UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

S ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152016
OR
£ 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. 000-51401
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 Federally chartered corporation  36-6001019 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL
  60601 
 (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code) 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 565-5700

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Class B Capital Stock, par value $100 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x

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 filings requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) 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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large Accelerated Filer o         Accelerated Filer o     Non-accelerated Filer x     Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

Registrant's stock is not publicly traded and is only issued to members of the registrant. Such stock is issued and redeemed at par value, $100 per share, subject to applicable regulatory and statutory limits. At June 30, 2015,2016, the aggregate par value of the stock held by current and former members was $1,843,910,679.$2,076,177,804. As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, including mandatorily redeemable capital stock, registrant had 20,022,77316,852,200 total outstanding shares of Class B Capital Stock.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
   
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
   
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
   
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 16.
 
 
 

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)




Item 1. Business.

Where to Find More Information

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago a maintains a website located at www.fhlbc.com where we make available our financial statements and other information regarding us and our products free of charge. We are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) an annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. The SEC maintains a website that contains these reports and other information regarding our electronic filings located at www.sec.gov. These reports may also be read and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Further information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Information on these websites, or that can be accessed through these websites, does not constitute a part of this annual report.

A Glossary of Terms can be found on page 119.123.


Introduction

We are a federally chartered corporation and one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (the FHLBs) that, with the Office of Finance, comprise the Federal Home Loan Bank System (the System). The FHLBs are government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) of the United States of America and were organized under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932, as amended (FHLB Act), in order to improve the availability of funds to support home ownership.

Each FHLB operates as a separate entity with its own management, employees, and board of directors. Each FHLB is a member-owned cooperative with members from a specifically defined geographic district. Our defined geographic district consists of the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. We are supervised and regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an independent federal agency in the executive branch of the United States (U.S.) government.

As a cooperative, we do business with our members and, under limited circumstances, our former members, as well as providing support for the members of other FHLBs through our role operating the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program. All federally-insured depository institutions, insurance companies engaged in residential housing finance, credit unions, and community development financial institutions located in Illinois and Wisconsin are eligible to apply for membership. All members are required to purchase our capital stock as a condition of membership; our capital stock is not publicly traded.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, we had 410426 full time and 1214 part time employees.

“Mortgage Partnership Finance”, “MPF”, “MPF Xtra”, “Downpayment Plus”, and "Community First" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.


Mission Statement

Our mission is to partner with our member shareholders in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment in the Bank, and support for community investment activities.
                                                                       

a
Unless otherwise specified, references to we, us, our and the Bank are to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Membership Trends

The following table presents the geographic locations of our members by type of institution:

December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Number of Institutions   Number of Institutions  Number of Institutions   Number of Institutions  
Illinois Wisconsin Total Percent Illinois Wisconsin Total PercentIllinois Wisconsin Total Percent Illinois Wisconsin Total Percent
Commercial banks350
 196
 546
 74% 354
 199
 553
 75%345
 179
 524
 72% 350
 196
 546
 74%
Thrifts63
 26
 89
 12% 72
 29
 101
 13%57
 24
 81
 11% 63
 26
 89
 12%
Credit unions32
 36
 68
 9% 28
 35
 63
 8%39
 40
 79
 11% 32
 36
 68
 9%
Insurance companies25
 9
 34
 5% 25
 7
 32
 4%29
 11
 40
 5% 25
 9
 34
 5%
Community Development
Financial Institutions
2
 1
 3
 % 2
 
 2
 %3
 1
 4
 1% 2
 1
 3
 %
Total472
 268
 740
 100% 481
 270
 751
 100%473
 255
 728
 100% 472
 268
 740
 100%


The following table presents our members by asset size. Community Financial Institution size is determined by our regulator the FHFA, as FDIC-insured institutions with an average of total assets over the prior three years which is less than an amount specified annually by the FHFA. For 2013-2015 the amount was $1.1282014-2016 an institution's average total assets must be less than $1.148 billion. See the Glossary of Terms on page 119123 for further details.

As of December 31, 2015 2014 2016 2015
Member Asset Size:        
Community Financial Institutions 89.85% 89.86% 92.40% 89.85%
Larger Non-CFI Institutions 10.15% 10.14% 7.60% 10.15%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%


During 2015,2016, we lost 2737 members due to mergers and acquisitions, one of which resulted after the member was placed into receivership by its regulator.acquisitions.  Although 2229 of these members were acquired by other members in our district, fiveeight were acquired by out-of-district institutions.

We added eightgained 25 new members by adding five commercial bank members, fivebanks, 13 credit unions, twosix insurance companies and one community development financial institution during 2015,2016, as we continue to work toward our goal of building a stronger cooperative by adding new members.

In addition to having access to the Bank as a source of standby liquidity, 80%83% of our total number of members used one or more of our credit products such as advances, standby letters of credit, or the MPF Program at some point during the years ending 20152016 and 2014.2015.

Business Overview

Our mission-focused business is different from that of a typical financial services firm. As a cooperative, we use our resources to support member utilization of the cooperative, and to support the communities in which members operate. Our strategy revolves around two goals:

Maintaining the member-focused Bank, which involves all areas of the Bank coming together to deliver excellent products and services to our members. Being member-focused means applying the resources of the Bank to enhance the value of membership.

Building the MPF business, which is rapidly becoming accepted by most of the other FHLBs as the mortgage aggregation platform for the FHLB System. We have the opportunity and responsibility to manage the products, operations and administration of a platform that provides community lending institutions across the U.S. with access to the secondary mortgage market.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table represents our view of the mission-focused business we do as a cooperative bank.

Par value outstanding at December 31, 2015 2014
Average par value for the year ended December 31, 2016 2015
Advances $36,605
 $32,303
 $42,535
 $33,282
Mortgage assets (Acquired Member Assets - AMA) 4,870
 6,055
 4,727
 5,357
Primary mission assets 41,475
 38,358
 $47,262
 $38,639
        
Consolidated obligations $64,268
 $65,461
 $71,356
 $65,703
Current core mission asset ratio 64.5% 58.6%
Core mission asset ratio 66.2% 58.8%
        
Supplemental mission assets and activities    
Supplemental mission assets and activities as of December 31, 2016 2015
MPF Program Loans held by other third party investors $15,399
 $14,474
 $16,972
 $15,399
Member standby letters of credit 6,678
 3,617
 10,828
 6,678
Mission related liquidity 4,244
 5,087
 7,437
 4,244
Small Business Administration investments 2,253
 2,616
 1,974
 2,253
Housing authority standby bonds purchased and commitments outstanding 445
 417
 337
 445
MPF Loan delivery commitments 279
 143
 417
 279
Advance commitments 168
 262
 16
 168
Member derivatives 84
 22
 82
 84
Community First Fund loans and commitments 40
 11
 41
 40
Supplemental mission assets and activities 29,590
 26,649
 $38,104
 $29,590
Total primary and supplemental mission assets and activities $71,065
 $65,007


We provide credit to members principally in the form of secured loans called advances (inclusive of forward starting advances), as well as through standby letters of credit. We provide liquidity for home mortgage loans to members approved as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through the MPF Program. We also serve as a critical source of standby liquidity for our members.

Our primary funding source is proceeds from the sale to the public of FHLB debt instruments (consolidated obligations) which are, under the FHLB Act, the joint and several liability of all the FHLBs. Consolidated obligations are not obligations of the U.S. government, and the U.S. government does not guarantee them. Additional funds are provided by deposits, other borrowings, and the issuance of capital stock. We also provide members and non-members with correspondent services such as safekeeping, wire transfers, and cash management.

The FHFA has issued an advisory bulletin which provides guidance relating to a core mission asset ratio by which the FHFA will assess each FHLB’s core mission achievement. The FHFA will assess core mission achievement by using a ratio of primary mission assets, which includes advances and mortgage loans acquired from members (also referred to as further discussed in Legislativeacquired member assets), to consolidated obligations. The core mission asset ratio will be calculated annually at year-end as part of the FHFA’s examination process, using annual average par values. Our core mission asset ratio for the year ended December 31, 2016, was 66.2%.

On January 20, 2016, the FHFA issued a final rule making captive insurance companies ineligible for FHLB membership, which became effective February 19, 2016.  Under this rule, our three captive insurance company members will have their memberships terminated by February 2021.  As a result of this recent regulatory change, our core mission asset ratio would be negatively impacted if our advances decrease once our three captive insurance company members have their membership terminated and Regulatory Developments on page 18.their advances mature.

Member-Focused Business

Member credit products, which include advances, standby letters of credit, and other extensions of credit to borrowers, are discussed in detail below.

Advances

We provide credit to members principally in the form of secured loans, called advances. Our advances to members:


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


serve as a reliable source of funding and liquidity;
provide members with enhanced tools for asset-liability management;
provide interim funding for those members that choose to sell or securitize their mortgages;
support residential mortgages held in member portfolios;

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


support important housing markets, including those focused on very low-, low-, and moderate-income households; and
provide funds to member community financial institutions (CFI) for secured loans to small businesses, small farms, small agri-businesses, and community development activities.
We make secured, fixed- or floating-rate advances to our members. Advances are secured by mortgages and other collateral that our members pledge. We determine the maximum amount and term of advances we will lend to a member as follows:

we value the types of collateral eligible to be pledged to us and apply a margin to secure our advances to members, based on our assessment of the member's creditworthiness and financial condition; and
we conduct periodic collateral reviews with members to establish the amount we will lend against each collateral type.

We are required to obtain and maintain a security interest in eligible collateral at the time we originate or renew an advance. For further detail on our underwriting and collateral guidelines, see Establishing Credit Limits on page 63.

We offer a variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate advances, with maturities ranging from one day to 30 years. Examples of standard advance structures include the following:

Fixed-Rate Advances: Fixed-rate advances have maturities from one day to 30 years.

Variable-Rate Advances: Variable-rate advances include advances that have interest rates that reset periodically at a fixed spread to an FHLB discount note rate-based index, LIBOR, Federal Funds, or some other index. Depending upon the type of advance selected, the member may have an interest-rate cap embedded in the advance to limit the rate of interest the member would have to pay.

Putable Advances: We issue putable, fixed- and floating-rate advances in which we maintain the right to terminate the advance at predetermined exercise dates at par.

Callable Advances: We issue callable, fixed-rate advances in which members have the right to prepay the advance on predetermined dates without incurring prepayment or termination fees.

Other Advances: (1) Open-line advances are designed to provide flexible funding to meet our members' daily liquidity needs and may be drawn for one day. These advances are automatically renewed. Rates are set daily at the close of business. (2) Fixed amortizing advances have maturities that range from one year to 30 years, with the principal repaid over the term of the advances monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. (3) Fixed Rate with Floating Spread advances are designed to meet our members’ liability duration needs at lower cost than regular fixed rate advances.

We also offer features designed to meet our members' business needs such as the following:

Symmetrical prepayment feature where the member would either pay a prepayment fee or prepay the advance below par upon termination, depending on the structure of the advance at the time of termination.

Commitment feature, called “forward-starting advances", to fund an advance on a negotiated funding date at a predetermined interest rate.

Expander feature, which allows a member one or multiple opportunities to increase the principal amount of the advance.

The FHLB Act authorizes us to make advances to eligible non-member housing associates. By regulation, such housing associates must: (i) be approved under Title II of the National Housing Act; (ii) be chartered institutions having succession; (iii) be subject to the inspection and supervision of some governmental agency; (iv) lend their own funds as their principal activity in the mortgage field; and (v) have a financial condition such that advances may be safely made to it. We must approve a housing

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


associate applicant in order for it to be eligible to borrow. We currently have approved four non-member housing associates that are eligible to borrow from the Bank. We had $10$36 million in advances outstanding to non-member housing associates at December 31, 2015,2016, and $10 million at December 31, 2014.2015.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Competition

Demand for our advances is affected by, among other things, the cost of other sources of funding available to our members, including our members' customer deposits. We compete with suppliers of both secured and unsecured wholesale funding. These competitors may include investment banks, commercial banks, and other FHLBs when our members' affiliated institutions are members of other FHLBs. Under the FHLB Act and FHFA regulations, affiliated institutions in different FHLB districts may be members of different FHLBs.

Some members may have limited access to alternative funding sources while other members may have access to a wider range of funding sources, such as repurchase agreements, brokered deposits, commercial paper, covered bonds collateralized with residential mortgage loans, and other funding sources. Some members, particularly larger members, may have independent access to the national and global credit markets.

The availability of alternative funding sources influences the demand and pricing for our advances and can vary as a result of a number of factors, such as market conditions, products, members' creditworthiness, and availability of collateral. We compete for advances on the basis of the total cost of our products to our members (which include the rates we charge, required capital stock purchases, and any dividends we pay), credit and collateral terms, prepayment terms, product features such as embedded options, and the ability to meet members' specific requests on a timely basis.

In addition, our competitive environment continues to be impacted by the Federal ReservesReserve’s low interest-rate environment and the extent to which our members use our advances primarily as a back-up source of liquidity as opposed to part of their primary funding strategies. For further discussion of the impact of these and other factors on demand for our advances, see Risk Factors on page 19.18.

Standby Letters of Credit

We provide members with standby letters of credit (also referred to herein as letters of credit) to support obligations to third parties to facilitate residential housing finance, community lending, to achieve liquidity, and for asset-liability management purposes. In particular, members often use letters of credit as collateral for deposits from federal and state governmental agencies. Letters of credit are generally available for terms up to 20 years or for a one year term renewable annually. If we are required to make payment for a beneficiary'sbeneficiary's draw, these amounts either must be reimbursed by the member immediately or may be converted to an advance. Our underwriting and collateral requirements for letters of credit are the same as the underwriting and collateral requirements for advances. Letters of credit are not subject to activity capital stock purchase requirements. If any advances were to be made in connection with these standby letters of credit, they would be made under the same standards and terms as any other advance. For more details on our letters of credit see Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements.

Mortgage Partnership Finance® Program

Introduction

We developed the MPF® Program to provide an additional source of liquidity to our members and to allow us to invest in mortgages to help fulfill our housing mission. The MPF Program is a secondary mortgage market structure under which we acquire eligible mortgage loans from or through PFIs, and in some cases we purchased participations in pools of eligible mortgage loans from other FHLBs (collectively, MPF Loans). MPF Loans are conventional and government fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties with maturities ranging from 5 to 30 years or participations in such mortgage loans that are acquired under the MPF Program.

In June 2015, we resumed purchasingSince resuming the purchase of MPF Loans held in portfolio from members in our district in June 2015 after receiving the FHFA’s consent to acquire these new investments that have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days. During the first two years of such purchases, our regulatory approval, to invest inour MPF Loans held in portfolio isare limited to the lesser of five times retained earnings or 15% of total assets.assets during the first two years of such purchases. As of December 31, 2015,2016, the retained earnings limit was $13.7$15.1 billion and the assets limit was $10.6$11.8 billion; and our actual MPF Loans held in portfolio amount was $4.8$5.0 billion. After two years of purchases, unless advised otherwise by FHFA, the limit for our investment in MPF Loans held on our balance sheet will be the lesser of eight times retained earnings or 20% of total assets.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


In 2008, the first non-portfolio product that we introduced was the MPF Xtra® product under which we purchase MPF Loans from PFIs and concurrently sell them to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae). We earn a nominal fee over time from the difference between the price that we pay the PFI and the price that Fannie Mae pays us.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


In 2014, we introduced two new mortgage products as part of the MPF Program product suite. Under the MPF Direct product, we purchase non-conforming (jumbo) mortgage loans from PFIs and concurrently sell them to a third party investor. We also introduced the MPF Government MBS product under which we aggregate Government Loans in order to issue securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) that are backed by such Government Loans.

MPF ProductMortgage TypeLoan BalanceRetained in Our Held for Investment Portfolio?Servicing
MPF Original, MPF 35, MPF 100; MPF 125 and MPF Plus (and its variation, MPF 35)ConventionalConformingYes, but may sell participation interestsServicing Retained and Released
MPF GovernmentGovernmentConformingYes, but may sell participation interestsServicing Retained and Released
MPF XtraConventionalConformingSold to Fannie MaeServicing Retained and Released
MPF DirectConventionalNon-conforming (jumbo - up to $1,500,000 for 1 unit)$2,500,000)Sold to Third Party InvestorServicing Released
MPF Government MBSGovernmentConformingSecuritized in Ginnie Mae MBSServicing Retained and Released

MPF Program Design

We have entered into agreements with other participating FHLBs under which we and they (together, the MPF Banks) acquire MPF Loans from member PFIs and we provide programmatic and operational support in our role as MPF Provider for which we receive a fee. The MPF Program portfolio products were designed to allocate the risks of MPF Loans among the MPF Banks and PFIs. For MPF Loans held in portfolio, the MPF Banks are responsible for managing the interest rate risk, prepayment risk, credit risk in excess of any PFI credit enhancement obligation, and liquidity risk associated with such investment.

We developed fourfive MPF Loan products in which PFIs share in the associated credit risk of conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio which meet the FHFA Acquired Member Assets (AMA) regulation requirements (MPF Original, MPF 35, MPF 100, MPF 125 and MPF Plus (or its variation, MPF 35))Plus). Government Loans purchased under the MPF Government product also qualify as AMA and are insured or guaranteed by one of the following government agencies: the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture (RHS); or Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (collectively, Government Loans).

In addition to our portfolio MPF products, PFIs sell eligible MPF Loans to us through the MPF Program infrastructure and we concurrently sell them to Fannie Mae under the MPF Xtra product and to third party investors under the MPF Direct product. Under our MPF Government MBS product, PFIs sell us Government Loans that we intend to hold in our portfolio for a short period of time until such loans are pooled into Ginnie Mae MBS. Other MPF Banks that offer these three products to their PFIs thereby allow their PFIs to sell MPF Loans directly to us. See Mortgage Standards on page 10 and MPF Servicing on page 11.

In connection with each mortgage loan sale to our third party investors, we make customary warranties regarding the eligibility of the mortgage loans. If an eligibility requirement or other warranty is breached, the applicable third party investor could require us to repurchase the MPF Loan. Such a breach is normally also a breach of the originating PFI's representations and warranties under the PFIMPF Program Participating Financial Institution Agreement (PFI Agreement) or the MPF OriginationProgram Guide, MPF Selling Guide, and MPF Servicing Guide (together, the MPF Guides), and we can require the PFI to repurchase that MPF Loan from us.

Under the MPF Xtra product and the MPF Government MBS product, PFIs retain the right and responsibility for servicing these MPF Loans or sell the servicing to an eligible servicer as similarly done for the MPF products held in our portfolio. Under our agreements with Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae, we are responsible for the servicing of the For further details see MPF Loans under certain servicing options. If a servicer were to breach its servicing obligations, we have the right to terminate its servicing rights and move the servicing to another qualified servicer and require the breaching servicer to indemnify us for any loss arising from such breach. We also offer a servicing released option for the MPF Government MBS product in which the servicing rights for such MPF Loans are sold to an approved servicer that will be directly responsible to Ginnie Mae for the servicing responsibilities. The MPF Direct product is servicing released only and the servicing of MPF Direct loans is transferred to the third party investor at mortgage loan origination. We do not have any responsibilities related to the servicing of MPF Loans delivered under the MPF Direct product.Servicing on page 11.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


If a PFI that is a member of another MPF Bank wishes to sell or service MPF Loans under the MPF Xtra, MPF Direct, or MPF Government MBS products, its MPF Bank must authorize it and agree to enforce its PFI Agreement for our benefit, which would include enforcing the PFI's obligation to repurchase ineligible MPF Loans and to indemnify us for certain losses.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Participation of other FHLBs

The current MPF Banks are the FHLBs of: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Topeka. MPF Banks generally acquire whole loans from their respective PFIs or they may acquire participations from another MPF Bank. Under the MPF Xtra, MPF Direct, and MPF Government MBS products, we acquire whole loans from PFIs of other MPF Banks with that MPF Bank’s permission.

PFI Eligibility

Members and eligible housing associates may apply to become PFIs of their respective MPF Bank. The member and its MPF Bank sign an MPF Program Participating Financial Institutiona PFI Agreement (PFI Agreement) that provides the terms and conditions for the sale of MPF Loans, including required credit enhancement, and for the servicing of MPF Loans. All of the PFI's obligations under the PFI Agreement are secured in the same manner as other obligations of the PFI, under its advances agreement with the MPF Bank. The MPF Bank has the right under the PFI Agreement to request additional collateral to secure the PFI's obligations.

PFI Responsibilities

For conventional MPF Loan products held in our portfolio, PFIs retain a portion of the credit risk on the MPF Loans acquired by an MPF Bank by providing credit enhancement (CE Amount) which may be either a direct liability to pay credit losses up to a specified amount or a contractual obligation to provide supplemental mortgage guaranty insurance (SMI). Each MPF Loan delivered by a PFI is linked to a Master Commitment so that the cumulative CE Amount, if applicable, can be determined for each Master Commitment. The PFI's CE Amount covers losses for conventional MPF Loans under a Master Commitment in excess of the MPF Bank's first loss account (FLA). The FLA is a memo account used to track the MPF Bank's exposure to losses until the CE Amount is available to cover losses. PFIs are paid a fee for managing credit risk (CE Fee) and in some instances, all or a portion of the CE Fee may be performance-based. As MPF Loans held in our portfolio have paid down, our payments to PFIs of CE Fees have become immaterial to our financial results. For further details, see MPF Risk Sharing Structure in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements.

PFIs must comply with the MPF Program requirements contained in the MPF Guides which include: eligibility requirements for PFIs, anti-predatory lending policies, loan eligibility, underwriting requirements, loan documentation, and custodian requirements. The MPF Guides also detail the PFI's servicing duties and responsibilities for reporting, remittances, default management, and disposition of properties acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

In addition, the MPF Guides require each PFI to maintain errors and omissions insurance and a fidelity bond and to provide an annual certification with respect to its insurance and its compliance with the MPF Program requirements.

When a PFI fails to comply with the selling or servicing requirements of the PFI Agreement, the MPF Guides, applicable law, or the terms of mortgage documents, the PFI may be required to provide an indemnification covering related losses or to repurchase the MPF Loans which are impacted by such failure if it cannot be cured.

MPF Products

EightNine MPF Loan products have been developed to date: MPF Original, MPF 35, MPF 100, MPF 125, and MPF Plus (or its variation, MPF 35) products, which are conventional portfolio products; the MPF Government product, which is also a portfolio product; and the MPF Xtra, MPF Direct, and MPF Government MBS products, in which MPF Loans acquired are not retained in our portfolio.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following is an MPF Product comparison table:table as of December 31, 2016:

Product NameFirst Loss Account Size
PFI Credit Enhancement Descriptiong
Credit Enhancement Fee to PFI
Credit Enhancement Fee Offset a
Servicing Fee Retained
by PFI
MPF Original3 to 6 basis points/added each year based on the unpaid balanceEquivalent to AA70 to 11 basis points/year - paid monthlyNo25 basis points/year
MPF 100100 basis points fixed based on the size of the loan pool at closingAfter FLA to AA7 to 10 basis points/year - paid monthly; performance-based after 2 or 3 yearsYes - After first 2 to 3 years25 basis points/year
MPF 125100 basis points fixed based on the size of the loan pool at closingAfter FLA to AA6 to 10 basis points/year - paid monthly; performance-basedYes25 basis points/year
MPF PlusAn agreed upon amount not less than expected losses0-20 bps after FLA and SMI to AA13-14 basis points/year in total, with a varying split between performance-based (delayed for 1 year) and a fixed rate; all paid monthlyYes25 basis points/year
MPF 35 (a variation of MPF Plus)An agreed upon amount not less than expected lossesAfter FLA to AA9-14 basis points/year in total, with a varying split between performance-based (delayed for 1 year) and a fixed rate; all paid monthlyYes25 basis points/year
MPF GovernmentN/A
N/Af
(Unreimbursed Servicing Expenses)
N/AN/A
44 basis points/year plus 2 basis points/year b
MPF Xtra c
N/AN/AN/AN/A25 basis points/year
MPF Direct d
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
MPF Government MBS e
N/A
N/A (Unreimbursed Servicing Expenses)f
N/AN/ABased on Note Rate
a 
Future payouts of performance-based CE Fees are reduced when losses are allocated to the FLA.
b 
For Master Commitments issued prior to February 2, 2007, the PFI is paid a monthly government loan fee equal to 0.02% (2 basis points) per annum based on the month end outstanding aggregate principal balance of the Master Commitment which is in addition to the customary 0.44% (44 basis points) per annum servicing fee that continues to apply for Master Commitments issued after February 1, 2007, and that is retained by the PFI on a monthly basis, based on the outstanding aggregate principal balance of the Government Loans.
c 
MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Xtra product are concurrently sold to Fannie Mae and are not retained in our portfolio.
d 
MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Direct product are concurrently sold to third party investors and are not retained in our portfolio.
e 
MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Government MBS product are intended to be included in our held for sale portfolio for a short period of time until pooled into Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities.MBS.
f
For Government Loans, PFIs provide the required credit enhancement by delivering loans that are guaranteed or insured by a department or agency of the U.S. government.
g
For a description of the PFI Credit Enhancement see Setting Credit Enhancement Levels on page 66.


See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements for more detailed discussions of the credit enhancement and risk sharing arrangementsMPF Risk Sharing Structure of the various MPF products.

Mortgage Standards

PFIs are required to deliver mortgage loans that meet the underwriting and eligibility requirements in the MPF Guides, unless a PFI was previously granted waivers that exempt a PFI from complying with specified provisions of the MPF Guides. The

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underwriting and eligibility guidelines in the MPF Guides applicable to the conventional MPF Loans held in our portfolio are broadly summarized as follows:


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Mortgage characteristics. MPF Loans must be qualifying conforming conventional, fixed-rate, up to 30 years fully amortizing mortgage loans, secured by first liens on owner-occupied one-to-four unit single-family residential properties and single-unit second homes. MPF Loans may not exceed conforming loan size limits in effect at the time they are acquired and must meet the requirements of a qualified mortgage as defined by applicable law.

Loan-to-Value Ratio and Primary Mortgage Insurance. The maximum loan-to-value ratio (LTV) for conventional MPF Loans is 95%, though AHP mortgage loans may have LTVs up to 100%. Conventional MPF Loans with LTVs greater than 80% are insured by primary mortgage insurance (PMI) from a mortgage guaranty insurance (MI) company.

Documentation and Compliance with Applicable Law. The mortgage documents and mortgage transaction are required to comply with all applicable laws, and mortgage loans are documented using standard Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Uniform Instruments.

Government Loans have the same parameters as conventional MPF Loans except that their LTVs may not exceed the LTV limits set by the applicable government agency and they must meet the requirements to be insured or guaranteed by the applicable government agency. For MPF products in which MPF Loans are not held in our portfolio, PFIs are required to deliver mortgage loans that meet the applicable investor or government agency eligibility and underwriting requirements.

Ineligible Mortgage Loans. The following types of mortgage loans are not eligible for delivery under the MPF Program: (1) mortgage loans not meeting the MPF Program eligibility requirements as set forth in the MPF Guides and agreements; and (2) mortgage loans that are classified as high cost, high rate, or Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act loans, or loans in similar categories defined under predatory lending or abusive lending laws.

Quality Assurance Process

In our role as MPF Provider, we conduct a quality assurance review of a selected sample of MPF Loans for each PFI periodically. Subsequently, we perform periodic reviews of a sample of conventional MPF Loans to determine whether the reviewed loans complied with the MPF Program requirements at the time of acquisition. If the PFI is unable to cure any material defect in a loan, the PFI is obligated to repurchase the loan but may be permitted to provide an indemnification for losses arising from such loan or we may reserve our remedies or waive the repurchase demand if the loan is currently performing. See Mortgage Repurchase Risk on page 6667 for a further description of our repurchase risk.

MPF Loan Participations

At December 31, 2015, 57%2016, 42% of the total unpaid principal balance of MPF Loans we own represents participations in MPF Loans acquired from other MPF Banks. Participation percentages for MPF Loans may range from 1% to 100% and the participation percentages in MPF Loans may vary by each Master Commitment, by agreement of the MPF Bank selling the participation interests (the Lead Bank), us in our role as MPF Provider, and other MPF Banks purchasing a participation interest. The Lead Bank is responsible for monitoring PFI creditworthiness, managing the PFI's pledged collateral securing its obligations under the PFI Agreement and enforcing the PFI Agreement for the benefit of itself and participating MPF Banks.
 
The risk sharing and rights of the Lead Bank and participating MPF Bank(s) are as follows:

each receives its respective pro rata share of principal and interest payments and is responsible for CE Fees based upon its participation percentage for each MPF Loan; and

each is responsible for its respective pro rata share of FLA exposure and losses incurred with respect to the Master Commitment based upon the overall risk sharing percentage for the Master Commitment and not its participation percentage for any individual MPF Loan.

MPF Servicing

The PFI or its servicing affiliate can retain the right and responsibility for servicing MPF Loans it delivers, which includes loan collections and remittances, default management, loss mitigation, foreclosure and disposition of real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. With respect to the MPF Xtra and MPF Government MBS products, we are contractually obligated to Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae, respectively, with respect to servicing of the related MPF Loans under certain servicing options. In both cases, our contractual agreements recognize that eligible third party servicers, including PFIs, will act as servicers of such MPF Loans. We also offer a servicing released option for the MPF Xtra and MPF Government MBS product

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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


products in which the servicing rights for such MPF Loans are sold to an approved servicer that will be directly responsible to Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae, respectively, for the servicing responsibilities.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Upon liquidation of any MPF Loan, the servicing PFI submits a realized loss calculation which is reviewed by our service provider and adjusted for any losses arising from the PFI's failure to perform in accordance with the MPF Guides.

If there is a loss on a conventional MPF Loan held in our portfolio, the loss is allocated to the Master Commitment and shared between us, any participating MPF Bank and the PFI in accordance with the risk-sharing structure.

We monitor the PFI's compliance with MPF Program requirements throughout the servicing process. Minor servicing lapses may result in charges to the PFI. Major servicing lapses could result in a PFI's servicing rights being terminated for cause and the servicing of the particular MPF Loans being transferred to a new, qualified servicer.

Although PFIs or their servicing affiliates generally service the MPF Loans delivered by the PFI, certain PFIs choose to sell the servicing rights on a concurrent basis (servicing released) or in a bulk transfer to another servicer, which is permitted with the consent of the MPF Bank(s) involved.

Competition

Given the increase of products in the MPF product suite, we face competition in numerous markets including the markets for conventional loans, non-conforming loans, government loans, and loans with credit risk sharing arrangements. We face this competition in acquiring MPF loans with various features (i.e. mandatory or best efforts loan delivery, servicing retained or released options) from other participants in the mortgage secondary market. Secondary market participants include, but are not limited to, dealers, banks, hedge funds, money managers, insurance companies, large mortgage aggregators, private investors, and other GSEs such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Some of these competitors have greater resources, larger volumes of business, and longer operating histories. As a result, our ongoing revenue derived from MPF Loan products may be affected by the volume of business done by our competitors. We primarily compete on the basis of transaction structure, price, products, and services offered.

Other Activities

Investments

We maintain a portfolio of investments for liquidity purposes and to provide additional earnings. To ensure the availability of funds to meet member credit needs, we maintain a portfolio of short-term liquid assets, principally overnight Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell, entered into with or issued by highly rated institutions and other eligible counterparties. For further discussion of unsecured credit exposures related to our short-term investment portfolio, see Unsecured Short-TermShort Term Investments on page 72.

Our longer-term investment securities portfolio includes securities issued by the U.S. government, U.S. government agencies, and GSEs, as well as investments in Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) student loan asset backed securities (ABS), and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) that are issued by GSEs or that were rated “AAA/Aaa” or “AA/Aa” from Moody's Investors Service (Moody's), Standard and Poor's Rating Service (S&P), or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) at the time of purchase. For a discussion of how recent market conditions have affected the carrying value and ratings of these securities, see Investment Securities by Rating on page 69.70. For this purpose, GSE includes Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. Securities issued by GSEs are not guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Under FHFA regulations, we are prohibited from trading securities for speculative purposes or engaging in market-making activities. Additionally, we are prohibited from investing in certain types of securities or loans, including:

instruments, such as common stock, that represent an ownership in an entity, other than common stock in small business investment companies, or certain investments targeted to low-income persons or communities;

instruments issued by non-United States entities, other than those issued by United States branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks;

non-investment grade debt instruments, other than certain investments targeted to low-income persons or communities, or instruments that were downgraded after purchase;


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whole mortgages or other whole loans, other than, (1) those acquired under our MPF Program, (2) certain investments targeted to low-income persons or communities, (3) certain marketable direct obligations of state, local, or tribal government units or agencies, that are investment quality, (4) MBS or asset-backed securities backed by

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manufactured housing loans or home equity loans; and, (5) certain foreign housing loans authorized under the FHLB Act;

interest-only or principal-only stripped securities;

residual-interest or interest-accrual classes of securities;

fixed-rate MBS or eligible ABS, or floating-rate MBS or eligible ABS, that on the trade date are at rates equal to their contractual cap and that have average lives that vary by more than six years under an assumed instantaneous interest rate change of 300 basis points; and

non-United States dollar-denominated securities.

FHFA regulations further limit our investment in MBS and ABS by requiring that their total carrying valuethese investments may not exceed 300% of our previous month-end regulatory capital on the day we purchase the securities and we may not exceed our holdings of such securities in any one calendar quarter by more than 50% of our total regulatory capital at the beginning of that quarter. For purposes of calculating the limit on our MBS/ABS portfolio, we value our investments in accordance with FHFA regulations based on amortized cost for securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale and on fair value for trading securities. Regulatory capital consists of our total capital stock (including the mandatorily redeemable capital stock) plus our retained earnings. In addition, we remain subject to an overall cap on MBS and related investments purchased pursuant to the 300% of regulatory capital limitation (excluding certain Agency MBS discussed below) so that these investments may not exceed $13.563 billion. This limitation does not apply to newly issued Ginnie Mae securities that have been created through the MPF Government MBS product that are temporarily owned by the Bank.

The Finance Board (predecessor to the FHFA) adopted a resolution temporarily allowing FHLBs to increase their investments in MBS issued by, or comprised of loans guaranteed by, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (Agency MBS) by an additional 300% of regulatory capital. Although this expanded authority expired in 2010, we are permitted to hold these investments until they mature or are sold.

As we transitioned our primary business to advances, the FHFA previously temporarily waived our regulatory investment limitations to permit us to reinvest a portion of the proceeds from prepayments and maturities of our mortgage assets to purchase MBS issued by GSEs and approved our purchase of FFELP student loan ABS. The FHFA requires that we obtain its approval for any new investments that have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days until such time as our MBS portfolio is less than three times our total regulatory capital and our advances represent more than 50% of our total assets. During 2014 we received FHFA approval to purchase bonds issued by two of our non-member housing associates, although our investment in these bonds during 2014 and 2015 was immaterial to our portfolio. In addition, during 2015 we received FHFA approval to resume purchasing MPF Loans for our portfolio as further discussed in Mortgage Partnership Finance Program - Introduction on page 7. We expect our investment portfolio to continue to decline over time as a result of this 270-day limitation. For further discussion of how this may impact us, see Risk Factors on page 19.18. As of December 31, 2015,2016, we held total MBS and ABS investments of $15.4$17.4 billion, which was 3.283.46 times our total regulatory capital.

Derivative Activities

We engage in most of our derivatives transactions with major broker-dealers as part of our interest rate risk management and hedging strategies, as further discussed in Hedge ObjectivesItem 7A.Quantitative and StrategiesQualitative Disclosures About Market Risk on page 75. We also enter into interest rate derivatives directly with our members in order to provide them with access to the derivatives market. We intend to enter into offsetting derivatives transactions with non-member counterparties in cases where we are not using the interest rate derivatives for our own hedging purposes.

The FHFA's regulations and our internal asset and liability management policies all establish guidelines for our use of interest rate derivatives. These regulations prohibit the speculative use of financial instruments authorized for hedging purposes. They also limit the amount of counterparty credit risk allowed. See Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk on page 75.

Community Investment Activities

We provide financing and direct funding tools that support the affordable housing and community lending initiatives of our members that benefit very low, low, and moderate income individuals, households, businesses and neighborhoods. Outlined below is a more detailed description of our mission-related programs that we administer and fund:

Affordable Housing Program (AHP) - We offer AHP subsidies in the form of direct grants to members to stimulate affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for households with incomes at or below 80% of the area's median income, adjusted for family size. By regulation, we are required to contribute 10% of our income before assessments to fund AHP. Of that required

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


contribution, we may allocate up to the greater of $4.5 million or 35% to provide funds to members participating in our homeownership set-aside programs.


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Direct grants are available primarily under our competitive AHP to members in partnership with community sponsors and may be used to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of affordable rental or owner-occupied housing. We awarded competitive AHP subsidies of $26 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $36 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and $22 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, for projects designed to provide housing to 3,1312,260 and 1,7473,131 households, respectively.

In addition, direct grants are available to members under our Downpayment Plus® homeownership set-aside programs and may be provided to eligible homebuyers to assist with down payment, closing, counseling, or rehabilitation costs in conjunction with an acquisition. During the years ended December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, we awarded $16 million and $18$16 million through our Downpayment Plus programs to assist 2,7282,703 and 2,3392,728 very low to moderate income homebuyers.

During 2016,2017, we anticipate having $39$37 million available in total for our Downpayment Plus programs and grants through our competitive AHP.

Community Investment Program (CIP)/Community Economic Development Advance (CEDA) Program and related letters of credit - We offer two programs where members may apply for advances or letters of credit to support affordable housing or community economic development lending. These programs provide advance funding at interest rates below regular advance rates for terms typically up to 10 years. Our CIP and CEDA programs may be used to finance affordable home ownership housing, multi-family rental projects, industrial and manufacturing facilities, agricultural businesses, healthcare, educational centers, public or private infrastructure projects, or commercial businesses. As of December 31, 2015,2016, and 2014,2015, we had $623$824 million and $600$623 million respectively, in advances outstanding under the CIP and CEDA programs and related letters of credit outstanding of $184$164 million and $215$184 million.

Community First® Fund - Our Board of Directors approved $50 million in 2011 to supplement our current affordable housing and community investment programs, which became the foundation for the Community First Fund (the Fund). The Fund is an innovative revolving credit facility designed to provide low cost, longer term financing to Community Development Financial Institutions,, community development loan funds, and state housing finance authorities promoting affordable housing and economic development in our district. We approved our first loans under the Fund in 2014 and as of December 31, 2015,2016, had $28$34 million in funded loans outstanding and $12$8 million in unfunded loan commitments.

Deposits

We accept deposits from our members, institutions eligible to become members, any institution for which we are providing correspondent services, other FHLBs, and other government instrumentalities. We offer several types of deposits to our deposit customers including demand, overnight, and term deposits. For a description of our liquidity requirements with respect to member deposits see Liquidity on page 48.

Funding

Consolidated Obligations

Our primary source of funds is the sale to the public of FHLB debt instruments, called consolidated obligations, in the capital markets. Additional funds are provided by deposits, other borrowings, subordinated debt, and the issuance of capital stock. Consolidated obligations, which consist of bonds and discount notes, are the joint and several liability of the FHLBs, although the primary obligation is with the individual FHLB that receives the proceeds from issuance. Consolidated obligations are issued to the public through the Office of Finance using authorized securities dealers. Consolidated obligations are backed only by the financial resources of the FHLBs and are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. See Funding on page 49 for further discussion.

Subordinated Debt Payoff

No FHLB is permitted to issue individual debt unless it has received regulatory approval. As approved by the Finance Board (predecessor to the FHFA), we issued $1 billion of 10-year subordinated notes in 2006. During2006, and during 2013, we repurchasedpurchased $56 million of these notes in the open market. On June 13, 2016, our outstandingremaining $944 million subordinated notes through open market purchases. As of December 31, 2015,matured and we have $944 million of subordinated notes outstanding thatmature on June 13, 2016. The subordinated notes are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by,paid the U.S. government or any of the FHLBs other than us. For further discussionholders of our subordinated notes see Note 12 - Subordinated Notes toin full in accordance with the financial statements.terms of their notes.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Competition

We compete with the U.S. government, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other GSEs, as well as corporate, sovereign, and supranational entities, including the World Bank, for funds raised through the issuance of unsecured debt in the domestic and global debt markets. Increases in the supply of competing debt products may, in the absence of increases in demand, result in higher debt costs or lesser amounts of debt issued at the same cost than otherwise would be the case. For example, a change in the types or an increase in the amounts of U.S. Treasury issuance may affect our ability to raise funds because it provides alternative investment options. Furthermore, to the extent that investors perceive Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or other issuers as having a higher level of government support, their debt securities may be more attractive to investors than FHLB System debt.

The FHLBs have traditionally had a diversified funding base of domestic and foreign investors, although investor demand for our debt depends in part on prevailing conditions in the financial markets. For further discussion of market conditions and their potential impact on us, see Risk Factors on page 1918 and Funding on page 49.

Although the available supply of funds from the FHLBs' debt issuances has kept pace with the funding requirements of our members, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the case.

