement Levels
Name Threshold Target Maximum
Andrew S. Howell 75.0% 100.0% 125.0%
Donald R. Able 75.0
 100.0
 125.0
R. Kyle Lawler 75.0
 100.0
 125.0
Stephen J. Sponaugle 75.0
 100.0
 125.0
James G. Dooley, Sr. 75.0
 100.0
 125.0

Except as noted above with respect to exam ratings, the Board has ultimate authority over the Incentive Plan described above and may modify or terminate the Plan at any time or for any reason. The Board also has sole discretion to increase or decrease any Incentive Plan awards. In addition, payments under the Plan are subject to certain claw back provisions whichthat allow the FHLB to recover any incentive paid to a participant based on achievement of financial or operational goals that subsequently are deemed to be inaccurate, misstated or misleading. OurThe Board believes these claw back requirements serve as deterrentsa deterrent to any manipulation of financial statements or performance metrics in a manner that would assure and/or increase an incentive payment.

Current 2017Incentive Award. For calendar year 2015,2017, the Board approved a total of six performance measures in the functional areas of Franchise Value Promotion, MemberMission Asset Activity and Stockholder Risk/Return. The mix of financial and non-financial goals measures performance across our mission and corporate objectives and is intended to discourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. Because we consider risk management to be an essential component in the achievement of our mission and corporate objectives, the goals below include a separate risk-related metric.

At its January 20162018 meeting, following certification of the 20152017 performance results and in accordance with those results, the Board authorized the distribution to the Named Executive Officers of the current awards shown in Note 2 to the Summary Compensation Table. For the 20152017 plan year, we cumulatively achieved approximately 9685 percent of the available maximum

144
Table of Contents

incentive opportunity for FHLB goals. This was an increase inlower than the 97 percent overall FHLB performance from the 91 percent achieved for 20142016 primarily due to improvednot meeting the threshold performance onlevel for one of the new Mandatory Delivery Commitments and Market Value of Equitysix goals.
 

The following table presents the incentive weights, threshold, target and maximum performance levels, and the actual results achieved for the 20152017 Incentive Plan performance measures for all Named Executive Officers other than the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit.Officers.

20152017 Incentive Plan Performance Levels and Results
(Dollars in thousands)                  
Incentive Weight Threshold Performance Target Performance Maximum Performance Results AchievedIncentive Weight Threshold Performance Target Performance Maximum Performance Results Achieved
Franchise Value Promotion                  
1) Mission Outreach10.0% 80
 92
 110
 99
10.0% 86
 100
 115
 115
2) Mission Asset Participation10.0
 64% 69% 76% 78%10.0
 65% 72% 80% 79%
Member Asset Activity         
3) Average Advance Balances for Members with Assets of $50 Billion or less15.0
 $14,500,000
 $15,500,000
 $16,900,000
 $19,955,968
Mission Asset Activity         
3) Average Advance Balances for Members with Assets of $50 billion or Less15.0
 $18,500,000
 $20,500,000
 $23,000,000
 $23,445,536
4) Mortgage Purchase Program New Mandatory Delivery Commitments15.0
 1,750,000
 1,900,000
 2,500,000
 2,408,500
15.0
 2,000,000
 2,300,000
 2,700,000
 1,592,912
Stockholder Risk/Return                  
5) Decline in Market Value of Equity25.0
 < 10%
 < 8%
 4% or less
 4.8%25.0
 < 7%
 < 5%
 3% or less
 2.8%
6) Profitability-Available Earnings vs. Average 3-month LIBOR rate25.0
 350 bps
 390 bps
 440 bps
 435 bps
6) Profitability-Available Earnings vs. Average 3-month LIBOR Rate25.0
 330 bps
 380 bps
 440 bps
 491 bps
 
During 2015,2017, the Board, the Committee and the President periodically reviewed the Incentive Plan goals presented above to determine progress toward the goals. Although the Board and the President discussed various external factors that were affecting achievement of the performance measures, the Board did not take any actions to revise or change the Incentive Plan goals.

During 2017, Mr. Sponaugle served as the Senior Vice President- Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. The 2017 incentive program for the CRO iswas weighted 75 percent on bank-wide goals, shown above, and 25 percent on the ERM department goal, as follows:

Implement specific initiatives of the FHLB's ERM program within the ERM Department.

Weight of Goal:
100 percent

Threshold:43 initiatives satisfactorily completed*
Target:54 initiatives satisfactorily completed*    
Maximum:76 initiatives satisfactorily completed*    

20152017 Results Achieved:6.35.4 initiatives satisfactorily completed*

*
Specific initiatives include efforts in improvementin: 1) the comprehensive review of the FHLB's general ERM program,risk management programs; 2) risk management integration; 3) enhancing key risk metrics; 4) improving the modeling of collateral maintenance requirements; 5) the company-wide implementation of new operational risk initiatives; and compliance and6) enhancing market risk.risk analytics.
The 2015 Incentive Plan measures for the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit were based entirely on achievement of specific internal audit function goals, including issuance of a certain number of audit reports, complete testing of identified internal controls, compliance with regulatory standards, and general effectiveness and leadership of the internal auditor. Based on these goals, 95 percent of the maximum performance was achieved during 2015.








145
Table of Contents


2018Incentive Award.At its November 20152017 meeting, the Board established the 20162018 Incentive Plan goals, the incentive weights and the performance measures corresponding to each Incentive Plan goal and award opportunity for the 20162018 Incentive Plan. In December 2015,After that meeting, the 20162018 Incentive Plan was sent to the Finance Agency and we received notification of the completion of their review in January 2016.December 2017. The 20162018 Incentive Plan goals for our executives are set forth below.

2016
2018 Incentive Plan Goals
Franchise Value Promotion 
Mission OutreachWeight:    10.0%
Mission Asset ParticipationWeight:    10.0%
Mission Asset Activity 
Average Advances Balances for Members with Assets of $50 billion or lessLessWeight:    15.0%
Mortgage Purchase Program New Mandatory Delivery CommitmentsWeight:    15.0%
Stockholder Risk/Return 
Decline in Market Value of EquityWeight:    25.0%
Profitability-Available Earnings vs. Average 3-month LIBOR RateWeight:    25.0%

As reflected above, the Board decided to keep all of the 20162018 goals the same as those in 20152017 although the performance metrics have been adjusted. In setting the performance measures for the 20162018 Incentive Plan, the Board reviewed the results against target for 20152017 and considered relevant aspects of our financial outlook for 20162018 including the continued uncertaintyimpact of anticipated rising interest rates and other changes in the economymortgage market and the government's liquidity programs that continue to affect Mission Asset Activity and profitability. The Board also considered opportunities to increase mission asset participation by members.