Business Environment

Our financial condition and results of operations are influenced by the interest rate environment, global and national economies, local economies within our districts of Illinois and Wisconsin, and the conditions in the financial, housing, and credit markets. In particular, our net interest income is affected by several external factors, including market interest rate levels and volatility, credit spreads and the general state of the economy.  We endeavor to manage our interest rate risk by entering into fair value hedge relationships utilizing interest rate derivative agreements to hedge a portion of our advances, available for sale securities, and debt.   We also enter into cash flow hedge relationships utilizing derivative agreements to hedge the cash flow risk attributable to the rolling nature of our short-term consolidated discount notes.  Additionally, we enter into economic hedges using derivative agreements to hedge our mortgage-related assets, which are sensitive to changes in mortgage rates.

Our profitability is significantly affected by the interest rate environment.   We earn relatively narrow spreads between yields on assets and the rates paid on corresponding liabilities.  A large portion of our advance business is based on our funding costs plus a narrow spread. We also expect our ability to generate significant earnings on capital and short-term investments will be affected by the Federal Reserve’s policy of setting the short-term Federal Funds rate.  Short-term interest rates also directly affect our earnings on invested capital.

Our operating results are affected not only by rising or falling interest rates, but also by the particular path and volatility of changes in market interest rates and the prevailing shape of the yield curve. A flattening of the yield curve tends to compress our net interest margin, while steepening of the curve offers better opportunities to purchase assets with wider net interest spreads. The performance of our MPF Loans held for investment portfolio is particularly affected by shifts in the 10-year maturity range of the yield curve, which heavily influences mortgage rates and potential refinancings. Yield curve shape can also influence the pace at which borrowers refinance or prepay their existing loans, as borrowers may select shorter-duration mortgage products in a refinancing. In addition, our higher yielding private label MBS portfolio continues its expected runoff. As higher coupon MPF Loans mature along with higher yielding private label MBS, the return of principal cannot be invested in assets with a comparable yield, resulting in a decline in the aggregate yield on the remaining MPF Loans held for investment portfolio and investment securities and a possible decrease in our net interest margin.

Lastly, the volume related to our MPF Xtra and MPF Direct programs as well as our Ginnie Mae MBS issuances also are influenced by the interest rate environment, global and national economies, local economies within our districts of Illinois and Wisconsin, and the conditions in the financial, housing and credit markets.

Oversight, Audits, and Legislative and Regulatory Developments

Regulatory Oversight

We are supervised and regulated by the FHFA, an independent federal agency in the executive branch of the U.S. government. The FHFA's operating and capital expenditures are funded by assessments on the FHLBs; no tax dollars or other appropriations support the operations of our regulator. To assess our safety and soundness, the FHFA conducts annual, on-site examinations as well as periodic on-site reviews. Additionally, we are required to submit monthly financial information on our condition and results of operations to the FHFA.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The Government Corporations Control Act, to which we are subject, provides that before a government corporation issues and offers obligations to the public, the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) shall prescribe the form, denomination, maturity, interest rate, and conditions of the obligations, the way and time issued, and the selling price. The FHLB Act also authorizes the Secretary discretion to purchase consolidated obligations up to an aggregate principal amount of $4.0 billion. No borrowings under this authority have been outstanding since 1977.

We must submit annual management reports to Congress, the President, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Comptroller General. These reports include a statement of financial condition, a statement of operations, a statement of cash flows, a statement of internal accounting and administrative control systems, and the report of the independent public accounting firm on our financial statements.

Pursuant to FHFA regulations, we plan to publish the results of our annual severely adverse economic conditions stress test to our public website at www.fhlbc.com between November 15 and November 30.

Regulatory Audits

The Comptroller General has authority under the FHLB Act to audit or examine us and to decide the extent to which we are fairly and effectively fulfilling the purposes of the FHLB Act. Furthermore, the Government Corporations Control Act provides that the Comptroller General may review any audit of the financial statements conducted by an independent registered public accounting firm. If the Comptroller General conducts such a review, then the results and any recommendations must be reported to the Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, and the FHLB in question. The Comptroller General may also conduct a separate audit of any of our financial statements.


Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments

FHFA Final Rule on FHLB Membership

On January 20, 2016, the FHFA issued a rule effective February 19, 2016, that, among other things:

makes captive insurance companies ineligible for FHLB membership; and
defines the “principal place of business” of an institution eligible for FHLB membership to be the state in which it maintains its home office and from which the institution conducts business operations.

The rule defines a captive insurance company as a company that is authorized under state law to conduct insurance business but whose primary business is the underwriting of insurance for affiliated persons or entities.

Captive insurance company members that were admitted as FHLB members prior to September 12, 2014, (the date the FHFA proposed this rule) will have their memberships terminated by February 19, 2021. Captive insurance company members that were admitted as FHLB members after September 12, 2014, will have their memberships terminated by February 19, 2017. There are restrictions on the level and maturity of advances that FHLB can make to these members during the sunset periods.

In the final rule, the FHFA declined to adopt certain proposed provisions that would have required FHLB members to hold specified levels of home mortgage loan assets on an ongoing basis.

As of December 31, 2015, our captive insurance company members had $12.5 billion in advances outstanding at par, which was 34% of our total advances outstanding, and held $284 million in capital stock, which was 15% of our total capital stock outstanding. All advances made to our captive insurance company members prior to the final rule taking effect, which range in maturity up to ten years with a current weighted remaining tenor of 4.3 years, may remain outstanding until such advances mature. However, once our three captive insurance company members have their membership terminated and their advances mature, our advance and capital stock levels would decrease. Unless we experience an increased demand for our advance products from our current or future members, this will result in a material decrease in our outstanding advance levels and our results of operations may be adversely affected. Further, we could experience lower demand for advances and other products and services, including letter of credit activity. In addition, our core mission asset ratio may be negatively impacted. The magnitude of the impact will depend, in part, on our size and profitability at the time of membership termination or maturity of related advances.

FHFA Final Rule on Responsibilities of Boards of Directors, Corporate Practices and Corporate Governance Matters

On November 19, 2015, the FHFA issued a rule effective on December 21, 2015, that, among other things, requires each FHLB to:

operate an enterprise wide risk management program and assign its chief risk officer certain enumerated responsibilities;


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maintain a compliance program headed by a compliance officer who reports directly to the chief executive officer and must regularly report to the board of directors (or a board committee);

maintain board committees specifically responsible for risk management, audit, compensation, and corporate governance; and

designate in its bylaws a body of law to follow for its corporate governance and indemnification practices and procedures, choosing from the law of the jurisdiction in which the FHLB maintains its principal office, the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Revised Model Business Corporation Act. The final rule requires each FHLB to make this designation by March 18, 2016. On January 26, 2016, we adopted revised bylaws which selected Delaware General Corporation Law for this purpose.

Additionally, the rule provides that the FHFA has the authority to review a regulated entity’s indemnification policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that they are conducted in a safe and sound manner, and that they are consistent with the body of law adopted by the board of directors of the FHLB.

We do not expect this rule to materially impact our financial condition or results of operation.

Joint Final Rule on Margin and Capital Requirements for Covered Swap Entities

In October 2015, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Farm Credit Administration, and the FHFA (each an “Agency” and, collectively, the “Agencies”) jointly adopted final rules to establish minimum margin and capital requirements for registered swap dealers, major swap participants, security-based swap dealers, and major security-based swap participants (“Swap Entities”) that are subject to the jurisdiction of one of the Agencies (such entities, “Covered Swap Entities,” and the joint final rules, the “Final Margin Rules”). On January 6, 2016, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) published its own version of the Final Margin Rules that generally mirrors the Final Margin Rules. The CFTC’s rules apply only to a limited number of registered swap dealers, security-based swap dealers, major swap participants, and major security-based swap participants that are not subject to the jurisdiction of one of the Agencies.

When they take effect, the Final Margin Rules will subject non-cleared swaps and non-cleared security-based swaps between Covered Swap Entities and financial end-users that have material swaps exposure (i.e., an average daily aggregate notional amount that exceeds $8 billion in non-cleared swaps, calculated in accordance with the Final Margin Rules), to a mandatory two-way minimum initial margin requirement. The minimum amount of the initial margin required to be posted or collected would be either the amount calculated by the Covered Swap Entity using a standardized schedule set forth as an appendix to the Final Margin Rules, which provides the gross initial margin (as a percentage of total notional exposure) for certain asset classes, or an internal margin model of the Covered Swap Entity conforming to the requirements of the Final Margin Rules that is approved by the Agency having jurisdiction over the particular Covered Swap Entity.

The Final Margin Rules specify the types of collateral that may be posted or collected as initial margin for non-cleared swaps and non-cleared security-based swaps with financial end-users (generally, cash, certain government and GSE securities, certain liquid debt, certain equity securities, certain eligible publicly traded debt, and gold), and set forth haircuts for certain collateral asset classes. Initial margin must be segregated with an independent, third-party custodian and, generally, may not be rehypothecated, except that cash funds may be placed with a custodian bank in return for a general deposit obligation under certain specified circumstances.

The Final Margin Rules will require minimum variation margin to be exchanged daily for non-cleared swaps and non-cleared security-based swaps between Covered Swap Entities and all financial end-users (without regard to the swaps exposure of the particular financial end-user). The minimum variation margin amount is the daily mark-to-market change in the value of the swap to the Covered Swap Entity, taking into account variation margin previously posted or collected. For non-cleared swaps and security-based swaps between Covered Swap Entities and financial end-users, variation margin may be posted or collected in cash or non-cash collateral that is considered eligible for initial margin purposes. Variation margin is not subject to segregation with an independent, third-party custodian, and may, if permitted by contract, be rehypothecated.

The variation margin requirement under the Final Margin Rules will become effective for the Bank on March 1, 2017, and the initial margin requirement under the Final Margin Rules is expected to become effective for the Bank on September 1, 2020.

We are not a Covered Swap Entity under the Final Margin Rules. But, we are a financial end-user under the Final Margin Rules, and would likely have material swaps exposure when the initial margin requirements under the Final Margin Rules become effective.

Because we are currently posting and collecting variation margin on non-cleared swaps, it is not anticipated that the variation margin requirement under the Final Margin Rules will have a material effect on our costs. However, when the initial margin requirement under the Final Margin Rules becomes effective, we anticipate that our cost of engaging in non-cleared swaps may increase.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


FHFA Core Mission Achievement Advisory Bulletin 2015-05

On July 14, 2015, the FHFA issued an advisory bulletin that provides guidance relating to a core mission asset ratio by which the FHFA will assess each FHLB’s core mission achievement. The FHFA plans to assess core mission achievement by using a ratio of primary mission assets, which includes advances and mortgage loans acquired from members (also referred to as acquired member assets), to consolidated obligations. The core mission asset ratio will be calculated annually at year-end as part of the FHFA’s examination process, using annual average par values.
The advisory bulletin provides the FHFA’s expectations for each FHLB’s strategic plan based on its ratio, which are:

when the ratio is at least 70% or higher, the strategic plan should include an assessment of the FHLB’s prospects for maintaining this level;
when the ratio is at least 55% but less than 70%, the strategic plan should explain the FHLB’s plan to increase its mission focus, such as by increasing primary mission assets or supplemental mission assets and activities, or by decreasing its other investments; and
when the ratio is below 55%, the strategic plan should include an explanation of the circumstances that caused the ratio to be at that level and detailed plans to increase the ratio. The advisory bulletin provides that if an FHLB maintains a ratio below 55% over the course of several consecutive reviews, then the FHLB’s board of directors should consider possible strategic alternatives.

Our core mission activities primarily include the issuance of advances. In addition, we acquire member assets through the MPF program.

Our core mission asset ratio at year-end was 64.5%. As indicated in our strategic plan we are required to submit to the FHFA, we expect improvement in this ratio as our investment portfolio continues to pay down. We have also begun adding new MPF Loans to our portfolio, which we do not expect to be material enough to offset loan pay downs anticipated in the near-term but may become so over a longer period of time. In addition, we engage in several significant supplemental mission activities, including our MPF Provider business and Community First Fund. For further details on our core mission asset ratio and supplemental mission assets and activities, see Business Overview on page 4. However, as discussed above, our core mission asset ratio may be negatively impacted if our advances decrease as a result of the FHFA’s final membership rule.

FHFA Proposed Rule on Acquired Member Assets

. On December 17, 2015,19, 2016, the FHFA published a proposed rule that would amend the currentfinal Acquired Member Assets (AMA) rule, which governs an FHLB’s ability to purchase and hold certain types of mortgage loans from its members. The proposedfinal rule, would alloweffective January 18, 2017, has, among other things:

expanded the types of assets that will qualify as AMA to include mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by a department or agency of the U.S. government that exceed the conforming loan limits and certificates representing interests in whole loans under certain conditions;

enhanced the credit risk sharing requirement by allowing an FHLB to utilize its own model in lieu of a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization (NRSRO) ratings model to determine the credit ratingenhancement for AMA loan assets and pool loans in lieu of a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (NRSRO) ratings model. The assets delivered must now be credit enhanced by the member up to the FHLB determined “AMA investment grade” instead of a specific NRSRO rating; and

retained the option to allow a member to meet its credit enhancement obligation by purchasing loan pools.  The proposed rule would also eliminate the use oflevel supplemental mortgage insurance (SMI) or pool level insurance such as supplemental mortgage insurance, as part of the required credit risk-sharing structureonce an FHLB has established standards for AMA products; however, the FHLBs are not currently acquiring AMA loans using this structure.qualified insurers.

It isWe do not possible to determine whetheranticipate that the proposedfinal rule if adopted, wouldwill have a negative impact on the volume of AMA loan assets or on our costs of operation.

CommentsFHFA Final Rule on New Business Activities. On December 19, 2016, the FHFA issued a final rule effective January 18, 2017, that, among other things, reduces the scope of new business activities (NBAs) for which an FHLB must seek approval from the FHFA. In addition, the final rule establishes certain timelines for FHFA review and approval of NBA notices. The final rule also clarifies the protocol for FHFA review of NBAs. Under the final rule, acceptance of new types of legally permissible collateral by the FHLBs would not constitute a new business activity or require approval from the FHFA prior to acceptance. Instead, the FHFA would review new collateral types as part of the annual exam process.

We do not anticipate that the final rule will materially impact us.

FHFA Proposed Rule on Minority and Women Inclusion. On October 27, 2016, the FHFA proposed amendments to its Minority and Women Inclusion regulations that, if adopted, would clarify the scope of the FHLBs’ obligation to promote diversity and ensure inclusion. These proposed amendments update existing FHFA regulations aimed at promoting diversity and the inclusion and utilization of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities in all our business and activities, including management, employment and contracting.


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The proposed amendments would:

require the FHLBs to develop standalone diversity and inclusion strategic plans or incorporate diversity and inclusion into their existing strategic planning processes and adopt strategies for promoting diversity and ensuring inclusion;
encourage the FHLBs to expand contracting opportunities for minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities through subcontracting arrangements;
require the FHLBs to amend their policies on equal opportunity in employment and contracting by adding sexual orientation, gender identity, and status as a parent to the list of protected classifications; and
require the FHLBs to provide information in their annual reports to the FHFA about their efforts to advance diversity and inclusion through capital market transactions, affordable housing and community investment programs, initiatives to improve access to mortgage credit, and strategies for promoting the diversity of supervisors and managers.

We submitted a joint comment letter with the other FHLBs and the Office of Finance on December 27, 2016, which primarily related to the proposed rule’s enhanced reporting and contract requirements. The proposed rule, if adopted, may substantially increase the amount of tracking, monitoring, and reporting that would be required of each FHLB.

FHFA Proposed Rule on Indemnification Payments. On September 20, 2016, the FHFA issued a re-proposed rule that, if adopted, would establish standards for identifying whether an indemnification payment by an FHLB or the Office of Finance to an officer, director, employee, or other entity-affiliated party in connection with an administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by the FHFA is prohibited or permissible. Under the proposed rule, those payments with respect to an administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by the FHFA are only permitted if they relate to:

premiums for professional liability insurance or fidelity bonds for directors and officers, to the extent that the insurance or fidelity bond covers expenses and restitution, but not a judgment in favor of the FHFA or a civil money penalty;
expenses of defending an action, subject to an agreement to repay those expenses in certain instances; and
amounts due under an indemnification agreement entered into on or prior to September 20, 2016.

The proposed rule also outlines the process a board of directors must undertake prior to making any permitted indemnification payment for expenses of defending an action initiated by the FHFA.

We submitted a joint comment letter with the other FHLBs and the Office of Finance on the proposed rule on December 21, 2016. We are due on April 15, 2016.continuing to assess the effect of the proposed rule but we do not anticipate that, if adopted, it would materially affect us.

AmendmentEuropean Union (EU) Market Abuse Regulation. The EU issued updated Market Abuse Regulations (MAR) that became effective July 3, 2016 and which contain rules on insider dealing, unlawful disclosure of inside information and market manipulation for debt and equity securities on European securities exchanges, which differ in certain respects from U.S. regulations. MAR applies to issuers with securities admitted to trading on the EU exchanges, including EU exchanges on which FHLB Actconsolidated obligations are listed. We anticipate that the most significant effect of the MAR on us will be more stringent and detailed recordkeeping, creation of detailed lists on parties who have access to Authorize Privately-Insured Credit Unions as Eligible FHLB Members

On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed a bill known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which includes a provision that amends the FHLB Act to allow privately-insured credit unions to be eligible for FHLB membership. The FAST Act requires privately-insured credit unions to satisfy certain initialinside information, and ongoing eligibility and reportingnotification requirements. The FHLBs are awaiting implementing regulations from the FHFA with respect to membership eligibility for privately-insured credit unions.

Taxation and AHP Assessments

We are exempt from all federal, state, and local taxation except for real estate property taxes, which are a component of our lease payments for office space or on real estate we own as a result of foreclosure on MPF Loans. In lieu of taxes, we set aside funds for our AHP at a calculated rate of 10% of income before assessments. For details on our assessments, see Note 11 - Affordable Housing Program to the financial statements.


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Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

Business Risks

A prolonged downturn in the U.S. housing markets and other economic conditions, and related U.S. government policies may have an adverse impact on the business of many of our members, and our business and results of operations.

Our business and results of operations are sensitive to the U.S. housing and mortgage markets, as well as international, domestic and district-specific market and economic conditions. Although U.S. economic activity expanded moderately during 2015appeared to be expanding at a moderate pace in 2016 and the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the firstsecond time in nearly ten yearsa decade in mid-December, the Federal Reserve continues to monitor global economic and domestic inflation and employment developments closely. If these conditions deteriorate, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

In 2015,2016, conditions in the U.S. housing market benefited from mortgage rates remaining low and increased buyer confidence resulting from greater stability in the job market and an improving economy,continued to improve, as evidenced by the level of decreased unemployment, home price appreciation improved inventory levels, and lower delinquency rates. If this recovery is not sustained and adverse trends reappear in the mortgage lending sector and general business and economic conditions deteriorate significantly, these factors could result in deterioration of our members' credit characteristics, which could cause them to become delinquent or to default on their advances and other credit obligations. As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, we have not experienced any member payment defaults. In addition, declines in real estate prices or loan performance trends or increases in market interest rates could result in a reduction in the fair value of our collateral securing member credit and the fair value of our mortgage-backed securities investments. This change could increase the possibility of under-collateralization and the risk of loss in case of a member's failure, or increase the risk of loss on our mortgage-backed securities investments because of additional credit impairment charges. Also, deterioration in the residential mortgage markets could negatively affect the value of our mortgage loan portfolio and result in possibly additional realized losses if we are forced to liquidate our mortgage portfolio.

As consolidation within Moreover, a negative trend in the financial industry continued during 2015, we lost 27 members due to mergershousing and acquisitions, one of which resulted after the member was placed into receivership by its regulator. Twenty two of these members were acquired by other membersmortgage markets could result in our districta decline in advance levels and five were acquired by out-of-district institutions. To the extent that the financial services industry experiences significant consolidation or we were to lose a number of members whose business and capital stock investments are significantly substantial,adversely affect our financial condition, and results of operation could be adversely affected.operations, or ability to pay dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock.

We face competition for advances and access to funding, which could adversely affect our business.

Our primary business is making advances to members. We compete with other suppliers of wholesale funding, both secured and unsecured, including investment banks, commercial banks, the Federal Reserve, and, in certain circumstances, other FHLBs with which members have a relationship through affiliates. While our advances increased significantly from 2013 through 2015,2016, we do not anticipate that our advances will continue to increase at the same level over the longer term. As many members continue to have sufficient levels of liquidity and funds through deposits and investments, decrease the size of their balance sheets to improve their capital positions, diversify or have access to alternative funding sources, our advance levels could decrease. Our advance levels could further decrease as our advances with captive insurance companies mature.

We may make changes in policies, programs, and agreements affecting members' access to advances and other credit products, the MPF Program, the AHP, and other programs, products, and services. As a result of these changes some members may choose to obtain financing from alternative sources. For example, we may make changes to our collateral guidelines, including changes in the value we assign to collateral which members are required to pledge to secure their outstanding obligations, including advances. To the extent that members view this tightening of credit and collateral requirements as unfavorable, we may experience a decrease in our levels of business which may negatively impact our results of operations or financial condition. Further, many competitors are not subject to the same regulations as us, which may enable those competitors to offer products and terms that we are not able to offer. Any change made in pricing our advances to compete with these alternative funding sources may decrease our profitability on advances. Additionally, as we manage our refunding risk to rely less on short-term discount notes, any resulting increase in advance pricing may decrease demand for our advances. A decrease in advance demand or a decrease in profitability on advances could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

The FHLBs also compete with the U.S. Treasury,government, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), as well as corporate, sovereign, and supranational entities, including the World Bank, for funds raised through the issuance of unsecured debt in the nationaldomestic and global debt markets. Increases in the supply of competing debt products may, in the absence of increases in demand, result in higher debt costs or lower amounts of debt issued at the same cost. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to access funding, reduce the amount of funding available to us, or increase the cost of funding available to us. For example, a change in the types or an increase in the amount of US Treasury issuances may affect our ability to raise funds because it provides alternative investment options. In addition to the extent investors perceive Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or other issuers as having higher levels of government support, their debt securities may be more attractive to investors than FHLB System debt. To the extent that the FHLB System experiences lower debt funding requirements, including in response to lower advance demands, our debt funding costs could increase. Any of these results

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advance demands, our debt funding costs could increase. Any of these results could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, or ability to pay dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock.

Government measures to stimulate the economy and help borrowers refinance home mortgages and student loans may adversely impact the value of the assets we holdThe Bank and our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business and results of operations are significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, through its regulation of the supply of money and credit in the United States. The Federal Reserve's policies directly and indirectly influence the yield on interest-earning assets.

After the financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent economic downturn, the Federal Reserve maintained several measures to depress short-term and longer-term interest rates to stabilize the U.S. housing and financial markets. Although the Federal Reserve Board concluded its so-called "quantitative easing" asset purchase program in late 2014 and raised interest rates for the first time in nearly ten years in December 2015, it has maintained its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its agency debt and agency MBS.

These measures as well as other government measures could adversely impact us in various ways, including through lower market yields on investments and elevated prepayments on our higher yielding MPF Loans and securities. Given our current limitations on purchasing investments that have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days, we are subject to reinvestment risk. As a result, our net interest income, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

Federal and state government authorities, as well as private entities that include financial institutions and residential mortgage loan servicers, have promoted programs designed to provide homeowners with assistance in avoiding residential mortgage foreclosures. Loan modification programs, as well as future legislative, regulatory, or other actions, including amendments to the bankruptcy laws, could also result in the modification of outstanding mortgages loans. For example, the U.S. Treasury continues to offer refinancing programs for homeowners whose mortgages are greater than their home value, which includes mortgages underlying private-label MBS.

Further, recent settlements involving banking regulators, the federal government, states' attorney generals, and large mortgage servicers have focused on loan modifications and principal write downs. In the current interest rate environment, if such loan modification efforts result in a significant number of prepayments on mortgage loans underlying our investments in MBS, our income could be reduced as we reinvest the proceeds at a lower rate of return or decrease the scale of our balance sheet. Our income could also decline if the FHFA requires us to offer a similar refinancing option for our MPF Loans held in portfolio.

There also have been recent student loan initiatives led by the Department of Education to help borrowers repay or consolidate student loans. To the extent that such current or future initiatives result in a significant number of prepayments on FFELP ABS, our income could be reduced as we reinvest the proceeds at a lower rate of return, or as we decrease the scale of our balance sheet.

Wemembers are subject to and affected by a complex body of laws and regulations, which could change in a manner detrimental to our business operations and financial condition.

We are a GSE organized under the authority of the FHLB Act and are governed by Federal laws and regulations of the FHFA. From time to time, Congress has amended the FHLB Act and adopted other legislation in ways that have significantly affected the FHLBs and the manner in which the FHLBs carry out their housing finance mission and business operations. New or modified legislation enacted by Congress or regulations adopted by the FHFA could have a negative effect on our ability to conduct business or our costs of doing business. In addition, new or modified legislation or regulations governing our members may affect our ability to conduct business or cost of doing business with our members.

The FHFA’s extensive regulatory authority over the FHLBs includes, without limitation, the authority to liquidate, merge, consolidate, or redistrict the FHLBs. The FHFA also has authority over the scope of permissible FHLB products and activities, including the authority to impose limits on those products and activities. As discussed above,For example, the FHFA recentlyin 2016 adopted regulatory changes that disqualified captive insurance companies from FHLB membership.membership, and this may negatively impact our advance levels as our advances with captive insurance companies mature. We can not predict whether the FHFA may issue future FHLB membership rule changes that could impact other classes of members.

Furthermore, we continue Currently, the FHFA is under the leadership of a single director, but if that structure were to change legislatively to a multi-director board or commission, the effect of such changes would be impacted by the evolving regulations issued by other regulators impacting the finance industry, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, which made significant changesdifficult to the overall regulatory framework of the U.S. financial system. In addition, as Congress continues to consider possible reforms for U.S. housing finance, including the resolution of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, any future legislation could directly or indirectly impact GSEs that support the U.S. housing market, including the FHLBs. See Legislative and Regulatory Developments on page 16for more information about recent regulatory developments, including those that pertain to the recent FHFA rules on FHLB membership and the Dodd-Frank Act.predict.

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Changes in our statutory or regulatory requirements or policies or in their application could result in changes in, among other things, our membership base, our cost of funds; liquidity requirements; retained earnings and capital requirements; accounting policies; debt issuance limits; dividend payment limits; the form of dividend payments; capital redemption and repurchase limits; permissible business activities; advance pricing and structure; compliance requirements; and the size, scope, or nature of our lending, investment, or MPF Program activities; all and any of which could be detrimental to our business operations and financial condition.

In addition, as Congress continues to consider possible reforms to the U.S. housing finance system, including the resolution of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, any future legislation could directly or indirectly impact GSEs that support the U.S. housing market, including the FHLBs. See Recent Legislative and Regulatory Developments on page 16for more information about recent regulatory developments. Also, there are additional uncertainties in the legislative and regulatory environment resulting from the change in Administrations.

Moreover, new or modified legislation or regulations governing or impacting our members may affect our ability to conduct business or cost of doing business with our members. For example, the Bank and its members have been impacted by the evolving regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, which made significant changes to the overall regulatory framework of the U.S. financial system, and may continue to be impacted by any future modifications to such requirements. .

Furthermore, changes in statutory or regulatory requirements have also contributed to consolidation in the financial industry and may result in a reduction of our membership base. We lost 37 members due to mergers and acquisitions in 2016. Twenty nine of these members were acquired by other members in our district and eight were acquired by out-of-district institutions. As the financial services industry continues to experience significant consolidation, and to the extent new or modified legislation, the low interest rate environment, and financial technology issues negatively impact our members, we may lose a member or members whose business and capital stock investments are significant to our business. As a result, our financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected.

Changes in the perception, status or regulation of GSEs and the related effect on debt issuance could reduce demand or increase the cost of the FHLBs' debt issuance and adversely affect our earnings.

The FHLBs are GSEs organized under the authority of the FHLB Act and are authorized to issue debt securities to fund their operations and finance housing development in the United States. During the financial crisis, the FHLBs debt pricing came under pressure as investors perceived GSE debt securities, including those securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as bearing increased risk. This increased perception of risk resulted from the negative financial performance of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the FHFA's action to place them into conservatorship in 2008. In addition, credit impairment of private-label MBS resulted in a negative effect on certain FHLBs’ financial performance in the past. More broadly, negative news articles, industry reports, and other announcements pertaining to the housing GSEs could create pressure on all GSE pricing, which could adversely impact us.


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In addition, FHFA regulations require us to perform annual stress tests under various scenarios and make the results of a severely adverse economic conditions test publicly available. The results of the stress test, or the public’s reaction to the results, could adversely impact us.

Furthermore, as the U.S. Congress continues to consider reforms for U.S.GSE and housing finance entities, including the resolution of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,reforms, the FHLBs’ funding costs and access to funds could be adversely affected as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the timing and pace of any possible reforms.changes. Additionally, investor concerns about U.S. agency debt and the U.S. agency debt market may also adversely affect the FHLBs' competitive position and result in higher funding costs, which could negatively affect our earnings.

Failure to scale the size or composition of our balance sheet and our cost infrastructure to member demand for our products may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Although inIn 2015, we resumed purchasing MPF Loans to be held in our portfolio, we do not expect theseportfolio. During 2016, new MPF Loan purchases to be material enough to offsetexceeded pay downs of our legacy MPF Loan portfolio anticipatedportfolio. However, to the extent our new MPF Loan purchases are insufficient to offset pay downs in the near-term. Thus,future, our balance sheet maywould decrease over time as our legacy MPF Loan portfolio continuestime. The same risk applies to pay down and our investment securities mature while we are restricted fromportfolio in light of our regulatory limitations on purchasing longer-termMBS and ABS investments. If our increase in expenses outpaces our increase in income, or if we were to become a smaller sized institution, or the composition of our balance sheet significantly changes in some manner, we would be presented with challenges, such as reducing our cost infrastructure and creating a balance sheet with earning assets that would support that cost infrastructure while providing for future dividends at an appropriate level. Structuring such a balance sheet would be more challenging in a low interest rate environment. In addition, as we incur development and operating costs related to new products and initiatives, we may not generate enough member demand and volume to recover such costs. For example, costs related to severaloperating some of our new MPF products announced during 2015 exceed the revenue generated by these products to date by an amount that is not currently material but which could become so in the future. If we are unable to successfully transition our balance sheet and cost infrastructure to an appropriate composition and size scaled to member demand, our results of operations and financial condition may be negatively impacted.

Restrictions on the redemption, repurchase, or transfer of our capital stock could result in an illiquid investment for the holder.

Under the GLB Act and FHFA regulations, and our Capital Plan, our capital stock is subject to redemption upon the expiration of a five-year redemption period. Only capital stock in excess of a member's or former member's minimum investment requirement that was subject to a redemption request, capital stock of a member that has submitted a notice to withdraw from membership, or capital stock held by a member whose membership has been terminated may be redeemed at the end of the applicable redemption period. Further, we may elect to repurchase excess stock of a member from time to time at our sole discretion without regard to the five-year redemption period. Our current practice isBeginning on January 26, 2017, we began repurchasing all excess class B2 membership stock on a weekly basis at par value, although members may continue to request repurchase of excess member capital stock within three business days after receipt of a member request.in addition to the automatic weekly repurchase.

If the redemption or repurchase of capital stock would cause us to fail to meet our minimum capital requirements or cause the member or former member to fail to maintain its minimum investment requirement, then such redemption or repurchase would be prohibited by FHFA regulations and our Capital Plan. We also may decide to suspend the redemption of capital stock if we reasonably believe that such redemptions would cause us to fail to meet our minimum capital requirements. ThereAll repurchases of excess stock, including automatic weekly repurchases, remain subject to our regulatory capital requirements, certain financial and capital thresholds, and prudent business practices. Accordingly, there is no

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guarantee however, that we will be able to redeem capital stock held by a shareholder even at the end of the redemption period or to repurchase excess capital stock.

In addition, since our capital stock may only be owned by our members (or, under certain circumstances, former members and certain successor institutions), and our Capital Plan requires our approval before a member or nonmember shareholder may transfer any of its capital stock to another member or nonmember shareholder, we cannot provide assurance that a member or nonmember shareholder would be allowed to transfer any excess capital stock to another member or nonmember shareholder at any time. There is no guarantee, however, that a member will be able to redeem its investment even at the end of the applicable redemption period, or that we will repurchase any excess stock.

In addition, approval from the FHFA for redemptions or repurchases would be required if the FHFA or our Board of Directors were to determine that we incurred, or are likely to incur, losses that result in, or are likely to result in, charges against our capital. Under such circumstances, there can be no assurance that the FHFA would grant such approval or, if it did, upon what terms it might do so.

For further discussion of our minimum capital requirements, see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.


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Limitations on the payment of dividends and repurchase of excess capital stock or future changes to our capital stock requirements may adversely affect the effective operation of our business model.

Our business model is based on the goal of maintaining a balance between our housing mission and our objective to provide a reasonable return on our members' investment in the cooperative. We work to achieve this balance by delivering low-cost credit to help our members meet the credit needs of their communities while striving to pay a reasonable dividend on our Class B2 membership stock and a higher dividend on Class B1 activity stock in order to recognize those members that are using advances, which contributes to the overall health of the entire cooperative. See Dividend Payments on page 57. Typically, our capital grows when members are required to purchase additional capital stock as they increase their advances borrowings and our capital declines when we purchase excess capital stock from members as their advances decline.decline such as through our automatic weekly repurchase program.

Under FHFA regulations, the FHLBs may pay dividends on their stock only out of previously retained earnings or current net income, and our ability to pay dividends is subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions and is dependent upon our ability to continue to generate net income. Further, the level of our dividend payments is restricted by our retained earnings and dividend policy as further described under Retained Earnings & Dividends on page 57. If we are unable to maintain a reasonable level of net income, we may become unable to pay dividends or maintain a higher dividend on Class B1 activity stock or the level of dividends could be significantly reduced.

To the extent that current and prospective members determine that our dividend is insufficient or our ability to pay future dividends or repurchase excess capital stock isbecomes limited, we may be unable to expand our membership and may experience decreased member demand for advances requiring capital stock purchases and increased membership requests for withdrawals that may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, during 2015 and 2016, we have made substantial changes to our Capital Plan to reduce the cost of membership and assist members in using the Bank in a manner most appropriate to their business. More specifically, the Bank has reduced the minimum stock requirement in the annual calculation for membership, lowered the cap on membership stock for any one member, decreased the activity stock requirement for advances and reduced the threshold at which Class B2 membership stock converts to Class B1 activity stock, as further discussed in Capital Rules on page 53. In addition, since 2013 the Bank has offered the Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (“RCAP”), which reduces a member’s activity stock requirement for certain advances as further discussed in Reduced Capitalization Advance Program on page 54. To the extent that we are unable to maintain these lower capital stock requirements and continue to offer RCAP, member utilization of the Bank may be impacted, which in turn may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Members' rights in the event of a liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Bank may be uncertain.

Under the GLB Act, holders of Class B Stock own the retained earnings, surplus, undivided profits, and equity reserves of the Bank. Our Capital Plan provides that, with respect to a liquidation of the Bank, after payment to creditors, Class B Stock will be redeemed at par, or pro rata if liquidation proceeds are insufficient to redeem all of the Capital Stockcapital stock in full. Any remaining assets will be distributed on a pro rata basis to those members that were holders of Class B Stock immediately prior to such liquidation. With respect to a merger or consolidation affecting us, members will be subject to the terms and conditions of any plan of merger and/or terms established or approved by the FHFA. Our Capital Plan also provides that its provision governing liquidation or merger is subject to the FHFA's statutory authority to prescribe regulations or orders governing liquidation, reorganization, or merger of an FHLB. Although our members would have an opportunity to ratify any merger agreement in a voluntary merger between us and another FHLB, we cannot predict how the FHFA might exercise its authority with respect to liquidations or reorganizations, or whether any actions taken by the FHFA in this regard would be inconsistent with the provisions of our Capital Plan or the rights of holders of Class B Stock in the retained earnings of the Bank.

Compliance with regulatory contingency liquidity guidance could restrict investment activities and adversely impact net interest income.

We are required to maintain sufficient liquidity through short-term investments in an amount at least equal to our anticipated cash outflows under two hypothetical scenarios for the treatment of maturing advances as described in Liquidity Measures on page 48. This regulatory guidance is designed to provide sufficient liquidity and to protect against temporary disruptions in the capital markets that affect the FHLB System's access to funding. To satisfy this liquidity requirement, we maintain increased balances in short-term investments, which may earn lower interest rates than alternate investment options and may, in turn, negatively impact net interest income.

In certain circumstances, we may need to fund overnight or shorter-term investments and advances

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


with discount notes that have maturities that extend beyond the maturities of the related investments or advances. Net interest income on investments

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and advances may be reduced. Also, to the extent that short-term advance pricing is increased, our short-term advances may be less competitive, which may adversely affect advance levels and our net interest income.

If additional regulatory liquidity requirements are issued in the future, our business activities and operations could be adversely affected.

Failure to meet minimum regulatory capital requirements could affect our ability to conduct business and could adversely affect our earnings.

We are subject to certain minimum capital requirements under the FHLB Act, as amended, and FHFA rules and regulations that include total capital, leverage capital, and risk-based capital requirements. If we are unable to satisfy our minimum capital requirements, we could be subject to certain capital restoration requirements and prohibited from paying dividends and redeeming or repurchasing capital stock without the prior approval of the FHFA, which could adversely affect a member's investment in our capital stock. Furthermore, any suspension of dividends and/or capital stock repurchases and redemptions could decrease member confidence, which in turn could reduce advance demand and net income should members elect to use alternative sources of wholesale funding. As a result of a risk-based capital shortfall, investors could perceive an increased level of risk or deterioration in our performance, which could result in a downgrade in our outlook or our short- or long-term credit ratings. For further discussion of our minimum regulatory capital requirements, see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.

FHFA regulations annually require us to perform stress tests under various scenarios and make the results of a severely adverse economic conditions test publicly available. The severity of the required scenarios is subject to the FHFA’s discretion. We use such stress tests as part of our capital planning process and evaluate the adequacy of capital resources available to absorb potential losses arising from those risks. While we believe that our capital base is sufficient to support our current operations given our risk profile, future required scenarios and the results of the stress testing process may affect our approach to managing and deploying capital.

Government measures to stimulate the economy and help borrowers refinance home mortgages may adversely impact the value of the assets we hold and our results of operations and financial condition.
Our business and results of operations are significantly affected by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, through its regulation of the supply of money and credit in the United States. The Federal Reserve's policies directly and indirectly influence the yield on interest-earning assets.

After the financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent economic downturn, the Federal Reserve maintained several measures to depress short-term and longer-term interest rates to stabilize the U.S. housing and financial markets. Although the Federal Reserve Board concluded its so-called "quantitative easing" asset purchase program in late 2014 and raised interest rates for the second time in a decade in December 2016, it has maintained its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its agency debt and agency MBS.

These measures as well as other government measures could adversely impact us in various ways, including through lower market yields on investments and elevated prepayments on our higher yielding MPF Loans and securities. Given our current limitations on purchasing ABS and MBS investments, we are subject to reinvestment risks. As a result, our net interest income, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

During the last economic downturn, federal and state government authorities, as well as private entities that include financial institutions and residential mortgage loan servicers, promoted programs designed to provide homeowners with assistance in avoiding residential mortgage foreclosures. During that same period, settlements involving banking regulators, the federal government, states' attorney generals, and large mortgage servicers focused on loan modifications and principal write downs. 

Loan modification programs, as well as future legislative, regulatory, or other actions, including amendments to the bankruptcy laws, could result in the modification of outstanding mortgages loans.  If such loan modification efforts result in a significant number of prepayments on mortgage loans underlying our investments in MBS, particularly during a low interest rate environment, our income could be reduced as we reinvest the proceeds at a lower rate of return or decrease the scale of our balance sheet.  Our income could also decline if regulatory requirements are put in place requiring us to offer a refinancing option for our MPF Loans held in portfolio.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


A decline in mortgage originations, any shift from a mortgage loan refinancing market to a purchase money market, and the loss of certain PFIs in the future may negatively impact our business.

Some forecasts suggest that mortgage originations are expected to decline in the near future, with the bulk of new originations coming from non-bank originators who are not members of the FHLBs and therefore not eligible to participate in our MPF Program. To the extent these forecasts are accurate, we may experience a decrease in volume available to purchase from our PFIs. Forecasts also predict a shift from a mortgage loan refinancing market, in which our PFIs are more active, to a purchase money market. To the extent these forecasts are accurate and our PFIs do not shift to originating purchase money mortgage loans, we may incur a decrease in volume available to purchase from our PFIs.

In 2015, we resumed purchasing MPF Loans to be held in our portfolio. During 2016, the top five PFIs, in the aggregate, accounted for 77% of our MPF on balance sheet purchases. To the extent we lose our business with these PFIs and cannot attract comparable replacements, our business may be adversely affected.

The loss of key personnel or difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified personnel could adversely impact our business and financial results.

Much of our future success depends on the continued availability and service of senior management personnel. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key senior management personnel could harm our business. Additionally, we must continue to recruit, retain and motivate management and other employees sufficiently, both to maintain our current business and to execute our strategic initiatives. If we are unable to recruit, retain and motivate employees sufficiently to maintain our current business and support our projected growth, our business and financial performance may be adversely affected.