The Board also approved a separate ERM department goal for the CRO, whose annual incentive is weighted 75 percent on bank-wide goals and 25 percent on the ERM goal.

2016 CRO's Goal

Implement specific initiatives of the FHLB's ERM program within the ERM Department.

Weight of Goal:100 percent

Threshold:4 initiatives satisfactorily completed*
Target:6 initiatives satisfactorily completed*    
Maximum:7 initiatives satisfactorily completed*

*
Specific initiatives include efforts in improvement of the FHLB's general ERM program, operational risk and compliance and market risk.

Finally, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board approved the separate 2016 Internal Audit department goals for the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit. The Board decided to keep all of the 2016 goals the same as those in 2015, although some of the performance metrics have been adjusted. Members.

Three-Year Deferred Incentive Award. During 2015,2017, the Board, the Committee and the President periodically reviewed progress toward the deferred plan goals for each ongoing performance period. At its January 20162018 meeting, following certification of the performance results for the deferred portion of the 20122014 Incentive Plan (2013(2015 - 20152017 performance period) and in accordance with those results, the Board authorized the distribution of payments to eligible officers including the Named Executive Officers. Cumulatively, we achieved approximately 9188 percent of the available maximum incentive opportunity for FHLB goals. The deferred payments for the 20132015 - 20152017 performance period are shown in Note 2 to the Summary Compensation Table.
 

146
Table of Contents

The following table presents, for all Named Executive Officers, except the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit, the incentive weights, threshold, target and maximum performance levels, and the actual results achieved for each of the goals in the deferred portion of the 20122014 Incentive Plan (2013(2015 - 20152017 performance period):
 Incentive Weight Threshold Performance Target Performance Maximum Performance Results Achieved
OPERATING EFFICIENCY:         
Ranking of Operating Efficiency Ratio in comparison to other FHLBanks25% 
8th of 12
 
4th of 12
 
1st of 12
 
1st of 12
RISK ADJUSTED PROFITABILITY:         
Ranking of Risk Adjusted Profitability in comparison to other FHLBanks25% 
8th of 12
 
4th of 12
 
1st of 12
 
1st of 12
MARKET CAPITALIZATION RATIO:         
Ratio of Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital Stock25% 95% 100% 110% 105%
ADVANCE UTILIZATION RATIO:         
Ranking of average of each member's Advances-to-Assets ratio multiplied by the average member borrower penetration ratio in comparison to other FHLBanks25% 
8th of 12
 
4th of 12
 
1st of 12
 
5th of 12

For the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit, the following table presents the incentive weights, threshold, target and maximum performance levels, and the actual results achieved for each of the Internal Audit goals in the deferred portion of the 2012 Incentive Plan (2013 - 2015 performance period):

 Incentive Weight Threshold Performance Target Performance Maximum Performance Results Achieved
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER FULFILLMENT:         
Average of the Audit Committee's annual performance review ratings50% 3 4 5 4.72
FINDINGS TRACKING:         
Results of Audit Committee's evaluation of monitoring, tracking and reporting on findings as a result of audits and examinations25% 3 4 5 4.84
SUCCESSION PLANNING AND READINESS:         
Level of readiness based on Audit Committee assessment25% Minimally Prepared (3) Prepared (4) Highly Prepared (5) 4.30
 Incentive Weight Threshold Performance Target Performance Maximum Performance Results Achieved
Operating Efficiency:         
Ranking of Operating Efficiency Ratio in comparison to other FHLBanks20% 
6th
 
4th
 
1st 
 
1st
Risk Adjusted Profitability:         
Ranking of Risk Adjusted Profitability in comparison to other FHLBanks20% 
8th
 
4th
 
1st
 
5th
Market Capitalization Ratio:         
Ratio of Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital Stock20% 95% 100% 110% 110%
Advance Utilization Ratio:         
Ranking of average of each Member's Advances-to-Assets ratio multiplied by the average Member borrower penetration ratio in comparison to other FHLBanks20% 
8th
 
4th
 
1st
 
5th
Strategic Business Plan Achievement:         
Percentage of Strategic Business Plan strategies achieved20% 70% 80% 100% 91%



147
Table of Contents

At its November 20152017 meeting, the Board established the goals, incentive weights and performance measures to determine the achievement level reached during the 20162018 - 20182020 deferral period of the 20152017 Incentive Plan. The following table presents the goals and incentive weights for all Named Executive Officers, except the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit:Officers:

20152017 Deferred Incentive Plan Goals (2016(2018 - 20182020 Performance Period)
1) OPERATING EFFICIENCY:Operating Efficiency: 
Ranking of Operating Efficiency Ratio in comparison to other FHLBanksWeight: 20%25%
2) EARNINGS VOLATILITY ADJUSTED PROFITABILITY:
Ranking of Earnings Volatility Adjusted Profitability in comparison to other FHLBanksWeight: 20%
3) MARKET CAPITALIZATION RATIO:Market Capitalization Ratio: 
Ratio of Market Value of Equity to Par Value of Regulatory Capital StockWeight: 20%25%
4) ADVANCE UTILIZATION RATIO:Advance Utilization Ratio: 
Ranking of average of each member'sMember's Advances-to-Assets ratio multiplied by the average memberMember borrower penetration ratio in comparison to other FHLBanksWeight: 20%25%
5) STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN ACHIEVEMENT:Strategic Business Plan Achievement: 
Percentage of Strategic Business Plan strategies achievedWeight: 20%25%

The performance measures and incentive weights used to determine the achievement level reached during the three-year deferral period for the Senior Vice President - Internal Audit included: (1) fulfillment of the Audit Committee Charter (50 percent weighting) and (2) tracking of findings from internal audits, external audits and examination findings (50 percent weighting).

The goals for the deferred component of the 20162018 Incentive Plan, which include the 20172019 - 20192021 performance period, are expected to be set at the November 20162018 Board meeting.