Market Risks

AsTo the extent that our legacy MPF Loan portfolio decreases and as our investment securities mature, we may experience a future reduction in our net interest income, which may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

AsWe are currently unable to make additional investments in MBS and ABS under FHFA regulatory limits as discussed in Investments on page 12, we are not permitted to purchase investments that have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days without prior approval from the FHFA. Although we received approval to resume purchasing MPF Loans for our portfolio in 2015, we do not expect12. Additionally, although during 2016, new MPF Loan purchases in the near-termexceeded pay downs of our legacy MPF Loan portfolio, our new MPF Loan purchases may be insufficient to fully offset anticipated pay downs of our legacy MPF Loan portfolio which decreased by 20% during 2015.in the future. Moreover, any new investments we purchase may not be on as favorable terms or generate as much income as our maturing investments. Thus, we expect that our overall earning potential may be negatively impacted as investment securities decrease over time and to the size ofextent that decreases in our legacy MPF Loan portfolio and investment securities decrease over time.are not offset by new MPF Loan purchases.

A sustained period of low interest rates, rapid changes in interest rates, or an inability to successfully manage interest-rate risk could have a material adverse effect on our net interest income.

We realize net interest income primarily from the spread between interest earned on our outstanding advances, MPF Loans, and investments less the interest paid on our consolidated obligations and other liabilities. Our business and results of operations are affected significantly by the fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government and its agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board's policies, which are difficult to depress short-term and long-term interest rates to stabilize the U.S. economy.predict.  Therefore, our ability to anticipate changes regarding the direction and speed of interest rate changes, or to hedge the related exposures, significantly affects the success of our asset and liability management activities and our level of net interest income. We use a number of measures in our efforts to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including income simulations and duration, market value, and convexity sensitivity analyses.

Given the unpredictability of the financial markets, capturing all potential outcomes in these analyses is difficult. Key assumptions include, but are not limited to, loan volumes and pricing, market conditions for our consolidated obligations, interest rate spreads and prepayment speeds, implied volatility of options contracts, and cash flows on mortgage-related assets. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and they cannot precisely estimate net interest income and the market value of equity. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors. Volatility and disruption in the credit markets may have resulted in a higher level of volatility in our interest-rate risk profile and could negatively affect our ability to manage interest-rate risk effectively.

Interest rate changes can exacerbate prepayment and extension risk, which is the risk that mortgage-based investments will be refinanced by the borrower in low interest-rate environments or will remain outstanding longer than expected at below-market yields when interest rates increase. Decreases in interest rates typically cause mortgage prepayments to increase and may result in lower interest income and substandard performance in our mortgage portfolio as we experience a return of principal that

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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


we re-invest in a lower rate environment and shorter-term assets due to our 270-day investment restriction.environment. In addition, while these prepayments would reduce the asset balance, the associated debt may remain outstanding at above-market rates. Thus, a sustained period of low interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our net interest income. Conversely, when interest rates increase, we may experience extension risk, which is the risk that our mortgage-based investments will remain outstanding longer than expected at below-market yields. AnyTherefore, any rapid change in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest income. See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk on page 75 for additional discussion and analysis regarding our sensitivity to interest rate changes and the use of derivatives to manage our exposure to interest-rate risk.

We depend on the FHLBs' ability to access the capital markets in order to fund our business.

Our primary source of funds is the sale of FHLB consolidated obligations in the capital markets, including the short-term capital markets due to our increased reliance on discount note funding. Our ability to obtain funds through the sale of consolidated obligations depends in part on prevailing market conditions, such as investor demand and liquidity in the financial markets, which are beyond the control of the FHLBs. The severe financial and economic disruptions during the most recent financial crisis, and the U.S. government's dramatic measures enacted to mitigate the effects, affected the FHLBs' funding costs and practices. Our ability to operate our business, meet our obligations, and generate net interest income depends primarily on the ability of the FHLB System to issue debt frequently to meet member demand and to refinance our existing outstanding consolidated obligations at attractive rates, maturities, and call features, when needed. A significant portion of our advances are issued at interest rates that reset periodically at a fixed spread to an FHLB discount note rate-based index, so member demand for such advances may decrease to the extent that the FHLB System is unable to continue to issue debt at attractive rates.

The sale of FHLB consolidated obligations can also be influenced by factors other than conditions in the capital markets, including legislative and regulatory developments and government programs and policies that affect the relative attractiveness of FHLB consolidated obligations. For example, recent regulations related to capital and liquidity have impacted how debt dealers are managing their balance sheets. Although dealer capacity for FHLB consolidated obligations has occasionally been somewhat constrained as a result, it has not negatively impacted our funding costs and we have been able to adapt our issuance patterns so that it has not yet impeded our ability to meet our funding needs nor has it negatively impacted our funding costs.needs. We believe this is primarily driven by continued strong investor demand for FHLB debt. However, to the extent that such regulatory changes or other developments impact dealer demand or capacity for FHLB debt, our funding costs and/or access to the capital markets may be adversely affected.

We have a significant amount of discount notes outstanding with maturities of one year or less. We are exposed to liquidity risk if there is any significant disruption in the short-term debt markets. If a disruption were prolonged, we may not be able to obtain funding on acceptable terms. Any significant disruption that would prevent us from re-issuing discount notes for an extended period of time as they mature may require us to recognize into income up to $466$310 million of currently open deferred hedge costs out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Without access to the short-term debt markets, the alternative longer-term funding, if available, would increase funding costs and could cause us to increase advance rates, potentially adversely affecting demand for advances. If we cannot access funding when needed on acceptable terms, our ability to support and continue operations could be adversely affected. As a result, our inability to manage our liquidity position or our contingency liquidity plan to meet our obligations, as well as the credit and liquidity needs of our members, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and the value of FHLB membership.

In addition, we are sensitive to maintaining an appropriate liquidity and funding balance between our financial assets and liabilities, and we measure and monitor the risk of refunding such assets as liabilities mature (refunding risk). In measuring the level of assets requiring refunding, we take into account their contractual maturities. In addition, we make certain assumptions about their expected cash flows. However, our earnings and our ability to conduct our business may be adversely impacted to the extent we insufficiently maintain an appropriate liquidity to funding balance between our financial assets and liabilities.

Our funding costs and/or access to the capital markets and demand for certain of our products could be adversely impacted by any changes in the credit ratings for FHLB System consolidated obligations or our individual credit ratings.

FHLB System consolidated obligations are rated Aaa/P-1 with a stable outlook by Moody's and AA+/A-1+ with a stable outlook by S&P. Rating agencies may from time to time change a rating or issue negative reports. Because all of the FHLBs have joint and several liability for all FHLB consolidated obligations, negative developments at any FHLB may affect these credit ratings or result in the issuance of a negative report regardless of an individual FHLB's financial condition and results of operation. In addition, because of the FHLBs' GSE status, the credit ratings of the FHLBs and the FHLB System are generally constraineddirectly influenced by the long-term sovereign credit rating of the U.S. government.  IfFor example, downgrades to the U.S. sovereign credit rating and outlook may occur if the U.S. government fails to adequately address, based on the credit rating agencies' criteria, its fiscal budget process or statutory debt limit, downgrades to the U.S. sovereign credit rating and outlook may occur.limit. As a result, similar downgrades in the credit ratings and outlook on the FHLBs and FHLB System consolidated obligations maywould mostly likely occur even though they are not obligations of the United States.

Although credit rating actions
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(Dollars in recent years have not had a material effect on the FHLBs funding costs, any futuretables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Future downgrades may result in higher FHLB funding costs and/or disruptions in access to the capital markets and our ability to maintain adequate liquidity. Any reduction in our individual Bank ratings may also trigger additional collateral posting requirements under certain of our derivative instruments. Further, member demand for certain of our products, such as letters of credit, is influenced by our credit rating and a downgrade of our credit rating could weaken member demand for such products.


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Additionally, we are highly dependent on using derivative instruments to obtain low-cost funding and to manage interest rate risk. Negative credit rating events might also have an adverse affect on our ability to enter into derivative instruments with acceptable terms, increasing the cost of funding or limiting our ability to manage interest rate risk effectively.

To the extent that we cannot access funding when needed or enter into derivatives on acceptable terms to effectively manage our cost of funds and exposure to interest rate risk or demand for our products falls, our financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

We are jointly and severally liable for the consolidated obligations of other FHLBs.

Under the FHLB Act, we are jointly and severally liable with other FHLBs for consolidated obligations issued through the Office of Finance. If another FHLB defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest on any consolidated obligation, the FHFA has the ability to allocate the outstanding liability among one or more of the remaining FHLBs on a pro rata basis or on any other basis that the FHFA may determine. The likelihood of triggering our joint and several liability obligation depends on many factors, including the financial condition and financial performance of other the other FHLBs. For example, to the extent one or more FHLBs had significant unsecured credit exposures outstanding at the time of counterparty failure, the affected FHLBs may fail to meet their obligations to pay principal or interest on consolidated obligations. If we were required by the FHFA to make payment on consolidated obligations beyond our primary obligation, our financial condition, and results of operations could be negatively affected.

We are subject to various risks on our FFELP ABS investments.

Our FFELP ABS investments are securitizations of student loans that are guaranteed by guarantee agencies whose guaranties are reinsured by the U.S. Department of Education, or re-securitizations of such FFELP ABS. As of December 31, 2015,2016, we held $5.3$4.6 billion of FFELP ABS investments.

We are subject to basis risk on these FFELP ABS because the Department of Education is responsible for making interest subsidy payments at a rate that is different from the rate on our FFELP ABS investments. Beginning in 2012, the Department of Education permitted holders of FFELP loans to permanently change this interest subsidy payment index rate from the previous 3-month commercial paper rate to a 1-month LIBOR rate plus a spread. Most FFELP ABS, including those we hold, pay a floating interest rate at 3-month LIBOR plus a spread. As of December 31, 2014, allAll FFELP ABS that the Bank holds now reflect an interest subsidy payment rate of 1-month LIBOR plus a spread. Although the change in interest subsidy payments from a 3-month commercial paper rate to a 1-month LIBOR rate reduces the volatility in basis risk now that both the ABS and interest subsidy rates are indexed to LIBOR, we remain subject to basis risk to the extent that these different LIBOR tenors do not move together in the future.

Because the loans backing our FFELP ABS investments are supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the ratings of FFELP ABS are generally constrained by the sovereign credit rating of the U.S. government.  In addition, ratings may be impacted by changes in rating agency criteria. For example, rating agencies recently re-evaluated their methodology around the receipt of final payment on student loans in response to borrower assistance plans which have resulted in slower repayment, in some cases beyond the debt’s original maturity date. To the extent that there are future downgrades to the U.S. sovereign credit rating or other rating agency actions which impact the ratings of our FFELP ABS, it may negatively impact the value of our investments.

We are also subject to servicing risk on these FFELP ABS because a guarantee agency may refuse to honor its guarantee if the servicer does not satisfy specific origination and servicing procedures, as prescribed by various U.S. federal and guarantor regulations. If default rates increase on the student loans backing our FFELP ABS, the yield and value on our securities may be negatively impacted to the extent guarantees are not honored by the guarantee agencies.

Credit Risks

Our financial condition and results of operations, and the value of Bank membership, could be adversely affected by our exposure to credit risk.

We are exposed to credit risk principally through advances or commitments to our members, MPF Loans and related exposures, derivatives counterparties, unsecured counterparties, and issuers of investment securities or the collateral underlying them. We assume secured and unsecured credit risk exposure associated with the risk that a borrower or counterparty could default, and we could suffer a loss if we are unable to fully recover amounts owed on a timely basis. In addition, we have exposure to credit risk because fair value of an obligation may decline as a result of deterioration in the creditworthiness of the obligor or the credit quality of a security instrument. We have a high concentration of credit risk exposure to financial institutions and mortgage

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assets. Financial institutions have presented a higher degree of credit risk because of the recent downturn in the housing and capital markets.

A credit loss, if material, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We follow guidelines established by our Board of Directors and the FHFA on unsecured extensions of credit, whether on- or off-balance sheet, which limit the amounts and terms of unsecured credit exposure to highly rated counterparties, the U.S. government, other FHLBs, and other FHLBs.partners of our Community First Fund. However, there can be no assurance that these activities will prevent losses due to defaults on these assets.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Advances. The U.S. housing market remains exposed to increased credit risk asAlthough the U.S. economy continuesand housing markets continued to recover. Although the rate of member failures was significantly lowerimprove in 2014 and 2015,2016, some financial institutions, including some of our members, remain under financial stress exposing us to greater risk that one or more of our members may default on their outstanding obligations to us, including the repayment of advances.

To protect against credit risk for advances, we require advances to be collateralized and have policies and procedures in place to reasonably estimate the value of the collateral. In order to remain fully collateralized, we may require a member to pledge additional collateral, when deemed necessary. This requirement may adversely affect those members that lack additional assets to pledge as collateral. If members are unable to secure their obligations, our advance levels could decrease.

If a member defaults on its obligations, or the FDIC, or any other applicable receiver, fails either to promptly repay all of that failed institution's obligations or to assume the outstanding advances, then we may be required to liquidate the collateral pledged by the failed institution. The volatility of market prices and interest rates could affect the value of the collateral we hold as security for the obligations of our members. The proceeds realized from the liquidation of pledged collateral may not be sufficient to fully satisfy the amount of the failed institution's obligations or the operational cost of liquidating the collateral. Default by a member with significant outstanding obligations to us could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

As we continue to work toward building a stronger cooperative and increasing advances by adding new members, we are actively focusing on institutions that have not traditionally been a large part of our membership, such as insurance companies, community development financial institutions, and housing associates. As we increase our membership to include more non-federally insured members and increase credit outstanding to such members, we face uncertainties surrounding the possible resolution of those members, in part due to our lack of experience in dealing with their regulators and any receivers and other liquidators that may be involved in the resolution of these members.

Also, as we update our collateral loan eligibility criteria to accept more complex loan structures and additional commercial loan property types, we face risks relating to valuing and liquidating collateral with these characteristics. Although we will closely monitor our credit and collateral agreement processes, for this segment of members, we may experience credit losses and our business may be adversely affected if we are unable to sufficiently collateralize our risk exposures in the event of potential default by or resolution of these members.

Derivatives Counterparties. Our hedging strategies are highly dependent on our ability to enter into derivative instrument transactions with counterparties on acceptable terms to reduce interest-rate risk and funding costs. If a counterparty defaults on payments due to us, we may need to enter into a replacement derivative contract with a different counterparty, which may be at a higher cost, or we may be unable to obtain a replacement contract. We may also be exposed to collateral losses to the extent that we have pledged collateral and theits value of the pledged collateral changes.

The insolvency of one of our largest derivatives counterparties combined with an adverse change in the market before we are able to transfer or replace the contracts could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Further, to the extent that we have pledged collateral under the requirements of the derivative contract and the fair market value of the collateral increases above the value of the derivatives contract, we may experience delays in having our collateral returned or could experience losses if the counterparty fails to return the collateral.

If we experience further disruptions in the credit markets, it may increase the likelihood that one of our derivatives counterparties fails to meet their obligations to us. In addition, the recent volatility of market prices could adversely affect the value of the collateral we hold as security for the obligations of these counterparties. See Note 9 - Derivative and Hedging Activities to the financial statements for a description of derivatives credit exposure.

Rating agencies may from time to time change our rating or issue negative reports, which may adversely affect our ability to enter into derivative transactions with acceptable counterparties on satisfactory terms in the quantities necessary to manage our interest-rate risk and funding costs. A reduction in our credit rating or of the FHLB System credit rating may also trigger additional collateral requirements under our derivative contracts. This could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations and the value of FHLB membership.

Federal Funds. We invest in Federal Funds sold in order to ensure the availability of funds to meet members' credit and liquidity needs. Because these investments are unsecured, our credit policies and FHFA regulations restrict these investments to short-term maturities and certain eligible counterparties. If the credit markets experience further disruptions, it may increase the

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


likelihood that one of our Federal Funds counterparties could experience liquidity or financial constraints that may cause them to become insolvent or otherwise default on their obligations to us. For further discussion on our Federal Funds investments, see Unsecured Short-TermShort Term Investments on page 72.

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell. We also invest in securities purchased under agreements to resell in order to ensure the availability of funds to meet members' liquidity and credit needs.  These investments are secured by marketable securities held by a third-party custodian.  If the credit markets experience disruptions, it may increase the likelihood

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that one of our counterparties could experience liquidity or financial constraints that may cause them to become insolvent or otherwise default on their obligations to us.  If the collateral pledged to secure those obligations has decreased in value, we may suffer a loss.  See the table in Investment Securities by Rating on page 6970 for a summary of counterparty credit ratings for these investments.

Our MPF Program products have different risks than those related to our traditional advances products, which could adversely impact our results of operations.

The MPF Program, as compared to our advances products, is more susceptible to credit losses. In recent years, as a result of the weak U.S. housing market, we experienced higher delinquency rates, default rates, and average loan loss severity contributing to increased credit losses on our MPF Loan portfolio. As the U.S. housing market continued to stabilizeimprove during 2015,2016, our allowance for credit losses on our MPF Loan portfolio continued to decline consistent with the general positive trends in the housing markets and smaller portfolio of legacy MPF Loans held on our balance sheet. However, to the extent that economic conditions weaken and regional or national home prices decline, we could experience higher delinquency levels and loss severities on our MPF Loan portfolio in the future. We are exposed to losses on our conventional MPF Loans held in our portfolio through our obligation to absorb losses up to the FLA and to the extent those losses are not recoverable from PFIs from withholding performance based CE Fees (Recoverable CE Fees). Our FLA exposure as of December 31, 20152016 is $122$121 million. The next layer of losses after the FLA is allocated to the PFI, or SMI, as applicable, through the CE Amount. If losses accelerate in the overall mortgage market, we may experience increased losses that are allocated to us through the FLA or that may otherwise exceed the PFI's CE Amount and Recoverable CE Fees. Further, the PFIs may experience credit deterioration and default on their credit enhancement obligations, which, to the extent not offset against collateral provided by the PFIs, could cause us to incur additional losses and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Under the MPF Government MBS product, we absorb any associated credit losses if we are unable to recover from the servicer or the insuring or guarantying government agencyagency. We have the same risk with respect to the MPF Government MBS loans we acquired from our members unless the servicing was sold under our servicing released option in which the new servicer assumes our Ginnie Mae issuer responsibilities.

We are exposed to mortgage repurchase liability in connection with our sale of MPF Loans to Fannie Mae under the MPF Xtra product, to third-party investors under the MPF Direct Product, and to Ginnie Mae for MPF Loans securitized in Ginnie Mae MBS. If a loan eligibility requirement or other warranty is breached, these third parties could require us to repurchase the MPF Loan or provide an indemnity. If the PFI from which we purchased an ineligible MPF Loan is viable, we can require the PFI to repurchase that MPF Loan from us or indemnify us for related losses. Under the MPF Direct product, if a PFI is insolvent, our repurchase liability is limited to a PFI’s failure to deliver the required loan documentation and excludes repurchases for breaches of loan level representations and warranties. In addition, if we purchase the ineligible MPF Loan from a PFI of another MPF Bank, the MPF Bank will indemnify us for any losses we may incur. As of December 31, 2015,2016, we had $38$45 million of repurchase requests and indemnifications outstanding to PFIs related to MPF Xtra loans and no outstanding repurchase requests or indemnifications for our new MPF Direct and MPF Government MBS products. Because repurchase requests from third-party investors may be made up until full repayment of a loan rather than when a purported defect is first identified, repurchase requests received as of a particular date may not reflect total repurchase liability for loans outstanding as of that date. In certain circumstances, third-party investors may not make a repurchase or indemnification request until a loan becomes past due or defaults. PFIs are also required to repurchase ineligible MPF Loans we hold in our portfolio, as further discussed in Mortgage Repurchase Risk on page 66.67.
Some of our PFIs from whom we may request repurchase or seek indemnification aremay be highly leveraged and have beenmay be adversely affected by recent economic and housing market conditions and disruptions in the financial and credit markets, which may impact their ability to fulfill their indemnification or repurchase obligations to us. Although we require members to pledge collateral to secure all outstanding credit obligations, only in certain cases do we require PFIs to collateralize repurchase obligations and indemnifications given their credit condition and size of their repurchase obligation or indemnification. In the event that a PFI becomes insolvent or otherwise defaults on its repurchase or indemnification obligation to us and we cannot offset the credit loss amount against collateral provided by the PFI or, alternatively, the FDIC, we could experience losses on MPF Loans.
We also have geographic concentrations of MPF Loans secured by properties in certain states. To the extent that any of these geographic areas experience significant declines in the local housing markets, declining economic conditions, or a natural disaster, we could experience increased losses. For further information on these concentrations, see Geographic Concentration on page 66.67.

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



For a description of the MPF Program, our obligations with respect to credit losses and the PFI's obligation to provide credit enhancement and comply with anti-predatory lending laws, see Mortgage Partnership Finance Program on page 7.

Increased delinquency rates, loan modifications, or legal actions could result
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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in additional credit losses on mortgage loans that back our private-label MBS investments, which could adversely affect the yield on or value of these investments.tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Prior to 2007, we invested in private-label MBS, which are backed by subprime, prime, and alternative documentation or Alt-A mortgage loans. We held private-label MBS with a carrying amount of $952 million at December 31, 2015 and recorded no OTTI charges for 2013 through 2015. Although we only invested in AAA rated tranches when purchasing these MBS, a majority of these securities were subsequently downgraded and sustained realized or projected credit losses due to economic conditions and housing market trends. Although market prices for many of these private-label MBS have improved recently, the depth and duration of prior trends continues to affect the market value for some of our private-label MBS. See Investment Securities on page 68 for a description of these securities.

It is not possible to predict the magnitude of additional OTTI charges in the future, because that will depend on many factors, including economic, unemployment, financial market and housing market conditions and the actual and projected performance of the loan collateral underlying our MBS. If delinquency and/or loss rates on mortgages increase, and/or there is a decline in residential real estate values, we could experience reduced yields or further losses on these investment securities. Further, delayed and prolonged foreclosure processes may result in loss severities beyond current expectations, potentially resulting in disruption to cash flows from impacted securities and further depression in real estate prices.

In general, during 2015, the U.S. housing market continued to improve, benefiting from mortgage rates remaining low and increased buyer confidence resulting from greater stability in the job market and an improving economy. If positive trends in the housing markets and housing prices reverse or are less than projected, there may additional credit losses from other-than-temporary impairments. For example, slower economic recovery, in either the U.S. as a whole or in specific regions of the country, or delays in foreclosures, could result in higher delinquencies, increasing the risk of credit losses that adversely affect the yield or value of these securities.

In addition, we have geographic concentrations of private-label MBS secured by mortgage properties that exceed 10% in California (37%). To the extent that this geographic area experiences further declines in the local housing markets or economic conditions or a natural disaster, we could experience increased losses on these investments.

Loan modification programs, settlements with the banking regulators, the federal government, and the nation's largest mortgages servicers and states' attorneys generals, as well as future legislative, regulatory or other actions, including amendments to the bankruptcy laws, that result in the modification of outstanding mortgage loans, may adversely affect the value of our private-label MBS investments.

In certain circumstances, we rely on other FHLBs to manage credit risk related to our former members and credit enhancement and servicing obligations of PFIs located outside of our district, and if those FHLBs failed to appropriately manage this credit risk or enforce a PFI's obligations, we could experience losses.

In certain circumstances, for example when a member leaves the Bank due to a merger and the acquiring entity is a member of another FHLB, the other FHLB will hold and manage the former member's collateral covering advances and any other amounts still outstanding to us. The other FHLB will either subordinate to us all collateral it receives from the member, we may enter into an inter-creditor agreement, or we may elect to accept an assignment of specific collateral in an amount sufficient to cover our exposure. If the other FHLB were to inappropriately manage the collateral, we could incur losses in the event that the former member defaults.

28

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We hold a significant portfolio of participation interests in mortgage loans acquired under the MPF Program from other FHLBs. PFIs located in other FHLB districts provide servicing and credit enhancement for these MPF Loans and we rely on the FHLB from the district in which the PFI is located to manage the related credit risk and enforce the PFI's obligations. If there were losses arising from these MPF Loans and the other FHLB were to fail to manage the risk of PFI default or enforce the PFI's obligations, we could incur losses in the event of a PFI default.

Increased delinquency rates, loan modifications, or legal actions could result in additional credit losses on mortgage loans that back our private-label MBS investments, which could adversely affect the yield on or value of these investments.

Prior to 2007, we invested in private-label MBS, which are backed by subprime, prime, and alternative documentation or Alt-A mortgage loans. Although we only invested in AAA rated tranches when purchasing these MBS, a majority of these securities were subsequently downgraded and sustained realized or projected credit losses due to economic conditions and housing market trends. Although market prices for many of these private-label MBS have improved recently, the depth and duration of prior trends continues to affect the market value for some of our private-label MBS. See Investment Securities on page 69 for a description of these securities.

It is not possible to predict the magnitude of additional OTTI charges in the future, because that will depend on many factors, including increased delinquency rates, loan modifications or legal actions. If positive trends in the housing markets and housing prices reverse or are less than projected, there may additional credit losses from other-than-temporary impairments. In addition, we have geographic concentrations of private-label MBS secured by mortgage properties that exceed 10% in California (38%). To the extent that this geographic area experiences further declines in the local housing markets or economic conditions or a natural disaster, we could experience increased losses on these investments.

We are jointly and severally liable for the consolidated obligations of other FHLBs.

Under the FHLB Act, we are jointly and severally liable with other FHLBs for consolidated obligations issued through the Office of Finance. If another FHLB defaults on its obligation to pay principal or interest on any consolidated obligation, the FHFA has the ability to allocate the outstanding liability among one or more of the remaining FHLBs on a pro rata basis or on any other basis that the FHFA may determine. The likelihood of triggering our joint and several liability obligation depends on many factors, including the financial condition and financial performance of other the other FHLBs. For example, to the extent one or more FHLBs had significant unsecured credit exposures outstanding at the time of counterparty failure, the affected FHLBs may fail to meet their obligations to pay principal or interest on consolidated obligations. If we were required by the FHFA to make payment on consolidated obligations beyond our primary obligation, our financial condition, and results of operations could be negatively affected.

Operational Risks

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of a large volume of personally identifiable information of mortgage loan borrowers, such as names, residential addresses, social security numbers, credit rating data, and other consumer financial information. We rely heavily on communications, information systems and internet to conduct our business. The continued occurrence of high-profile data breaches at other institutions provides evidence of an external environment with increasing attack vectors and sophistication to personal data infiltration. Other companies have also reported breaches and other attacks, some severe, which have involved targeted attacks intended to disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems. This environment demands that we continuously improve our design, implementation and monitoring of security controls. Despite these efforts, it is possible our security controls over personal data, our training of employees and vendors on data security, and other practices we follow may not prevent the improper disclosure of personally identifiable information that we or our vendors store and manage. We are also subject to the risk that our employees may intercept and transmit unauthorized confidential or proprietary information. Improper disclosure of this information could harm our reputation, lead to legal exposure to borrowers, or

28

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


subject us to liability under laws that protect personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Additionally, cyberattacks, whether through computer hacking, vandalism, malware, or computer viruses may lead to shutdowns or disruptions in our systems. Our cyber risk and other insurance might not be sufficient to cover us against claims related to security incidents, breaches, cyberattacks and other related events. Attempting to protect our information technology networks and systems may cause us to incur increasing costs, including costs to deploy additional personnel and protection technologies, to train employees, and to engage third party security experts and consultants.

We rely on quantitative models to manage risk, to make business decisions, and to value our assets and liabilities. Our business could be adversely affected if those models fail to produce reliable results.

We make significant use of both internal and external business and financial models to measure and monitor our risk exposures; including interest rate, prepayment, and other market risks, as well as credit risk. We also use models in determining the fair value of financial instruments when independent price quotations are not available or reliable. The information provided by these models is also used in making business decisions relating to strategies, initiatives, risk management, transactions, and products, and for financial reporting. Models are inherently imperfect predictors of actual results because they are based on available data and assumptions about factors such as future loan demand, prepayment speeds, default rates, severity rates, and other factors that may overstate or understate future experience. When market conditions change rapidly and dramatically, the assumptions used for our models may not keep pace with changing conditions. Inaccurate data or assumptions in these models are likely to produce unreliable results. For example, uncertainty in the housing and mortgage markets may increase our exposure to the inherent risks associated with the reliance on internal models that use key assumptions to project future trends and performance. Although we regularly adjust our internal models in response to changes in economic conditions and the housing market and rely on our vendors to adjust our external models, the risk remains that our internal models could produce unreliable results or estimates that vary considerably from actual results.

If these models fail to produce reliable results, we may not make appropriate risk management or business decisions, which could adversely affect our earnings, liquidity, capital position, and financial condition. Furthermore, any strategies that we employ to attempt to manage the risks associated with the use of models may not be effective.

Improper disclosure of personal data could result in liability and harm our reputation.

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of a large volume of personally identifiable information of mortgage loan borrowers, such as names, residential addresses, social security numbers, credit rating data, and other consumer financial information. The continued occurrence of high-profile data breaches at other institutions provides evidence of an external environment increasingly hostile to information security. This environment demands that we continuously improve our design and coordination of security controls. Despite these efforts, it is possible our security controls over personal data, our training of employees and vendors on data security, and other practices we follow may not prevent the improper disclosure of personally identifiable information that we or our vendors store and manage. Improper disclosure of this information could harm our reputation, lead to legal exposure to borrowers, or subject us to liability under laws that protect personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue.

Failures or interruptions in our information systems and other technology, including as a result of cyber attacks, may adversely affect our ability to effectively conduct and manage our business.

Our business is dependent upon our ability to interface effectively with other FHLBs, members, PFIs, and other third parties. Our products and services requireinvolve a complex and sophisticated operating environment supported by operating systems, which may be purchased, custom-developed, or out-sourced. Maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of the technology used in our operations is dependent on the continued timely implementation of technology solutions and systems necessary to effectively manage the Bank and mitigate risk, which may require significant capital expenditures. If we are unable to maintain these technological capabilities, including retention of key technology personnel, we may not be able to remain competitive and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be significantly compromised. To the extent that the measures we take to protect the security of our information systems do not prevent a failure or breach, including events resulting from a cyber attack, we may be unable to manage our business effectively or experience losses, reputational damage, or other harm. To date, we have not experienced any material effect or losses related to significant interruptions in our information systems, cyber attacks or other breaches.

Failures or interruptions in our internal control, or operating processes generally, may harm our financial condition, results of operations, and reputation.

Failures in our controls over financial reporting could result from human error, fraud, breakdowns in information and computer systems or lapses in operating processes. Moreover, lapses in our operating processes, including manual processes, could result from human error and could affect our overall operations. If significant control failure were to occur, or if a significant lapse in any operating process were to occur, it could materially impact 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 operational interruptions. If we are unable to correct material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal controls in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC could be adversely affected. A failure in our internal control over financial reporting or a lapse in our operating processes could cause our members to lose confidence in our reported financial information, in our processes, or in us as a whole, subject us to government enforcement actions, and generally, materially, and adversely impact our business and financial condition.


29

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We purchase a significant portion of our data center services, including disaster recovery capabilities, from third-party vendors, and if our vendors fail to adequately perform the contracted services in the manner necessary to meet our needs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be harmed.

We have engaged various vendors to provide us with data center outsourcing services that include hardware, software support, and technology services. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security of these systems, or any disruption of service, including

29

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


as a result of our transition from existing to new data centers, could result in failures or interruptions in our ability to conduct business. There is no assurance that if or when such failures do occur, that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third partiesparty vendors on whom we rely. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The performance of our MPF Loan portfolio depends in part upon third parties and defaults by one or more of these third parties on its obligations to us could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

Mortgage Servicing. We rely on PFIs and third-party servicers to perform mortgage loan servicing activities for our MPF Loans held in portfolio. With respect to the MPF Xtra and MPF Government MBS products, we are contractually obligated to Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae, respectively, with respect to servicing of the related MPF Loans under certain servicing options.

Servicing activities include collecting payments from borrowers, paying taxes and insurance on the properties secured by the MPF Loans, advancing principal and interest under scheduled remittance options, maintaining applicable government agency insurance or guaranty, reporting loan delinquencies, loss mitigation, and disposition of real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. If current housing market trends negatively decline, the number of delinquent mortgage loans serviced by PFIs and third party servicers could increase. Managing a substantially higher volume of non-performing loans could create operational difficulties for our servicers. In the event that any of these entities fails to perform its servicing duties, we could experience a temporary interruption in collecting principal and interest or even credit losses on MPF Loans or incur additional costs associated with obtaining a replacement servicer if the servicer fails to indemnify us for its breaches. Similarly if any of our servicers become ineligible to continue to perform servicing activities under MPF Program guidelines, we could incur additional costs to obtain a replacement servicer. If a PFI servicer fails to perform its servicing responsibilities, we can potentially recover losses we incur from the collateral pledged to us under our Advances, Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement with the PFI; however, the amount of collateral pledged thereunder is not sized to cover a specific amount related to servicing obligations. If a third-party servicer is not one of our members, we would not have this additional remedy.

We offer servicing released alternatives for all of our MPF Loan products but currently we only have one servicing aggregator for particular products. If a servicing aggregator that is established as an approved servicer for the MPF Program exited the business or was not offering attractive servicing released premiums, or if we should decide to terminate our relationship with the servicer, our MPF Loan volume could be negatively impacted until we could engage replacement servicers.

Master Servicing. We act as master servicer for the MPF Program. In this regard, we have engaged a vendor for master servicing, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., which monitors the servicers' compliance with the MPF Program requirements and issues periodic reports to us. While we manage MPF Program cash flows, if the vendor should refuse or be unable to provide the necessary service, or if we should decide to terminate our relationship with the vendor, we may be required to engage another vendor which could result in delays in reconciling MPF Loan payments to be made to us or increased.








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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.


Item 2.    Properties.

As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, we occupy 95,105 square feet of leased office space at 200 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601.  We also maintain 5,518 square feet of leased space for an off-site back-up facility 15 miles northwest of our main facility, which is on a separate electrical distribution grid.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

On October 15, 2010, the Bank instituted litigation relating to 64 private label MBS bonds purchased by the Bank in an aggregate original principal amount of $4.29 billion. Of the three cases that were filed by the Bank, only the action filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois remains active. As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, the Illinois actionremaining litigation covers seven private labelthree private-label MBS bonds in the aggregate original principal amount of $494$65 million.

In this action, the Bank asserts claims for untrue or misleading statements in the sale of securities, signing or circulating securities documents that contained material misrepresentations, and negligent misrepresentation. The Bank seeks the remedies of rescission, recovery of damages, and recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of suit. As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated, and certain of its affiliates, remain as the sole defendants in the Illinois litigation include the following entities and affiliates thereof: Goldman Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated.action.

The Bank may also be subject to various other legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. After consultation with legal counsel, management is not aware of any other proceedings that might have a material effect on the Bank's financial condition or results of operations.



Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


PART II

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

Our members and under limited circumstances, former members, (under limited circumstances) own our capital stock. Former members may continue to hold our capital stock and ourwhen they have withdrawn from membership or have merged with out-of-district institutions. Our members elect our directors. We conduct our business almost exclusively with our members. There is no established marketplace for our capitalOur stock can only be acquired and our capitalredeemed or repurchased at a par value of $100 per share. Our stock is not publicly traded.traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of stock outside our cooperative structure.

We issue only one class of capital stock, Class B stock, consisting of two sub-classes of stock, Class B1 stock and Class B2 stock which, under our Capital Plan has a par value of $100 per share. As of February 29, 2016,28, 2017, we had 20,022,77316,852,200 shares of capital stock outstanding, including 82,132 shares of mandatorily redeemable capital stock. At February 29, 2016,stock recorded as a liability, and we had 757748 stockholders of record. For details on our Capital Plan, on member withdrawals and other terminations, and related amounts classified as mandatorily redeemable capital stock, see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.

Information regarding our cash dividends includingdeclared in each quarter in 2015 and 2016, and information regarding regulatory requirements and restrictions on dividends, is set forth in the Retained Earnings & Dividends section on page 57.

The following table presents, by type of institution, the outstanding capital stock holdings of our members and former members. The former members have withdrawn from membership or have merged with out-of-district institutions, but continue to hold capital stock. Our capital stock may be redeemed upon five years' notice from the member to the Bank, subject to applicable conditions. For a description of our policies and related restrictions regarding capital stock redemptions and repurchases, see Capital Resources on page 53.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Commercial banks  $1,094
  $1,096
  $1,148
  $1,094
Thrifts  282
  289
  270
  282
Credit unions  139
  135
  164
  139
Insurance companies  434
  382
  128
  434
Community Development Financial Institutions  1
  
  1
  1
Total  1,950
  1,902
Total GAAP capital stock  1,711
  1,950
Stock reclassified as mandatorily redeemable capital stock (liability) 301
 8
Total regulatory capital stock outstanding $2,012
 $1,958


We repurchased excess capital stock from members totaling $1.2 billion during 2016 and $324 million during 2015 and $160 million in 2014, as further discussed in the Repurchase of Excess Capital Stock section on page 56.2015.





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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges


For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Net income (loss) $349
 $392
 $343
 $375
 $224
 $327
 $349
 $392
 $343
 $375
Total assessments 39
 44
 33
 42
 47
 37
 39
 44
 33
 42
Interest expense 744
 841
 1,061
 1,344
 1,707
 803
 744
 841
 1,061
 1,344
Earnings, as adjusted $1,132
 $1,277
 $1,437
 $1,761
 $1,978
 $1,167
 $1,132
 $1,277
 $1,437
 $1,761
                    
Fixed charges:                    
Interest expense 744
 841
 1,061
 1,344
 1,707
 803
 744
 841
 1,061
 1,344
Total fixed charges $744
 $841
 $1,061
 $1,344
 $1,707
 $803
 $744
 $841
 $1,061
 $1,344
                    
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.52
 1.52
 1.35
 1.31
 1.16
 1.45
 1.52
 1.52
 1.35
 1.31



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Selected Financial Data
As of or for the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 
Selected statements of condition data                     
Total investments a
 $28,324
 $32,745
 $36,402
 $40,750
 $40,503
 
Investments a
$28,060
 $28,324
 $32,745
 $36,402
 $40,750
 
Advances 36,778
 32,485
 23,489
 14,530
 15,291
 45,067
 36,778
 32,485
 23,489
 14,530
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, gross 4,831
 6,072
 7,724
 10,474
 14,163
 4,970
 4,831
 6,072
 7,724
 10,474
 
Less: allowance for credit losses (3) (15) (29) (42) (45) (3) (3) (15) (29) (42) 
Total assets 70,676
 71,841
 68,797
 69,584
 71,255
 78,692
 70,671
 71,841
 68,797
 69,584
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes, net 41,565
 31,054
 31,089
 31,260
 25,404
 35,949
 41,564
 31,054
 31,089
 31,260
 
Consolidated obligation bonds, net 22,586
 34,251
 31,987
 32,569
 39,880
 36,903
 22,582
 34,251
 31,987
 32,569
 
Total capital stock 1,950
 1,902
 1,670
 1,650
 2,402
 
Total retained earnings 2,730
 2,406
 2,028
 1,691
 1,321
 
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS) recorded as a liability          
Capital stock1,711
 1,950
 1,902
 1,670
 1,650
 
Retained earnings3,020
 2,730
 2,406
 2,028
 1,691
 
Total capital 4,652
 4,526
 3,765
 3,448
 3,292
 4,695
 4,652
 4,526
 3,765
 3,448
 
Other selected data at period end                     
MPF off-balance sheet loans outstanding System b
 15,399
 14,474
 13,964
 11,348
 7,234
 
MPF off-balance sheet loans outstanding FHLBC PFIs b
 7,785
 7,608
 7,492
 6,645
 5,223
 
MPF off-balance sheet loans outstanding - FHLB System b
16,972
 15,399
 14,474
 13,964
 11,348
 
MPF off-balance sheet loans outstanding - FHLBC PFIs b
8,196
 7,785
 7,608
 7,492
 6,645
 
FHLB systemwide consolidated obligations (par) 905,202
 847,175
 766,837
 687,902
 691,868
 989,311
 905,202
 847,175
 766,837
 687,902
 
Number of members 740
 751
 759
 762
 767
 728
 740
 751
 759
 762
 
Total employees (full and part time) 422
 405
 355
 329
 296
 440
 422
 405
 355
 329
 
Selected statements of income data                     
Net interest income after provision for credit losses $503
 $528
 $452
 $563
 $518
 
OTTI (loss), credit portion 
 
 
 (15) (68) 
Non-interest gain (loss) 23
 32
 (1) (35) (63) 
Non-interest expense 138
 124
 75
c 
111
 184
c 
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses$455
 $503
 $528
 $452
 $563
 
Noninterest income76
 23
 32
 (1) (35) 
Noninterest expense167
 138
 124
 75
c 
111
 
Net income 349
 392
 343
 375
 224
 327
 349
 392
 343
 375
 
Other selected data during the periods ended                     
MPF off-balance sheet loan volume System b
 3,154
 2,037
 4,671
 6,941
 2,818
 
MPF off-balance sheet loan volume FHLBC PFIs b
 1,437
 975
 2,214
 3,636
 1,771
 
MPF off-balance sheet loan volume funded - FHLB System b
4,266
 3,154
 2,037
 4,671
 6,941
 
MPF off-balance sheet loan volume funded - FHLBC PFIs b
1,853
 1,437
 975
 2,214
 3,636
 
Selected ratios (rated annualized)                     
Total regulatory capital to assets ratio 6.63% 6.01% 5.38% 4.81%
d 
6.35% 6.40% 6.63% 6.01% 5.38% 4.81% 
Market value of equity to book value of equity 108%
 114% 116% 102% 90% 108% 108% 114% 116% 102% 
Total investments - % of total assets 40% 46% 53% 59% 57% 
Core mission asset ratio d
66.2% 58.8% n/a
 n/a
 n/a
 
Investments - % of total assets36% 40% 46% 53% 59% 
Advances - % of total assets 52% 45% 34% 21% 21% 57% 52% 45% 34% 21% 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net - % of total assets 7% 8% 11% 15% 20% 6% 7% 8% 11% 15% 
Dividend rate class B1 activity stock-period paid 2.31% 1.58% 0.55% 0.25% 0.10% 2.75% 2.31% 1.58% 0.55% 0.25% 
Dividend rate class B2 membership stock-period paid 0.50% 0.45% 0.30% 0.25% 0.10% 0.60% 0.50% 0.45% 0.30% 0.25% 
Return on average assets 0.49% 0.55% 0.53% 0.54% 0.28% 0.42% 0.49% 0.55% 0.53% 0.54% 
Return on average equity 7.65% 9.35% 9.69% 12.90% 7.22% 7.18% 7.65% 9.35% 9.69% 12.90% 
Average equity to average assets 6.35% 5.83% 5.48% 4.19% 3.93% 5.87% 6.35% 5.83% 5.48% 4.19% 
Net yield on average interest-earning assets 0.72% 0.74% 0.71% 0.84% 0.69% 
Net yield on average interest earning assets0.59% 0.72% 0.74% 0.71% 0.84% 
Return on average Regulatory Capital spread to three month LIBOR index 7.55% 9.61% 9.74% 11.67% 5.14% 5.96% 7.55% 9.61% 9.74% 11.67% 
Cash dividends $25
 $14
 $6
 $5
 $2
 $37
 $25
 $14
 $6
 $5
 
Dividend payout ratio 7.16% 3.57% 1.75% 1.32% 1.04% 11.31% 7.16% 3.57% 1.75% 1.32% 
a 
Total investments includeInclude investment securities, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell.
b 
MPF off-balance sheet loans are MPF Loans purchased from PFIs and concurrently resold to Fannie Mae or other third party investors under the MPF Xtra and MPF Direct products or pooled and securitized in Ginnie Mae MBS under the MPF Government MBS product. See Mortgage Partnership Finance Program beginning on page 7.
c 
December 31, 2011, non-interest expense included an additionalIn 2013 we reversed a $50 million charge for AHP. In April of 2013, we reversed this $50 million charge(originally recorded as an expense in 2011) after we received approval from the FHFA and our Board of Directors to implement the Community First Fund.Fund as a revolving credit facility. See Note 11 - Affordable Housing Programpage 14 in to the financial statements.Item 1. Business for more information.
d 
Effective January 1, 2012, we implementedOn July 14, 2015, the FHFA issued an advisory bulletin that provides guidance relating to a new Capital Plan that resultedcore mission asset ratio by which the FHFA will assess each FHLB's core mission achievement. See page 5 in a change to the calculation of our regulatory capital to assets ratio. For further details refer to our Note 13 - CapitalItem 1. Business to the financial statements to our 2012 Form 10-K.for more information.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


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

Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this report, including statements describing the objectives, projections, estimates, or future predictions of management, may be forward-looking“forward-looking statements. These statements may use forward-looking terminology, such as anticipates,“anticipates,believes, “believes,expects, “expects,could, “could,estimates, “estimates,may, “may,should, “should,will, “will, their negatives, or other variations of these terms. We caution that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties related to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements and could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. As a result, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

changes in the demand by our members for advances, including the impact of the availability of other sources of funding for our members, such as deposits;

limits on our investments in long-term assets;

the impact of new business strategies, including our ability to develop and implement business strategies focused on maintaining net interest income; the impact of our efforts to simplify our balance sheet on our market risk profile and future hedging costs; our ability to successfully transition to a new business model, implement business process improvements, and scale our size to our members' borrowing needs; the extent to which our members use our advances as part of their core financing rather than just as a back-up source of liquidity; and our ability to implement product enhancements and new products and generate enough volume in new products to cover our costs related to developing such products;

the extent to which amendments to our Capital Plan, including our ability to implement reduced membership stock and advances activity stock requirements and continue to offer the Reduced Capitalization Advance Program for certain future advance borrowings, and our ability to continue to pay enhanced dividends on our activity stock, impact borrowing by our members;

our ability to meet required conditions to repurchase and redeem capital stock from our members (including maintaining compliance with our minimum regulatory capital requirements and determining that our financial condition is sound enough to support such repurchases), and the amount and timing of such repurchases or redemptions;

general economic and market conditions, including the timing and volume of market activity, inflation/deflation, unemployment rates, housing prices, the condition of the mortgage and housing markets, increased delinquencies and/or loss rates on mortgages, prolonged or delayed foreclosure processes, and the effects on, among other things, mortgage-backed securities; volatility resulting from the effects of, and changes in, various monetary or fiscal policies and regulations, such as those determined by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; impacts from various measures to stimulate the economy and help borrowers refinance home mortgages and student loans;mortgages; disruptions in the credit and debt markets and the effect on future funding costs, sources, and availability;

volatility of market prices, rates, and indices, or other factors, such as natural disasters, that could affect the value of our investments or collateral; changes in the value or liquidity of collateral securing advances to our members;

changes in the value of and risks associated with our investments in mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities, and FFELP ABS and the related credit enhancement protections;

changes in our ability or intent to hold mortgage-backed securities to maturity;

changes in mortgage interest rates and prepayment speeds on mortgage assets;

membership changes, including the withdrawal of members due to restrictions on our dividends or the loss of members through mergers and consolidations; changes in the financial health of our members, including the resolution of some members; risks related to expanding our membership to include more institutions with regulators and resolution processes with which we have less experience;

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



increased reliance on short term funding and changes in investor demand for consolidated obligations and/or the terms of interest rate derivatives and similar agreements, including changes in the relative attractiveness of consolidated obligations

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


as compared to other investment opportunities; changes in our cost of funds due to concerns over U.S. fiscal policy, and any related rating agency actions impacting FHLB consolidated obligations;

political events, including legislative, regulatory, judicial, or other developments that affect us, our members, our counterparties and/or investors in consolidated obligations, including, among other things, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) and related regulations and proposals and legislation related to housing finance and GSE reform; changes by our regulator or changes affecting our regulator and changes in the FHLB Act or applicable regulations as a result of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Housing Act) or as may otherwise be issued by our regulator, including recent regulatory changes to FHLB membership requirements by the FHFA;regulator; the potential designation of us as a nonbank financial company for supervision by the Federal Reserve;

recent regulatory changes to FHLB membership requirements by the FHFA;

the ability of each of the other FHLBs to repay the principal and interest on consolidated obligations for which it is the primary obligor and with respect to which we have joint and several liability;

the pace of technological change and our ability to develop and support technology and information systems, including our ability to protect the security of our information systems and manage any failures, interruptions, or breaches in our information systems or technology services provided to us through third-party vendors;

our ability to attract and retain skilled employees;

the impact of new accounting standards and the application of accounting rules, including the impact of regulatory guidance on our application of such standards and rules;

the impact of the application of audit independence rules to our independent auditor;

the volatility of reported results due to changes in the fair value of certain assets and liabilities; and

our ability to identify, manage, mitigate, and/or remedy internal control weaknesses and other operational risks.

For a more detailed discussion of the risk factors applicable to us, see Risk Factors on page 19.18.

These forward-looking statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any other reason.




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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Executive Summary


20152016 Financial Highlights


We recorded net income of $327 million in 2016 compared to $349 million in 2015.
Net interest income for 2016 was $456 million, which included $47 million of income from investment security prepayments during the period. For 2015, net interest income was $508 million, which included $75 million of income from investment security prepayments during the period. While our legacy investment portfolio continues to pay down, investments that were indexed to 3-month LIBOR benefited from the increase in 3-month LIBOR rates. Separately, debt hedged with 3-month LIBOR swaps was negatively impacted by higher 3-month LIBOR rates. In addition, we issued a greater portion of long-term debt in 2016 at higher rates.
Noninterest income was $76 million in 2016 compared to the $392 million in 2014.

We recorded other non-interest gain (loss) of $23 million comparedfor 2015 due in large part to a gain of $32 million for 2014 due to lowerhigher amounts of private-label MBSmortgage backed securities litigation settlements ($1338 million in 2015,2016, compared to $27$13 million received from such settlements during 2014).2015) and increases in gains from our derivative and hedging activities of $17 million.

Non-interestNoninterest expense was $167 million for 2016 compared to $138 million for 2015, driven mainly by an increase in compensation and benefits related expenses.
Assets were $78.7 billion in 2016 compared to $124 million$70.7 billion at year-end 2015. Growth in advances and a small net increase in MPF Loans held in portfolio helped offset the declines in investment securities.
Advances outstanding were $45.1 billion in 2016, up 23% from the previous year-end level of $36.8 billion, reflective of member demand for 2014. We experienced increased operating expenses as we continued to invest in our IT infrastructure and security and added staffcompetitive funding to support membersinvestment and loan growth opportunities.
MPF Loans held in portfolio increased to $5.0 billion in 2016 compared to $4.8 billion for 2015 as well.

new MPF Loan purchases began to outpace pay down and maturity activity.
Total investment securities decreased 10%14% in 20152016 to $24.6$21.0 billion, as our investment portfolio continued to pay down.

Advances outstanding were $36.8 billion, up from the previous year-end level of $32.5 billion.Although we are currently analyzing the FHFA’s final membership rule in relation to our impacted members and advances portfolio, we do not expect it to have an immediate or material impact to net interest income because the rule permits a five-year transition period and continuation of advances to contractual maturity.  

MPF Loans held in portfolio declined $1.2 billion in 2015 to $4.8 billion. Although we resumed purchasing MPF Loans for our portfolio in 2015, we do not expect new MPF Loan purchases to fully offset pay downs in the near-term. MPF off-balance sheet loan volume across all of the FHLBs that offer the MPF Xtra, MPF Direct, and MPF Government MBS products to their PFIs increased from $2.0 billion during 2014 to $3.2 billion during 2015. MPF off-balance sheet loan volume from PFIs in our district was $1.4 billion in 2015 and $1.0 billion in 2014. Total MPF off-balance sheet loans outstanding at December 31, 2015, was $15.4 billion; a little more than half, $7.8 billion, was from PFIs in our district.

Total assets were $70.7 billion compared to $71.8 billion at year-end 2014. Advance growth helped offset the declines in investment securities and MPF Loans held in portfolio.

Retained Earnings were $2.7$3.0 billion at year-end 2015,2016, up from $2.4$2.7 billion at the end of 2014, due to2015 and we remain in compliance with all of our net income.regulatory capital requirements.

Letter of Credit commitments increased to $6.7$10.8 billion in 2016 from $3.6$6.7 billion at year-end 2014.2015.

We remainedSummary and Outlook

Focused on Members

Consistent with our commitment to serve our members, the Board of Directors announced several changes in compliance2016 designed to help our members obtain value from the Bank in a manner most appropriate for their business. In 2016, the Board reduced the minimum stock requirement in the annual calculation for membership; lowered the cap on membership stock for any one member; and decreased the activity stock requirement for advances.

These changes lowered our members’ investment requirements in the Bank without affecting borrowing capacity and, in turn, created excess stock that was no longer required by the Bank. In November 2016, we announced we would automatically repurchase all excess stock on a weekly basis beginning on January 26, 2017. This change permits us to more effectively manage our balance sheet with alla goal to provide a reasonable return on members’ capital stock in the long term.

On January 24, 2017, our Board of Directors increased the dividend declared per share on both sub-classes of capital stock. Based on our financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016, the Board declared a cash dividend of 3.00% (annualized) for Class B1 activity stock (an increase of 20 basis points compared to the prior quarter) and a cash dividend of 0.85% (annualized) for Class B2 membership stock (an increase of 25 basis points compared to the prior quarter).

Focused on Funding Solutions

Reliable access to both short-term liquidity and long-term funding is a principal benefit of membership in the Bank. In June 2016, we announced that most advance funding terms were available under our popular Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP), which affords members the opportunity to borrow new advances with an activity stock requirement of 2%. This change, when combined with our customized solutions, flexible funding strategies, and highly competitive rates, contributed to substantial growth in advances. At year-end 2016, advances were $45.1 billion, up 23% from year-end 2015. More members also took advantage of our regulatory capital requirements.letters of credit, which were $10.8 billion, up 61% from year-end 2015.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Summary and Outlook


Supporting Members’ Business

The Bank’s financial performance remained strong and our retained earnings continued to grow in 2015. As a member-owned and member-focused cooperative, we continued to devote our resources to enhance the value of membership.

We have already made substantial changes to our Capital Plan to reduce the cost of membership and deliver additional benefits to the many members that use our advance products to support the entire membership. Specifically, effective October 1, 2015, we reduced the threshold at which Class B2 membership stock converts to Class B1 activity stock from $5 million to $10,000; this single change provided virtually all of our borrowing members with the opportunity to earn the much higher B1 dividendFocused on most of their investment in the Bank.

Increases in the Class B1 activity stock dividend also lowered members’ cost of borrowing while the new monthly Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP) permits many members to borrow from us with less capital stock. We also increased qualified collateral report loan margins and simplified the collateral reporting process; by increasing members’ borrowing capacity we are better able to support their liquidity and funding needs. We believe all of these factors contributed to significant growth in both advances and letters of credit; at year-end 2015, advances were $36.8 billion, up 13% from year-end 2014, and letters of credit were $6.7 billion, up 85% from year-end 2014.

Enhancing Access to the Secondary Mortgage Market

We remain committed to providingThe Bank provides members access to the secondary mortgage market. In 2015 we announced several newmarket through the MPF products that were developed with memberProgram. MPF origination volumes for on and off balance sheet management needs –products for the Bank were $3.1 billion for 2016, an increase of 78% from year-end 2015. The re-introduction of the on balance sheet products contributed to this substantial increase. In addition to the loan sale proceeds and their borrowers’ needs – at the forefront. Members can once again earn higherservicing fee income for retaining some credit risk with conventional MPF Loans held in our portfolio. The new MPF Government MBS product provides members with attractive pricing on government loans, which they can pass on to their borrowers. And members can now sell jumboreceive, members can also earn income for providing credit support for loans sold to the secondary market via the MPF Direct product.us through those products; during 2016, participating financial institutions earned $2 million in such credit support income.

Supporting Affordable Housing and Small Business LendingFocused on Community Investment

Supporting our members’ community investment activities is core to our mission. In 2015 we also celebrated the 252016, more than 200 members reserved over $18 million in Downpayment Plus (DPPth® year) funding on behalf of approximately 3,000 homebuyers in members’ communities. Over $26 million was granted through the Bank’s competitive Affordable Housing Program. During this anniversary year we committed nearly $36 millionProgram (AHP) to help finance 46 affordable housing projects located primarily in grants to assist membersIllinois and their partners to acquire, rehab, or build more than 3,100 housing units. Members’ home-buying customers also received $16 million of support through our Downpayment Plus program in 2015. The grants funded with these programs helped all of us achieve an important milestone: the Bank has now invested in more than 100,000 units.Wisconsin.

The Bank’sBank has also committed $41 million of the $50 million revolving Community First Fund continuedat year-end 2016 as part of our effort to commit resourcesprovide direct support to support small businessescommunity development financial institutions (CDFIs) and affordable housing lending with nearly $40 millioncommunity development loan funds.

Finally, in long-term commitments as of December 31, 2015. In Decemberresponse to several devastating storms in central and northern Wisconsin last year, the Bank closedannounced a 10-year, $5 million commitment with its seventh fund partner,$500,000 Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), USA. Minneapolis-based CRF has committed to usingFirst Disaster Relief Program where eligible individuals and business owners in the money for lending to small businesses, including businesses in low-income communities in Illinois and Wisconsin.FEMA disaster areas can access grants through our members.

FHFA’s Final Rule on Membership

Our regulator, the FHFA, published its final rule on FHLB membership on January 20, 2016. The FHFA dropped its proposal for an ongoing mortgage asset test for membership, which is critically important as most members rely on us as a dependable source of liquidity. The FHFA also disqualified captive insurance companies from membership. For further discussion of how this rule may impact us, see Legislative and Regulatory Developments on page 16.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Results of Operations


Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between the amount we recognize into interest income on our interest earning assets and the amount we recognize into interest expense on our interest bearing liabilities. These amounts were determined in accordance with GAAP and were based on the underlying contractual interest rate terms of our interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities as well as the following items:


Net interest paid or received on interest rate swaps that are accounted for as fair value or cash flow hedges;
Amortization of premiums;
Accretion of discounts;discounts and OTTI reversals;
Amortization of hedge adjustments;
Advance and investment prepayment fees; and
MPF credit enhancement fees.

The tables belowon the following page present the increase or decrease in interest income and expense due to volume or rate variances. The calculation of these components includes the following considerations:
 
Average dailyBalance: Average balances are computedcalculated using historical amortizeddaily balances. Amortized cost basis is used to compute the average balances except for tradingmost of our financial instruments, including available for sale securities and items carried under the fair value option, which both immediately recognize changes in fair value into our statements of income.

MPF Loans held in portfolio that are on nonaccrual statusstatus. Fair value is used to compute average balances for our trading securities and financial instruments carried at fair value under the fair value option.

Total Interest: Total interest includes all components of net interest income, if applicable, as discussed above.

Yield/Rate: Effective yields/rates are included inbased on average daily balances used to determine the effective yield/rate. Amounts included in interest income on MPF Loans held in portfolio are presented as detailed in MPF Loans Held in Portfolio, Net on page 47.

Interest and effective yield/rate includes all components of net interest income as discussed above. Yields/rates are calculated on an annualized basis.

Any changes due to the combined volume/rate variance have been allocated ratably to volume and rate.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


20152016 compared to 20142015

 2015 2014 Increase (decrease) due to 2016 2015 Increase (decrease) due to
For the years ended December 31, Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Volume Rate Net Change Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Volume Rate Net Change
Federal Funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell and/or deposit income $7,720
 $10
 0.13% $10,468
 $7
 0.07% $(2) $5
 $3
Investment securities 24,408
 805
 3.30% 28,568
 870
 3.05% (127) 62
 (65) $21,874
 $719
 3.29% $24,408
 $805
 3.30% $(84) $(2) $(86)
Advances 33,306
 181
 0.54% 25,056
 158
 0.63% 52
 (29) 23
 42,545
 290
 0.68% 33,306
 181
 0.54% 62
 47
 109
MPF Loans held in portfolio 5,323
 256
 4.81% 6,762
 327
 4.83% (70) (1) (71) 4,721
 218
 4.62% 5,323
 256
 4.81% (28) (10) (38)
Total Interest Income on Assets 70,757
 1,252
 1.77% 70,854
 1,362
 1.92% (147) 37
 (110)
Federal funds sold and securities purchased with agreements to resell 6,238
 25
 0.40% 6,254
 8
 0.13% 
 17
 17
Other interest bearing assets 1,501
 7
 0.47% 1,466
 2
 0.14% 
 5
 5
Interest income on assets 76,879
 1,259
 1.64% 70,757
 1,252
 1.77% 99
 (92) 7
Consolidated obligation discount notes 36,274
 294
 0.81% 28,889
 269
 0.93% 69
 (44) 25
 43,303
 359
 0.83% 36,274
 294
 0.81% 58
 7
 65
Consolidated obligation bonds 28,955
 396
 1.37% 37,014
 518
 1.40% (113) (9) (122) 28,050
 411
 1.47% 28,955
 396
 1.37% (14) 29
 15
Subordinated notes 944
 54
 5.72% 944
 54
 5.72% 
 
 
 423
 24
 5.67% 944
 54
 5.72% (30) 
 (30)
Total Interest Expense on Liabilities 66,173
 744
 1.12% 66,847
 841
 1.26% (44) (53) (97)
Other interest bearing liabilities 831
 9
 1.08%     

 9
 
 9
Interest expense on liabilities 72,607
 803
 1.11% 66,173
 744
 1.12% 66
 (7) 59
Net yield on interest-earning assets $70,757
 $508
 0.72% $70,854
 $521
 0.74% $(103) $90
 $(13) $76,879
 $456
 0.59% $70,757
 $508
 0.72% $40
 $(92) $(52)


Net interest income changed mainly due to the following:
 
Interest income from investment securities declined primarily due to the declinereduction in average investment balances as securities matured or paid down. OurWe expect the decline in average balances and related interest income on our investment securities to continue to decline due to FHFA regulatory limits on the amount of investment securities that we may hold on our balance sheet as discussed in Investments on page 12.

Interest income from advances primarily increased due to higher member demand. Higher member demand was primarily driven by our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP). Specifically, our RCAP makes the net borrowing cost for new advances more attractive to members by allowing them to borrow using less activity based capital stock. Interest income on advances also increased due to higher interest rates, primarily resulting from Federal Reserve Bank's actions at year end 2015.

Interest income from MPF Loans held in portfolio declined primarily due to the reduction in average balances as MPF Loans continued to paydown during 2016; however, the decline in interest income on MPF Loans held in portfolio in 2016 was smaller compared to the decline in 2015. This is because MPF Loan purchases outpaced MPF Loan paydowns in the second half of 2016, which resulted in a small net increase in the current balance of MPF Loans held in portfolio. Additionally, the paydown of our higher interest rate MPF Loans held in portfolio contributed to the decline in interest income from MPF Loans held in portfolio.

Interest expense on our consolidated obligations primarily increased due to overall higher average balances required to match the increased advance lending to our members in 2016. Towards year end we began to replace shorter term discount notes with higher rate long term consolidated obligations, however the impact on average balances for the year was insignificant. The increase in consolidated obligation interest expense was slightly offset by the retirement of our higher cost subordinated debt, which matured in the second quarter of 2016.

For details of the effect our fair value and cash flow hedge activities had on our net interest income during 2016 see Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held at Fair Value Option on page 43.





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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


2015 compared to 2014

  2015 2014 Increase (decrease) due to
For the years ended December 31, Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Volume Rate Net Change
Investments $24,408
 $805
 3.30% $28,568
 $870
 3.05% $(127) $62
 $(65)
Advances 33,306
 181
 0.54% 25,056
 158
 0.63% 52
 (29) 23
MPF Loans held in portfolio 5,323
 256
 4.81% 6,762
 327
 4.83% (70) (1) (71)
Federal funds sold and securities purchased with agreements to resell 6,254
 8
 0.13% 8,975
 5
 0.06% (2) 5
 3
Other interest bearing assets 1,466
 2
 0.14% 1,493
 2
 0.13% 
 
 
Interest income on assets 70,757
 1,252
 1.77% 70,854
 1,362
 1.92% (147) 37
 (110)
Consolidated obligation discount notes 36,274
 294
 0.81% 28,889
 269
 0.93% 69
 (44) 25
Consolidated obligation bonds 28,955
 396
 1.37% 37,014
 518
 1.40% (113) (9) (122)
Subordinated notes 944
 54
 5.72% 944
 54
 5.72% 
 
 
Interest expense on liabilities 66,173
 744
 1.12% 66,847
 841
 1.26% (44) (53) (97)
Net yield on interest-earning assets $70,757
 $508
 0.72% $70,854
 $521
 0.74% $(103) $90
 $(13)


Net interest income changed mainly due to the following:

Interest income from investment securities declined primarily due to the decline in average balances as securities matured or paid down. The decline in average balances and related interest income on our investment securities was due to FHFA regulatory limits on the amount of investment securities that we could hold on our balance sheet as discussed in Investments on page 12. Additionally, during 2015 and 2014, our ability to make new investments that havehad a term to maturity in excess of 270 days iswas restricted. For further information, see Investments on page 12. This decline was partially offset by accretion into interest income of expected improvements in the present value of cash flows on securities that were previously charged with credit related OTTI. For 2015, we recorded additional interest income of $52 million due to such accretion. For 2014, accretion was $57 million. Accretion is dependent upon how estimated market conditions impact future projected cash flows, and may vary from past experience.

Interest income from advances increased primarily due to increased member demand for advances during 2015. The following were key factors resulting in the increased demand by members for advances.

The funding needs of our members in Illinois and Wisconsin have increased as the economic activity in our district continues to improve.
The funding needs of our members in Illinois and Wisconsin increased as the economic activity in our district continued to improve.

The benefits we offer our members through our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP), which is designed to make the net cost of borrowing through advances more attractive to members.
The benefits we offer our members through our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP), which is designed to make the net cost of borrowing through advances more attractive to members.

Interest income from MPF Loans held in portfolio continued to decline as expected due to the net decrease in our outstanding MPF Loans held in portfolio. Though we had a net decrease in our outstanding MPF Loans at year end, we resumed purchasing MPF Loans again during 2015. We do not expect our purchases of new MPF Loans to be material enough to offset our current loan paydown activity in the near-term, but may do so in the future.

Interest expense decreased as our higher rate debt matured or was called and replaced with lower-rate funding during 2015. Additionally, we benefited from increasing the mix of discount notes as compared to bonds concurrent with market rates declining on average for our short term discount notes during 2015.

Our hedging
For details of the effect our fair value and cash flow hedge activities resulted in a reduction tohad on our net interest income in our statements of income primarily due to the following:during 2015 see Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held at Fair Value Option on page 43.

The low interest rate environment resulted in negative net interest settlements on derivative contracts in active hedge accounting relationships.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



The amortization of negative hedge adjustments from previously active hedges that were closed (de-designated) but where the previously hedged instrument is still outstanding.Noninterestincome

For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014
Trading securities $(2) $(3) $(19)
Derivatives and hedging activities 1
 (16) (7)
Instruments held under fair value option 5
 8
 13
Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held Under Fair Value Option 4
 (11) (13)
Litigation settlement awards 38
 13
 27
MPF fees from other FHLBs 17
 11
 10
Other, net 17
 10
 8
Noninterest income $76
 $23
 $32

Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held Under Fair Value Option

Noninterest income on trading securities, derivatives and hedging activities, and instruments held under the fair value option
were not significant to our statements of income over the last three years. For further details see Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held at Fair Value Option on page 43.

2014 compared to 2013

  2014 2013 Increase (decrease) due to
For the years ended December 31, Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Average Balance Total Interest   Yield/ Rate Volume Rate Net Change
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell $10,468
 $7
 0.07% $9,542
 $9
 0.09% $1
 $(3) $(2)
Investments 28,568
 870
 3.05% 29,724
 928
 3.12% (36) (22) (58)
Advances 25,056
 158
 0.63% 15,195
 175
 1.15% 113
 (130) (17)
MPF Loans held in portfolio 6,762
 327
 4.83% 8,775
 399
 4.55% (92) 20
 (72)
Total Interest Income on Assets 70,854
 1,362
 1.92% 63,236
 1,511
 2.39% (14) (135) (149)
Consolidated obligation discount notes 28,889
 269
 0.93% 23,820
 288
 1.21% 61
 (80) (19)
Consolidated obligation bonds 37,014
 518
 1.40% 35,276
 716
 2.03% 35
 (233) (198)
Subordinated notes 944
 54
 5.72% 994
 57
 5.73% (3) 
 (3)
Total Interest Expense on Liabilities 66,847
 841
 1.26% 60,090
 1,061
 1.77% 93
 (313) (220)
Net yield on interest-earning assets $70,854
 $521
 0.74% $63,236
 $450
 0.71% $(107) $178
 $71

Net interest income changed mainly due to the following:
Interest income from investment securities declined primarily due to the decline in average investment balances as securities matured or paid down. Our ability to make new investmentsthat have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days is restricted. This decline was partially offset by continued accretion of expected improvements in the present value of cash flows associated with securities that were previously charged with credit related OTTI. For 2014, we recorded additional interest income of $57 million due to such accretion. For 2013, accretion was $40 million. Accretion is dependent upon how estimated market conditions impact future projected cash flows.

Interest income from advances decreased primarily due to a decline in rates and a decline in prepayment fees recognized in 2014 compared to 2013. The rate decline was largely offset by increases in volume, which was partially the result of a Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP) we started offering during the fourth quarter of 2013 to lower the cost of borrowing by providing term advances at a reduced capital stock requirement. We reopened the RCAP beginning in the third quarter of 2014.

Interest income from MPF Loans continued to decline as expected due to the decreased volume of MPF Loans outstanding. The increase in yield was primarily due to reduced amortization of basis adjustments on closed hedges on MPF Loans. See MPF Loans Held in Portfolio, Net on page 47 for further details.

Interest expense decreased primarily as a result of our fourth quarter 2013 repurchase and retirement of long term consolidated obligation bonds that were carrying high interest rates. These bonds were replaced with significantly lower-rate funding. Market rates on our short term discount notes also declined on average in 2014 compared to 2013.

Net interest income is also impacted by fair value and cash flow hedging activity. For details see Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held at Fair Value Option on page 43.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Non-Interest Gain (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013
Trading securities $(3) $(19) $(13)
Derivatives and hedging activities (16) (7) 12
Instruments held under fair value option 8
 13
 
Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held Under Fair Value Option (11) (13) (1)
Early extinguishment of debt (1) 
 (118)
Litigation settlement awards 13
 27
 99
Other, net 22
 18
 19
Noninterest gain (loss) $23
 $32
 $(1)


Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held Under Fair Value Option

Gains (losses) on trading securities, derivatives and hedging activities, and instruments held under the fair value option
were not significant to our statements of income over the last three years. Details of these activities as well as all hedging activities are in the table on the following page.


Litigation settlement awards

On October 15, 2010, we instituted litigation relating to 64 private label MBS bonds we purchased in an aggregate original principal amount of $4.29 billion. In the past three years, we received payments for settlements with some of the defendants. We continue to pursue litigation related to these matters with respect to seventhree private label MBS with an aggregate original principal amount of $494$65 million. We cannot predict to what extent we will be successful in this remaining litigation. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings on page 31 for further details.

MPF fees from other FHLBs

Other FHLBs pay us a membership fee to participate in the MPF Program and a fee for us to provide services related to their on balance sheet MPF Loans, which offsets a portion of expenses we incur to run the program.

Other, net

We generateOther, net consists primarily of fee income we earn from our off balance sheet MPF Loan products, and fees we earn on a variety of functions we perform for our members. In addition, third party investors and other FHLBs pay us fees to administer their participation in the MPF Program, which offsets a portion of the expenses we incur. Individually, none of these fees reach 1% of our total interest and fee income. We anticipate that the MPF Program will continue to grow, including the use of our off-balance sheet MPF products. As a result, MPF Program fees could continue to grow, and thus, may exceed 1% of total income in future periods.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held at Fair Value Option

The following table shows the impact of Trading Securities, Derivatives and Hedging Activities, and Instruments Held Under Fair Value Option on our results of operations.

 Advances Investments MPF Loans Discount Notes Bonds Total  
Year ended December 31, 2016            
Amortization/accretion $8
 $(10) $(9) $(2) $(13) $(26)
Net interest settlements a
 (68) (112) 
 (193) 72
 (301)
Total recorded net interest income (60) (122) (9) (195) 59
 (327)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 7
 1
 
 
 (1) 7
Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 
 
 
 5
 
 5
Economic hedges - net gain (loss) 7
 
 6
 (3) (21) (11)
Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities 14
 1
 6
 2
 (22) 1
Trading securities - hedged 
 (2) 
 
 
 (2)
Instruments held under fair value option (7) 
 (4) (2) 18
 5
Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities $(53) $(123) $(7) $(195) $55
 $(323)
 Advances Investments MPF Loans Discount Notes Bonds Total              
Year ended December 31, 2015                        
Amortization/accretion $9
 $(13) $(13) $(2) $(10) $(29) $9
 $(13) $(13) $(2) $(10) $(29)
Net interest settlements a
 (83) (133) 
 (240) 212
 (244) (83) (133) 
 (240) 212
 (244)
Total recorded net interest income (74) (146) (13) (242) 202
 (273) (74) (146) (13) (242) 202
 (273)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 1
 (13) 
 
 (23) (35) 1
 (13) 
 
 (23) (35)
Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 
 
 
 3
 
 3
 
 
 
 3
 
 3
Economic hedges - net gain (loss) (3) 
 3
 6
 10
 16
 (3) 
 3
 6
 10
 16
Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities (2) (13) 3
 9
 (13) (16) (2) (13) 3
 9
 (13) (16)
Trading securities - hedged 
 (1) 
 
 
 (1) 
 (1) 
 
 
 (1)
Instruments held under fair value option (2) 
 (1) 2
 9
 8
 (2) 
 (1) 2
 9
 8
Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities $(78) $(160) $(11) $(231) $198
 $(282) $(78)
$(160)
$(11)
$(231)
$198

$(282)
                        
Year ended December 31, 2014                        
Amortization/accretion $5
 $
 $(17) $(2) $(14) $(28) $5
 $
 $(17) $(2) $(14) $(28)
Net interest settlements a
 (81) (140) 
 (246) 253
 (214) (81) (140) 
 (246) 253
 (214)
Total recorded net interest income (76) (140) (17) (248) 239
 (242) (76) (140) (17) (248) 239
 (242)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 9
 (4) 
 
 (27) (22) 9
 (4) 
 
 (27) (22)
Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 
 
 
 2
 
 2
 
 
 
 2
 
 2
Economic hedges - net gain (loss) (2) 
 
 1
 14
 13
 (2) 
 
 1
 14
 13
Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities 7
 (4) 
 3
 (13) (7) 7
 (4) 
 3
 (13) (7)
Trading securities - hedged 
 
 
 
 
 
Instruments held under fair value option 2
 
 
 1
 10
 13
 2
 
 
 1
 10
 13
Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities $(67)
$(144)
$(17)
$(244)
$236

$(236) $(67) $(144) $(17) $(244) $236
 $(236)
            
Year ended December 31, 2013            
Amortization/accretion $17
 $
 $(32) $(3) $(25) $(43)
Net interest settlements a
 (68) (139) 
 (262) 224
 (245)
Total recorded net interest income (51) (139) (32) (265) 199
 (288)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 10
 9
 
 
 (6) 13
Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss) 
 
 
 6
 (2) 4
Economic hedges - net gain (loss) 
 
 (5) 
 
 (5)
Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities 10
 9
 (5) 6
 (8) 12
Trading securities - hedged 
 (5) 
 
 
 (5)
Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities $(41) $(135) $(37) $(259) $191
 $(281)
a 
Represents interest income or expense on derivatives included in net interest income of the hedged item.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Non-InterestNoninterest Expense
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Compensation and benefits $81
 $66
 $62
 $94
 $81
 $66
Other operating expenses 51
 48
 41
Other community investment 
 
 (50)
Litigation settlement legal expense 2
 3
 19
Operating expenses 60
 51
 48
Other 4
 7
 3
 13
 6
 10
Noninterest expense $138
 $124
 $75
 $167
 $138
 $124


CompensationNoninterest expense related to compensation and benefits increasedwas higher in 2016 relative to 2015 and 2014 due to higher salaries, wages,increases in headcount, incentive compensation, and incentive compensation. In addition, we added employees in order to continue to enhance our member-focused bank capabilities and to continue to build out the MPF Program platform to support new products such as MPF Direct and MPF Government MBS.retirement benefits. We had 422440 employees as of December 31, 2015,2016, compared to 422 as of December 31, 2015, and 405 as of December 31, 2014, and 355 as of December 31, 2013.2014. Our primary retirement benefit is the Pension Plan. See Note 15 - Employee Retirement Plans to the financial statements for further details.

Other operatingOperating expenses increased mostly due to our investment in information technology, which was primarily general infrastructure maintenance, security, and improvements to increase the continued investment in systemseffectiveness of our various systems.

Other consists of legal fees and expenses related to litigation settlements and costs related to our share of funding the MPF Program.

The approvals for our Community First Fund resulted in our recognizing $50 million in earnings inOffice of Finance and the second quarter of 2013, which represents a reversal of the $50 million charge previously recognized in 2011. This reversal was recognized through non-interest expenses, the same account where the original charge was recorded.

We incurred litigation settlement fees upon receipt of legal settlement awards. See Non-Interest Gain (Loss) on page 42 for details on the amounts of the awards.

Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Assessments

We fund thefunded $37 million, $39 million, and $44 million in Affordable Housing Program (AHP) programassessments for the years 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Our AHP assessment is calculated at a calculated rate of 10% of our income before assessments. However, in 2013, we received approval from the FHFA and our Board of Directorsassessments excluding any interest expense related to implement the Community First Fund. As a result, we reversed in 2013 a $50 million charge we originally recorded in 2011 through "Non-interest expensemandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS). See Note 11 - Other community investment” in our statements of income. Since we already have paid our AHP assessment attributable Affordable Housing Program to the charge in 2011, our AHP assessmentfinancial statements for 2013 was calculated on the 10% excluding the reversal.further details.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 AOCI Balance December 31, 2015 2016 2015 2014 
Net unrealized gain (loss) available-for-sale securities $(402) $8
 $(524) $658
 $(199) $(402) $8
 
Non-credit OTTI held-to-maturity securities 47
 56
 61
 (217)
Noncredit OTTI held-to-maturity securities 40
 47
 56
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) cash flow hedges 117
 85
 413
 (463) 151
 117
 85
 
Post-retirement plans (7) 1
 10
 (6)
Postretirement plans 
 (7) 1
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) $(245) $150
 $(40) $(28) $(8) $(245) $150
 


Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

We had an Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) (loss)The decrease in unrealized loss on our available-for-sale securitiesavailable for sale (AFS) portfolio during 2015. Thisin 2016 compared to the unrealized loss in 2015 was primarily due to a smaller increase in market interest rates during 2016. The unrealized loss on our AFS portfolio in 2015 compared to the unrealized gain in 2014 was primarily due to an increase in market interest rates and general market-related declines and the reversal of previous unrealized gain positions in AOCI related to available-for-sale portfolio securities that matured at par value. We had anoccurred during 2015. Our unrealized net gain position related to our available-for-saleAFS securities portfolio in AOCIour accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) was $459 million as of December 31, 2015. If we do not sell2016. As these AFS securities priormove closer to their maturity, this remainingnet unrealized net gain position in AOCI will eventuallyis expected to reverse to zero.zero as we will only collect the face value at their maturity.


Non-creditNoncredit OTTI on held-to-maturity securities

We had anThe OCI gain on our non-creditnoncredit OTTI held-to-maturity (HTM) securities during 2015. Thisin 2016 was duelower compared to the continued reversalOCI gain recognized in 2015 as a result of these HTM securities moving closer to their maturity. The OCI gain in 2015 was less than the OCI gain on these HTM securities in 2014 for the same reason. The OCI gain in each period represents the amount we accrete to the carrying amount of these HTM securities. Specifically we reverse the previously recorded non-creditnoncredit OTTI due to improvements inamount on these HTM securities through the fair valueaccretion of certain held-to-maturity securities. As these securities approach maturity,the amount we expect these unrealized non-creditto collect over their remaining life. Our remaining noncredit OTTI losses to continue to reverseamount on HTM securities in AOCI was $(177) million as principal and interest are received from the securities, unless there are additional OTTI credit losses.

of December 31, 2016.

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

We hadrecognized an OCI gain on our cash flow hedges during 20152016 as well as 20142015 and 2013.2014. This was due to shorter-term market interest rates remaining stable while longer-term rates rose over the last three years. Our cash flow hedges are more sensitive to changes in longer-term market interest rates than to changes in shorter-term market interest rates. We had aOur net unrealized (loss) position in AOCI related to our cash flow hedges in AOCI was $(312) million as of December 31, 2015.2016.


Post-retirementPostretirement plans

We haddid not recognize an amount in OCI (loss) related to our post-retirementpostretirement plans forin 2016 compared to a $7 million loss in OCI in 2015. The loss in 2015 which was due to using a revision to themore current mortality tables we use fortable assumption in measuring our post-retirementpostretirement healthcare and supplemental defined benefit equalization plan. We do not expect thisplans. The higher OCI loss in 2015 compared to beOCI gain in 2014 also resulted from using a recurring event. The effectmore current mortality table assumption. Our net unrealized (loss) position related to our postretirement plans in AOCI was $(6) million as of changing the mortality tables will be amortized into earnings over the plan's average employment period remaining before retirement. As a result, we do not expect a material impact on our results of operations.December 31, 2016.