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation Grants
The following table provides information on grants made under our Incentive Plans.
 
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Name 
Grant Date (1)
 Threshold Target Maximum 
Grant Date (1)
 Threshold Target Maximum
Andrew S. Howell November 19, 2015 $375,000
 $562,500
 $750,000
 November 16, 2017 $420,000
 $630,000
 $840,000
Donald R. Able November 19, 2015 160,000
 240,000
 320,000
 November 16, 2017 173,200
 259,800
 346,400
R. Kyle Lawler November 19, 2015 146,000
 219,000
 292,000
 November 16, 2017 162,000
 243,000
 324,000
Stephen J. Sponaugle November 19, 2015 97,500
 162,500
 227,500
 November 16, 2017 156,000
 234,000
 312,000
James G. Dooley, Sr. November 19, 2015 75,000
 125,000
 175,000
Roger B. Batsel November 16, 2017 93,000
 155,000
 217,000
(1)Awards granted on this date are for the 20162018 Incentive Plan.

Under the awards shown above, 50 percent of the estimated future payout will be awarded in cash following the Plan year. The other 50 percent of the estimated future payout will be mandatorily deferred for three years after the end of the Plan year. The final value of the deferred award can be increased, decreased or remain the same based on the achievement level of the deferred goals during the three-year period. See the "Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (Incentive Plan)" section above for further detail.

Retirement Benefits
We maintain a comprehensive retirement program for executive officers comprised of two qualified retirement plans (a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan) and a non-qualified pension plan. For our qualified plans, we participate in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions and the Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions. The non-qualified plan, the Benefit Equalization Plan (BEP), restores benefits that eligible highly compensated employees would have received were it not for Internal Revenue Service limitations on benefits from the defined benefit plan (DB/BEP).plan. Generally, benefits under the BEP vest and are payable according to the corresponding provisions of the qualified plans.
 

148
Table of Contents

The plans provide benefits based on a combination of an employee's tenure and annual compensation. As such, the benefits provided by the plans are one component of the total compensation opportunity for executive officers and, the Board believes, serve as valuable retention tools since retirement benefits increase as executives' tenure and compensation with the FHLB grow.
 
Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (Pentegra DB) is a funded tax-qualified plan that is maintained on a non-contributory basis, i.e.,meaning, employee contributions are not required. Participants' pension benefits vest upon completion of five years of service.
The pension benefits payable under the Pentegra

DB plan are determined using a pre-established formula that provides a single life annuity payable monthly at age 65 or normal retirement.

The benefit formula for employees hired prior to January 1, 2006, which includes Messrs. Howell, Able, Lawler, and Sponaugle, is 2.50 percent for each year of benefit service multiplied by the highest three-year average compensation. Compensation is defined as base salary, excess accrued vacation benefits and annual incentive compensation, and excludes any long-term or deferred incentive payments. In the event of retirement prior to attainment of age 65, a reduced pension benefit is payable under the plan, with payments commencing as early as age 45.

For employees who are hired after January 1, 2006, which includes Mr. Dooley,Batsel, the Pentegra DB was amended. The current benefit formula is 1.25 percent for each year of benefit service multiplied by the highest five-year average compensation. Beginning in 2006 through the end of 2017, compensation wherewas defined as base salary only and excluded all other forms of compensation. Beginning January 1, 2018, compensation is defined as base salary, onlyexcess accrued vacation benefits and annual incentive compensation, and excludes all other forms of compensation.any long-term or deferred incentive payments. In addition, the current plan provides for a reduced pension benefit in the event of retirement prior to attainment of age 65 with payment commencing as early as age 55 if the participant has 10 years or more of service.

Lastly, the Pentegra DB plan provides certain actuarially equivalent forms of benefit payments other than a single life annuity, including a limited lump sum distribution option, which is available only to employees including Named Executive Officers, hired prior to February 1, 2006.
 
Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Executive officers and other employees whose pay exceeds IRS pension limitations are eligible to participate in the Defined Benefit component of the Benefit Equalization Plan (DB/BEP), an unfunded, non-qualified pension plan that mirrors the Pentegra DB plan in all material respects. In determining whether a restoration of retirement benefits is due an eligible employee, the DB/BEP utilizes the identical benefit formula applicable to the Pentegra DB plan. In the event that the benefits payable from the Pentegra DB plan have been reduced or otherwise limited, the executive's lost benefits are payable under the terms of the DB/BEP. Because the DB/BEP is a non-qualified plan, the benefits received from this plan do not receive the same tax treatment and funding protection associated with the qualified plan.
 

149
Table of Contents

The following table provides the present value of benefits payable to the Named Executive Officers upon retirement at age 65 from the Pentegra DB plan and the DB/BEP, and is calculated in accordance with the formula currently in effect for specified years-of-service and remuneration for participating in both plans. Our pension benefits do not include any reduction for a participant's Social Security benefits.
 
20152017 Pension Benefits

Name  Plan Name 
Number of Years Credited Service (1)
 
Present Value (2) of Accumulated Benefits
  Plan Name 
Number of Years Credited Service (1)
 
Present Value (2) of Accumulated Benefits
Andrew S. Howell Pentegra DB 25.50
 $1,665,000
 Pentegra DB 27.50
 $2,198,000
 DB/BEP 25.50
 4,648,000
 DB/BEP 27.50
 7,690,000
        
Donald R. Able Pentegra DB 34.42
 1,800,000
 Pentegra DB 36.42
 2,294,000
 DB/BEP 34.42
 2,653,000
 DB/BEP 36.42
 4,661,000
        
R. Kyle Lawler Pentegra DB 14.50
 1,112,000
 Pentegra DB 16.50
 1,562,000
 DB/BEP 14.50
 813,000
 DB/BEP 16.50
 1,462,000
        
Stephen J. Sponaugle Pentegra DB 22.33
 1,393,000
 Pentegra DB 24.33
 1,943,000
 DB/BEP 22.33
 548,000
 DB/BEP 24.33
 1,269,000
        
James G. Dooley, Sr. Pentegra DB 8.33
 265,000
Roger B. Batsel Pentegra DB 2.92
 77,000
 DB/BEP 8.33
 —
 DB/BEP 2.92
 4,000
(1)For pension plan purposes, the calculation of credited service begins upon completion of a required waiting period following the date of employment. Accordingly, the years shown are less than the executive's actual years of employment. Because IRS regulations generally prohibit the crediting of additional years of service under the qualified plan, such additional service also is precluded under the DB/BEP, which only restores those benefits lost under the qualified plan.
(2)See Note 17 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details regarding valuation assumptions.