For further information on the activity in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)our OCI see our statements of comprehensive income and Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to the financial statements.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Statements of Condition
 
As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreement to resell $4,226
 $5,827
 $7,376
 $4,226
Investment securities 24,597
 27,260
 21,035
 24,597
Advances 36,778
 32,485
 45,067
 36,778
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net 4,828
 6,057
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses 4,967
 4,828
Other 247

212
 247

242
Total assets $70,676
 $71,841
Assets $78,692
 $70,671
        
Consolidated obligation discount notes $41,565
 $31,054
 $35,949
 $41,564
Consolidated obligation bonds 22,586
 34,251
 36,903
 22,582
Subordinated notes 944
 944
 
 944
Other 929
 1,067
 1,145
 929
Total liabilities 66,024
 67,316
Liabilities 73,997
 66,019
Capital stock 1,950
 1,902
 1,711
 1,950
Total retained earnings 2,730
 2,406
Retained earnings 3,020
 2,730
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (28) 217
 (36) (28)
Total capital 4,652
 4,525
Capital 4,695
 4,652
Total liabilities and capital $70,676
 $71,841
 $78,692
 $70,671


Cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell

Amounts held in these accounts will vary each day based on the following:

Interest rate spreads between Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell and our debt;
Liquidity requirements;
Counterparties available; and
Collateral availability on securities purchased under agreements to resell.


Investment Securities

WeAlthough we are no longer required to obtain FHFA approval for any new investmentsthat have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days, until such timewe are currently unable to make additional investments in MBS/ABS under FHFA regulatory limits as our MBS portfolio is less than three times our total regulatory capital and our advances represent more than 50% of our total assets. At December 31, 2015, our MBS portfolio was 3.28 times our total regulatory capital and our advances represented 52% of our total assets, thus we expect our portfolios to continue to decline over time as a result ofdiscussed in Investments on page 12 in this limitation.form 10-K.


Advances

Member demand for advances continuedAdvances increased in 2016 primarily due to increaseour members' interest in 2015 even after a significant increase during 2014. We are finding thatthe benefits we offer our members in Illinois and Wisconsin have experienced increased funding needs asthrough our continuing Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP), which is designed to make the economic activity in our district continues to improve. In addition, members are taking advantage of the lower net cost of borrowing from our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP). through advances more attractive to members and by allowing members to borrow new advances using less activity stock.

While our advances increased, over 2015 and 2014, it is possible that member demand for our advances maycould decline in future periods should their funding needs change, or to the extent they elect alternative funding resources. In addition, as our advances with captive insurance companies mature, our total advance levels could decrease as further discussed in Legislative and Regulatory Developments on page 16.may decrease.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table sets forth the current period par amount of advances outstanding for the five largest advance borrowers:
As of  December 31, 2015  December 31, 2016
One Mortgage Partners Corp.
a 
 $11,000
 30%
a 
 $11,000
 24.5%
The Northern Trust Company 4,000
 11% 5,000
 11.1%
BMO Harris Bank, N.A. 4,375
 9.7%
State Farm Bank, F.S.B. 2,650
 7% 3,620
 8.1%
BMO Harris Bank, N.A. 2,375
 7%
Associated Bank, N.A. 2,085
 6% 2,747
 6.1%
All other borrowers 14,495
 39% 18,223
 40.5%
Total par value $36,605
 100% $44,965
 100.0%
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.


The following table presents outstanding advances by type of institution. Former members may withdraw from membership or merge with out-of-district institutions but continue to hold advances.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Members        
Commercial banks $16,338
 $13,885
 $22,672
 $16,338
Thrifts 4,170
 3,905
 4,950
 4,170
Credit unions 716
 631
 1,044
 716
Insurance companies 15,333
 13,836
 16,220
 15,333
Community Development Financial Institutions 2
 7
 10
 2
Members total 36,559
 32,264
 44,896
 36,559
Former members and Housing Associates 46
 39
 69
 46
Total at par 36,605
 32,303
 44,965
 36,605
Hedging and other adjustments 173
 182
Fair value hedging and other adjustments 102
 173
Balance on the statements of condition $36,778
 $32,485
 $45,067
 $36,778


MPF Loans Held in Portfolio, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses

We had a small net increase in our outstanding MPF Loans continuedfrom prior year end, as our volume of loan purchases during 2016 began to pay down as expected, a result of our past business strategy to limitexceed the balance sheet concentration ofmaturities and paydowns experienced in our MPF Loans. ThoughLoan portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we have begun addingadded $1.3 billion in new MPF Loans to our portfolio, we do not expect these new MPF Loanscompared to be material enough to offset loan paydowns anticipated in the near-term. For$204 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, we have added $204 million in new MPF Loans to our portfolio.

In addition to our MPF Loans held in portfolio, we have MPF off-balance sheet products, where we buy and concurrently resell MPF Loans to Fannie Mae or other third party investors or pool and securitize into Ginnie Mae MBS.2015.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013
Net premium amortization expense $5
 $7
 $10
Net amortization expense of closed basis adjustments 13
 16
 31
Total amortization expense $18
 $23
 $41
As of December 31,      
Net premium balance on MPF Loans $22
 $24
  
Cumulative basis adjustments closed portion 37
 50
  
MPF Loans, unpaid principal balance 4,774
 5,999
  
Premium balance as a percent of MPF Loans 0.47% 0.40%  


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Liquidity, Funding, & Capital Resources

Liquidity

We establish our liquidity position primarily based on the factors outlined below.

FHFA regulations and guidance.
Policies established by our Board of Directors.
Member demand for short- and long-term funds.
Maturing consolidated obligations as well as obligations arising from our normal operating activities.

We seek to be in a position to meet our members' credit and liquidity needs without maintaining excessive holdings of low-yielding liquid investments or being forced to incur unnecessarily high borrowing costs.

Liquidity from Investments

Our sources of liquidity from investments are short-term liquid assets, primarily overnight Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell. Our ability to utilize these investments for liquidity purposes may be affected if the credit markets experience disruptions, as discussed below.

Our ability to use Federal Funds sold is restricted under our current policy and FHFA regulations. Specifically, we restrict these investments to short maturities and eligible counterparties as discussed in Unsecured Short-TermShort Term Investments on page 72 because such investments are unsecured. If the credit markets experience disruptions, and as a result one of our counterparties became insolvent or otherwise defaulted on their obligation to us, these investments would not satisfy our liquidity needs and we may incur a loss.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell are secured by marketable securities held by a third-party custodian.  If the credit markets experience disruptions, and as a result one of our counterparties became insolvent or otherwise defaulted on their obligations to us, these investments would not satisfy our liquidity needs if the collateral pledged to secure those obligations has decreased in value. In such cases, we also may suffer a loss.  See Investment Securities by Rating on page 6970 for further discussion and a summary of counterparty credit ratings for these investments. 

Other sources of liquidity from investing activities include trading securities, maturing advances, and maturing MPF Loans.

Liquidity from Debt

Our source of liquidity from debt is the issuance of new consolidated obligation bonds and discount notes.

Liquidity Measures
We use different measures of liquidity as follows:
Overnight Liquidity - Our overnight liquidity requirement is established by our Asset/Liability Committee. Currently, our Asset/Liability Management Policy (ALM Policy) requires us to maintain overnight liquid assets at least equal to 3.5% of total assets. Under our ALM Policy, overnight liquidity includes money market assets, Federal Funds sold, paydowns of advances, MPF Loans with one day to maturity, and inter FHLB loans with one day to maturity. As of December 31, 2015,2016, our overnight liquidity was $6.5$11.2 billion or 9.2%14.3% of total assets. This amount represents excess overnight liquidity of $4.0$8.5 billion over the minimum threshold of 3.5% of total assets.
Deposit Coverage - To support our member deposits, FHFA regulations require us to have an amount equal to the current deposits invested in obligations of the U.S. government, deposits in eligible banks or trust companies, or advances with maturities not exceeding five years. As of December 31, 2015,2016, we had excess liquidity of $35.4$34.7 billion to support member deposits.

Contingency Liquidity - FHFA regulations require us to maintain enough contingency liquidity to meet our liquidity needs for five business days without access to the debt market. Contingent liquidity is defined as: (a) marketable assets with a maturity of one year or less; (b) self-liquidating assets with a maturity of seven days or less; (c) assets that are generally accepted as collateral in the repurchase agreement market; and (d) irrevocable lines of credit from financial institutions that are considered to be of investment quality. Our ALM Policy defines our liquidity needs for five business days as an amount equal to the total of all principal and interest payments on non-deposit liabilities coming due in the next five business days plus a reserve consisting of

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


one-fourth of customer deposits and $1.0 billion. Our net liquidity in excess of our total uses and reserves over a cumulative five-business-day period was $16.7$15.4 billion as of December 31, 2015.2016.

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In addition to the liquidity measures discussed above, FHFA guidance requires us to maintain daily liquidity through short-term investments in an amount at least equal to our anticipated cash outflows under two different scenarios. One scenario assumes that we cannot access the capital markets for 15 days and that during that time members do not renew any maturing, prepaid, and called advances. The second scenario assumes that we cannot access the capital markets for 5 days and that during that period we will automatically renew maturing and called advances for all members except for very large, highly rated members. These additional requirements are more stringent than the five business day contingency liquidity requirement discussed above and are designed to enhance our protection against temporary disruptions in access to the FHLB debt markets in response to a rise in capital markets volatility. As a result of this guidance, we are maintaining increased balances in short-term investments. We may fund certain overnight or shorter-term investments and advances with debt that has a maturity that extends beyond the maturities of the related investments or advances. For a discussion of how this may impact our earnings, see Risk Factors on page 19.18.

We are sensitive to maintaining an appropriate liquidity and funding balance between our financial assets and liabilities, and we measure and monitor the risk of refunding such assets as liabilities mature (refunding risk). In measuring the level of assets requiring refunding, we take into account their contractual maturities, as further described in the notes to the financial statements. In addition, we make certain assumptions about their expected cash flows. These assumptions include: calls for assets with such features, projected prepayments and scheduled amortizations for our MPF Loans held in portfolio, MBS and ABS investments. The following table presents the unpaid principal balances of (1) MPF Loans held in portfolio, (2) AFS securities, and (3) HTM securities (including ABS and MBS investments), by expected principal cash flows. The table is illustrative of our assumptions about the expected cash flow of our assets, including prepayments made in advance of maturity.

  MPF Loans Held in Portfolio Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2016  Available-for Sale Held-to-Maturity
Year of Expected Principal Cash Flows      
One year or less $834
 $1,244
 $2,088
After one year through five years 2,074
 10,526
 2,668
After five years through ten years 1,195
 1,649
 590
After ten years 803
 780
 193
Total $4,906
 $14,199
 $5,539

We consider our liabilities available to fund assets until their contractual maturity. For further discussion of the liquidity risks related to our access to funding, see Risk Factors on page 18.

FHLB P&I Funding and Contingency Plan Agreement. We have entered into an agreement with the other FHLBs and the Office of Finance regarding the Federal Reserve's intraday funding process to provide a mechanism for the FHLBs to provide liquidity to avert a shortfall in the timely payment of principal and interest on any consolidated obligations by one or more FHLBs. We may increase our liquidity ratio for thea designated month out of July each yearan 11 month rotation to mitigate the risk that we are required to fund under the FHLB P&I Funding and Contingency Plan Agreement. Through the date of this report, no FHLB has been required to fund under this contingency agreement.

Funding

FundingWe maintained ready access to funding throughout 2016.

Conditions in Financial Markets

During 2015, theThe Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) finally deliveredended 2015 by delivering an interest rate increase at the December meeting raising the target range for the federal fundsfund rate toby 25 to 50 basis points. In practice, the FOMC maintains2016, it raised the target range again by payinganother 25 basis points to 50 to 75 basis points-the first rate hike in 2016 and only the second rate hike in a decade.

The time between the 2015 and 2016 interest rate increases saw slowing global growth, financial turmoil and falling oil prices. In June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, commonly known as “Brexit”, causing market uncertainty. The 10 year Treasury rate fell by nearly 90 basis points over the course of year, bottoming out at 1.36 percent in July 2016. It then rose 44 basis points in the run up to the November U.S. Presidential election. Since then, the market has indicated higher levels of government expenditures and higher levels of inflation causing the 10 year rate to end 2016 at 2.44 percent, up 19 basis points for the Federal Reserve Reverse Repurchase facility and 50 basis points for Interest on Excess/Required Reserves.year.

The 10-Year Treasury rate rose 16 basis points on the year ending mostly unchanged at 2.27%, after a low
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(Dollars in January and a high of 2.48%tables in June. Since the end of 2015, the 10-Year Treasury rate has fallen to 2.00% on concerns of slowing global growth, especially in China.millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

We maintained ready access to funding during the year.

Cash flows from operating activities with significant year over year changes

For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 Change 2014 Change
Net income $327
 $349
 $(22) $392
 $(43)
Change in net fair value on derivatives and hedging activities 192
 326
 (134) 309
 17
Other (37)
(105)
68

(81)
(24)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $482
 $570
 $(88) $620
 $(50)

Our operating assets and liabilities support our mission to provide our member shareholders competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment in our capital stock, and support for community investment activities.  Operating assets and liabilities can vary significantly in the normal course of business due to the amount and timing of cash flows, which are affected by member-driven activities and market conditions. We believe cash flows from operations, available cash balances and our ability to generate cash through short- and long-term borrowings are sufficient to fund our operating liquidity needs.

For 2016 compared to 2015, the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided (used) by operating activities was $570 million. This resulted from cash inflows from net income as adjusted by non-cash adjustments made to reconcile net income to$(88) million change in net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. Theactivities primarily non-cash adjustment related to losses duetoresulted from the change in netthe fair value adjustments on derivativesof our derivative instruments partially offset by reduced cash outflows from other operating assets and hedging activities.liabilities.

For 2015 compared to 2014, the $(50) million change in net cash provided by (used in) operating activities primarily resulted from the decline in net income.

Cash flows from investing activities with significant year over year changes

For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 Change 2014 Change
Net cash flows on liquid investment assets (interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreement to resell) $(3,298)
$1,758

$(5,056)
$(435)
$2,193
Net cash flows on trading, AFS, and HTM securities 3,329

2,261

1,068

4,163

(1,902)
Net cash flows on advances (8,361)
(4,301)
(4,060)
(8,878)
4,577
Net cash flows on MPF Loans held in portfolio (142)
1,220

(1,362)
1,647

(427)
Other 33

31

2

77

(46)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $(8,439) $969
 $(9,408) $(3,426) $4,395

Our investing activities predominantly include advances, MPF Loans held for investment,in portfolio, investment securities, and other
short-term interest-earning assets.

For 2016 compared to 2015, the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided (used) by investing activities was $969 million. The primary factors underlying this net$(9.4) billion change in net cash provided (used) by investing activities were as follows:

Cash used in(used in) investing activities primarily was drivenresulted from our continued emphasis on being member focused by increasesacquiring liquid investment assets to meet the needs of our members, funding advances to our members, and resuming the purchase of MPF Loans to be held in our advances which inportfolio.

For 2015 resultedcompared to 2014, the $4.4 billion change in net cash usedprovided by (used in) investing activities primarily resulted from a slower pace of $4.3 billion.increases in advances to our members.



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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Cash provided from investing activities included, but is not limited to, the following:

The reduction in our total investment securities provided cash of $2.3 billion during 2015 as we continued to reduce our total investment securities such that our MBS portfolio is less than three times our total regulatory capital.
The reduction in securities purchased under agreements to resell outstanding by $2 billion. The cash provided by the reduction was used to meet members' credit and liquidity needs.
Further reduction in our legacy MPF Loan portfolio outstanding, which provided net cash inflows of $1.2 billion.

Cash flows from financing activities with significant year over year changes

For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 Change 2014 Change
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities -          
Net change deposits $(43) $(125) $82
 $122
 $(247)
Net cash flows on discount notes (5,627)
10,495

(16,122)
(37)
10,532
Net cash flows on consolidated obligation bonds 14,455

(11,679)
26,134

1,931

(13,610)
Payments for retiring of subordinated debt (944) 
 (944) 
 
Other (32)
(73)
41

161

(234)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $7,809
 $(1,382) $9,191
 $2,177
 $(3,559)

Our financing activities primarily reflect cash flows related to issuing and repaying consolidated obligations. ForThe proceeds from the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided (used)increases in our financing activities was $(1.4) billion. This resulted primarily from our shift to consolidated obligation discount notes and consolidated obligations bonds were primarily utilized to fund the net increases in our investing activities as noted above.

For 2016 compared to 2015, the $9.2 billion change in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities primarily resulted from a net increase in our consolidated obligation bonds as shown below. Ourdebt outstanding to fund the increases in investing activities (with a shift in funding from our consolidated obligation discount notes to shorter-term funding was driven mainly by aconsolidated obligation bonds) and the retirement of our subordinated notes.

For 2015 compared to 2014, the $(3.6) billion change in the characteristics of certain assets on our statement of condition.

The following shows our net cash flow issuances (redemptions)provided by type of consolidated obligation:

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013
Discount notes $10,495
 $(37) $(169)
Bonds (11,714) 1,931
 (254)
Total consolidated obligations $(1,219) $1,894
 $(423)

(used in) financing activities primarily resulted from reduced overall debt needed as members sought smaller increases in advances from us, although we did shift our debt mix to an emphasis on shorter term notes rather than longer term bonds, an approach which we then reversed in 2016 to reduce the maturity gap between our assets and liabilities.

Sources of Funding

We fund our assets principally with consolidated obligations (bonds and discount notes) issued through the Office of Finance, deposits, and capital stock. As of December 31, 2015,2016, our consolidated obligations were rated AA+/Aaa (with outlook stable) by S&P and Aaa (with outlook stable) by Moody's. Consolidated obligations have GSE status although they are not obligations of the United States and the United States does not guarantee them.

Reliance on short-term debt offers us certain advantages which are weighed against the increased risk of using short-term debt.  Traditionally we have benefited from interest rates below LIBOR rates for our short-term debt which has resulted in a positive impact on net interest income when used to fund LIBOR-indexed assets. 

During past financial crises, our access to short-term debt markets has been good.  Investors driven by risk aversion have sought our short-term debt as an asset of choice and this has led to advantageous funding opportunities.

The following table summarizes our short-term discount notes and consolidated obligation bonds outstanding with original maturities due withinof one year for which we were the primary obligor as of the dates indicated.or less. Weighted average rates exclude hedging adjustments.

 
Discount Notes
(carrying amount)
 Short-Term Consolidated Obligation Bonds (par value) 
Discount Notes
(carrying amount)
 Short-Term Consolidated Obligation Bonds (par value)
As of or for the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
Outstanding at period end $41,565
 $31,054
 $31,089
 $
 $1,000
 $1,000
 $35,949
 $41,564
 $31,054
 $11,365
 $
 $1,000
Weighted average rate at period-end 0.22% 0.09% 0.07% % 0.11% 0.17% 0.46% 0.22% 0.09% 0.61% % 0.11%
Daily average outstanding for the year-to-date period $36,274
 $28,889
 $23,820
 $458
 $2,696
 $1,720
 $43,303
 $36,274
 $28,889
 $7,050
 $458
 $2,696
Weighted average rate for the year-to-date period a
 0.14% 0.07% 0.09% 0.07% 0.11% 0.17%
Weighted average rate for the year-to-date period 0.28% 0.14% 0.07% 0.44% 0.07% 0.11%
Highest outstanding at any month-end during the year-to-date period $45,817
 $32,464
 $31,089
 $3,000
 $4,300
 $3,000
 $46,528
 $45,817
 $32,464
 $12,165
 $3,000
 $4,300
a
Excludes hedging adjustments.



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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We comply with FHFA regulations that require we maintain the following types of assets free from any lien or pledge in an amount at least equal to the amount of our consolidated obligations outstanding:
cash;
obligations of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States;
secured advances;
mortgages, which have any guaranty, insurance, or commitment from the United States or any agency of the U.S. government; and
investments described in Section 16(a) of the FHLB Act, which, among other items, includes securities that a fiduciary or trust fund may purchase under the laws of the state in which the FHLB is located.

At December 31, 2015,2016, we had eligible assets free from pledges of $70.5$78.5 billion, compared to our outstanding consolidated obligations of $64.2$72.9 billion.

The Office of Finance has responsibility for the issuance of consolidated obligations. It also services all outstanding debt, provides us with information on capital market developments, manages our relationship with ratings agencies with respect to consolidated obligations, and prepares the FHLBs' combined quarterly and annual financial statements. The Office of Finance will allocate the proceeds from the issuance of consolidated obligations that cannot be issued in sufficient amounts to satisfy all FHLB demand for funding during periods of financial distress and when its existing allocation processes are deemed insufficient. In general, the proceeds in such circumstances will be allocated among the FHLBs based on regulatory capital unless the Office of Finance determines that there is an overwhelming reason to adopt a different allocation method. As is the case during any instance of disruption in our ability to access the capital market, market conditions or this allocation could adversely impact our ability to finance our operations, which could thereby adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Consolidated Obligation Bonds

Consolidated obligation bonds (bonds) satisfy term funding requirements and are issued under various programs. The maturities of these securities may range from less than one year to over 20 years, but they are not subject to any statutory or regulatory limits on maturity. The bonds can be fixed or adjustable rate, and callable or non-callable. We also offer fixed-rate, non-callable (bullet) bonds via the FHLBs' Tap issue program. This program uses specific maturities that may be reopened daily during a three month period through competitive auctions. The goal of the Tap program is to aggregate frequent smaller issues into a larger bond issue that may have greater market liquidity.

Although we issue fixed-rate bullet and callable bonds, we may also issue bonds that have adjustable rates, step-up rates that step-up or increase at fixed amounts on predetermined dates, zero-coupons, and other types of rates. See Note 10 - Consolidated Obligations to the financial statements for details. Bonds are issued and distributed daily through negotiated or competitively bid transactions with approved underwriters or selling groups.

We receive 100% of the net proceeds of a bond issued via direct negotiation with underwriters of FHLB debt when we are the only FHLB involved in the negotiation; we are the sole FHLB that is primary obligor on the bond in those cases. When we and one or more other FHLBs jointly negotiate the issuance of a bond directly with underwriters, we receive the portion of the proceeds of the bond agreed upon with the other FHLBs; in those cases, we are primary obligor for the pro rata portion of the bond based on proceeds received. The majority of our bond issuance is conducted via direct negotiation with underwriters of the FHLB bonds, some with, and some without, participation by other FHLBs.

We may also request specific bonds to be offered by the Office of Finance for sale via competitive auction conducted with underwriters in a bond selling group. One or more other FHLBs may request amounts of the same bonds to be offered for sale for their benefit via the same auction. We may receive from 0% to 100% of the proceeds of the bonds issued via competitive auction depending on:

the amount and cost for the bonds bid by underwriters;

the maximum cost we or other FHLBs participating in the same issue, if any, are willing to pay for the bonds; and

guidelines for allocation of the bond proceeds among multiple participating FHLBs administered by the Office of Finance.


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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We also participate in the Global Issuances Program, under which the FHLB System, through the Office of Finance, maintains a process for scheduled issuance of global fixed-rate consolidated bonds. As part of this process, management from each FHLB

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determines and communicates a firm commitment to the Office of Finance for an amount of scheduled global debt to be issued on its behalf. If the FHLBs' orders do not meet the minimum debt issuance size, each FHLB receives an allocation of proceeds equal to the larger of the FHLB's commitment or the ratio of the individual FHLB's capital to total capital of all of the FHLBs. If the FHLBs' commitments exceed the minimum debt issuance size, then the proceeds are allocated based on actual commitment amount. The FHLBs can, however, pass on any scheduled calendar slot and decline to issue any global consolidated obligations under this program upon agreement of at least eight of the 11 FHLBs.

Consolidated Obligation Discount Notes

The FHLBs sell consolidated obligation discount notes (discount notes) in the capital markets to provide short-term funds for advances to members, for seasonal and cyclical fluctuations in savings flows, and for mortgage financing and investments. Discount notes have maturities up to 365 days and are sold through a selling group and through other authorized securities dealers. Discount notes are sold at a discount and mature at par.

On a daily basis, we may request specific amounts of discount notes with specific maturity dates to be offered by the Office of Finance at a specific cost for sale to underwriters in the selling group. One or more other FHLBs may also request an amount of discount notes with the same maturity to be offered for sale for their benefit on the same day. The Office of Finance commits to issue discount notes on behalf of the participating FHLBs when underwriters in the selling group submit orders for the specific discount notes offered for sale. We may receive from zero to 100% of the requested proceeds depending on: the maximum costs we or other FHLBs participating in the same discount notes, if any, are willing to pay for the discount notes; the amount of orders for the discount notes submitted by underwriters; and guidelines for allocation of discount note proceeds among multiple participating FHLBs administered by the Office of Finance.

Twice weekly, we may also request specific amounts of discount notes with fixed maturity dates ranging from four weeks to 26 weeks to be offered by the Office of Finance for sale via competitive auction conducted with underwriters in the selling group. In July 2015, theThe bi-weekly discount note auction was modified to useuses a single-price (Dutch) award method to determine winning bids. One or more FHLBs may also request amounts of those same discount notes to be offered for sale for their benefit via the same auction. We may receive from zero to 100% of the requested proceeds depending on the amounts and costs for the discount notes bid by the underwriters and guidelines for allocation of discount note proceeds among multiple participating FHLBs administered by the Office of Finance. The majority of our issuances are conducted via the twice weekly auctions.

Subordinated Notes Payoff

Under the FHLB Act, no FHLB is permitted to issue individual debt unless it has received regulatory approval. As approved by the Finance Board (predecessor to the FHFA), we issued $1 billion of 10-year subordinated notes in 2006, and during 2013, we purchased $56 million of these notes in the open market. On June 2006. As of December 31, 2015, we have13, 2016, our remaining $944 million of subordinated notes still outstanding which mature on June 13, 2016. Thematured and we paid the holders of our subordinated notes were rated Aa2 by Moody's and AA- by S&P atin full in accordance with the timeterms of issuance. The subordinated notes are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, the U.S. government or any of the FHLBs other than us. See Note 12 - Subordinated Notes to the financial statements for further details.their notes.

Deposits

We accept deposits from our members, institutions eligible to become our members, institutions for which we are providing correspondent services, other FHLBs, and other government instrumentalities such as the FDIC. We offer several types of deposits to our deposit customers including demand, overnight, and term deposits. Deposits are not a significant source of funding for our operations and are primarily offered for the convenience of our members doing business with us.

The following table presents average deposit balances and the rate paid for the past three years. Interest expense was not material for all periods presented.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Average outstanding interest bearing $625
 $567
 $733
 $602
 $625
 $567
Average outstanding non-interest bearing 47
 46
 66
 55
 47
 46
Interest expense 1
 
 
Weighted average rate interest bearing 0.02% 0.01% 0.01% 0.23% 0.02% 0.01%

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Capital Resources

Capital Rules

Under our Capital Plan our stock consists of two sub-classes of stock, Class B1 stock and Class B2 stock (together, Class B stock), both with a par value of $100 and redeemable on five years' written notice, subject to certain conditions.


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Under the Capital Plan, each member is required to own capital stock in an amount equal to the greater of a membership stock requirement or an activity stock requirement. Class B1 stock is available for purchase only to support a member'smember's activity stock requirement. Class B2 stock is available to be purchased to support a member'smember's membership stock requirement and any activity stock requirement.

During 2015 and early 2016, we made substantialannounced changes related to our Capital Plan to reduce the cost of membership and assisthelp members in usingobtain value from the Bank in a manner most appropriate tofor their businesses.business. We reduced the minimum membership stock requirement in the annual calculation for membership, lowered the cap on membership stock for any one member, and decreased the activity stock requirement for advances. The following table reflects the ranges of capital stock requirements permitted under our Capital Plan and requirements at year-end 20142015 and 2015 as well as recently announced changes:2016:


Capital Plan RequirementDecember 31, 2014December 31, 2015Changes Announced in February 2016
Range Permitted under Capital Plan d
Membership Stock Requirement1.0% of a member’s mortgage assets0.85% of a member’s mortgage assets
0.40% of a member’s mortgage assets b

0.20% to 2% of a member's mortgage assets, with a minimum requirement of $10,000
Cap on Membership Stock Requirement$165.8 million$25 million
$5 million b
The lesser of (1) a dollar cap set by the Board within a range of $10,000 and $75 million, and (2) 9.9% of our total capital stock outstanding as of the prior December 31.
Activity Stock Requirement for Advances5% of outstanding advances5% of outstanding advances
4.5% of outstanding advances c
4% to 6% of a member's outstanding advances, although the requirement may be set as low as 2% for those advances made through our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP)
B2/B1 Threshold a
$5 million$10,000No change$10,000 to $75 million
Capital Plan RequirementDecember 31, 2015December 31, 2016
Range Permitted under Capital Plan d
Membership Stock Requirement0.85% of a member’s mortgage assets
0.40% of a member’s mortgage assets b

0.20% to 2% of a member's mortgage assets, with a minimum requirement of $10,000
Cap on Membership Stock Requirement$25 million
$5 million b
The lesser of (1) a dollar cap set by the Board within a range of $10,000 and $75 million, and (2) 9.9% of our total capital stock outstanding as of the prior December 31.
Activity Stock Requirement for Advances5% of outstanding advances
4.5% of outstanding advances c
4% to 6% of a member's outstanding advances, although the requirement may be set as low as 2% for those advances made through our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP)
B2/B1 Threshold a
$10,000$10,000$10,000 to $75 million
a 
The amount of a member’s Class B2 stock that exceeds this “threshold” and is necessary to support advance activity is automatically converted to Class B1 stock.
b 
We plan to implementimplemented the revised membership stock requirements during our annual recalculation in the second quarter of 2016, using each member's mortgage assets as of December 31, 2015.
c 
Effective April 1, 2016, the reduced activity stock requirement will applyapplies to all outstanding and new advances other than those advances made through the Bank’s RCAP.
d 
Ranges reflected above are from our current Capital Plan, as last amended and restated effective October 1, 2015.

Effective October 1, 2015, ourOur Capital Plan now allows for an activity stock requirement for MPF Loans acquired for our portfolio within a range of 0% and 6%, which our Board has set at 0%. Should the Board decide to introduce this capital requirement, we intend to notify members sufficiently in advance of the change and apply that change only to future acquisitions.

Membership stock requirements will continue to be recalculated annually, whereas the activity stock requirement and any automatic conversion of Class B2 stock to Class B1 stock related to the threshold will apply on a daily basis.

We may only redeem or repurchase capital stock from a member if, following the redemption or repurchase, the member continues to meet its minimum investment requirement and we remain in compliance with our regulatory capital requirements discussed below.

Members that withdraw from membership must wait at least five years after their membership was terminated and all of their capital stock was redeemed or repurchased before being readmitted to membership in any FHLB.

Under the terms of our Capital Plan, our Board of Directors is authorized to amend the Capital Plan, and the FHFA must approve all such amendments before they become effective.



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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Reduced Capitalization Advance Program

During 2015,2016, we continued to offer our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP), which has been available on a monthly basis since June 2015. RCAP allows members to borrow one or more advances with an activity stock requirement of only 2% for the life of the advance instead of the current 5%4.5% requirement under our Capital PlansPlan’s general provisions, ifprovisions. Since June 2016, we have offered a more flexible version of RCAP, under which members can borrow both short- and long-term funding, including overnight advances, with the new advances represented an incremental increase in a members overall level of advances and had maturity dates of at least one year.reduced activity stock capital requirement. As of December 31, 2015,2016, RCAP advances outstanding total $17.1$22.7 billion to 315147 members. We may

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implement future programs for advances with a reduced activity stock requirement that may or may not have the same characteristics as prior RCAP offerings.


Minimum Capital Requirements

We are subject by regulation to the following three capital requirements:

total regulatory capital ratio;
leverage capital ratio; and
risk-based capital.

For tables showing our compliance with the total capital ratio and leverage capital ratio as well as further details on all of our capital requirements, see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.statements.

Under the risk-based capital requirement, we must maintain permanent capital equal to the sum of our (i) credit risk capital requirement, (ii) market risk capital requirement, and (iii) operations risk capital requirement, as outlined below:

Credit Risk Capital Requirement. The credit risk capital requirement is the sum of the capital charges for our assets, off-balance sheet items, and derivatives contracts. These capital charges are calculated using the methodologies and percentages assigned by the FHFA regulations to each class of assets.

Market Risk Capital Requirement. The market risk capital requirement is the sum of (a) the market value of our portfolio at risk from movements in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices that could occur during periods of market stress; and (b) the amount, if any, by which the market value of total capital is less than 85% of the book value of total capital.

Operations Risk Capital Requirement. The operations risk capital requirement is 30% of the sum of our (a) credit risk capital requirement and (b) market risk capital requirement.

The following table summarizes our risk based capital amounts. Under the FHFA regulation on capital classifications and critical capital levels for the FHLBs, we were adequately capitalized.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Capital stock $1,950
 $1,902
 $1,711
 $1,950
Capital stock classified as mandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS) 8
 9
Total retained earnings 2,730
 2,406
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS) recorded as a liability 301
 8
Retained earnings 3,020
 2,730
Total permanent capital $4,688
 $4,317
 $5,032
 $4,688
        
Credit risk capital $759
 $832
 $705
 $759
Market risk capital 31
 35
 132
 31
Operations risk capital 237
 260
 251
 237
Total risk based capital requirement $1,027
 $1,127
 $1,088
 $1,027
        
Excess permanent capital stock over risk based capital requirement $3,661
 $3,190
 $3,944
 $3,661



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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Statutory and Regulatory Restrictions on Capital Stock Repurchase and Redemption

In accordance with the FHLB Act, our capital stock is considered putable with restrictions given the significant restrictions on the obligation/right to redeem.

We cannot redeem shares of stock from any member if:

the principal or interest on any consolidated obligation is not paid in full when due;


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we fail to certify in writing to the FHFA that we will remain in compliance with our liquidity requirements and will remain capable of making full and timely payment of all of our current obligations;

we notify the FHFA that we cannot provide the required quarterly certification, or project that we will fail to comply with statutory or regulatory liquidity requirements, or will be unable to timely and fully meet all of our current obligations; or

we actually fail to comply with statutory or regulatory liquidity requirements or to timely and fully meet all of our current obligations, or enter or negotiate to enter into an agreement with one or more other FHLBs to obtain financial assistance to meet our current obligations.

Additional statutory and regulatory restrictions on the redemption and repurchase of our capital stock include the following:

In no case may we redeem or repurchase capital stock if, following such redemption, we would fail to satisfy our minimum regulatory capital requirements established by the GLB Act or the FHFA.

In no case may we redeem or repurchase capital stock if either our Board of Directors or the FHFA determines that we have incurred, or are likely to incur, losses resulting or expected to result in a charge against capital stock. In addition to being able to prohibit capital stock redemptions and repurchases, our Board has a right to call for additional capital stock purchases by members, as a condition of continuing membership, as needed for us to satisfy our statutory and regulatory capital requirements.

The FHLB Act provides that, in accordance with rules, regulations, and orders that may be prescribed by the FHFA, we may be liquidated or reorganized and our capital stock paid off and retired, in whole or in part, after paying or making a provision for payment of our liabilities. The FHLB Act further provides that, in connection with any such liquidation or reorganization, any other FHLB may, with the approval of the FHFA, acquire our assets and assume our liabilities, in whole or in part. The FHFA has issued an order providing that, in the event of our liquidation or reorganization, the FHFA shall cause us, our receiver, conservator, or other successor, as applicable, to pay or make provision for the payment of all of our liabilities, including those evidenced by the subordinated notes, before making payment to, or redeeming any shares of, capital stock issued by us, including shares as to which a claim for mandatory redemption has arisen.

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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Capital Amounts

The following table presents our five largest holders of regulatory capital stock and reconciles our capital reported in our statements of condition to the amount of capital stock reported for regulatory purposes.stock. MRCS is included in the calculation of the regulatory capital and leverage ratios but is recorded as a liability in the statements of condition.

As of December 31, 2015 Capital Stock MRCS
One Mortgage Partners Corp. a
 $250
 13% $
The Northern Trust Company 200
 10% 
BMO Harris Bank, N.A. 119
 6% 
State Farm Bank, F.S.B. 109
 6% 
Associated Bank, N.A. 74
 4% 
All other members 1,198
 61% 8
Total $1,950
 100% $8
       
  December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Change
Capital stock $1,950
 $1,902
 $48
Total retained earnings 2,730
 2,406
 324
Total permanent capital 4,680
 4,308
 372
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (28) 217
 (245)
Total GAAP capital $4,652
 $4,525
 $127
      

Capital Stock $1,950
 $1,902
 $48
MRCS 8
 9
 (1)
Total retained earnings 2,730
 2,406
 324
Regulatory capital $4,688
 $4,317
 $371
As of December 31, 2016 Regulatory Capital Stock Outstanding % of Total Outstanding Amount of Which is Classified as a Liability (MRCS)
One Mortgage Partners Corp. $245
a 
12.2% $245
BMO Harris Bank, National Association 197
 9.8% 
The Northern Trust Company 150
 7.5% 
State Farm Bank, FSB 148
 7.4% 
MB Financial Bank, National Association 68
 3.4% 
All other members 1,204
 59.7% 56
Regulatory capital stock $2,012
 100.0% $301
       
  December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 Change
Capital Stock $1,711
 $1,950
 $(239)
MRCS 301
 8
 293
Regulatory capital stock 2,012

1,958

54
       
Capital stock $1,711
 $1,950
 $(239)
Retained earnings 3,020
 2,730
 290
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (36) (28) (8)
GAAP capital $4,695
 $4,652
 $43
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.

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Components of total GAAP capital changed for the following reasons:

The increasedecrease in capital stock corresponds to our increase in advances and our members' response to the RCAP program;Reduced Capitalization Advance Program; see StatementsReduced Capitalization Advance Program on page 54 and Repurchases of Excess Capital Stock to the financial statements.below.
Total retained earnings increased due to our net income less dividends paid; see StatementsResults of Capital to the financial statements.
AOCI decreased primarily due to unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities partially offset by gains on cash flow hedges related to interest rate swaps on our discount note debt; see Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Operations on page 45 for further detail.39 and Retained Earnings & Dividends below.


Repurchase of Excess Capital Stock

WeOn January 26, 2017, we began repurchasing all excess Class B2 membership stock on a weekly basis at par value, i.e., at $100 per share. Members may continue to request repurchase of excess stock on any business day in addition to the weekly repurchase. We intend to continue repurchases of excess stock, including automatic weekly repurchases, until otherwise announced, but repurchases remain subject to our regulatory requirements, certain financial and capital thresholds, and prudent business practices.

Repurchase of excess capital stock held by members if we maintainis subject to compliance with the following financial and capital thresholds:

The ratio of our total capital to total assets is greater than or equal to 4.25%;
Our ratio of the Bank's market value of equity to book value of equity is at least 85% on a U.S. GAAP basis;
Our risk-based capital is greater than or equal to 125% of the minimum amount required, as discussed in Capital Resources on page 53;
Compliance with all of our minimum capital requirements and minimum liquidity requirements;
Projected compliance with each of our minimum regulatory capital requirements for the next four quarters using the most recent expected case income projections; and
Compliance with our contractual obligations under the Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement, as discussed in Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement with other FHLBs on page 58.59.


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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Since mid-2013 our practice has been to repurchase excess capital stock held by members within three business days of receiving a repurchase request, subject to regulatory requirements and prudent business practices. Since initiating this practice, all capital stock repurchases were made within three business days of receipt of the request. For further information on amounts of excess stock repurchased, see Statements of Capital to the financial statements and Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS).

Retained Earnings & Dividends

Dividend Payments

FHFA rules state that FHLBs may declare and pay dividends only from previously retained earnings or current net earnings, and may not declare or pay dividends based on projected or anticipated earnings. Under our Capital Plan, any dividend declared on Class B1 shares must be greater than or equal to the dividend declared on Class B2 shares for the same period, and dividends may be paid in the form of cash or stock.stock, or a combination of both. All dividends we have paid since 2011 have been in cash rather than stock. We have paid an enhanced dividend on Class B1 activity stock since the fourth quarter of 2013.

Although we continue to work to maintain our financial strength to support a reasonable dividend, any future dividend determination by our Board will be at our Board's sole discretion and will depend on future operating results, our Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy, and any other factors the Board determines to be relevant.

We may not pay dividends if we fail to satisfy our minimum capital and liquidity requirements under the FHLB Act and FHFA regulations. Further, under FHFA regulations, we may not pay any dividends in the form of capital stock if excess stock held by our shareholders is greater than 1% of our total assets or if, after the issuance of such shares, excess stock held by our shareholders would be greater than 1% of our total assets.assets.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy (Policy) which, as last updated in December 2015,October 2016, establishes a target for retained earnings for the Bank to mitigate several risks and exposures and provide a cushion against the potential for loss that could impact shareholder value. Specifically, the Policy requires us to establish an overall target for retained earnings comprised ofincorporating the following components:

Risk-based targettargets based on estimates using the greater of the estimates using (1) modified regulatory-based requirementsestimates with components for credit risk market risk and operationsmarket risk, (2) results of our annual stress test, and (3) parametric value-at-risk estimates for credit and market risk; eachrisk. Each of those threethese risk-based alternatives incorporateincorporates additional estimates for exposures related to (1) operational risk, (2) deterioration in market value whenresulting in the ratio of the Bank’s market to bookmarket-to-book value of equity ratio on a U.S. GAAP basis isof less than 100%, (2)(3) repurchase risk that arisesarising from obligations to third party investors forfrom loans originated under the MPF Program, (3)(4) accounting risk related to hedge accounting and OTTI accounting adjustments to our other comprehensive income and hedging-related accounting adjustments to the book value basis of advances, MPF Loan portfolio and consolidated obligations that may impact our net income as they are amortized, and (4)(5) the amount of loans outstanding under the Bank’s Community First Fund;

Earnings-based targettargets that would allow the Bank to pay a reasonable return on member capital in low ratelow-rate and low member usagelow-member utilization environments; and

CapitalTarget capital ratio target of 4.5% of total regulatory capital to total assets after calculating regulatorywhich is higher than the 4.0% minimum required by FHFA regulation. The target capital to includeratio for purposes of the retained earnings target includes any estimates of losses forfrom the adverse and severely adverse stress test scenarios, which target is greater than the minimum requirement set by FHFA regulation.
scenarios.