 
Qualified Defined Contribution Plan. The Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions (Pentegra DC) is a tax-qualified defined contribution plan to which we make tenure-based matching contributions. Matching contributions begin upon completion of one year of employmentimmediately and subsequently increase based on length of employment to a maximum of six percent of eligible compensation. Eligible compensation in the Pentegra DC plan is defined as base salary and annual bonus (current incentive award) and excludes any deferred incentive awards.
 
Under the Pentegra DC plan, a participant may elect to contribute up to 10075 percent of eligible compensation on either a before-tax or after-tax basis. The plan permits participants to self-direct investment elections into one or more investment funds. All returns are at the market rate of the related fund. Investment fund elections may be changed daily by the participants. A participant may withdraw vested account balances while employed, subject to certain plan limitations, which include those under IRS regulations. Participants also are permitted to revise their contribution/deferral election once each pay period. However, the revised election is only applicable to future earnings and may also be limited by IRS regulations.  

Fringe Benefits and Perquisites
Executive officers are eligible to participate in the traditional fringe benefit plans made available to all other employees, including participation in the retirement plans, medical, dental and vision insurance program and group term life and standard long term disability (LTD) insurance plans, as well as annual leave (i.e., vacation) and sick leave policies. Executives participate in our subsidized medical, dental and vision insurance and group term life and standard LTD insurance programs on the same basis and terms as all of our employees. However, executives are required to pay higher premiums for medical coverage. Executive officers also receive on-site parking at our expense.

During 2015,2017, the President was also provided with an FHLB-owned vehicle for his business and personal use. Theuse, along with the operating expenses associated with the vehicle, including an automobile club membership for emergency roadside assistance, also were provided.vehicle. An executive officer's personal use of an FHLB-owned vehicle, including use for the daily commute to and from work, is reported as a taxable fringe benefit. In addition to the standard LTD insurance plan provided to all FHLB employees, Named Executive Officers may elect to receive additional LTD coverage. The premiums the FHLB pays for the additional LTD coverage are considered a taxable fringe benefit. Additionally, with prior approval, our current Travel Policy permits a spouseguest to

150
Table of Contents

accompany an executive officer on authorized business trips. The transportation and other related expenses associated with the spouse'sguest's travel are reimbursed by the FHLB and reported as a taxable fringe benefit.

The perquisites provided by the FHLB represent a small fraction of an executive officer's annual compensation. During 2015,2017, perquisites totaled $13,636$16,637 for Mr. Howell, as shown in the Summary Compensation Table. Perquisites did not individually or collectively exceed $10,000 for any other Named Executive Officers and are therefore excluded from the Summary Compensation Table.

Employment Arrangements and Severance Benefits
 
Pursuant to the FHLBank Act, all employees of the FHLB are “at will” employees. Accordingly, an employee may resign employment at any time and an employee's employment may be terminated at any time for any reason, with or without cause and with or without notice.

We have no employment arrangementsagreements with any Named Executive Officer. Other than normal pension benefits and eligibility to participate in our retiree supplemental benefits programmedical and life insurance programs (if hired prior to August 1, 1990), no perquisites, tax gross-ups or other special benefits are provided to our executive officers in the event of a change in control, resignation, retirement or other termination of employment. However, Named Executive Officers may receive certain benefits under our severance policy and Change in Control Plan, described below.
 
Severance Policy.We have a severance policy under which all employees including executive officers, may receive benefits in the event of termination of employment resulting from job elimination, substantial job modification, job relocation, or a planned reduction in staff that causes an involuntary termination of employment.staff. Under this policy, an executive officer is entitled to one month's pay for every fulleach year of continuous employment, pro-ratedrounded to the next whole year for partial years, of employment, with a minimum of one month and a maximum of six months' severance pay.pay, as well as payment for all unused, accrued vacation benefits. At our discretion, executive officers and employees receiving benefits under this policy may also receive outplacement assistance as well as continuation of health insurance coverage on a limited basis.

Executive Change in Control Plan (Change in Control Plan).In 2017, the Board adopted a Change in Control Plan that provides certain payments and benefits in the event of a qualifying termination within 24 months following a change in control. The purpose of the Change in Control Plan is to facilitate the hiring and retention of senior executives by providing them with certain protection and benefits in the event of a qualifying termination following a defined change in control of the FHLB.

Change in control benefit payments are in lieu of, not in addition to, the severance benefit payments described above. The Change in Control Plan applies to officers as designated by the Board. Current designees are the President and CEO, all Executive Vice Presidents, and all Senior Vice Presidents.

Under the Change in Control Plan, a “qualifying termination” is defined as any separation, termination or other discontinuation of the employment relationship between the FHLB and a participant, (a) by the FHLB, other than for “cause” (as defined in the Change in Control Plan), death or disability; or (b) by the participant, for “good reason” (as defined in the Change in Control Plan).
“Change in Control” is defined under the Change in Control Plan as:
▪the merger, reorganization, or consolidation of the FHLB with or into, or acquisition of the FHLB by, another Federal Home Loan Bank or other entity;
▪the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the FHLB to another Federal Home Loan Bank or other entity;
▪a change in the composition of the FHLB’s board that causes the combined number of Member directors from the jurisdictions of Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to cease to constitute a majority of the Bank’s directors; or
▪the FHLB’s liquidation or dissolution.
“Cause” is defined in the Change in Control Plan to include:
▪the participant’s failure to perform substantially his/her duties;
▪the participant’s engagement in illegal conduct or willful misconduct injurious to the FHLB;
▪the participant’s material violation of law or regulation or of the FHLB’s written policies or guidelines;
▪a written request from the Finance Agency requesting that the FHLB terminate the participant’s employment;
▪crimes involving a felony, fraud or other dishonest acts;
▪certain other notices from or actions by the Finance Agency;
▪the participant’s breach of fiduciary duty or breach of certain covenants in the Change in Control Plan; or
▪the participant’s refusal to comply with a lawful directive from the CEO or the Board of Directors.
“Good Reason” is defined in the Change in Control Plan to include:
▪a material diminution in the participant’s base salary or in his/her duties or authority;
▪the FHLB requiring the participant to be based at any office or location more than 100 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio; or
▪a material breach of the Change in Control Plan by the FHLB.
In the event of a qualifying termination, the participant will receive a severance payment equal to a compensation multiplier times the sum of the participant's base salary plus target annual incentive amount for the year in which the Change in Control occurs. The President and CEO (Tier 1) is subject to a compensation multiplier of 2.50, Executive Vice Presidents (Tier 2) are subject to a compensation multiplier of 1.75 and Senior Vice Presidents (Tier 3) are subject to a compensation multiplier of 1.50. Participants will also receive a lump sum cash payment equal to accrued vacation benefits and the amount that would have been payable pursuant to the participant’s annual incentive compensation award for the year in which the date of a qualifying termination occurs based on actual FHLB performance, prorated based on the number of days the participant was employed that year. In addition, participants will receive a cash payment for outplacement assistance of $7,500 for Tier 1, $4,500 for Tier 2 and $2,500 for Tier 3, as well as the continuation of health care coverage for 24 months for Tier 1, 18 months for Tier 2 and 12 months for Tier 3.