Under the Policy, we may, but are not required, to pay a dividend out of our net income (with certain adjustments as described below) based on our attainment of the retained earnings target on a quarterly basis and management's assessment of the current adequacy of retained earnings. The Policy's dividend payout schedule provides for no dividend if we meet less than 70% of the risk-based requirement portion of the retained earnings target, with a maximum dividend of between 30-80% of adjusted net income depending on the level of the earnings-based component of the retained earnings target.target and the target capital ratio. For these purposes, adjusted net income is income resulting directly from certain business activities, excluding income from such activities as advance prepayments, transfers of debt to other FHLBs and gains or losses resulting from certain hedge practices. Dividends that are permitted under the Policy but not paid in any given quarter may be applied to subsequent quarters if certain requirements set forth in the Policy are met.


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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Our Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends at annualized percentage rates per $100 of par value as presented in the below table (based on the previous quarter's earnings).

Quarter in which dividend was declared (recorded) and paid Dividends Annualized Rate
2015    
1st quarter, B1 activity stock $4
 2.25%
1st quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.50%
2nd quarter, B1 activity stock 4
 2.25%
2nd quarter, B2 membership stock 2
 0.50%
3rd quarter, B1 activity stock 6
 2.25%
3rd quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.50%
4th quarter, B1 activity stock 6
 2.50%
4th quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.50%
Total $25
  
2014    
1st quarter, B1 activity stock $1
 1.30%
1st quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.30%
2nd quarter, B1 activity stock 2
 1.50%
2nd quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.50%
3rd quarter, B1 activity stock 2
 1.50%
3rd quarter, B2 membership stock 2
 0.50%
4th quarter, B1 activity stock 4
 2.00%
4th quarter, B2 membership stock 1
 0.50%
Total $14
  
  B1 Activity Stock B2 Membership Stock
Quarter in which dividend was declared (recorded) and paid Dividends Annualized Rate Dividends Annualized Rate
2016        
1st quarter $8
 2.60% $1
 0.60%
2nd quarter 9
 2.80% 1
 0.60%
3rd quarter 8
 2.80% 1
 0.60%
4th quarter 8
 2.80% 1
 0.60%
Total $33
 2.75% $4
 0.60%
2015        
1st quarter $4
 2.25% $1
 0.50%
2nd quarter 4
 2.25% 2
 0.50%
3rd quarter 6
 2.25% 1
 0.50%
4th quarter 6
 2.50% 1
 0.50%
Total $20
 2.31% $5
 0.50%



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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


On January 27, 2016,24, 2017, our Board of Directors increased the dividend declared per share by 10 basis points on both sub-classes of capital stock. Based on our financial results for the fourth quarter of 2015,2016, the Board declared a cash dividend of 2.60%3.00% (annualized) for Class B1 activity stock (an increase of 20 basis points compared to the prior quarter) and a cash dividend of 0.60%0.85% (annualized) for Class B2 membership stock.stock (an increase of 25 basis points compared to the prior quarter). This dividend, including dividends on mandatorily redeemable capital stock, totaled $10 million and was paid on February 14, 2017. The Board decided to increase the dividends, in part, based on its decision to begin repurchasing excess stock on a weekly basis beginning on Thursday, January 26, 2017, which will allow the Bank to more effectively manage its balance sheet in the long term.


Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement with other FHLBs

The FHLBs, including us, entered into a Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement (JCE Agreement) intended to enhance the capital position of each FHLB. The intent of the JCE Agreement is to allocate that portion of each FHLB's earnings to a separate retained earnings account at that FHLB.

For more information on the JCE Agreement, see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.

Although restricted retained earnings under the JCE Agreement are included in determining whether we have attained the retained earnings target under the Bank's Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy discussed above, these restricted retained earnings will not be available to pay dividends. We do not believe that the requirement to contribute 20% of our future net income to a restricted retained earnings account under the JCE Agreement will have an impact on our ability to pay dividends except in the most extreme circumstances. There is a provision in the JCE Agreement that if, at any time, our restricted retained earnings were to fall below the required level, we would only be permitted to pay dividends out of (1) current net income not required to be added to our restricted retained earnings and (2) retained earnings that are not restricted.

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements


We provide members with letters of credit for a fee. If a beneficiary draws under a letter of credit, our member either reimburses us for the amount drawn or the drawn amount is converted into a collateralized advance to the member. If any advances were to be issued under these letters of credit, they would be made under the same standards and terms as any other advance.

We have entered into standby bond purchase agreements with the Illinois and Wisconsin state housing authorities. Upon request of the applicable authority, we enter into an agreement with them to purchase and hold the authority's bonds for a fee until the designated remarketing agent can find a suitable investor.

Refer to Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements for further disclosures related to our commercial commitments, such as letters of credit and standby bond purchase agreements.


Contractual Cash Obligations

We enter into various contractual obligations that require us to make future cash payments. The following table summarizes our long-term contractual cash payments due by period:

 Contractual Cash Payments Due by Period Contractual Cash Payments Due by Period
As of December 31, 2015 Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years After 5 years 
Total a
As of December 31, 2016 Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years After 5 years 
Total a
Consolidated obligation bonds $3,028
 $8,432
 $7,108
 $4,116
 $22,684
 $14,188
 $11,878
 $6,012
 $5,056
 $37,134
Subordinated notes 944
 
 
 
 944
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock 1
 4
 8
 288
 301
MPF delivery commitments 279
 
 
 
 279
 417
 
 
 
 417
Other 10

8

10

16

44
 3

6

5

15

29
Total contractual cash obligations $4,261

$8,440

$7,118

$4,132

$23,951
 $14,609

$11,888

$6,025

$5,359

$37,881
a 
Total excludes projected contractual interest payments for consolidated obligation bonds of $2.2 billion and for subordinated notes of $27 million.billion.



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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 3 - Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards to the financial statements for further details.

Estimating the Allowance for Credit Losses

See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses to the financial statements for further details.

Estimating Fair Value

See Note 16 - Fair Value to the financial statements for further details.

Controls over Internal Valuation Methodologies and Third-Party Pricing Vendors

Segregation of duties is a key control over our internal valuation methodologies and third-party pricing vendors. In this regard, our segregation of duties is outlined below.

Senior management is responsible for our valuation policies. Senior management's responsibility is independent of our investing and treasury functions.

The Asset/Liability Management Committee approves fair value policies, reviews the appropriateness of current valuation methodologies and policies, and reports significant policy changes to the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors oversees the controls utilized by the Asset/Liability Management Committee over their processes. This includes the results of independent model validationvalidations where appropriate.

The Risk Management Group prepares the fair value measurements of our financial instruments, evaluates the appropriateness of the fair values generated by pricing models, and assures the reasonableness and consistent application of valuation approaches and assumptions utilized in cases where unobservable inputs are utilized. In addition, the group performs control processes to ensure the fair values received from third-party pricing services are consistent with GAAP fair value measurement guidance.

The Risk Management Group's responsibility is independent of our investing and treasury management functions.

Other control processes over our internal valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, the following:

Reviewing the pricing model's theoretical soundness and appropriateness by personnel with relevant expertise who are independent from the fair value measurement function.

Back testing models to subsequent transactions (e.g. termination of a derivative), analysis of actual cash flows to projected cash flows, comparisons with similar observable positions, and comparisons with information received from pricing services for financial instruments where prices or valuations require unobservable inputs.


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Other control processes over third-party pricing vendors, include, but are not limited to, the following:

Understanding and evaluating the fair value measurements received on each major investment security type to ensure that the amounts reported in our financial statements as well as our fair value disclosures comply with GAAP.

Utilizing all fair value inputs received from multiple third-party pricing vendors to determine the fair value of an individual security unless we determine that exclusion of a fair value input is appropriate based on our control processes.
Discussions with our third-party pricing vendors to ensure that they are in compliance with fair value measurement guidance under GAAP. Such discussions focus on the following:
Understanding their pricing models to the extent possible, as some pricing models are proprietary in nature.
Understanding the principal or most advantageous market selected and our ability to access that market.
Assumptions and significant inputs used in determining the fair value measurement.
The appropriateness of the fair value hierarchy level as of the reporting date.
Whether the market was active or illiquid as of the reporting date.
Whether transactions were between willing buyers and sellers or distressed in nature as of the reporting date.
Whether the fair value measurements as of the reporting date is based on current or stale assumptions and inputs.
Understanding their pricing models to the extent possible, as some pricing models are proprietary in nature.
Understanding the principal or most advantageous market selected and our ability to access that market.
Assumptions and significant inputs used in determining the fair value measurement.
The appropriateness of the fair value hierarchy level as of the reporting date.
Whether the market was active or illiquid as of the reporting date.
Whether transactions were between willing buyers and sellers or distressed in nature as of the reporting date.
Whether the fair value measurements as of the reporting date is based on current or stale assumptions and inputs.

Obtaining the third party pricing vendor methodologies and control reports.

Challenging fair value measurements received that represent outliers to the fair value measurements received on the same financial instrument from a different third-party pricing service. We document these challenges on a monthly basis.

Examining the underlying inputs and assumptions for a sample of individual securities across asset classes and average life.

Identifying stale prices, prices changed significantly from prior valuations, and other anomalies that may indicate that a price may not be accurate.

Performing implied yield analysis to identify anomalies.





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Risk Management


Operational Risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people orand systems or from external events, includingevents. Fraud, legal, risk but excluding strategic or reputationalcompliance, financial reporting, model and technology risks are components within the definition of operational risk. We have established programs to identify, measure, monitor, manage, and report operational risks such as comprehensive risk assessment, monitoring and management activities, financial and operatingassessments, establishing policies and procedures, loss incident reporting and obtaining appropriate insurance coverage to mitigate the likelihood of, and potential losses from, such occurrences.

Governance and Control Activities
The Board of Directors has established bank-wide policies governing operational risk, which include an Enterprise Risk Management Policy and an Enterprise Operational Risk Management Policy. Primary oversight responsibility for operational risk is vested with our management level Operational Risk Oversight Committee. Responsibilities of this committee include, but are not limited to, oversight and review of Bank-wide operational risk programs such as the management of business continuity, operational aspects of new business activities, analysis and mitigation of any operational loss, independent information security program, vendor management, oversight and direction to our compliance activities, and oversight to internal controls and procedures in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This Committee monitors the performance of these operational activities by reviewing management reports prepared by the responsible business manager on a periodic basis. Also, the Committee monitors the effectiveness of operational controls through the reporting of critical operational losses, events, risk assessments, operational risk metrics, and a quarterly certification of operational and internal controls over financial reporting.
Our executive officers provide periodic reports, as appropriate, to the following Board committees: Risk Management Committee, Operations and Technology Committee, and the Audit Committee.
Business Continuity
In order to ensure our ability to provide liquidity and service to our members and PFIs, we have business resumption plans designed to restore critical business processes and systems in the event of business interruption. We have transitioned key information systems infrastructure to vendors with reliable and consistent data recovery capabilities as well as more optimal geographic diversity to provide a more resilient technology infrastructure. We are party to a reciprocal arrangement with the FHLB Dallas to recover operations supporting our banking activities. Both the FHLB Dallas and our off-site recovery plans are subject to periodic testing.

Credit Risk
We define credit risk as the risk to our earnings or capital due to an obligor’s failure to meet the terms of any contract with us, or to otherwise perform as agreed. We are exposed to credit risk principally through:
  
Member credit products, such as advances, letters of credit, and other extensions of credit to borrowers;
MPF Loans and related exposures;
investment securities;
securities purchased under agreements to resell;
unsecured short-term investments; and
derivatives.

Managing Our Credit Risk Exposure Related to Member Credit Products

Our member credit products credit risk exposure includes our secured credit extensions, such as advances, letters of credit, and related extensions of credit to members. See Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements for further details on letters of credit. We lend to our members in accordance with federal statutes and FHFA regulations. We manage our credit exposure to our member credit products using a risk-based integrated approach as discussed below. We utilize conservative collateral/lending policies to limit risk of loss while balancing members' needs for a reliable source of funding.


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Establishing Credit Limits - Under our credit policy, a member’s initial credit limit is set at 35% of their total assets (with the exception of non-depositories), subject to modifications up or down based primarily on the following factors:

The collateral value of eligible collateral a member has pledged. Collateral value represents the borrowing capacity assigned

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to the types of collateral we accept for member credit products. Collateral value does not imply fair value.

A member’s risk rating, which is determined by assessing their creditworthiness and financial condition utilizing financial information available to us, including the quarterly financial statement reports members file with their regulators. Additionally, we conduct an ongoing review of each borrower's financial condition.

For increases to the initial credit limit, approval by the Credit and Collateral Committee or our CEO.

Member Credit Outstanding - We track total credit risk with our members. The total credit risk concentrated with members with 10% or more of our total member credit outstanding is as follows:
As of December 31, 2015 Total Member Credit Outstanding % of Total
As of December 31, 2016 Total Member Credit Outstanding % of Total
One Mortgage Partners Corp. a
 $14,666 34% $17,696 31%
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.


Member Credit Risk Ratings - Our credit risk rating system focuses primarily on our member's overall financial health and takes into account the member's asset quality, earnings, and capital position. We utilize our credit risk rating system to assign each member a credit risk rating from one (lowest credit risk) to five (highest credit risk). Our credit risk rating represents our assessment of the risk of member insolvency rather than the risk of credit loss on the member's credit outstanding with us.  We utilize the credit risk rating of a member to manage our credit risk through collateral controls, and as a result, we have never suffered a credit loss on a member credit product. Credit risk mitigation actions may be applied to members perceived to pose increased risk, including within the credit risk ratings of four and five. Specifically, these members may be:

required to maintain higher amounts of collateral;
required to deliver loan collateral to us or a third party custodian on our behalf;
restricted from obtaining certain member credit products; and
faced with more stringent collateral reporting requirements.

The following table presents the number of members and related credit outstanding to them by credit risk rating. Credit outstanding consists primarily of outstanding advances and letters of credit. MPF credit enhancement obligations, member derivative exposures, and other obligations make up the rest. Of the total credit outstanding, $36.6$45.0 billion were advances (par value) and $6.7$10.8 billion were letters of credit at December 31, 2015,2016, compared to $32.5$36.6 billion and $3.6$6.7 billion at December 31, 2014.2015.

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Rating Number of Members % of Total Credit Outstanding % of Total Collateral Value Number of Members % of Total Credit Outstanding % of Total Collateral Value Number of Borrowers % of Total Credit Outstanding % of Total Collateral Value Number of Borrowers % of Total Credit Outstanding % of Total Collateral Value
1-3 482
 94% $43,090
 100% $90,366
 481
 92% $35,651
 98% $76,797
 483
 97% $55,750
 100% $106,814
 482
 94% $43,090
 100% $90,366
4 12
 2% 158
 % 318
 15
 3% 183
 1% 331
 7
 1% 47
 % 103
 12
 2% 158
 % 318
5 20
 4% 145
 % 353
 25
 5% 240
 1% 388
 11
 2% 140
 % 390
 20
 4% 145
 % 353
Total 514
 100% $43,393
 100% $91,037
 521
 100% $36,074
 100% $77,516
 501
 100% $55,937
 100% $107,307
 514
 100% $43,393
 100% $91,037

The significant increases in collateral values are due to the updated loan margins we made available to the members effective June 25, 2015, large collateral pledges from two of our biggest members and also a change in the qualified collateral report process that made pledging easier to conduct, as well as members pledging additional collateral in connection with increases in
their credit outstanding. The majority of members assigned a 4 rating in the above table were required to submit specific collateral listings and the majority of members assigned a 5 rating were required to deliver collateral to us or a third-party custodian on our behalf.


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(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Nature and Amount of Collateral Pledged - Collateral arrangements may vary by type of member (e.g., depository versus non-depository institutions), lien structure, member credit quality, collateral availability, collateral type, results of periodic on-site reviews of collateral, and overall member credit exposure. We comply with the FHLB Act, which requires us to obtain sufficient collateral to fully secure member credit products. Eligible collateral includes whole first mortgages on improved residential property, or non-agency securities representing a whole interest in such mortgages; securities issued, insured, or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies;agencies (includes MBS issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae;Mae and FHLB consolidated obligations;obligations); cash or deposits; and other real estate related collateral (includes home equity loans and lines of credit and commercial real estate) we deem to be acceptable, provided that collateral has a readily ascertainable value, can be reliably discounted to account for liquidation risk and can be liquidated in due course and that we can perfect a security interest in the assets.such collateral. We also accept

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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


pledges of secured small business, small farm, or small agri-business loans from community financial institutions (CFIs), which is permitted under their expanded statutory collateral provisions.the FHLB Act.

In certain circumstances, for example when a member terminates membership due to a merger and the acquiring entity is a member of another FHLB; the other FHLB may agree to manage the former member's collateral covering advances and any other amounts still outstanding to us. The other FHLB will usually subordinate to us either allcertain collateral it receives from the member or certain categories of collateral. Likewise, if one of our members were to acquire the member of another FHLB, we may agree to manage the collateral for the other FHLB.FHLB and subordinate our security interest in a certain category of collateral.

Our Advances, Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement requires that a member provide collateral value equal to its credit outstanding (unless we specifically require more for a particular member). The estimated collateral value requiredassigned to secure each member's credit products is calculated for securities and loansloan collateral is calculated as shown below. It should be noted that the applicable percentage margin utilized in the calculation for securities or loans vary based on the type of collateral being pledged, as well as factors (that vary whether the collateral is a security or loan) including model risk, broker fees, market volatility and liquidity, the type of collateral reporting, the member's risk rating, and whether the member is a depository or non-depository.

For securities, we multiply the applicable percentage margin by the market value of each security; and

For loans, we multiply the applicable percentage margin by the unpaid principal balance of pledged loans and by the applicable ineligibility discount factor (if any).loans:
In general members pledging loan collateral via blanket reporting will receive the maximum margins we publish, as a percent of unpaid principal balance. Variation in collateral value would result in response to large declines in market values as defined by our management for each asset class.

Members with listed and/or delivered loan collateral will generally receive the margins we publish, which will be applied as a percent of market value of the unpaid principal balance of the reported loan collateral. Variations in collateral loan value will typically be the result of market value movements of the reported collateral.


Controls over Pledged Collateral - We require delivery of all securities collateral and may also require delivery of loan collateral under certain conditions (for example, when a member's credit condition deteriorates).

The FHLB Act requires that each advance to a member be fully secured. We are required to obtain and maintain a security interest in pledged collateral at any time credit is outstanding.securing advances. The FHLB Act affordsprovides that any security interest granted to us by any of our members, or anyan affiliate of any such member, is entitled to priority over the claims and rights of any party, including any receiver, conservator, trustee, or similar party having rights of a lien creditor. The only two exceptions arecreditor other than claims and rights that would be entitled to priority under otherwise applicable law orand are held by actual bona fide purchasers for value or by actual secured parties that are secured by actual perfected security interests. We perfect the security interests granted to us by members and affiliates by taking possession of securities collateral and by filing UCC-1 financing statements on all other collateral.

We generally require members to pledge collateral under a blanket lien under which our security interest in collateral is automatically released when such collateral is not necessary to secure a member's outstanding credit obligations and the member has sold or otherwise transferred its interest in the collateral and such collateral is not required to secure a member’s outstanding credit obligations and we have not required the member to list or deliver such collateral. Under the security agreement with our members, a member must maintain collateral with a collateral value to cover its credit outstanding and if the collateral value is not sufficient to cover the credit outstanding, we have the right to protect our security position with respect to a Credit Product, including requiringrequire the pledging of additional collateral, whether or not such additionalto cover the shortage, including the pledging of types of collateral was required to originate or renew a Credit Product.that are outside of our eligibility criteria. As a result, we may require thelisting or delivery of additional or substitute collateral from anythe member at any time while the Credit Productthere is outstanding, including delivery of collateral that would not be eligible to pledge for a new Credit Product. As additional security for a member's indebtedness,credit outstanding. Additionally, we have a lien on their capital stock in us.

The method by which a member reports collateral is dependent upon the collateral status to which it is assigned, as well as the type of collateral being pledged. In order for a member to have borrowing capacity with us, the member must report its eligible collateral using one of the following methods. Under blanket reporting, a member that has granted us a blanket lien on certain categories of collateral may report the collateral types on a qualified collateral report. For members that list collateral, either by choice or as directed by us, the member must submit a listing of its collateral which includes loan-level detail of the collateral. For members or a class of collateral on delivery status, the memberSecurities pledged to us must deliver the collateralbe delivered to us or an approved third party custodian for our benefit.pursuant to a collateral control agreement. Loan collateral pledged to us may be required to be delivered to an approved third party pursuant to a collateral control agreement. Members must report their collateral at least quarterly.

We also conduct periodic on-site loan collateral reviews to confirm the collateral meets our eligibility requirements. On-site collateral verifications are performed on a schedule that varies based upon our assessment of the credit risk of the member, the size of the member's credit exposure, the types of collateral pledged, and the amount of collateral coverage.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



We have not recorded any allowance for credit losses for our on-balance sheet member credit products nor any liabilities for our off-balance sheet member credit products in the periods presented based on the following factors:

Our credit outstanding is sufficiently well collateralized as a result of the collateral and credit risk mitigation efforts described above;
Our credit analyses of our members;
The repayment history on member credit products; and
No member credit products that were past due, on nonaccrual status, involved in a troubled debt restructuring, or otherwise considered impaired.

MPF Loans and Related Exposures

For a description of the MPF Program see Mortgage Partnership Finance Program on page 7.

Credit Risk Exposure - Our credit risk exposure on conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio is the potential for financial loss due to borrower default and depreciation in the value of the real estate collateral securing the MPF Loan, offset by our ability to recover losses from PMI, Recoverable CE Fees, and the CE Amount which may include SMI. The PFI is required to pledge collateral to secure any portion of its CE Amount that is a direct obligation of the PFI. The portion of our MPF Loan unpaid principal balances exposed to credit losses was $3.8 billion at December 31, 2016, and $3.6 billion at December 31, 2015, and $4.6 billion at December 31, 2014.2015. Our actual credit exposure is less than these amounts because the borrower's equity, which represents the fair value of underlying property in excess of the outstanding MPF Loan held in portfolio balance, has not been considered.

Our MPF Loans held in portfolio includes conventional mortgage loans that may be viewed as having greater credit risk because the borrowers have weaker credit histories. The current MPF Program eligibility criteria for conforming conventional MPF Loans excludes loans to borrowers with a FICO score less than 620. Historically, we accepted MPF Loans from borrowers with FICO scores below 620 provided they met the underwriting standards set forth in the MPF Guides, which require compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including the Interagency Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Product Risks (issued October 4, 2006) and the Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending (issued on July 10, 2007) issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of the Thrift Supervision, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration. MPF Loans to borrowers with no FICO scores are also eligible for delivery under the MPF Program provided that acceptable alternate documentation of credit history is provided. We do not classify these MPF Loans internally as “subprime” because they are not higher-priced mortgage loans. Mortgages that meet the MPF Program's definition of higher-priced mortgage loans are not eligible for delivery under the MPF Program. MPF Loans with borrowers having no FICO scores or with FICO scores less than 660 represent a relatively small portion of our total conventional MPF Loan portfolio.

For MPF Loans, the MPF Program allows for varying levels of documentation with respect to borrower income, and the level of documentation is considered when determining the amount of credit enhancement required for each Master Commitment under the NRSROcredit model we utilize to set the CE Amount. To date, we have not experienced material differences in loss or delinquency rates based on documentation levels of our conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio.

Under the MPF Government MBS product, we must advance the scheduled principal and interest payments to the securities holders of Ginnie Mae MBS that we issued if the servicing PFI defaults on its obligations to advance. Once MPF Government MBS loans are ninety days delinquent, we have the option to repurchase the mortgage loan out of the security and work with a servicer to mitigate the credit loss.

Setting Credit Enhancement Levels - TheAs of December 31, 2016, the PFI's CE Amount iswas generally calculated using an NRSRO model to equal the difference between (i) the amountsamount of credit enhancement needed for thea Master Commitment to have an estimated rating equivalent to an AA rated mortgage-backed security and (ii) our initial FLA exposure (which starts at zero for the MPF Original product and grows over time). Pursuant to the amended AMA regulation, effective January 18, 2017, we adjusted our methodology to set the PFI’s CE Amount consistent with the Bank’s determination of AMA investment grade. Quarterly, we recalculate an estimated credit rating of each Master Commitment with estimated ratings lower than AA ratings in conjunction with our risk based capital calculation. See Liquidity, Funding, and Capital Resources on page 48 for further details.

The CE Amounts and the FLA for certain conventional MPF Products held in our portfolio may be periodically reset lower for each Master Commitment after a required period of seasoning because the amount of credit enhancement necessary to maintain our risk of credit losses equivalent towithin our risk tolerance in compliance with the credit losses of an investor in an AA rated mortgage-backed securityAMA regulation is usually reduced over time.
 
For the MPF Plus product, the PFI is required to provide an SMI policy covering the MPF Loans in the Master Commitment and having a deductible initially equal to the FLA. As of December 31, 2015,2016, and 2014,2015, the outstanding balances of MPF Loans under the MPF Plus product with SMI coverage were $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion and the amounts of SMI coverage provided

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under the MPF Plus product with SMI coverage were $913 million and $1.4 billion and the amounts of SMI coverage provided against losses were $41$32 million and $48$41 million. The reduction in coverage was due to the resetting of SMI policies as provided in the MPF Plus product structure. In addition, certain SMI providers fell below the minimum AA rating requiredrequirements in the MPF Guides and instead of replacing the SMI provider or indemnifying us for any losses, most PFIs elected to forfeit future performance CE fees. Credit losses associated with Master Commitments where the SMI coverage has been discontinued are incorporated into the allowance for credit losses calculation. Such credit losses are immaterial.

The following table shows the status of our credit enhancement structure on conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio. Unpaid principal balances in this table include REO, as losses in REO impact, and are impacted by, the credit enhancement structure of a Master Commitment. As defined, the CE Amount includes SMI on the MPF Plus product. Government Loans are excluded from the table as they are not directly credit enhanced by the PFI.

 As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2016
MPF Product Type Unpaid Principal Balance 90+ Days Delinquent 
FLA a
 CE Amount Unpaid Principal Balance 90+ Days Delinquent 
FLA a
 CE Amount
100 $404
 3.92% 4.09% 4.17% $298
 2.14% 4.44% 3.78%
125 (and its variation, 35) 204
 5.34% 2.70% 3.21%
125 844
 0.53% 1.43% 2.06%
Plus 2,393
 5.71% 3.73% 1.81% 1,750
 4.00% 4.84% 1.97%
35 11
 —% 0.35% 3.66%
Original 608
 3.14% 1.78% 8.92% 941
 1.33% 1.14% 9.14%
a 
For each product above, except MPF Original, a portion of losses experienced at the FLA level may be recovered through the withholding of performance-based CE Fees from PFIs.

Concentration Risks - In conjunction with assessing credit risks on the MPF Loan portfolio, we also assess concentration risks that could negatively impact this portfolio.

Geographic Concentration - While we have MPF Loans throughout the United States, our largest concentrations of conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio were secured by properties located in the five states shown in the following table. Amounts shown are based on outstanding par value. An overall decline in the economy, residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster could adversely affect the value of the mortgaged properties in these states and increase the risk of delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy or loss on MPF Loans, which could negatively affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

As of December 31, 2015 Par Value %
As of December 31, 2016 Par Value %
Wisconsin $636
 18% $752
 20%
Illinois 459
 13% 693
 18%
California 391
 11% 643
 17%
Texas 206
 6% 157
 4%
Florida 162
 5% 127
 3%
All other states 1,714
 47% 1,446
 38%
Total unpaid principal balance of conventional MPF Loans $3,568
 100% $3,818
 100%

For further discussion of how concentration risks may affect us, see Risk Factors on page 19.18.

Mortgage Repurchase Risk - We are exposed to mortgage repurchase risk in connection with our sale of MPF Loans to Fannie Mae under the MPF Xtra product, to third-party investors under the MPF Direct Product, and to Ginnie Mae for MPF Loans securitized in Ginnie Mae MBS. IfMBS if a loan eligibility requirement or other warranty is breached these third parties could require us to repurchase the ineligible MPF Loan or provide an indemnity.. We may require the PFI from which we purchased the ineligible MPF Loan to repurchase that loan from us or indemnify us for related losses. Underlosses or request indemnification from the MPF Direct product, if a PFI is insolvent, our repurchase liability is limited to a PFI’s failure to deliver the required loan documentation and excludes repurchases for breaches of loan level representations and warranties. In addition, if we purchased the ineligible MPF Loan from a PFI of another MPF Bank as further discussed in the MPF Bank will indemnify us for any losses we may incur.Risk Factors on page 18.

Our mortgage repurchase liability is an estimate of our losses associated with all mortgage loans previously sold in connection with the MPF Xtra, MPF Direct, and MPF Government MBS products for which a breach of representation or warranty has occurred, regardless of when those losses occur or how they are ultimately resolved (e.g., repurchase, indemnification payment).occurred. We consider factors based predominantly on our historical repurchase experience to estimate our mortgage repurchase liability. Weand only include mortgage loans for which we deem it probable that we will be required to either repurchase the mortgage loan or

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


indemnify the applicable third party for a loss on the mortgage loan.losses. This assessment is primarily made during our quality control review process, which is further discussed in Quality Assurance Process on page 11. Our estimate incorporates:incorporates our experiences with third party repurchase demands, PFIs’ historical ability to cure repurchase demands, and an assumed loss severity given default.

Applicable third party behavior;
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Potential defects or breaches with the mortgage loans;fhlbchicagologo2a17.jpg
Whether the mortgage loans are performing or nonperforming;Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Our potential ability to cure the defects identified;(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)
The estimated loss severity upon repurchase of the loan or collateral, and any make-whole settlement or indemnification agreement with the applicable third party.

The pooling and securitization of MPF Government MBS loans commenced during the three months ended September 30, 2015.
The methodology to estimate the associated mortgage repurchase liability for MPF Government MBS loans also considers potential repurchases based on delinquency activity or lack of final loan certifications within issued pools. We are expected to maintain delinquency rates on outstanding issuances below key thresholds and fulfill operational requirements published by Ginnie Mae.

Based on the above factors:

We recognized a mortgage repurchase liability of less than $1 million as of December 31, 2015,2016, on the MPF Xtra loans. We also recognized an offsetting receivable due from our PFIs, since we deem it probable that we will recover any losses from third parties (i.e.(e.g., PFIs).
We did not estimate any mortgage repurchase liability with respect toPFIs and other MPF Direct loans due to the pre-purchase due diligence performed by the investor of all MPF Loans purchased under the MPF Direct product.
We did not estimate any mortgage repurchase liability with respect to MPF Government MBS loans due to the minimal volume of MPF Loans securitized in Ginnie Mae MBS as of December 31, 2015, and the fact that none of the related MPF Loans are currently 90 or more days delinquent.
We did not recognize a loss in our statements of income related to our repurchase or indemnification risk.
Banks). We believe the estimate of reasonably possible losses is zero as of the end of this reporting period. This is because we believe it is probable that we would recover such reasonably possible losses from third parties.

We have repurchased $18$10 million of unpaid principal balances related to mortgage loans sold as part of our off balance sheet MPF Loan products for the year ending December 31, 2015,2016, compared to $33$18 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,2015, and $22$33 million in 2013.2014. These repurchases represent repurchase requests that have been resolved during the reporting period. Due to recoveries from PFIs, we incurred no material losses on these loans.

We have $38$45 million as of December 31, 2015,2016, of unpaid principal with respect to MPF Xtra loans that represent unresolved claims with Fannie Mae, in which a repurchase demand may occur compared to $62$38 million at December 31, 2014;2015; see Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements.

Additionally, PFIs are required to repurchase ineligible MPF Loans held in our portfolio unless we either require the PFI to indemnify us or decide to continue to hold such loans in our portfolio.  The PFI repurchase requirement is a factor in determining our allowance for credit losses.  If a PFI is unable to repurchase ineligible MPF Loans or indemnify us, we would incur a loss to the extent a credit loss is not expected to be recovered from collateral provided by the PFI or, alternatively, from the FDIC.  In this regard, we have not recorded an allowance for credit losses related to MPF Loans held in our portfolio, as we do not expect to incur any losses after factoring in our recovery claims from PFIs.

We record allowances for credit losses for MPF Loans held in portfolio consistent with portfoliobased on available information of past event and market trendsthe current economic conditions existing as shown inof the table below. Specifically, we utilizedate of our statements of condition. Such information includes, but is not limited to, delinquency rates, loss severities, and prepayment speeds consistent with the percentages of delinquent, nonaccrual, and impaired MPF Loans to total conventional MPF Loans. Our allowance for credit losses declined in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily as a result of change in regulatory guidance related to the timing of charge-offs as a result of FHFA Advisory Bulletin AB 2012-02.charge-offs. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements for further details.details on our charge-off policy. Additionally, refer to Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses to the financial statements for further details on our allowance for credit losses.


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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Five year trend in our MPF Loans held in portfolio

The following table shows the five year trend in our MPF Loans held in portfolio.

  2015 2014 2013 2012 2011  2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Recorded investment as of December 31,                    
MPF Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest a
  $25
 $69
 $178
 $275
 $376
  $31
 $25
 $69
 $178
 $275
Nonaccrual MPF Loans including nonperforming troubled debt restructurings (TDR)  107
 163
 221
 234
 211
  74
 107
 163
 221
 234
TDRs - performing 47
 48
 16
 14
 6
TDRs performing- on an accrual basis 42
 47
 48
 16
 14
Total $179
 $280
 $415
 $523
 $593
 $147
 $179
 $280
 $415
 $523
Interest on original terms (nonaccrual loans/performing TDRs)  $5
 $7
 $9
 $11
 $10
Interest recognized (performing TDRs only) b
  2
 2
 2
 1
 8
                    
Allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31,                      
Balance, beginning of period  $15
 $29
 $42
 $45
 $33
  $3
 $15
 $29
 $42
 $45
Losses charged to the allowance b
  (17) (7) (11) (12) (7)
Losses charged to the allowance c
  (1) (17) (7) (11) (12)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses  5
 (7) (2) 9
 19
  1
 5
 (7) (2) 9
Balance, end of period  $3
 $15

$29

$42

$45
  $3
 $3

$15

$29

$42
Gross interest original terms nonaccrual loans/nonperforming TDRs  $7
 $9
 $11
 $10
 $7
Interest recognized nonaccrual loans/nonperforming TDRs  2
 2
 1
 8
 6
a 
Includes loans which are well-secured and in the process of collection. MPF Loans that are on non-performingnonperforming status, and that are viewed as collateral-dependent, loans, are considered impaired and are excluded. MPF Loans are viewed as collateral-dependent loansCollateral-dependent is when repayment is expected to be provided solely by the sale of the underlying property, and there is no other available and reliable source of repayment.property. Government Loans are included because repayment is insured or guaranteed by the government.
b 
We do not recognize interest on nonaccrual loans.
c
The net (charge-off)/recovery rate was less than one basis point for all periods presented.


Investment Securities

On October 15, 2010, we instituted litigation relating to sixty-four private label MBS bonds purchased by us in an aggregate original principal amount of $4.29 billion. Our complaints assert claims for untrue or misleading statements in the sale of securities, and it is possible that the classifications of private-label MBS, as well as other statements made about the securities by the issuer, are inaccurate. 

In the following tables, we classify our private-label MBS as prime, subprime, or Alt-A based upon the nature of the majority of underlying mortgages collateralizing each security based on the issuer's classification, or as published by an NRSRO, at the time of issuance of the MBS. 

Category  Majority of Underlying Mortgage Loans  Description of Mortgage Loans Underlying the Security and Security Features
Prime  Prime  Mortgage loans meet the criteria of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac and the securities have credit protection in the form of a guarantee from the U.S. government in the case of Ginnie Mae, or a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Prime  Prime Fixed Rate/ Adjustable Rate  First-lien mortgage loans that typically conform to “prime” credit guidelines described above, but with a balance that exceeds the maximum allowed under programs sponsored by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Prime  Interest First - Prime Fixed/Adjustable Rate  Mortgage loans typically conform to traditional “prime” credit guidelines described above, but may allow for principal deferment for a specified period of time.
Alt-A  Alternative Documentation Fixed/Adjustable Rate  Mortgage loans generally conform to traditional “prime” credit guidelines described above, although the LTV ratio, loan documentation, occupancy status, property type, loan size, or other factors causes the loan not to qualify under standard underwriting programs. Typically includes less-than-full documentation.
Subprime  Subprime  Primarily first-lien mortgage loans that have lower credit scores, higher debt to income ratios, and higher loan to value ratios.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


In addition to private-label MBS, we also hold a variety of other investment securities we believe are low risk and mostly government backed or insured such as GSE debt and FFELP ABS.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


In 2011, S&P downgraded the U.S. long-term sovereign rating from AAA to AA+ with a negative outlook, while Moody's confirmed its Aaa U.S. Government bond rating, but with a negative outlook. These actions impacted the bond ratings of certain government backed or insured securities, including those of the GSEs as well as the FFELP ABS, which we currently hold in our investment portfolio. 

Investment Securities by Rating

The carrying amounts of our investments are presented in the following table by the long term NRSRO credit rating of the counterparty.

 AAA AA A BBB Below Investment Grade Unrated Carrying Amount
December 31, 2016              
Investment securities-              
U.S. Government & other governmental related $
 $3,074
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $3,074
State or local housing agency 
 32
 
 
 
 
 32
FFELP ABS 54
 4,518
 
 
 
 
 4,572
MBS:   
         
GSE residential 
 10,450
 
 
 
 
 10,450
Government-guaranteed residential 
 2,172
 
 
 
 
 2,172
Private-label MBS residential 
 29
 11
 6
 679
 10
 735
Total investment securities 54

20,275

11

6

679

10
 21,035
Interest bearing deposits 
 
 650
 
 
 
 650
Federal Funds sold 
 700
 3,125
 250
 
 
 4,075
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
 1,800
 500
 
 
 
 2,300
Total carrying amount of investments $54
 $22,775
 $4,286
 $256
 $679
 $10
 $28,060
 AAA AA A BBB Below Investment Grade Unrated Carrying Amount              
December 31, 2015                            
Investment securities-                            
U.S. Government & other governmental related $
 $3,462
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $3,462
 $
 $3,462
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $3,462
State or local housing agency 
 34
 
 
 
 
 34
 
 34
 
 
 
 
 34
FFELP ABS 15
 5,284
 
 
 
 
 5,299
 15
 5,284
 
 
 
 
 5,299
MBS:   
         
              
GSE residential 
 12,011
 
 
 
 
 12,011
 
 12,011
 
 
 
 
 12,011
Government-guaranteed residential 
 2,839
 
 
 
 
 2,839
 
 2,839
 
 
 
 
 2,839
Private-label MBS residential 
 
 49
 12
 880
 11
 952
 
 
 49
 12
 880
 11
 952
Total investment securities 15

23,630

49

12

880

11
 24,597
 15
 23,630
 49
 12
 880
 11
 24,597
Interest bearing deposits 
 
 650
 
 
 
 650
 
 
 650
 
 
 
 650
Federal Funds sold 
 300
 1,400
 
 
 2
 1,702
 
 300
 1,400
 
 
 2
 1,702
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
 1,000
 375
 
 
 
 1,375
 
 1,000
 375
 
 
 
 1,375
Total carrying amount of investments $15
 $24,930
 $2,474
 $12
 $880
 $13
 $28,324
 $15
 $24,930
 $2,474
 $12
 $880
 $13
 $28,324
              
December 31, 2014              
Investment securities-              
U.S. Government & other governmental related $
 $2,832
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $2,832
State or local housing agency 
 21
 
 
 
 
 21
FFELP ABS 12
 6,209
 
 
 
 
 6,221
MBS:              
GSE residential 
 13,585
 
 
 
 
 13,585
Government-guaranteed residential 
 3,476
 
 
 
 
 3,476
Private-label MBS residential 
 1
 58
 23
 1,030
 13
 1,125
Total investment securities 12
 26,124
 58
 23
 1,030
 13
 27,260
Interest bearing deposits 
 
 560
 
 
 
 560
Federal Funds sold 
 500
 1,000
 
 
 25
 1,525
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 
 2,250
 1,150
 
 
 
 3,400
Total carrying amount of investments $12
 $28,874
 $2,768
 $23
 $1,030
 $38
 $32,745


6970

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Investment Securities Issuer Concentration

The following table summarizes our investment securities by issuer with a carrying amount exceeding 10% of our stockholders' equity:

December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Fair Market Value
December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Market Value
Fannie Mae $9,720
 $9,822
 $8,297
 $8,372
Freddie Mac 2,291
 2,323
 2,154
 2,178
Ginnie Mae 2,691
 2,706
 2,056
 2,066
SBA 2,278
 2,341
 1,989
 2,031
US Treasuries 1,108
 1,108
 1,005
 1,005
SLM Student Loan Trust SLMA 2009-1 A 1,417
 1,417
 1,242
 1,242
SLCLT 2009-1 Student Loan ABS 1,109
 1,109
 989
 989
SLM Student Loan Trust SLMA 2009-2 A 1,184
 1,184
 1,048
 1,048
SLC 2009-3 Student Loan ABS 780
 780
 699
 699
SLM Student Loan Trust SLMA 2009-1 A1 732
 732
 541
 541
        
All Others 1,287
 1,621
 1,015
 1,308
Total Investment securities $24,597
 $25,143
 $21,035
 $21,479
Categorized as:        
Trading securities $1,160
 $1,160
 $1,045
 $1,045
Available-for-sale securities 17,470
 17,470
 14,918
 14,918
Held-to-maturity securities 5,967
 6,513
 5,072
 5,516


70

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Aging and Carrying Amount

The followingA table presentspresenting the aging of our investments for the current year, as well as the carrying amounts for the previous two years.years can be found in Note 5 - Investment Securities to the financial statements. It also discloses the yields by aging categories for the current year.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis - Mortgage Backed Securities

Significant Inputs Used to Determine OTTI

We assess an HTM or AFS private-label MBS security for OTTI whenever its fair value is less than its amortized cost basis as of the reporting date. Specifically, we generate cash flow projections utilizing key modeling assumptions, significant inputs, and methodologies provided by an FHLB System OTTI Committee, which was formed by the FHLBs to achieve consistency among the FHLBs in their OTTI analyses for private-label MBS. We then utilize these cash flow projections to determine OTTI on our private-label MBS; however, we are still responsible for making our own OTTI determination, which includes determining the reasonableness of assumptions, significant inputs, and methodologies used, and performing the required present value calculations using appropriate historical cost bases and yields. 

Cash Flow Analysis

We perform a cash flow analysis for substantially all of these private-label securities utilizing two models provided by independent third parties as described below,

First model. This model considers borrower characteristics and the particular attributes of the loans underlying the securities, in conjunction with assumptions about future changes in home prices and interest rates, prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities. A significant input to the first model is the forecast of future housing price changes for the relevant states and core based statistical areas (CBSAs), which are based upon an assessment of the individual housing markets.

Second model. This model uses the month-by-month projections of future loan performance derived from the first model and allocates the projected loan level cash flows and losses to the various security classes in the securitization structure in accordance with its prescribed cash flow and loss allocation rules.

  2015 2014 2013
As of December 31, Due in one year or lessDue one through five yearsDue five through ten yearsDue after ten yearsCarrying Amount Carrying Amount Carrying Amount
Trading securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related $1,108
$
$
$
$1,108
 $102
 $1,823
MBS:    
     
GSE residential 
1

49
50
 63
 74
Government guaranteed residential 

1
1
2
 2
 2
Trading securities 1,108
1
1
50
1,160
 167
 1,899
Yield on trading securities 0.77%5.05%2.07%4.41%0.93% 2.80% 0.98%
           
AFS securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related 
75
19
328
422
 508
 588
State or local housing agency 
4
7
7
18
 3
  
FFELP ABS 
7
8
5,284
5,299
 6,221
 6,803
MBS:    
     
GSE residential 169
9,509
6
114
9,798
 10,827
 11,382
Government-guaranteed residential 


1,868
1,868
 2,345
 2,691
Private-label residential 


65
65
 71
 72
AFS securities 169
9,595
40
7,666
17,470
 19,975
 21,536
Yield on AFS securities 4.15%4.42%3.48%3.79%4.14% 4.20% 4.47%
           
HTM securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related 698
189
208
837
1,932
 2,222
 2,259
State or local housing agency obligations 
10
5
1
16
 18
 22
MBS:    
     
GSE residential 
1,148
138
877
2,163
 2,695
 3,193
Government-guaranteed residential 
148
2
819
969
 1,129
 1,248
Private-label residential 


887
887
 1,054
 1,195
HTM securities 698
1,495
353
3,421
5,967
 7,118
 7,917
Yield on HTM securities 0.81%3.25%4.36%3.40%3.12% 3.15% 3.48%
           
Total investment securities 1,975
11,091
394
11,137
24,597
 27,260
 31,352
Interest bearing deposits 650



650
 560
 
Federal Funds sold 1,702



1,702
 1,525
 500
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 1,375



1,375
 3,400
 4,550
Total investments $5,702
$11,091
$394
$11,137
$28,324
 $32,745
 $36,402


71

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Mortgage Backed Securities
As of December 31, 2016, we had a short-term housing price forecast with projected changes ranging from -3.0% to +10.0% over the twelve month period beginning October 1, 2016 over all markets. For the vast majority of markets, the short-term forecast has changes ranging from +2.0% to +6.0%. 

Based on these inputs and assumptions, we had no OTTI charge for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Other Credit Indicators:

The following table presents the unpaid principal balance and credit ratings of our private-label residential MBS by Prime, Alt-A, and Subprime as designated at time of issuance. Except for an immaterial amount of fixed rate, these MBS are all variable rate securities.

As of December 31, 2016 Total Prime Alt-A Subprime
Unpaid Principal Balance (UPB) by credit rating -        
AA $27
 $27
 $
 $
A 11
 5
 
 6
BBB 7
 5
 
 2
Below investment grade 1,202
 682
 74
 446
Unrated 12
 11
 
 1
Total unpaid principal balance 1,259
 730
 74
 455
Amortized cost 906
 597
 49
 260
Gross unrealized losses (incl. noncredit OTTI) (178) (132) 
 (46)
Gross unrealized gains 300
 170
 7
 123
Fair value $1,028
 $635
 $56
 $337
For the year ended December 31, 2016        
Weighted average percentage fair value to unpaid principal balance 81.7% 87.0% 75.7% 74.1%
Original weighted average credit support 15.9% 11.5% 17.5% 22.7%
Current weighted average credit support 7.2% 0.5% 0.3% 19.1%
Weighted average collateral delinquency 17.4% 12.6% 21.7% 24.3%

At December 31, 2015, 37%2016, 38% of the total mortgage properties collateralizing our private-label MBS were located in California, which was the only state with a concentration exceeding 10% of this portfolio.

As of December 31, 2015 Total Prime Alt-A Subprime
Unpaid Principal Balance (UPB) by credit rating -        
A $48
 $41
 $
 $7
BBB 13
 3
 1
 9
Below investment grade 1,502
 857
 85
 560
Unrated 13
 12
 
 1
Total unpaid principal balance 1,576
 913
 86
 577
Amortized cost 1,165
 742
 61
 362
Gross unrealized losses (incl. non-credit OTTI) (218) (161) 
 (57)
Gross unrealized gains 339
 204
 4
 131
Fair value $1,286
 $785
 $65
 $436
For the year ended December 31, 2015        
Weighted average percentage fair value to unpaid principal balance 82% 86% 76% 76%
Original weighted average credit support 15.9% 11.3% 17.6% 22.8%
Current weighted average credit support 7.3% 0.6% 0.6% 19.0%
Weighted average collateral delinquency 19.0% 12.8% 23.0% 28.3%


Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

We invest in securities purchased under agreements to resell in order to ensure the availability of funds to meet members' liquidity and credit needs.  Securities purchased under agreements to resell are secured by collateral of marketable securities held by a third-party custodian. If the fair value of the accepted collateral decreases below the fair value amount required as collateral, our counterparty is required to provide an equivalent amount of additional securities as collateral to make up the shortfall. If the credit markets experience disruptions, it may increase the likelihood that one of our counterparties could experience liquidity or financial constraints that may cause them to become insolvent or otherwise default on their obligations to us. If the collateral's fair value amount has decreased below the resale agreement's carrying amount, we may suffer a credit loss.

The credit ratings of securities purchased under agreement to resell are disclosed along with investment securities and unsecured short-term investments, in the Investment Securities by Rating table on page 69.70.


Unsecured Short-TermShort Term Investments

We invest in unsecured short-term investments in order to ensure the availability of funds to meet members' credit and liquidity needs. We have credit risk exposure from our unsecured short-term investment portfolio, which may consist of commercial

72

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


paper, certificates of deposit, and Federal Funds sold. We have established the following policies and procedures to limit and monitor our unsecured credit risk exposure.

Eligible counterparties for short-term investments are:

other FHLBs;
other U.S. GSEs; and
FDIC-insured financial institutions, including U.S. subsidiaries of foreign commercial banks, or U.S. branches

72

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


of foreign commercial banks whose most recently published financial statements exhibit at least $250 million of Tier 1 (or total) capital. Foreign banks must be domiciled in a country whose sovereign rating is at least Aa3 from Moody's or AA- from Standard & Poor's.
other FHLBs;
other U.S. GSEs; and
FDIC-insured financial institutions, including U.S. subsidiaries of foreign commercial banks, or U.S. branches of foreign commercial banks whose most recently published financial statements exhibit at least $250 million of Tier 1 (or total) capital. Foreign banks shall be domiciled in a country whose sovereign rating is at least "Aa3" from Moody's or AA- from Standard & Poor's unless otherwise approved by the Bank's Credit and Collateral Committee, Chief Risk Officer or President.

Our unsecured credit exposures to U.S. branches or agency offices of foreign commercial banks include the risk that, as a result of political or economic conditions in a country, the counterparty may be unable to meet their contractual repayment obligations. Our unsecured credit exposures to domestic counterparties and U.S. subsidiaries of foreign commercial banks include the risk that these counterparties have extended credit to foreign counterparties.

Unsecured credit investments may have maturities up to nine months.
We actively monitor our credit risk exposure and the credit quality of each counterparty, including an assessment of each counterparty's financial performance, capital adequacy, sovereign support (if applicable) and the current market perceptions of the counterparty. General macro-economic, political and market conditions may also be considered when deciding on unsecured exposure. As a result of this monitoring activity, we may limit or terminate existing unsecured credit exposure limits.

The following table presents the 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. This table does not reflect the foreign sovereign government's credit rating. The unsecured investment credit exposure presented in the table may not reflect the average or maximum exposure during the period as the table reflects only the balances at period end.

December 31, 2015 AA A rated Unrated Total
December 31, 2016 AA A rated BBB Total
Domestic U.S.                
Interest bearing deposits $
 $650
 $
 $650
 $
 $650
 $
 $650
Federal Funds sold 
 
 2
 2
 
 
 250
 250
U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks - Federal Funds sold:                
Australia 300
 
 
 300
Canada 
 350
 
 350
 
 1,500
 
 1,500
Finland 700
 
 
 700
Netherlands 
 700
 
 700
 
 700
 
 700
Norway 
 350
 
 350
 
 525
 
 525
Sweden 
 400
 
 400
Total unsecured credit exposure $300
 $2,050
 $2
 $2,352
 $700

$3,775

$250

$4,725


All $2.352$4.725 billion of the unsecured credit exposure shown in the above table represent overnight investments of which $658and $655 million in the above table were with members and their affiliates. Any amounts related to members over a 10% concentration are included in the amounts in the Member Credit Outstanding table on page 63.64.


73

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Managing Our Credit Risk Exposure Related to Derivative Agreements

Refer to Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities to the financial statements for a discussion of how we manage our credit risk exposure related to derivative agreements. We can have credit exposure on net asset positions where we have not received adequate collateral from our counterparties. We can also have credit exposure on net liability positions where we have pledged collateral in excess of our liability to a counterparty.

The following table presents our derivative positions only where we have a netsuch credit exposure to a counterparty.exposures. The rating used was the lowest rating among the three largest NRSROs. Non-cashNoncash collateral pledged consists of initial margin we posted through our FCMs, on behalf of the DCOs, for cleared derivatives and is included in our derivativeliability positions with credit exposure.

 Net Derivatives Fair Value Before Collateral Cash Collateral Pledged Non-cash Collateral Pledged Net Credit Exposure to Counterparties  Net Derivatives Fair Value Before Collateral Cash Collateral Pledged Noncash Collateral Pledged Net Credit Exposure to Counterparties 
As of December 31, 2015         
Non-member counterparties -         
Liability positions with credit exposure -         
As of December 31, 2016         
Nonmember counterparties -         
Overcollateralized liability positions -         
Bilateral derivatives -                  
AA rated (14) 14
 
 
a 
 $(60) $60
 $
 $
a 
A rated (4) 4
 
 
a 
 (57) 60
 
 3
 
Cleared derivatives (147) 136

62

51
  (206) 198

97

89
 
Non-member counterparties (165) 154
 62
 51
 
Member institutions 1
 
 
 1
 
Nonmember counterparties (323) 318
 97
 92
 
Member counterparties 2
 
 
 2
 
Total $(164) $154
 $62
 $52
  $(321) $318
 $97
 $94
 
As of December 31, 2014         
Non-member counterparties -         
Asset positions with credit exposure -         
         
As of December 31, 2015         
Nonmember counterparties -         
Overcollateralized liability positions -         
Bilateral derivatives -                  
A rated 7
 (6) 
 1
 
Liability positions with credit exposure -         
Bilateral derivatives -         
AA (14) 14
 
 
a 
A rated (16) 16
 
 
a 
 (4) 4
 
 
a 
Cleared derivatives (166) 168
 71
 73
  (147) 136
 62
 51
 
Total non-member counterparties (175) 178
 71
 74
 
Member institutions 3
 
 
 3
 
Nonmember counterparties (165) 154
 62
 51
 
Member counterparties 1
 
 
 1
 
Total $(172) $178
 $71
 $77
  $(164) $154
 $62
 $52
 
a 
Less than $1 million.

74

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


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

Market Risk Profile

Market risk isOur financial assets and financial liabilities are subject to market risk. Specifically, the risk that thefair value of our financial assets will decrease ormay decline while the fair value of our financial liabilities willmay increase due to changes in market risk factors. There are several market risk factors that may impact the value of our financial assets and financial liabilities, butOur exposure to interest rate risk, which arises due to the variability ofhowever, represents our most critical market risk factor since our earnings primarily are driven by net interest rates, is the most critical. income.
Interest Rate Risk Management:

Our key interest rate risk exposures include:
Yield curvemanagement objective is to manage our exposure to interest rate risk - We within appropriate limits rather than eliminate our entire exposure to interest rate risk. In this regard, we have established policies and procedures that include guidelines on the amount of exposure to interest rate changes we are exposedwilling to movements inaccept. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee provides oversight of these risk management practices and policies. This includes routine reporting to senior Bank management and the yield curve used to discount the future cash flows from our assets, liabilities, and derivatives.
Option risk - We are exposed to option risk as the valueBoard of option positions (explicit and embedded) vary due to changes in the implied volatility of the yield curveDirectors, as well as maintaining the yield curve itself. 
Income and Market Value Risk Policy, which defines our interest rate risk limits. Our strategy to mitigate losses due to interest rate risk is outlined below.

Monitoring and Analyzing Interest Rate Risk:
Basis risk -
We are exposedmonitor the risk to basis risk as the yields on differentour net interest income, and average maturity of our interest-earning assets liabilities and derivatives are determined on different yield curves. This includes (1) differences between the swapfunding sources.

We measure and manage market exposure through four measurements: duration, convexity, curve, and volatility.

Duration measures our exposure to parallel interest rate shifts where changes in interest rates occur at similar rates across the yield curve.  Duration of equity is a measure that expresses the interest rate sensitivity of the present value of the Bank’s cash flow in terms of duration years of portfolio equity. We report the results of our duration of equity calculations to the FHFA each quarter. We measure duration of equity in a base case using the actual yield curve as of a specified date and then shock it with an instantaneous shift of the entire curve. Effective duration measures price sensitivity taking into account that the expected cash flows will change as interest rate change due to any prepayment options embedded within a financial instrument.

Convexity measures how fast duration changes as a function of interest rate changes. Convexity is largely driven by mortgage cash flows that vary significantly as borrowers respond to rate changes by either prepaying their mortgages or slowing such prepayments. 

Curve quantifies our exposure to non-parallel shifts in the yield curve. 

Volatility describes the degree to which the value of options, explicit or embedded, fluctuates. MPF Loans held in portfolio and MBS include options held by the mortgage borrowers to prepay their loans. As a result, we have effectively sold options by owning MPF Loans held in portfolio and MBS. Some consolidated obligations issued by us have effective purchased options that allow us to call the bonds prior to the contractual maturity date.

We analyze the Officerisk of Finance costour mortgage assets on a regular basis and consider the interest rate environment under various interest rate scenarios. We also perform analyses of funds or consolidated obligation curve; (2) changes in individual securities' spreads to the swap curve as a resultduration and convexity of changes in supply, demand, and credit quality of different securities in the market; and (3) changes in mortgage rates relative to the swap curve.
portfolio.

Mortgage-related assets, which include Mortgage-Related Assets

MPF Loans Held in Portfolio and MBS, are theMBS:

The predominant sourcessource of interest rate risk in our market risk profile. We also own GSE obligations, the taxable portion of state or local housing finance agency securities,profile is attributable to mortgage-related assets. Our mortgage-related assets include, but are not limited to, MPF Loans held in portfolio and FFELP student loan ABS. The interestMBS. Interest rate and prepayment risk associated with these assets are managed through a combination of debt issuance and derivatives. Theresults from prepayment options embedded in mortgage assets canmortgage-related assets. Specifically, changes in interest rates may result in extensions or contractions in the expected maturities of these investments, primarily dependingour mortgage-related assets. Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures contracts may be used to hedge the duration, convexity, and prepayment risk on MPF Loans held in portfolio. We issue both callable and noncallable debt to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on MPF Loans held in portfolio.

Economic Hedges:

An economic hedge is defined as a derivative that does not qualify (or was not designated) for hedge accounting, but is an acceptable hedging strategy for risk management purposes. These economic hedging strategies also comply with FHFA regulations that prohibit speculative hedge transactions. An economic hedge may introduce the potential for earnings volatility

75

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


caused by the changes in fair value on the derivatives that are recorded in income but not offset by recognizing corresponding changes in the fair value of the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments.

We utilize economic hedges to manage our duration, convexity, curve, and volatility. We hedge the duration and convexity of MPF Loans held in portfolio by using economic hedges or through the use of callable and noncallable debt. Convexity risks arise principally from the prepayment option embedded in our MPF Loans held in portfolio and MBS. As interest rates.rates become more volatile, changes in our duration and convexity profile become more volatile. As a result, our level of economic hedging activity, as discussed below, may increase resulting in an increase in hedging costs.

Our primary risk mitigation tools include funding instruments, swaps, swaptions, futures, options on futures and mortgages, caps, floors and callable debt. We do not manage exposure to spreads. Based on our risk profile, we do not use our funding to match the cash flows of our mortgage related assets on a transaction basis. Rather, funding is used to address duration, convexity, curve, and volatility risks at either a portfolio or balance sheet level.

Economic hedges may be executed to reduce exposure or the risk associated with a single transaction or group of transactions. Our economic hedges are evaluated daily and adjusted as deemed necessary.

MPF Government MBS Product:

Each delivery commitment is hedged during the delivery commitment period and during the period while the loan is on the Bank’s balance sheet by selling forward Ginnie Mae and Fannie Mae TBA contracts. These TBA contracts may be executed to reduce the market risk exposure associated with buying or holding an MPF Government MBS loan until it is securitized. The hedges are evaluated daily and adjusted as deemed necessary.

MPF Xtra and MPF Direct Products:

We enter into offsetting delivery commitments under the MPF Xtra and MPF Direct products, where we agree to buy mortgage loans from PFIs and simultaneously re-sell them to third party investors. Accordingly, we are not exposed to market risk with respect to these delivery commitments.

Advances

The optionality embedded in certain advances canmay create interest rate risk. When a member prepays an advance, we could suffer lower future income if the principal portion of the prepaid advance were invested in lower-yielding assets that continue to be funded by higher-cost debt. To protect against this risk, we generally charge a prepayment fee that makes us financially indifferent to a member's decision to prepay an advance. When we offer advances (other than short-term advances) that a member may prepay or expand (increase the par amount at a later date) without a fee, we may finance such advances with callable or noncallable debt or otherwise hedge with derivatives.

We enter into offsetting delivery commitments under the MPF Xtra and MPF Direct products, where we agreea derivative to buy loans from PFIs and simultaneously re-sell them to third party investors. Accordingly, we are not exposed to market risk with respect to these delivery commitments.

Hedge Objectives and Strategies

The goal of our 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, we have established policies and procedures, which include guidelines on the amount of exposure to interest rate changes we are willing to accept. In addition, we monitor the risk to our net interest income, and average maturity of our interest-earning assets and funding sources.

We measure and manage market exposure through four measurements: duration, convexity, curve, and volatility.
Duration measures our exposure to parallel interest rate shifts where changes in interest rates occur at similar rates across the yield curve. 
Convexity measures how fast duration changes as a function of interest rate changes. Convexity is largely driven by mortgage cash flows that vary significantly as borrowers respond to rate changes by either prepaying their mortgages or slowing such prepayments. 
Curve quantifies our exposure to non-parallel shifts in the yield curve. 
Volatility describes the degree to which the value of options, explicit or embedded, fluctuates. MPF Loans and MBS include options held by the mortgage borrowers to prepay their loans. As a result, we have effectively sold options by owning MPF Loans and MBS.

75

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We manage duration, convexity, curve, and volatility as part of our hedging activities. We analyze the risk of our mortgage assets on a regular basis and consider the interest rate environment under various rate scenarios. We also perform analyses of the duration and convexity of the portfolio. We hedge the duration and convexity of MPF Loans by using a combination of derivatives placed inachieve hedge accounting relationships, in economic hedge relationships, or through the use of callable and noncallable debt. Duration and convexity risks arise principally because of the prepayment option embedded in our MPF Loans. As interest rates become more volatile, changes in our duration and convexity profile become more volatile. As a result, our level of economic hedging activity, as discussed below, may increase resulting in an increase in hedging costs.

Our primary risk mitigation tools include funding instruments, swaps, swaptions, futures, options on futures and mortgages, caps, floors and callable debt. We do not manage exposure to spreads. Based on our risk profile, we do not use our funding to match the cash flows of our mortgage assets on a transaction basis. Rather, funding is used to address duration, convexity, curve, and volatility risks at the balance sheet level.

Hedge positions may be executed to reduce exposure or the risk associated with a single transaction or group of transactions. Our hedge positions are evaluated daily and adjusted as deemed necessary.

treatment.

Cash Flow Hedges

Variable-Rate Advances -We may use an option to hedge a specified future variable cash flow of variable-rate LIBOR-based advances. The option will effectively create a floor on the variable cash flow at a predetermined target rate. These hedges are considered perfectly effective since in each hedge relationship, the critical terms of the LIBOR floor completely match the related terms of the hedged forecasted cash flows. For effective hedges using options, the option premium is reclassified out of AOCI using the floorlet method. Specifically, the initial basis of the instrument at the inception of the hedge is allocated to the respective floorlets comprising the floor. All subsequent changes in fair value of the floor, to the extent deemed effective, are recognized in AOCI. The change in the allocated fair value of each respective floorlet is reclassified out of AOCI when each of the corresponding hedged forecasted transactions impacts earnings.

Anticipated Fair Value Hedges

With issuances of certain putable advances, we purchase from the member an embedded option that enables us to extinguish the advance. We may hedge a putable advance by entering into a cancelable interest rate swap where we pay fixed interest payments and receive floating rate interest payments based off of LIBOR. This type of hedge is accounted for as a fair value hedge. We assess hedge effectiveness primarily under the long-haul method. However, in certain cases where all conditions are met, hedge effectiveness is assessed using the shortcut method. Currently, we principally apply shortcut accounting to certain nonputable fixed-rate advances. In the case of putable advances, the transactions are primarily hedged under a highly effective hedge relationship. In those cases, the swap counterparty can cancel the derivative financial instrument on the same date that we can put the advance back to the member.


76

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


We enter into fair value hedge relationships between forward starting advances, which represent firm commitments, and interest rate swaps. In such cases, we carry the forward starting advance at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized in non-interest gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities. Such changes in fair value are offset by the change in fair value of the interest rate swap (i.e., hedging instrument).

Economic Hedges

Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures contracts may be used to hedge the duration and convexity of the advances portfolio; as well as the prepayment risk on advances and the expander feature risk, which allows a member one or multiple opportunities to increase the principal amount of the advance. We issue both callable and noncallable debt intended to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on advances. We may also purchase cancelable swaps in an effort to minimize the prepayment risk embedded in the advances.

Non-MBS Investment Securities

Our major security types, excluding MBS, are based on the nature and risks of the security. These securities include, but are not limited to, the following:

U.S. Government & other government related may consist of the sovereign debt of the United States; debt issued by government sponsored enterprises (GSE); and non-mortgage-backed securities of the Small Business Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority.

Federal Family Education Loan Program - asset backed securities (FFELP ABS).

State or local housing agency obligations.

We endeavor to manage the interest rate and prepayment risk associated with these non-MBS securities through a combination of debt issuance and derivatives.

Fair Value Hedges

We use interest rate swaps to hedge certain AFS securities to shorten our duration profile in an increasing interest rate environment. Our hedge strategy focuses on hedging the benchmark interest rate of LIBOR by effectively converting fixed-rate securities into floating rate assets to reduce our exposure to rising interest rates. This type of hedge is accounted for as a fair value hedge. We assess hedge effectiveness under the long-haul method. AFS securities are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value on AFS securities are recognized into AOCI in our statements of condition, except for AFS securities that are in a fair value hedge relationship. Changes in fair value on AFS securities in a fair value hedging relationship are immediately recognized into noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities in our statements of income. Specifically, the adjustment to the AFS security's carrying amount for changes in the benchmark interest rate is the amount that is recognized in noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities in our statements of income in order to offset the gain or loss on the hedging instrument. Any gain or loss on these AFS securities that is not attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate is recognized into AOCI. Changes in fair value on the derivative hedging these AFS securities in a fair value hedging relationship also are immediately recognized into noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities into our statements of income.

Economic Hedges

We may manage against prepayment and duration risk by funding investment securities with consolidated obligations that have call features, by economically hedging the prepayment risk with caps, floors, or by adjusting the duration of the securities by using derivatives to modify the cash flows of the securities.

We may also manage the risk arising from changing market prices and volatility of investment securities classified as trading securities by entering into derivative financial instruments (economic hedges) that offset the changes in fair value of the securities. The market value changes of both the trading securities and the associated derivatives are recognized in noninterest income.

Discount Notes-

Cash Flow Hedges

Our hedge objective is to mitigate the variability of cash flows associated with the benchmark interest rate, London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR), of variable interest streams associated with the recurring maturity and re-issuance of short-term fixed rate

77

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


discount notes. The variability in cash flows associated with each new issuance of discount notes results from changes in LIBOR over a specified hedge period caused by the recurring maturity and re-issuance of short-term fixed-rate discount notes over that hedge period. Our hedge strategy may involve the use of forward starting swaps to hedge this variability in cash flows due to changes in LIBOR so that a fixed-rate is secured over the life of the hedge relationship. In effect, we are changing what would otherwise be deemed a variable-rate liability into a fixed-rate liability. The total principal amount at issuance of the discount notes (i.e. net proceeds) and the total principal amount of the discount notes on an ongoing basis is equal to or greater than the total notional on the actual swaps used as hedging instruments. We document at hedge origination, and on an ongoing basis, that our forecasted issuances of discount notes are probable. We measure effectiveness each period using the hypothetical derivative method. The purpose of this measurement is to reclassify the amount of hedge ineffectiveness from AOCI to noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities in the periods where the actual swap has changed in fair value greater than the hypothetical swap's changes in fair value.

Consolidated Obligation Bonds

Fair Value Hedges

Available-for-Sale Securities -We use interest rate swaps to hedge certain AFS securities to shorten our duration profile in an increasing interest rate environment. Our hedge strategy focuses on hedging the benchmark interest rate of LIBOR by effectively converting fixed-rate securities into floating rate assets to reduce our exposure to rising interest rates. This type of hedge is accounted for as a fair value hedge. We assess hedge effectiveness under the long-haul method. AFS securities are measured at fair value with changes in fair value reported in AOCI; however, in the case of a fair value hedge, the adjustment of its carrying amount for changes in the benchmark interest rate is recognized in earnings rather than in AOCI in order to offset the gain or loss on the hedging instrument. The gain or loss (that is, the change in fair value) on the AFS securities attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate is the amount that is recognized currently in derivatives and hedging activities in our statements of income. Any gain or loss on these securities that is not attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate is recognized into AOCI.
Advances - With issuances of certain putable advances, we purchase from the member an embedded option that enables us to extinguish the advance. We may hedge a putable advance by entering into a cancelable interest rate swap where we pay fixed interest payments and receive floating rate interest payments based off of LIBOR. This type of hedge is accounted for as a fair value hedge. We assess hedge effectiveness primarily under the long-haul method. However, in certain cases where all conditions are met, hedge effectiveness is assessed using the shortcut method. Currently, we principally apply shortcut

76

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


accounting to certain non-putable fixed-rate advances. In the case of putable advances, the transactions are primarily hedged under a highly effective hedge relationship. In those cases, the swap counterparty can cancel the derivative financial instrument on the same date that we can put the advance back to the member.

Forward Starting Advances - We enter into fair value hedge relationships between forward starting advances, which represent firm commitments, and interest rate swaps. In such cases, we carry the forward starting advance at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized in non-interest gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities. Such changes in fair value are offset by the change in fair value of the interest rate swap (i.e., hedging instrument).

MPF Loans - We discontinued our fair value hedge relationships for MPF Loans during 2012 due to hedge ineffectiveness.

Consolidated Obligation Bonds - Our goal isendeavor to manage the fair value risk of a consolidated obligation by matching the cash inflow on the derivative with the cash outflow on the consolidated obligation bonds. For instance, when a fixed-rate consolidated obligation bond is issued, we may simultaneously enter into an interest rate swap in which we receive fixed cash flows from a counterparty designed to offset in timing and amount the cash outflows we pay on the consolidated obligation bond. We also hedge the LIBOR benchmark rate on callable fixed-rate step-up consolidated obligation bonds at specified intervals where we own a call option(s) to terminate the consolidated obligation bond. The hedging instrument is a fixed-rate interest rate swap with a matching step-up feature that converts the callable fixed-rate step-up bond into a floating rate liability and has an offsetting call option(s) to terminate the interest rate swap. Such transactions are treated as fair value hedges. We assess hedge effectiveness primarily under the long-haul method. However, in certain cases where all conditions are met, hedge effectiveness is assessed using the shortcut method. Currently, weWe apply shortcut accounting to certain non-callablenoncallable fixed-rate consolidated obligations.


Economic HedgesFair Value Option

An economic hedge is definedWe may elect the fair value option for financial instruments, such as a derivative hedging specific (or a non-specific pool of) underlying assets, liabilities, or derivatives that does not qualify (or was not designated)advances, MPF Loans held for sale, consolidated obligation discount notes and bonds, in cases where hedge accounting but is an acceptable hedging strategytreatment may not be achieved due to the inability to meet the hedge effectiveness testing criterion. Electing the fair value option for risk management purposes. These economic hedging strategies also comply with FHFA regulations that prohibit speculative hedge transactions. An economic hedge may introduce the potential for earnings volatility caused bya financial instrument allows us to better match the changes in fair value on the derivatives that are recorded in income but not offset by recognizing corresponding changes in the fair value of the economically hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments.

Investments - We may manage against prepayment and duration risk by funding investment securities with consolidated obligations that have call features, by economically hedging the prepayment risk with caps, floors, or by adjusting the duration of the securities by using derivatives to modify the cash flows of the securities. We issue both callable and non-callable debt to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on MBS. We may also use derivatives as an economic hedge to match the expected prepayment characteristics of the MBS.

We may also manage the risk arising from changing market prices and volatility of investment securities classified as trading securities by entering into derivative financial instruments (economic hedges) that offset the changes in fair value of the securities. The market value changes of both the trading securities and the associated derivatives are recognized in non-interest income.

Advances - Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures contracts may be used to hedge the duration and convexity of the advances portfolio; as well as the prepayment risk on advances and the expander feature risk, which allows a member one or multiple opportunities to increase the principal amount of the advance. We issue both callable and non-callable debt to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on advances. We may also purchase cancelable swaps to minimize the prepayment risk embedded in the advances.

MPF Loans - Interest rate swaps, swaptions, and futures contracts may be used to hedge the duration and convexity of the MPF Loan portfolio and prepayment risk on MPF Loans. We issue both callable and non-callable debt to achieve cash flow patterns and liability durations similar to those expected on MPF Loans. We may also purchase cancelable swaps to minimize the prepayment risk embedded in the MPF Loans.

Fair Value Option - We elected the fair value option for advances, discount notes, and short-term consolidated obligation bonds for which hedge accounting treatment may not be achieved. Specifically, hedge accounting may not be achieved in cases where it may be difficult to pass prospective or retrospective effectiveness testing under derivative hedge accounting guidance even though the interest rate swaps used to hedge these financial instruments have matching terms. Accordingly, electing the fair value option allows us to better match the change in fair value of the advance, discount note, and short-term consolidated obligation bondsinstrument with the interest rate swap economically hedging it.

7778

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table outlines our hedge activity by hedged item or economic risk exposure, hedging instrument, hedge type and notional amount by hedging activity.

As of December 31, Notional Amount
Hedge Type 
Hedged Item/ Economic Risk Exposure a
 Hedging Instrument 2015 2014
Cash flow Discount Notes Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap $5,968
 $6,463
Fair value Investment Securities Receive floating, pay fixed interest rate swap 3,717
 3,969
Fair value Advances Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap (without options) 3,502
 2,811
Fair value Advances Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap (with options) 981
 1,006
Fair value 
Consolidated Obligation Bonds
(fixed-rate without options)
 Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (without options) 2,858
 1,168
Fair value 
Consolidated Obligation Bonds
(fixed-rate with options)
 Receive fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (with options) 8,065
 15,473
Fair value Consolidated Obligation Bonds Other 50
 50
Economic Advances Pay fixed, receive floating swap 521
 85
Economic Advances Interest rate swaps or swaptions 405
 495
Economic Advances Interest rate cap 6
 39
Economic Duration, convexity and prepayment risk of MPF Loans and other balance sheet residual risk A combination of swaps, swaptions, caps, floors and futures 16,659
 16,712
Economic MPF delivery commitments Forward settlements and to-be-announced (TBA) forward contracts 121
 3
Economic Fair value risk exposure related to Discount Notes Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap 11,508
 1,799
Economic Fair value risk exposure related to Consolidated Obligation Bonds in which the fair value option was elected. Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (without options) 518
 25
Economic Consolidated Obligation Bonds
(fixed-rate with options)
 Receive fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (with options) 460
 2,975
Economic The risks arising from changing market prices and volatility of investment securities Receive floating, pay fixed interest rate swap 1,105
 
Economic To offset interest rate swaps executed with members by executing interest rate swaps with derivative counterparties Receive floating interest rate swap, pay-fixed 84
 43
N/A Protects against fair value risk associated with fixed rate mortgage purchase commitments Mortgage delivery commitment 479
 284
  Total   $57,007
 $53,400
As of December 31, Notional Amount
Hedged Item/Economic Risk Exposure a
 Hedge Type Hedging Instrument 2016 2015
Investment Securities Fair value Receive floating, pay fixed interest rate swap $3,551
 $3,717
  Economic Receive floating, pay fixed interest rate swap 1,000
 1,105
      4,551
 4,822
         
Advances Fair value Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap (without options) 3,795
 3,502
    Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap (with options) 847
 981
  Economic Pay fixed, receive floating swap 976
 521
    Interest rate swaps or swaptions 
 405
    Other 49
 6
      5,667
 5,415
         
MPF Loans Economic A combination of swaps, swaptions, caps, floors, futures, forward settlements and to-be-announced (TBA) forward contracts 15,200
 16,780
         
Discount Notes Cash flow Receive-floating, pay fixed interest rate swap 5,968
 5,968
  Economic Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap 6,375
 11,508
      12,343
 17,476
         
Consolidated Obligation Bonds Fair value Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (without options) 4,530
 2,858
    Receive fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (with options) 7,308
 8,065
  Economic Receive-fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (without options) 2,027
 518
    Receive fixed, pay floating interest rate swap (with options) 3,661
 460
    Other 74
 50
      17,600
 11,951
         
Intermediary transactions on behalf of members with counterparties Economic Receive floating interest rate swap, pay-fixed 83
 84
Mortgage purchase commitments Standalone Mortgage delivery commitment 760
 479
Total     $56,204
 $57,007
a
Hedged item only applies to hedges that qualify for hedge accounting. Economic risk exposure applies economic hedges that are accounted for at fair value.





7879

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Measurement of Market Risk Exposure
To measure our exposure, we discount the cash flows generated from modeling the terms and conditions of all interest rate-sensitive securities using current interest rates to determine their fair values or spreads to the swap curve for securities where third party prices are used. This includes considering explicit and embedded options using a lattice model or Monte Carlo simulation. We estimate yield curve, option, and basis risk exposures by calculating the fair value change in relation to various parallel changes in interest rates, implied volatility, prepayment speeds, spreads to the swap curve and mortgage rates.
 
Our key interest rate risk exposures and interest rate risk within specific financial instruments are discussed below.

Key Interest Rate Risk Exposures:
Yield curve risk - We are exposed to interest rate movements in certain yield curves, such as LIBOR and OIS, which are used to discount the future cash flows attributable to our financial instruments, including derivatives. We measure our yield curve risk as follows:

Yield risk - Change in market value for a one basis point parallel increase in the swap curve.
Option risk - We are exposed to option risk as the value of option positions (explicit and embedded) vary due to changes in the implied volatility of the yield curve as well as the yield curve itself.  We measure our option risk as follows:

Option risk (implied volatility) – Change in market value for a one percent parallel increase in the swaption volatility.

Option risk (prepayment speeds) – Change in market value for a one percent increase in prepayment speeds.

Basis risk - We are exposed to basis risk as the yields on different assets, liabilities and derivatives are determined on different yield curves. This includes (1) differences between the swap curve and the Office of Finance cost of funds or consolidated obligation curve; (2) changes in individual securities' spreads to the swap curve as a result of changes in supply, demand, and credit quality of different securities in the market; and (3) changes in mortgage rates relative to the swap curve. We measure our basis risk as follows:

Basis risk (spread to swap curve) – Change in market value for a one basis point parallel increase in the spread to the swap curve.

Basis risk (mortgage spread) – Change in market value for a one basis point increase in mortgage rates.

80

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table summarizes our sensitivity to various interest rate risk exposures in terms of changes in market value.


   Option Risk Basis Risk
 Yield Curve Risk Implied Volatility Prepayment Speeds Spread to Swap Curve Mortgage Spread
As of December 31, 2015         
Advances$(3) $
 $
 $(10) $
MPF Loans(1) (2) (2) (2) 1
Mortgage Backed Securities(4) (1) (1) (5) 
Other interest earning assets(1) 
 
 (3) 
Interest-bearing liabilities6
 5
 
 6
 
Derivatives3
 (3) 
 
 
Total$
 $(1) $(3) n/m
 $1
          
As of December 31, 2014         
Advances$(3) $
 $
 $(11) $
MPF Loans(1) (3) (3) (2) 1
Mortgage Backed Securities(6) (1) (1) (7) 
Other interest earning assets(1) 
 
 (4) 
Interest-bearing liabilities10
 12
 
 9
 
Derivatives2
 (9) 
 
 
Total$1
 $(1) $(4) n/m
 $1
n/mSpread movements to the swap curve within each category are independent of the other categories and therefore a total is not meaningful.

Yield curve risk – Change in market value for a one basis point parallel increase in the swap curve.
Option risk (implied volatility) – Change in market value for a one percent parallel increase in the swaption volatility.
Option risk (prepayment speeds) – Change in market value for a one percent increase in prepayment speeds.
Basis risk (spread to swap curve) – Change in market value for a one basis point parallel increase in the spread to the swap curve.
Basis risk (mortgage spread) – Change in market value for a one basis point increase in mortgage rates.
   Option Risk Basis Risk
 Yield Curve Risk Implied Volatility Prepayment Speeds Spread to Swap Curve Mortgage Spread
As of December 31, 2016         
Advances$(3) $
 $
 $(13) $
MPF Loans(2)
(3)
(1)
(1)
1
Mortgage Backed Securities(3) (1) (1) (4) 
Other interest earning assets(1) 
 
 (3) 
Interest-bearing liabilities7
 7
 
 7
 
Derivatives1
 (4) 
 
 
Total$(1) $(1) $(2) $(14) $1
          
As of December 31, 2015         
Advances$(3) $
 $
 $(10) $
MPF Loans(1) (2) (2) (2) 1
Mortgage Backed Securities(4) (1) (1) (5) 
Other interest earning assets(1) 
 
 (3) 
Interest-bearing liabilities6
 5
 
 6
 
Derivatives3
 (3) 
 
 
Total$
 $(1) $(3) $(14) $1


As of December 31, 2016, our sensitivity to changes in implied volatility was $(1) million. At December 31, 2015, our sensitivity to changes in implied volatility was -$1 million. At December 31, 2014, our sensitivity to changes in implied volatility was -$1also $(1) million. These sensitivities are limited in that they do not incorporate other risks, including but not limited to, non-parallel changes in yield curves, prepayment speeds, and basis risk related to differences between the swap and the other curves. Option positions embedded in our mortgage assets and callable debt impact our yield curve risk profile, such that swap curve changes significantly greater than one basis point cannot be linearly interpolated from the table above.