The following table presents the total amounts that would be payable to our Named Executive Officers if their employment had terminated as of December 31, 2017.

Total Potential Payment Upon Termination (1)
Separation Event 
Andrew S.
Howell
 
Donald R.
Able
 
R. Kyle
Lawler
 
Stephen J.
Sponaugle
 
Roger B.
Batsel
Involuntary termination for Cause $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
 $—
Voluntary resignation not due to a Change in Control or resignation without Good Reason due to a Change in Control (2)
 85,577
 30,000
 34,462
 22,596
 6,655
Involuntary termination without Cause not due to a Change in Control (3)
 485,577
 240,000
 226,962
 202,596
 104,988
Involuntary termination without Cause due to a Change in Control or resignation for Good Reason due to a Change in Control (4)
 4,217,333
 1,480,692
 1,336,153
 1,269,288
 839,755
(1)Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amounts of compensation and benefits provided upon the potential termination events, the actual amounts paid may be different than the estimates presented.
(2)Named Executive Officers would only receive payment for unused, accrued vacation.
(3)Named Executive Officers would receive payment for one month's pay for each year of continuous employment, rounded to the next whole year for partial years, subject to a six months' pay maximum, plus unused, accrued vacation.
(4)Named Executive Officers would receive payment as follows:
Component Andrew S. Howell 
Donald R.
Able
 
R. Kyle
Lawler
 Stephen J. Sponaugle 
Roger B.
Batsel
Salary $2,000,000
 $735,000
 $673,750
 $630,000
 $442,500
Incentive compensation 1,500,000
 441,000
 404,250
 378,000
 221,250
Other (a)
 717,333
 304,692
 288,153
 261,288
 176,005
Total $4,217,333
 $1,480,692
 $1,366,153
 $1,269,288
 $839,755
(a)Includes accrued annual incentive compensation from the current year, accrued vacation benefits, outplacement assistance and health care coverage.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
 
The Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) of the FHLB has furnished the following report for inclusion in this annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K:
The Committee has reviewed and discussed the 20152017 Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with the FHLB's management. Based on such review and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K.
Donald J. Mullineaux (Chair)
Grady P. Appleton
Leslie D. Dunn
James A. England (Vice Chair)
Charles J. Koch
Michael R. Melvin
William J. Small (Vice Chair)Nancy E. Uridil


COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
As required by Finance Agency regulations and the FHLBank Act, we have established a formal policy governing the compensation and travel reimbursement provided to our directors. The goal of the policy is to compensate Board members for work performed on behalf of the FHLB.

20152017 Compensation. Under our 20152017 policy, compensation was comprised of a maximum base fee that was divided into two equal parts: (1) a quarterly retainer fee, and (2) a per meeting fees,fee, subject to an annual cap, and reimbursement for reasonable FHLB travel-related expenses. The fees were intended to compensate directors for time spent reviewing materials sent to them, preparing for meetings, participating in other FHLB activities and attending the meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees.


151
Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the quarterly retainer fees, per meeting fees, and the annual capsmaximum base fees for 2015:2017:
20152017
Per Meeting Fee  Annual Meeting Fee CapQuarterly Retainer Fee Per Meeting Fee Maximum Base Fees
Chair$15,000
 $105,000
$16,875
 $9,650
 $135,000
Vice Chair13,750
 95,000
15,000
 8,580
 120,000
Other Members10,500
 72,500
Other Directors12,500
 7,150
 100,000

In addition to the base fees, under the 20152017 policy, annual fees were paid as follows for certain Boardto the Audit Committee assignments that involved significant timeChair and responsibilities.Other Committee Chairs of $17,000 and $14,000, respectively. These fees wereare subject to certain attendance requirements.
 2015
Audit Committee: 
Chair$17,000
Other members9,500
Finance and Market Risk Management Committee: 
Chair14,000
Other members7,000
All other committees: 
Chair14,000
However, the Board Chair did not receive additional compensation for chairing any committee and no director received fees totaling more than the annual amount paid to the Board Chair.

20162018 Compensation. At its November 2015September 2017 meeting, the Board approved a revision to the directors' fee structure, effective January 1, 2016.2018. Under our revised policy, compensation is comprised of a maximum base fee that is divided into two equal parts: (1) a quarterly retainer fee, and (2) a per meeting fee,fees, subject to an annual cap, and reimbursement for reasonable FHLB travel-related expenses. As in prior years, the fees are intended to compensate directors for time spent reviewing materials sent to them, preparing for meetings, participating in other FHLB activities and attending the meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees.

The following table sets forth the per meeting fees and the maximum base fees for 2018:
20162018
Quarterly Retainer Fee Per Meeting Fee Maximum Base FeesPer Meeting Fee Maximum Base Fees
Chair$16,875
 $9,650
 $135,000
$20,720
 $145,000
Vice Chair15,000
 8,580
 120,000
17,930
 125,500
Other Members12,500
 7,150
 100,000
15,720
 110,000

In addition to the base fees, under the 20162018 policy, annual fees are paid to the Audit Committee Chair and Other Committee Chairs of $17,000$15,500 and $14,000,$12,500, respectively. These fees are subject to certain attendance requirements.

During 2015,2017, total directors' fees and travel expenses incurred by the FHLB were $1,457,125$1,920,900 and $229,189,$281,148, respectively.
 
With prior approval, our current Travel Policy permits a spouseguest to accompany a director on authorized business trips. The transportation and other related expenses associated with the spouse'sguest's travel are reimbursed by the FHLB, subject to certain limitations, and reported as a taxable fringe benefit. During 2015,2017, there were 1315 directors that received reimbursement for spousalguest travel expenses. These expenses did not individually or collectively exceed $10,000 for any director and, therefore, are therefore excluded from the Directors Compensation Table below.
 

152
Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the fees earned by each director for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.
 
20152017 Directors Compensation Table
Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash Total Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
J. Lynn Anderson $96,000
 $96,000
 $117,000
Grady P. Appleton 82,000
 82,000
 100,000
Brady T. Burt 100,000
Greg W. Caudill 79,625
 79,625
 100,000
James R. DeRoberts 82,000
 82,000
 114,000
Mark N. DuHamel 87,000
 87,000
Leslie D. Dunn 96,000
 96,000
 114,000
James A. England 82,000
 82,000
 100,000
Charles J. Koch 79,500
 79,500
 92,900
Robert T. Lameier 100,000
Michael R. Melvin 79,500
 79,500
 100,000
Thomas L. Moore 79,500
 79,500
Donald J. Mullineaux, Chair 105,000
 105,000
 135,000
Alvin J. Nance 72,500
 72,500
 100,000
Charles J. Ruma 93,500
 93,500
 114,000
David E. Sartore 89,000
 89,000
 100,000
William J. Small, Vice Chair 95,000
 95,000
 120,000
William S. Stuard, Jr. 79,500
 79,500
 114,000
Nancy E. Uridil 79,500
 79,500
 100,000
James J. Vance 100,000
Total $1,457,125
 $1,457,125
 $1,920,900

The following table summarizes the total number of board meetings and meetings of its designated committees held in 20142016 and 2015.2017.
 Number of Meetings Held Number of Meetings Held
Meeting Type 2014 2015 2016 2017
Board Meeting 9 9 9 10
Audit Committee 11 11 10 10
Finance and Risk Management Committee 7 7
Risk Committee 7 7
Business and Operations Committee 6 5
Governance 7 6 6 7
Housing and Community Development Committee 5 5 5 6
Personnel and Compensation Committee 8 6 5 6
Executive Committee 1 1



153
Table of Contents

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
The Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is charged with responsibility for the FHLB's compensation policies and programs. None of the 20152017 or 20162018 Personnel and Compensation Committee members are or previously were officers or employees of the FHLB. Additionally, none of the FHLB's executive officers served or serve on the board of directors or the compensation committee of any entity whose executive officers served on the FHLB's Personnel and Compensation Committee or Board of Directors. This Committee was and is composed of the following members:
2017 2018
Donald J. Mullineaux (Chair) Donald J. Mullineaux (Chair)
Grady P. Appleton Grady P. Appleton
Leslie D. Dunn Leslie D. Dunn
Charles J. Koch James A. England (Vice Chair)
Michael R. Melvin Charles J. Koch
William J. Small (Vice Chair) Michael R. Melvin
Nancy E. Uridil Nancy E. Uridil


RATIO OF CEO PAY TO MEDIAN EMPLOYEE

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, information about the 2017 total compensation for the FHLB's median employee and the President and CEO, Mr. Howell, is as follows:

▪the median of the annual total compensation of all FHLB employees (other than the CEO) was $101,589; and
2015 and 2016▪
Donald J. Mullineaux (Chair)
Grady P. Appleton
Leslie D. Dunn
Charles J. Koch
Michael R. Melvin
William J. Small (Vice Chair)
the annual total compensation of the CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table, was $3,686,711.

Based on this information, for 2017, the ratio of the annual total compensation of the CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 36 to 1.


154
TableTo identify the median employee, we compared the compensation of Contentsall full-time and part-time employees who were employed at the FHLB as of November 3, 2017. We annualized the compensation of employees who were hired in 2017 but did not work for us the entire fiscal year. This compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all employees, includes base salary, overtime pay and incentive compensation that is all payable in cash.
After we identified our median employee, we combined all of the elements of such employee’s compensation in 2017, which includes base salary, excess accrued vacation benefits, incentive compensation, matching contributions to the qualified defined contribution pension plan, and the value of such employee’s pension benefits. The value of the median employee's pension benefits represents only the change in the actuarial present value of accumulated pension benefits, which is primarily dependent on changes in interest rates, years of benefit service and salary. With respect to the annual total compensation of the CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2017 Summary Compensation Table.


Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

We have one class of capital stock, Class B Stock, all of which is owned by our current and former memberMember institutions. Individuals, including directors and officers of the FHLB, are not permitted to own our capital stock. Therefore, we have no equity compensation plans.

The following table lists institutions holding five percent or more of outstanding capital stock at February 29, 201628, 2018 and includes any known affiliates that are membersMembers of the FHLB:
(Dollars in thousands)      
 CapitalPercent of TotalNumber CapitalPercent of TotalNumber
NameAddressStockCapital Stockof SharesAddressStockCapital Stockof Shares
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.1111 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240		$1,439,000
33%14,390,000
1111 Polaris Parkway
Columbus, OH 43240		$1,059,000
23%10,590,000
U.S. Bank, N.A.425 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202475,393
11
4,753,927
425 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202836,457
18
8,364,571
The Huntington National Bank41 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215		282,281
6
2,822,808
Fifth Third Bank38 Fountain Square Plaza Cincinnati, OH 45263247,687
6
2,476,870
38 Fountain Square Plaza Cincinnati, OH 45202247,687
5
2,476,870

The following table lists capital stock outstanding as of February 29, 201628, 2018 held by memberMember institutions that have an officer or director who serves as a director of the FHLB:     
(Dollars in thousands)      
 CapitalPercent of Total CapitalPercent of Total
NameAddressStockCapital StockAddressStockCapital Stock
Nationwide (1)
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215		$123,102
2.8%
First Federal Bank of the Midwest601 Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512		13,792
0.3
The Huntington National Bank41 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215		$282,281
6.2%
The Western & Southern Financial Group (1)
400 Broadway Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202		109,912
2.4
The Park National Bank50 North Third Street
Newark, OH 43058		50,086
1.1
F&M Bank50 Franklin Street
Clarksville, TN 37040		3,378
0.1
50 Franklin Street
Clarksville, TN 37040		4,965
0.1
Perpetual Federal Savings Bank120 North Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078		2,794
0.1
120 North Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078		2,794
0.1
First Federal Bank of Ohio140 North Columbus Street
Galion, OH 44833		1,902
0.0
Field & Main Bank140 North Main Street
Henderson, KY 42420		1,810
0.0
Farmers National Bank304 West Main Street
Danville, KY 40422		1,722
0.0
304 West Main Street
Danville, KY 40423		1,782
0.0
Field & Main Bank140 North Main Street
Henderson, KY 42420		1,628
0.0
The Arlington Bank2130 Tremont Center
Upper Arlington, OH 43221		1,055
0.0
Miami Savings Bank8008 Ferry Street
Miamitown, OH 45041		722
0.0
8008 Ferry Street
Miamitown, OH 45041		737
0.0
Decatur County Bank56 North Pleasant Street
Decaturville, TN 38329		646
0.0
56 North Pleasant Street
Decaturville, TN 38329		646
0.0
The Plateau Group (2)
2701 North Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555		93
0.0
2701 North Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555		95
0.0
(1)
Includes Nationwide Bank, Nationwidefive subsidiaries (Western-Southern Life Assurance Co., Integrity Life Insurance Co.,Company, Lafayette Life Insurance Company, Columbus Life Insurance Company and Nationwide MutualNational Integrity Life Insurance Co.Company), which are FHLB members.Members.

(2)
Includes two subsidiaries (Plateau Casualty Insurance Company and Plateau Insurance Company), which are FHLB members.Members.


155
Table of Contents

Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Because we are a cooperative, capital stock ownership is a prerequisite to transacting any business with us. Transactions with our stockholders are part of the ordinary course of - and are essential to the purpose of - our business.

Our capital stock is not permitted to be publicly traded and is not listed on any stock exchange. Therefore, we are not governed by stock exchange rules relating to director independence. If we were so governed, arguably none of our industry directors, who are elected by our members,Members, would be deemed independent because all are directors and/or officers of membersMembers that do business with us. Messrs. Appleton, Koch, Mullineaux, Nance and Ruma and Mses. Anderson, Dunn and Uridil, our seveneight non-industry directors, have no material transactions, relationships or arrangements with the FHLB other than in their capacity as directors. Therefore, our Board of Directors has determined that each of them is independent under the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

The Finance Agency director independence standards specify independence criteria for members of our Audit Committee. Under these criteria, all of our directors serving on the Audit Committee are independent.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

See Note 22 of the Notes to Financial Statements for information on transactions with stockholders, including information on transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions and concentrations of business, and transactions with nonmember affiliates, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

See also “Item 11. Executive Compensation - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”

Review and Approval of Related Persons Transactions. Ordinary course transactions with Directors' Financial Institutions and with membersMembers holding five percent or more of our capital stock are reviewed and approved by our management in the normal course of events so as to assure compliance with Finance Agency regulations.

As required by Finance Agency regulations, we have a written conflict of interest policy. This policy requires directors (1) to disclose to the Board of Directors any known personal financial interests that they, their immediate family members or their business associates have in any matter to be considered by the Board and in any other matter in which another person or entity does or proposes to do business with the FHLB and (2) to recuse themselves from considering or voting on any such matter. The scope of the Finance Agency's conflict of interest Regulationregulation (available at www.fhfa.gov) and our conflict of interest policy (posted on our Web site at www.fhlbcin.com) is similar, although not identical, to the scope of the SEC's requirements governing transactions with related persons. In March 2007, our Board of Directors adopted a written related person transaction policy that is intended to close any gaps between Finance Agency and SEC requirements. The policy includes procedures for identifying, approving and reporting related person transactions as defined by the SEC. One of the tools that we used to monitor non-ordinary course transactions and other relationships with our directors and executive officers is an annual questionnaire that uses the New York Stock Exchange criteria for independence. Finally, our Insider Trading Policy provides that any request for redemption of excess stock (except for de minimis amounts) held by a Director's Financial Institution must be approved by the Board of Directors or by the Executive Committee of the Board.

We believe these policies are effective in bringing to the attention of management and the Board any non-ordinary course transactions that require Board review and approval and that all such transactions since January 1, 20152017 have been so reviewed and approved.



156
Table of Contents

Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the FHLB for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 by its independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP:PwC:
    
For the Years EndedFor the Years Ended
(In thousands)December 31,December 31,
2015 20142017 2016
Audit fees$695
 $661
$697
 $689
Audit-related fees53
 67
38
 125
Tax fees—
 —
—
 —
All other fees20
 —
—
 6
Total fees$768
 $728
$735
 $820

Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of the FHLB's financial statements.

Audit-related fees were for assurance and related services primarily related to the performance of the audit and review of the FHLB's financial statements and primarily consisted of accounting consultations, control advisory services and fees related to participation in and presentations at conferences.

The FHLB is exempt from all federal, state and local income taxation. Therefore, no fees were paid for tax services during the years presented.

All other fees represent non-audit services related to an FHLBank System project on certain employee benefits during 2015.2016. There were no other fees during 2014.2017.
 
The Audit Committee approves the annual engagement letter for the FHLB's audit. In evaluating the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee considers a number of factors, such as:
▪PwC's independence and process for maintaining independence;
▪PwC's historical and recent performance on the FHLB's audit, including the results of an internal survey of PwC service and quality with the FHLB and the FHLBank System;
▪external data related to audit quality and performance, including recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) audit quality inspection reports on PwC; and
▪the appropriateness of PwC's audit fees.

The Audit Committee also establishes a fixed dollar limit for other recurring annual accounting related consultations, which include the FHLB's share of FHLBank System-related accounting issues. The status of these services is periodically reviewed by the Audit Committee throughout the year with any increase in these services requiring pre-approval. All other services provided by the independent accounting firm are specifically approved by the Audit Committee in advance of commitment.

The FHLB paid additional fees to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the form of assessments paid to the Office of Finance. The FHLB is assessed its proportionate share of the costs of operating the Office of Finance, which includes the expenses associated with the annual audits of the combined financial statements of the FHLBanks. These assessments, which totaled $51,000$47,000 and $49,000 in 20152017 and 20142016, respectively, are not included in the table above.


157
Table of Contents

PART IV


Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)
Financial Statements. The following financial statements of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, set forth in Item 8 above, are filed as a part of this registration statement.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Statements of Condition as of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015
Statements of Capital for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015
Notes to Financial Statements

(b)
Exhibits.
    
See Index of Exhibits


158

Item 16.Form 10-K Summary.
Table of Contents
None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the 17th15th day of March 2016.2018.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CINCINNATI
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Andrew S. Howell
 Andrew S. Howell
 President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated as of the 17th15th day of March 2016.2018.
 Signatures Title
    
  /s/ Andrew S. Howell President and Chief Executive Officer
 Andrew S. Howell (principal executive officer)
    
  /s/ Donald R. AbleStephen J. Sponaugle Executive Vice President-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 Donald R. AbleStephen J. Sponaugle (principal financial officer)
    
  /s/ J. Christopher Bates Senior Vice President-Chief Accounting Officer
 J. Christopher Bates (principal accounting officer)
    
  /s/ J. Lynn Anderson* Director
 J. Lynn Anderson  
    
  /s/ Grady P. Appleton* Director
 Grady P. Appleton  
    
  /s/ Brady T. Burt*Director
Brady T. Burt
 /s/ Greg W. Caudill* Director
 Greg W. Caudill  
    
  /s/ James R. DeRoberts* Director
 James R. DeRoberts  
    
  /s/ Mark N. DuHamel*Director
Mark N. DuHamel
 /s/ Leslie D. Dunn* Director
 Leslie D. Dunn  
    
  /s/ James A. England* Director (Vice Chair)
 James A. England  
    
  /s/ Charles J. Koch* Director
 Charles J. Koch  
    
  /s/ Robert T. Lameier* Director
 Robert T. Lameier  

  /s/ Michael R. Melvin* Director
 Michael R. Melvin  
    
 /s/ Thomas L. Moore*Director
Thomas L. Moore

159
Table of Contents

  /s/ Donald J. Mullineaux* Director (Chair)
 Donald J. Mullineaux  
    
  /s/ Alvin J. Nance* Director
 Alvin J. Nance  
    
  /s/ Charles J. Ruma* Director
 Charles J. Ruma  
    
  /s/ David E. Sartore* Director
 David E. Sartore  
    
  /s/ William J. Small*Director (Vice Chair)
William J. Small
 /s/ William S. Stuard, Jr.* Director
 William S. Stuard, Jr.  
    
  /s/ Nancy E. Uridil* Director
 Nancy E. Uridil
 /s/ James J. Vance*Director
James J. Vance  
    
 * Pursuant to Power of Attorney  
    
  /s/ Andrew S. Howell  
 Andrew S. Howell  
 Attorney-in-fact  



160
Table of Contents

INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number (1)
 Description of exhibit 
Document filed or
furnished, as indicated below
     
3.1 
Organization Certificate
 
Form 10, filed
December 5, 2005
     
3.2 
Bylaws, as amended through January 21, 2016
 Filed HerewithForm 10-K, filed March 17, 2016
     
4 
Capital Plan, as of April 17, 2015September 15, 2016
 Form 10-Q, filed May 7, 2015November 10, 2016
     
10.1.A 
Form of Blanket Agreement for Advances and Security Agreement, as in effect for signatories prior to November 21, 2005
 
Form 10, filed
December 5, 2005
     
10.1.B 
Form of Blanket Security Agreement, for new signatories on and after November 21, 2005
 
Form 10, filed
December 5, 2005
     
10.2 
Form of Mortgage Purchase Program Master Selling and Servicing Master Agreement
 
Form 10, filed
December 5, 2005
     
10.3 
Federal Home Loan Banks P&I Funding and Contingency Plan Agreement, entered into as of July 20, 2006, by and among the Office of Finance and each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, as amended and restated on January 1, 2017
 
Form 8-K,10-K, filed
June 28, 2006
March 16, 2017
     
10.4 
Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement, as amended on August 5, 2011, by and among each of the Federal Home Loan Banks
 Form 8-K, filed August 5, 2011
     
10.5 (2)
 
Incentive Compensation Plan
 Form 10-Q, filed August 9, 2012Filed Herewith
     
10.6 (2)
 Transitional Executive Long-Term Incentive PlanForm 10-Q, filed August 9, 2012
10.7 (2)
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Benefit Equalization Plan (December 2008 Restatement) 
Form 10-K, filed
March 18, 2010
     
10.810.7 (2)
 
First Amendment to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Benefit Equalization Plan (December 2008 Restatement)
 
Form 10-K, filed
March 18, 2010
     
10.9 (2)
10.8		 
Form of indemnification agreement effective as of July 29, 2009 between the Federal Home Loan Bank and each of its directors and executive officers (used from July 29, 2009 to December 31, 2016)
Form 8-K, filed
July 30, 2009
10.9 
Form 8-K,of indemnification agreement between the Federal Home Loan Bank and each of its directors and executive officers (used after December 31, 2016)
Form 10-K, filed March 16, 2017
10.10
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Executive Change in Control Severance Plan
July 30, 2009
Form 10-Q, filed November 9, 2017
     
12 
Statements of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 Filed Herewith
     
24 
Powers of Attorney
 Filed Herewith
     
31.1 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
 Filed Herewith
     
31.2 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 Filed Herewith
     
32 
Section 1350 Certifications
 Furnished Herewith

161
Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number (1)
 Description of exhibit 
Document filed or
furnished, as indicated below
     
99.1 
Audit Committee Letter
 Furnished Herewith
     
99.2 
Audit Committee Charter
 Furnished Herewith
     
101.INS XBRL Instance Document Filed Herewith
     
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Filed Herewith
     
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document Filed Herewith
     
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document Filed Herewith
     
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Filed Herewith
     
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Filed Herewith
(1)Numbers coincide with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
(2)Indicates management compensation plan or arrangement.




162164