79

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Duration of equity is another measure to express interest rate sensitivity. We report the results of our duration of equity calculations to the FHFA each quarter. We measure duration of equity in a base case using the actual yield curve as of a specified date and then shock it with an instantaneous shift of the entire curve. The following table presents the duration of equity reported by us to the FHFA in accordance with the FHFA's guidance, which prescribes that down and up interest-rate shocks equal 200 basis points. The results are shown in years of duration equity.

As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014
Down 200 bps Base Up 200 bps Down 200 bps Base Up 200 bps
2.8 0.6 0.7 3.2 -0.3 0.2
As of December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2015
Down 200 bps Base Up 200 bps Down 200 bps Base Up 200 bps
2.3 1.3 1.8 2.8 0.6 0.7

Duration gap is another measure of interest rate sensitivity. Duration gap is calculated by dividing the dollar duration of equity by the fair value of assets. A positive duration gap indicates an exposure to rising interest rates. As of December 31, 2015, our duration gap was 0.5 months, compared to -0.2 months as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, on a U.S. GAAP basis, our fair value surplus (relative to book value) was $351$388 million, and our market value of equity to book value of equity ratio was 108%. At December 31, 2014,2015, our fair value surplus was $618$351 million and our market value of equity to book value of equity ratio was 114%108%. The decline in market value to book value ratio was driven partly by the increase in our capital and the gradual pay down of assets at a fair value premium to book value that are replaced by assets at par and partly by spread widening for FFELP and multi-family housing MBS. Our market to book value of total capital for regulatory risk-based capital purposes differs from this GAAP calculation, as discussed in Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements.
Our Asset/Liability Management Committee provides oversight of risk management practices and policies. This includes routine reporting to senior Bank management and the Board of Directors, as well as maintaining the Market Risk Policy, which defines our interest rate risk limits. The following table reflects the change in market risk limits under the Market Risk Policy.

  December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Scenario as of Change in Market Value of Equity Loss Limit Change in Market Value of Equity Loss Limit
-200 bp $123.0
 $(370.0) $118.6
 $(185.0)
-100 bp 65.2
 (155.0) 28.5
 (77.5)
-50 bp 21.8
 (60.0) (0.6) (30.0)
-25 bp 7.5
 (30.0) (2.4) (15.0)
+25 bp (6.4) (30.0) 4.1
 (30.0)
+50 bp (13.9) (60.0) 9.2
 (60.0)
+100 bp (31.3) (155.0) 12.9
 (155.0)
+200 bp (62.8) (370.0) 7.0
 (370.0)
Policy established by our Asset/Liability Management Committee.



8081

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


  December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Scenario as of Change in Market Value of Equity Loss Limit Change in Market Value of Equity Loss Limit
-200 bp $192
 $(370) $123
 $(370)
-100 bp 101
 (155) 65
 (155)
-50 bp 38
 (60) 22
 (60)
-25 bp 17
 (30) 8
 (30)
+25 bp (17) (30) (6) (30)
+50 bp (36) (60) (14) (60)
+100 bp (76) (155) (31) (155)
+200 bp (167) (370) (63) (370)



82

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Our Annual Financial Statements and Notes, including the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, are set forth starting on page F-1.

Supplementary Data - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Quarter amounts are unaudited)

 Year 4th 3rd 2nd 1st 
2016           
Interest income $1,259
 $315
 $309
 $317
 $318
 
Interest expense 803
 203
 196
 206
 198
 
Provision for credit losses 1
 1
 
 
 
 
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses 455
 111
 113
 111
 120
 
Noninterest income 76
 15
 14
 50
 (3) 
Noninterest expense 167
 39
 42
 46
 40
 
AHP assessment 37
 9
 9
 11
 8
 
Net income $327

$78

$76

$104

$69
 
 Year 4th 3rd 2nd 1st            
2015                      
Interest income $1,252
 $318
 $304
 $309
 $321
  $1,252
 $318
 $304
 $309
 $321
 
Interest expense 744
 183
 182
 188
 191
  744
 183
 182
 188
 191
 
Provision for credit losses 5
 
 1
 4
 
  5
 
 1
 4
 
 
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses 503
 135
 121
 117
 130
  503
 135
 121
 117
 130
 
Non-interest gain (loss) 23
 10
 (6) 24
 (5) 
Non-interest expense 138
 37
 35
 33
 33
 
Noninterest income 23
 10
 (6) 24
 (5) 
Noninterest expense 138
 37
 35
 33
 33
 
AHP assessment 39
 11
 8
 11
 9
  39
 11
 8
 11
 9
 
Net income $349

$97

$72

$97

$83
  $349

$97

$72

$97

$83
 
           
2014           
Interest income $1,362
 $329
 $333
 $345
 $355
 
Interest expense 841
 192
 195
 226
 228
 
Provision for credit losses (7) 1
 (2) (3) (3) 
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses 528
 136
 140
 122
 130
 
Non-interest gain (loss) 32
 18
 11
 13
 (10) 
Non-interest expense 124
 35
 28
 31
 30
 
AHP assessment 44
 12
 13
 10
 9
 
Net income $392

$107

$110

$94

$81
 





8183

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that information relating to us that is required to be disclosed in reports filed with the SEC: (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management's Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
We areManagement is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.

Our management, which includes our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20152016. In making this assessment, management uses as guidance the framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)” and other authoritative guidance on governance and internal control. The assessment included extensive documenting, evaluating and testing the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management concluded that based on its assessment, our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.2016. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2016, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
For the quarter ended December 31, 2015,2016, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

Consolidated Obligations
Our disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures for accumulating and communicating information relating to our joint and several liability for the consolidated obligations of other FHLBs. Because the FHLBs are independently managed and operated, our management relies on information that is provided or disseminated by the FHFA, the Office of Finance or the other FHLBs, as well as on published FHLB credit ratings, in determining whether the FHFA's joint and several liability regulation is probable to result in a direct obligation for us or whether it is reasonably possible that we will accrue a direct liability.

Our management also relies on the operation of the FHFA's joint and several liability regulation that requires each FHLB to file with the FHFA a quarterly certification that it will remain capable of making full and timely payment of all of its current obligations, including direct obligations, coming due during the next quarter. In addition, if an FHLB cannot make such a certification or if it projects that it may be unable to meet its current obligations during the next quarter on a timely basis, it must file a notice with the FHFA. Under the FHLB Act and related regulation, the FHFA may order any FHLB to make principal and interest payments on any consolidated obligations of any other FHLB, or allocate the outstanding liability of an FHLB among all remaining FHLBs on a pro rata basis in proportion to each FHLB's participation in all consolidated obligations outstanding or on any other basis.

Based on these factors, we do not expect to pay any additional amounts on behalf of other FHLBs under our joint and several liability as of December 31, 2015,2016, and as a result, we did not accrue a liability. For additional information, see Note 10 - Consolidated Obligations and Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements.


84

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 9B. Other Information.

None.PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for us and the other FHLBs. Rule 2-01(c)(1)(ii)(A) of Regulation S-X (the Loan Rule) prohibits an accounting firm, such as PwC, and any covered person in the firm, from having certain financial relationships with their audit clients and affiliated entities. Specifically, the Loan Rule provides, in the relevant part, that an accounting firm generally would not be independent if the accounting firm or any 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.”

PwC has advised the Bank that as of February 24, 2017, it and certain covered persons in the firm have borrowing relationships with two Bank members (referred to below as the “Lenders”) who each own more than ten percent of the Bank’s capital stock which could call into question PwC’s independence with respect to the Bank. The Bank is providing this disclosure to explain the facts and circumstances of PwC’s and its covered persons’ relationships with these Lenders as well as PwC’s and the Audit Committee’s conclusions concerning PwC’s objectivity and impartiality with respect to the audit of the Bank.

PwC advised the Audit Committee of the Bank that it believed that, in light of the facts of each borrowing relationship, its ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all matters encompassed within PwC’s audit engagement is not impaired and that a reasonable investor with knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances would reach the same conclusion.

PwC advised the Audit Committee that this conclusion is based in part on the following considerations with respect to borrowing relationships between one of the Lenders and PwC:

the borrowings are in good standing and the Lender does not have the right to take action against PwC, as borrower, in connection with the financings;

the debt balances outstanding were immaterial to PwC and to the 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.

PwC has also advised the Audit Committee that it does not believe that the borrowing relationships among its U.S. firm partners and one of the Lenders that participates in a syndicate financing program to fund capital contribution requirements impair PwC’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment.

PwC advised the Audit Committee that with respect to borrowing relationships between one of the Lenders and an engagement team member, its conclusion is based on factors listed above and the following considerations:

the Lender has not made any attempt to influence the conduct of the audits or objectivity and impartiality of this engagement team member;

each loan was obtained under the Lender’s normal lending procedures, terms, and requirements; and

each loan is current.

Additionally, PwC advised the Audit Committee that with respect to certain covered persons who do not play an active role in the Bank’s audit and that have borrowing relationships with the Lenders, its conclusion is based on such professionals being required to disclose immediately any relationships that may raise issues about objectivity, independence, conflicts of interest, or favoritism.

Moreover, the Audit Committee of the Bank assessed PwC’s ability to perform an objective and impartial audit, including consideration of the ownership and governance structure of the Bank, the limited voting rights of the Bank’s members and the composition of the board of directors. In addition to the above listed considerations, the Audit Committee considered the following:

although each of the Lenders owned more than ten percent of the Bank’s capital stock, the voting power of each Lender’s capital stock is less than ten percent;

no individual officer or director of a member or independent director that served on the board of directors has the ability to significantly influence the Bank based on the composition of the board of directors; and

no officer or director of either Lender served on the board of directors of the Bank.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Based on the Audit Committee’s evaluation, the Audit Committee concluded that PwC’s ability to exercise objective and impartial judgment on all issues encompassed within PwC’s audit engagement has not been impaired.

If in the future, however, PwC is ultimately determined under the Loan Rule not to be independent with respect to the Bank, or permanent relief regarding this matter is not granted by the SEC, the Bank may need to take other actions and incur other costs in order for the Bank’s previously filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q to be deemed compliant with applicable securities laws. Such actions may include, among other things, obtaining a new audit and review of our historical financial statements by another independent registered public accounting firm. Any of the foregoing could have an adverse impact on the Bank.

For further discussion of Bank members owning more than ten percent of the Bank’s capital stock at December 31, 2016, please see Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) to the financial statements in this Form 10-K. For a discussion of the voting rights of our members, please see Item 10 - Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance - 2016 Director Election on page 88 of this Form 10-K.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance.

Our Board is comprised of a combination of industry directors elected by the Bank's member institutions (referred to as member directors) on a state-by-state basis and independent public interest directors elected by a plurality of the Bank's members (referred to as independent directors). No member of the Bank's management may serve as a director of an FHLB. Our Board currently includes ten member directors and seveneight independent directors. Under the FHLB Act, there are no matters that are submitted to shareholders for votes with the exception of the annual election of the Bank's directors.

Nomination of Member Directors

Member directors are required by statute and regulation to meet certain specific criteria in order to be eligible to be elected and serve as Bank directors. To be eligible an individual must:

be an officer or director of a Bank member institution located in the state in which there is an open Bank director position;
the member institution must be in compliance with the minimum capital requirements established by its regulator; and
the individual must be a U.S. citizen.

These criteria are the only permissible eligibility criteria that member directors must meet. The FHLBs are not permitted to establish additional eligibility criteria for member directors or nominees. For member directors, each eligible institution may nominate representatives from member institutions in its respective state to serve four-year terms on the Board of the Bank. As a matter of statute and regulation, only FHLB stockholders may nominate and elect member directors. FHLB Boards are not permitted to nominate or elect member directors, although they may appoint a director to fill a vacant directorship in advance of the next annual election. Specifically, institutions which are members required to hold capital stock in the Bank as of the record date (i.e., December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the election is held) are entitled to participate in the election process. With respect to member directors, under FHFA regulations, no director, officer, employee, attorney, or agent of the Bank (except in his/her personal capacity) may, directly or indirectly, support the nomination or election of a particular individual for a member directorship. Because of the structure of FHLB member director nominations and elections, we do not know what factors our member institutions consider in selecting member director nominees or electing member directors. One of our current member directors, Michelle L. Gross, was appointed by our Board in October 2015 to fill the remainder of a vacant Illinois member directorship. Ms. Gross was nominated and appointed to fill the vacancy based on satisfaction of the requirements for the member directorship, her extensive experience in the Illinois Banking industry and information systems and her position as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer and Information Systems Officer of one of our Illinois members.

Nomination of Independent Directors

For independent directors, the members elect these individuals on an at large basis to four-year terms.terms, subject to FHFA designation. Independent directors cannot be officers or directors of a Bank member, and must meet certain statutory and regulatory eligibility criteria. To be eligible to serve as an independent director, an individual must be a citizen of the United States and a bona fide resident of the district in which the Bank is located. In addition, the FHFA regulation requiresregulations require that an independent director to either have more(other than four years' experience representing consumer or community interests ora public interest independent director) must have experience in or knowledge of one or more of the following areas: auditing and accounting, derivatives, financial management, organizational management, project development, risk management practices orand the law. In addition, the FHFA regulation requires a public interest independent director to have more than four years' experience representing consumer or community interests in banking services, credit needs, housing or consumer financial protection.

Under FHFA regulation, our members are permitted to nominate candidates to be considered by the Bank to be included on the nominee slate and our Board determines the nominees after consulting with the Bank's Community Investment Advisory Council (Advisory Council). FHFA regulations permit a Bank director, officer, attorney, employee or agent and our Board and Advisory Council to support the candidacy of any person nominated by the Board for election to an independent directorship. Our Board selected independent director nominees based on their qualifications as described in each independent director's biography below.

All of our current independent directors were elected by our members, except for Director Charles D. Young, who was appointed by our Board in August 2015 to fill a vacancy that resulted from the prior resignation of an independent director.


8387

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


20152016 Director Election

Voting rights and process with regard to the election of member and independent directors are set forth in the FHLB Act and FHFA regulations. For the election of both member directors and independent directors, each eligible member institution is entitled to cast one vote for each share of capital stock that it was required to hold as of the record date; however, the number of votes that each institution may cast for each directorship cannot exceed the average number of shares of capital stock that were required to be held by all member institutions located in that state on the record date. The only matter submitted to a vote of shareholders in 20152016 was the election of certain member and independent directors, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 20152016 as described above. We conducted this election to fill twothree open member directorships and twothree open independent directorshipdirectorships for 20162017 designated by the FHFA. In 2015,2016, the nomination and election of member directors was conducted by mail. No meeting of the members was held in regard to the election. Our Board does not solicit proxies, nor are eligible member institutions permitted to solicit or use proxies to cast their votes in an election for member or independent directors. Information about the results of the election, including the votes cast, was reported in an 8-K filed on November 17, 2015,9, 2016, as amended by an 8-K/A filed on December 15, 2015.19, 2016.

Information Regarding Current Directors of the Bank

The following table provides information regarding each of our directors as of February 29, 2016.28, 2017.

Name Age 
Director
Since
 
Expiration of
Term as of
December 31,
 Age 
Director
Since
 
Expiration of
Term as of
December 31,
  
William W. Sennholz, Chairman b
 50 2008 2018 51 2008 2018
Michael G. Steelman, Vice Chairman a
 65 2011 2018 66 2011 2018
James T. Ashworth a
 64 2013 2016 65 2013 2020
Owen E. Beacom a
 57 2012 2019 58 2012 2019
Edward P. Brady d
 52 2009 2019 53 2009 2019
Mary J. Cahillane d
 64 2011 2016 65 2011 2020
Mark J. Eppli d
 54 2012 2017 55 2012 2017
Joseph Fazio III b
 55 2017 2020
Michelle L. Gross a
 46 2015 2016 47 2015 2020
Thomas L. Herlache b
 73 2005 2016
E. David Locke b
 67 2007 2017 68 2007 2017
Phyllis Lockett d
 51 2015 2019 52 2015 2019
David R. Pirsein a
 63 2015 2018 64 2015 2018
John K. Reinke b
 64 2012 2019 65 2012 2019
Leo J. Ries c
 62 2009 2018 63 2009 2018
Steven F. Rosenbaum a
 59 2007 2017 60 2007 2017
Lois Alison Scott d
 56 2017 2019
Gregory A. White c
 52 2009 2017 53 2009 2017
Charles D. Young 48 2015 2016
Charles D. Young d
 49 2015 2020
a 
Illinois member director.
b 
Wisconsin member director.
c 
Public interest independent director.
d 
Independent director.


James T. Ashworth joined CNB Bank & Trust, N.A. in 1978 and has served in many capacities, including as Vice Chairman since 1989 and as President and CEO from 1989 to 1997, as well as serving as Vice Chairman and President and CEO of its holding company, CNB Bank Shares, Inc. since 1989. Mr. Ashworth served as Chairman of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois and as an elected director of the Independent Community Bankers of America, on the state association's Legislative Committee and the national association's Regulation Review Committee; he was named CBAI's "Outstanding Member" in 1995.  He also has previously served on the Illinois State Treasurer's Community Bank Advisory Council and as an appointed delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. Mr. Ashworth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Miami, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as its post-graduate program. Mr. Ashworth has also served on numerous local Boards, including the community hospital, chamber of commerce, Economic Development Corporation, and Community Foundation.


8488

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Mr. Ashworth serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing (Chairman), Executive & Governance (Alternate) and Human Resources & Compensation (Vice Chairman).

Owen E. Beacom has served as Chief Lending Officer of First Bank & Trust since 2004. Mr. Beacom has also served as a director on the Board of First Bank & Trust and its holding company, First Evanston Bancorp, since 2004. Mr. Beacom's banking experience dates back to 1982 and includes American National Bank of Chicago, Lake Shore National Bank and Bank One. Mr. Beacom's career experience has centered on commercial banking, including community development lending and affordable housing.

Mr. Beacom serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Human Resources & Compensation and Operations & Technology.

Edward P. Brady has served as president/owner of Brady Homes and Brady Group in Bloomington, Illinois, since 1988.  He serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for the National Association of Home Builders and the Home Builders Association of Illinois. Mr. Brady is a former director of Freestar Bank, served as Chairman of the Brady for Illinois 2010 campaign, and has previously served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity for Illinois, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Economic Development Council for McLean County, and other community organizations. Mr. Brady currently serves as first vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. The Board nominated Mr. Brady to serve as an independent director based on his knowledge of and experience in organizational management and project development, as indicated by his background.

Mr. Brady serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing, Executive & Governance (Alternate) and Public Policy (Chairman).

Mary J. Cahillane was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Spencer Foundation since 2003. She retired in May 2015. She previously worked for Bank of America from 1994 to 2003, Continental Bank from 1981 to 1985 and again from 1989 to 1994 and Texas Commerce Bank from 1985 to 1989. Ms. Cahillane also currently serves on the Boards of Forsythe Technology, Inc., IES Abroad, St. John Berchmans School, Children's First Fund, and PEAK (Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids). Ms. Cahillane previously served on the Boards of ShoreBank Corporation and ShoreBank. The Board nominated Ms. Cahillane to serve as an independent director based on her knowledge of and experience in financial management and risk management practices, as indicated by her background.

Ms. Cahillane serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit, Executive & Governance and Risk Management (Chairman).

Mark J. Eppli is Robert B. Bell, Sr. Chair in Real Estate at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Eppli was appointed Bell Chair in 2002, has served as the Director of the Center for Real Estate since 2009, and served as Interim Keyes Dean of Business at Marquette University from 2012 to 2015. Dr. Eppli was also Professor of Finance and Real Estate in the School of Business and Public Management at The George Washington University in 2002, Associate Professor of Finance and Real Estate at The George Washington University from 1997 to 2002 and Assistant Professor of Finance and Real Estate at The George Washington University from 1991 to 1997. He was an active instructor and author for the Urban Land Institute from 1992 to 2012. Dr. Eppli was also a Lecturer and Teaching Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1987 to 1991. Prior to obtaining his doctorate, Dr. Eppli pursued a career in commercial real estate, serving as Manager of Research and Investment Analysis with PM Realty Advisors from 1985 to 1986 and a Specialist in Real Estate Acquisitions at GE Capital Corporation from 1984 to 1985. Dr. Eppli is past recipient of the Greater Washington Urban League’s “Volunteer of the Year” and Urban Land Institute’s “Star Performer” awards for his efforts to attract minorities to the commercial real estate industry. He is current President of the Real Estate Research Institute and Distinguished Fellow at NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. The Board nominated Dr. Eppli to serve as an independent director based on his knowledge of and experience in financial management and risk management practices, as indicated by his background.

Dr. Eppli serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing and Risk Management (Vice Chairman).

Joseph Fazio III is Co-founder, Board Chairman and CEO of Commerce State Bank, a De Novo bank, which opened in 2005. Mr. Fazio is the only CEO Commerce State Bank has had, having held the positions of Chairman and CEO from 2005 to present. Mr. Fazio also serves as a director of the bank’s holding company, Commerce Financial Holdings, Inc. Prior to founding Commerce State Bank, Mr. Fazio led a privately-held marketing company from 2002-2004, was Director of Corporate Marketing for Metavante (now FIS) from 1998 to 2002, led Personal Trust Administration for M&I Trust Company (now BMO) from 1995 to 1998, and held several management positions with IBM from 1983 to 1995. Mr. Fazio is a 1983 graduate of St. Norbert College, and in 1988 earned his master’s degree from Edgewood College. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Bankers Association from 2013 to 2016. An active member of his community, he has served as an elected official for the City of Cedarburg and has held several City board appointments. He is President of the Greater Cedarburg Community

89

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Foundation, and has served on the board of non-profits such as St. Francis Borgia School, Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center, and the Cedarburg Athletic Booster Club. Mr. Fazio is the author of the book, “This Might be a Dumb Question, but How Does Money Work?”

Mr. Fazio serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit and Operations & Technology.

Michelle L. Gross has served as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Information Systems Officer, and Director of the State Bank of Bement in Bement, Illinois since 2012. She has worked at the State Bank of Bement since 1996 in roles with increasing responsibilities, including as Vice President & Information Systems Officer from 2008 to 2012. Ms. Gross currently serves as a director at the State Bank of Cerro Gordo in Cerro Gordo, Illinois and Bement Bancshares, Inc. in Bement, Illinois. She is a former director at The First National Bank of Ivesdale in Ivesdale, Illinois. Ms. Gross is active in a variety of community service organizations and with the Illinois Bankers Association. Through the Illinois Bankers Association, Ms. Gross has served on a number of committees and is currently a member of its board of directors and Chairman of the Illinois Bankpac Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Kirby Foundation, benefitting Kirby Medical Center and is Chairman of the Bement Foundation. Ms. Gross is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin, and earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University.

Ms. Gross serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: OperationsHuman Resources & TechnologyCompensation and Risk Management.

85

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Thomas L. Herlache serves as a director on the Board for Baylake Bank and Baylake Corp., a one-bank holding company, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. From 1983 to 2007, Mr. Herlache has served as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for Baylake Bank and Baylake Corp. Mr. Herlache currently serves as president of the Sturgeon Bay Waterfront Redevelopment Authority. He has previously served on the Door County Medical Center Board, Door County Board of Supervisors, Door County Chamber of Commerce Board as well as on the Sturgeon Bay Utility Commission from 1981 to 1986. Mr. Herlache served as President for part of his tenure at the Sturgeon Bay Utility Commission.

Mr. Herlache serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit, Executive & Governance (Alternate) and Human Resources & Compensation.

E. David Locke has been in banking since 1966 and employed with McFarland State Bank in McFarland, Wisconsin since 1975. Mr. Locke currently serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO of McFarland State Bank and has been a director there since 1977. Mr. Locke previously served as President of McFarland State Bank from 1977 to 2006. A leader in several banking and non-profit organizations, Mr. Locke has served on the Salvation Army Board, the Board of Wisconsin Bankers Association, Bankers' Bank (original organizer and founding director) and is a charter member of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce's Collaboration Council, now called “Thrive”, an economic development enterprise for the Madison Region. Additionally, he is a contributor to various educational sponsorships including the McFarland Education Foundation's scholarship fund and pays personal attention and commitment to the growth of Junior Achievement (JA) programs in McFarland, Dane County, and Wisconsin. Spanning his entire career; Mr. Locke has actively contributed his time and talents to the many grassroots efforts of regional and national banking associations, taking leadership roles in a variety of campaigns. Mr. Locke was elected to the Board of International Relief and Development in December 2015. Mr. Locke has also received numerous awards including the Community Bankers of Wisconsin Association's “Banker of the Year” in 2006, a finalist in the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award program and was named North Western Financial Review's 2009 Banker of the Year.

Mr. Locke serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Executive & Governance, Public Policy (Vice Chairman) and Operations & Technology (Chairman).

Phyllis Lockett has served since 2014 as the founding CEO of LEAP Innovations, a non-profit education technology hub connecting educators and technology companies from across the nation to research, pilot and scale instructional technology solutions that advance teaching from early childhood through college. Prior to her role at LEAP, Ms. Lockett served as President and CEO of New Schools for Chicago (formerly The Renaissance Schools Fund), a venture philanthropy organization that invests in the start-up of new public schools, since 2005. Ms. Lockett served from 1999 to 2005 as Executive Director of the Civic Consulting Alliance, a pro bono consulting firm sponsored by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago that leads strategic planning initiatives, process improvement and program development projects for government agencies. She has played an instrumental role in some of the largest initiatives for the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, and Chicago Housing Authority, including the reorganization of the management structure, resident relocation, capital construction, asset management, and economic development strategies to support the Chicago Housing Authority’s $1.5 billion Plan for Transformation. Ms. Lockett earned a Master of Management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. The Board nominated Ms. Lockett to serve as an independent director based on her knowledge of and experience in organizational management, financial management and project development, as indicated by her background.

Ms. Lockett serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Operations & Technology and Risk Management.

David R. Pirsein has served as President & CEO of First National Bank in Pinckneyville, First Perry Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiary, First National Insurance Services, Inc. since 2005. He has been an active Community Banker for over 35 years. Mr. Pirsein is a board member and Executiveexecutive committee member of the Shazam Inc. board, an EFT network and payments processor. He is the Southern Illinois Regional Vice-Chairman and board member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois and a board member of its subsidiary, the Community BancService Corp. He currently serves as Assistant Secretary and Finance chairman of the Pinckneyville Community Hospital Board, and as a director of the Foundation for the Future of Pinckneyville Board. He also serves on the board of governors of the Southern Illinois Real Estate Title Company, LLC. He is an active participant on the Pinckneyville strategic planning committee and is a Chamber member. Mr. Pirsein previously served two terms on the St. Louis Federal Reserve Board where he held the position

90

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


of Audit committee chairman for several years. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in Finance and Banking and has attended many banking schools, including the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin.

Mr. Pirsein serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Public Policy andExecutive & Governance (Alternate), Operations & Technology.Technology (Vice Chairman) and Public Policy.

John K. Reinke has been with The Stephenson National Bank & Trust since 1974 and served as President there from 2000 to 2013. Mr. Reinke currently serves as Chair of the board of directors of The Stephenson National Bank & Trust subsequent to his

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


retirement from the President & CEO position in April 2013. Mr. Reinke previously served on the Government Relations Administrative Council for the American Bankers Association. In addition, he served on the Board of the Wisconsin Bankers Association from 2002 through 2008 and as Chairman from 2006 to 2007. Mr. Reinke also has previously served as a Bay Area Medical Center board member and Treasurer, President of the University of Wisconsin - Marinette Foundation, Inc., President of the Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the M&M Area Community Foundation, M&M Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen President, M&M YMCA President, and Marinette County Revolving Loan Committee President.

Mr. Reinke serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit (Vice Chairman), Executive & Governance (Alternate) and Human Resources & Compensation (Chairman).

Leo J. Ries was the Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2000 until he retired in 2015. He currently works as a private consultant for profit and nonprofit corporations, as he also did from 1999 to 2000. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Near West Side Partners, Inc., Lead2Change, Inc., as well as the Wisconsin Advisory Council for CommonBond Communities, Inc. and the Advisory Council for First-Ring Industrial Redevelopment Enterprise, Inc. Prior to his tenure at LISC, he was Deputy Commissioner for the City of Milwaukee in the Department of Neighborhood Services in 1999 and Director of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Division of the Department of City Development from 1992 to 1998. He served as the Director of the Community Block Grant Administration in the Department of Administration from 1990 to 1992. He served on the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation from 1992 to 1999, Select Milwaukee, Inc., from 1996 to 2000, Walker's Point Development Corporation from 1999 to 2000 and Canticle Court/Juniper Court from 1999 to 2000. The Board nominated Mr. Ries to serve as an independent director based on his experience representing community interests in housing, as indicated by his background.

Mr. Ries serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing (Vice Chairman) and Operations & Technology.

Steven F. Rosenbaum has been employed by Prospect Federal Savings Bank since 1987. He has served as President and CEO since 1998 and, in 2006, was named Chairman of the Board. Prior to his service with Prospect Federal Savings Bank, he was a lobbyist with the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves on the Board of the Illinois League of Financial Institutions (Chairman from 2002 to 2003), as a member of the Illinois Board of Savings institutionsInstitutions and as a past member of the Mutual Institutions Committee for the American Bankers Association. Mr. Rosenbaum served on the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks from 2011 to 2015 (Chairman from 2014 to 2015) and he is also a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman-ElectChairman of Brother Rice High School (Chicago, Illinois).

Mr. Rosenbaum serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit, Executive & Governance and Public Policy.

Lois Alison Scott has been with Epoch Advisors since 2015, and has served as President since 2015. From 2011 to 2015, Ms. Scott served as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Chicago, the first woman to ever serve in that capacity. In 2011, Ms. Scott co-founded and chaired the Municipal CFO Forum with the Harris School of the University of Chicago where she now chairs the Advisory Board for the Center on Municipal Finance. From 2002 to 2011, Ms. Scott was Chief Executive Officer of a financial advisory firm that served large corporate and governmental clients. Prior to that, she served as President and Vice Chair of a technology company that provided a family of services to schools. Ms. Scott started her career at First Chicago (now JPMorgan), where she was responsible for governmental, healthcare and higher education clients in an eight-state region. She serves on the board of MBIA, Inc., the Chicago Stock Exchange and the advisory board of other privately held financial services companies. The Board nominated Ms. Scott to serve as an independent director based on her knowledge of and experience in accounting and financial management practices, as indicated by her background.

Ms. Scott serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit and Risk Management.

William W. Sennholz joined Forward Financial Bank (formerly Marshfield Savings Bank) in Marshfield, Wisconsin, in 2005 as President and CEO. Prior to his service with Forward Financial Bank, he served as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Clarke County State Bank in Osceola, Iowa, from 2002 to 2005. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Sennholz was the Vice President, Senior Lending Officer at Peoples State Bank in Wausau, Wisconsin. He held various positions of increasing responsibility at

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M&I First American Bank from 1989 to 1997. In addition to his duties as a director of the Bank, Mr. Sennholz is also the Chairman of the Marshfield Area YMCA, Chairman of the Marshfield Economic Development Board, and a council member of Hope Lodge (a lodging facility for cancer patients and their families).

Mr. Sennholz serves as the Bank's Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive & Governance Committee. He also serves as an ex officio member of the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing, Audit, Public Policy, Human Resources & Compensation, Risk Management and Operations & Technology.

Michael G. Steelman has been with the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Bushnell and its holding company, Prairieland Bancorp., Inc., since 1984. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Bushnell since 1996, and was appointed Chairman in 2001. In addition, Mr. Steelman has served as President and Chairman of the holding company since 2001. Mr. Steelman served as Chairman of the Illinois Bankers Association in 2008-2009, and was actively involved in the legislative and regulatory process at federal and state levels. An attorney practicing in banking law, Mr. Steelman is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. Mr. Steelman also serves as Secretary and Director of the Bushnell Economic Development Corporation.

Mr. Steelman serves as the Bank's Vice Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Executive & Governance Committee. He also serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Audit (Chairman) and Risk Management.

Gregory A. White has been the President and Chief Executive Officer for LEARN Charter Schools located in Chicago, Illinois, from 2008 to present. Mr. White is leading an entrepreneurial effort to grow this nationally recognized network of high performing elementary schools from nineten serving 4,0004,200 students to sixteen schools serving 8,000 students. Prior to LEARN, Mr. White

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worked for The Chicago Community Trust (Vice President of Strategy & Operations), Chicago Venture Partners, L.P. (Co-founder & Partner), Salomon Brothers (Bond Salesman), Continental Bank (Real Estate Lender), The Rouse Company (Research Analyst) and the Enterprise Foundation (Assistant Field Officer). Mr. White also served on the board of directors of Learn Charter School Network, Lakefront Supportive Housing Christ the King High School, and the Chicago Transit Authority Citizens Advisory Board. Mr. White earned a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and graduated with honors from Brown University. The Board nominated Mr. White to serve as an independent director based on his experience representing consumer and community interests in credit needs and housing, as indicated by his background.

Mr. White serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Public Policy and Human Resources & Compensation.Compensation and Public Policy.

Charles D. Young has been with Colony Starwood Homes (formerly Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust,Trust), a public real estate investment trust, since 2012. He has served as Chief Operating Officer since March 2015 and as Senior Division Vice President and Regional Director prior to that. Colony Starwood WaypointHomes acquires, renovates, leases, and manages residential assets in the United States, focused primarily on acquiring single-family rental homes and non-performing residential mortgage loans. Prior to his employment with Colony Starwood Waypoint,Homes, Mr. Young served as Executive Vice President at Mesa Development, a private real estate development firm, from 2003 to 2012, and as a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Young started his career in the National Football League before co-founding and serving from 1994 to 2000 as managing director of the Kaleidoscope Group, a firm that provides management consulting, human resource, and strategic diversity initiative services to Fortune 500 clients. Mr. Young earned a Masters of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University. The Board nominated Mr. Young to serve as an independent director based on his knowledge of and experience in organizational management, financial management and project development, as indicated by his background.

Mr. Young serves on the following Board committees of the Bank: Affordable Housing and Audit.

Human Resources & Compensation.

There are no family relationships among the above directors or our executive officers.


Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee is comprised of non-executive directors. The Audit Committee Charter is available in full on our website at
http://www.fhlbc.com/OurCompany/Pages/federal-home-loan-bank-chicago-governance.aspx.


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Audit Committee Report

March 9, 20162017

The Audit Committee is composed of seven non-executive directors, two of whom are non-member directors, and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors that was last amended on May 21, 2015.December 15, 2016. Our Board of Directors determined that each Audit Committee member (Directors Steelman, Reinke, Cahillane, Herlache,Fazio, Rosenbaum, YoungScott and Sennholz) is an “Audit Committee financial expert” for purposes of SEC requirements. Our Board of Directors elected to use the New York Stock Exchange definition of “independence” and, in doing so, concluded that each of the Directors on the Audit Committee, during 20152016 and currently, is not independent, with the exception of Directors Aigotti, Cahillane, Scott and Young who do not serve as officers or directors of a Bank member. Under Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) regulations applicable to members of the Audit Committee, each of the Audit Committee members is independent. For further discussion about the Board's analysis of director independence under the New York Stock Exchange rules, see Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsDirector Independence on page 114.118.

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's accounting, reporting and financial practices, including the integrity of its financial statements, among other areas.

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment and oversight of our independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), including review of their qualifications, independence and performance. Among other duties, the Audit Committee also oversees:

the integrity of the Bank’s financial statements, the Bank’s accounting and financial reporting processes and systems;
internal control over the Bank’s financial reporting and safeguarding the Bank’s assets;

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the programs, policies and compliance systems of the Bank designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, other legal and regulatory requirements and policies;
practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
external auditor's qualifications and independence;
performance of the internal audit function; and
performance of the external auditor.

The Audit Committee annually reviews PwC’s independence and performance in connection with the Committee’s determination of whether to retain PwC or engage another firm as the Bank’s independent auditor. In the course of these reviews, the Committee considered, among other things:

PwC’s historical and recent performance on the Bank’s audit, including the results of an internal survey of PwC service and quality;
an analysis of PwC’s known legal risks and significant proceedings;
external data relating to audit quality and performance, including recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) reports on PwC and its peer firms;
the appropriateness of PwC’s fees, on both an absolute basis and as compared to its peer firms;
PwC’s tenure as the Bank’s independent auditor and its familiarity with Bank operations and businesses, accounting policies and practices and internal control over financial reporting; and
PwC’s capability and expertise in auditing the breadth and complexity of Bank operations.

Audit Fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Bank’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and reviews of the Bank’s quarterly financial statements, regulatory filings, consents and other SEC matters. Audit Fees increased in 2015; in addition to the agreed fee increases following the decision in 2011 to retain PwC as independent auditor, PwC requested additional fees as a result of the additional cost associated with implementing various recommendations from the PCAOB.

The Committee has reviewed and approved the amount of fees paid to the independent auditors for audit, audit related and other services. The Audit Committee has determined that PwC does not provide any non-audit services that would impair their independence. PwC has served as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Bank since 1990.

In accordance with SEC rules, audit partners are subject to rotation requirements to limit the number of consecutive years an individual partner may provide service to the Bank. For lead and concurring audit partners, the maximum number of consecutive years of service in that capacity is five years. The process for selection of the Bank’s lead audit partner pursuant to this rotation policy involves a meeting between the Chair of the Audit Committee and the candidate for the role, as well as discussion by the full Committee and with management.

Based on its reviews discussed above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPPwC as the Bank's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016.2017.

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The Audit Committee annually reviews its written charter and practices, and has determined that its charter and practices are consistent with the applicable FHFA regulations and the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Among other matters, the Committee also:

reviewed the scope of and overall plans for the external and internal audit program;
discussed with management and PwC the Bank’s processes for
risk assessment and risk management;
reviewed and approved the Bank’s policy with regard to the hiring of former employees of the
independent auditor;
reviewed and approved the Bank’s policy for the pre-approval of audit and permitted non-audit
services by the independent auditor;
received reports pursuant to the Bank’s policy for the submission and confidential treatment of
communications from employees and others about accounting, internal controls and auditing matters;
reviewed with management the scope and effectiveness of the Bank’s disclosure controls and procedures, including for purposes of evaluating the accuracy and fair presentation of the Bank’s financial statements in connection with certifications made by the Bank’s President and Chief Financial Officer; and

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reviewed significant legal developments and the Bank’s processes for monitoring compliance with law and Bank policies.

The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of any complaints we receive. The Bank encourages employees and third-party individuals and organizations to report concerns about the Bank’s accounting controls, auditing matters or anything else that appears to involve financial or other wrongdoing.

Management has the primary responsibility for the preparation and integrity of the Bank's financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The Bank's independent auditor, PwC, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Bank's financial statements and of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with auditing standards promulgated by the PCAOB and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The internal auditors are responsible for preparing an annual audit plan and conducting internal audits under the control of the General Auditor, who reports to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The Audit Committee met 1011 times during 2015,2016, and has regular executive sessions with both internal and external auditors.

In this context, prior to their issuance, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the quarterly and annual earnings releases, financial statements (including the presentation of non-GAAP financial information) and disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (including significant accounting policies and judgments) with management, the Bank’s internal auditors and PwC. The Audit Committee also reviewed the Bank’s policies and practices with respect to financial risk assessment, as well as its processes and practices with respect to enterprise risk assessment and management. The Audit Committee discussed with PwC matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16 Communications with Audit Committee, as amended, and Rule 2-07 (Communication with Audit Committees) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PwC its independence [Item 407(d)(3) of Reg. S-X]. The Audit Committee met with PwC and with the Bank’s internal auditors, in each case, with and without other members of management present, to discuss the results of their respective examinations, the evaluations of the Bank’s internal controls and the overall quality and integrity of the Bank’s financial reporting. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Bank's financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Based on the reviews and discussions with management, the internal auditors, and PwC, as well as the review of the representations of management and PwC's report, referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, to include the audited financial statements in the Bank's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2016, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As of the date of filing for this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the members of the Audit Committee are:

Michael G. Steelman (Chairman)
John K. Reinke (Vice Chairman)
Mary J. Cahillane
Thomas L. HerlacheJoseph Fazio III
Steven F. Rosenbaum
Charles D. YoungLois Alison Scott
William W. Sennholz (ex officio)



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Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table provides certain information regarding our executive officers as of February 29, 2016:28, 2017:

Executive Officer  Age  Capacity in Which Served  
Employee of the
Bank Since
  Age  Capacity in Which Served  
Employee of the
Bank Since
Matthew R. Feldman  62  President and Chief Executive Officer  2003  63  President and Chief Executive Officer  2003
Michael A. Ericson  44  Executive Vice President, Members and Markets  2005  45  Executive Vice President, Members and Markets  2005
Peter E. Gutzmer  62  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary  1985
Thomas H.W. Harper* 50 Executive Vice President, General Auditor 2005 51 Executive Vice President, General Auditor 2005
Michelle Jonson 42 Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer 2000 43 Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer 2000
Roger D. Lundstrom  55  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer  1984  56  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer  1984
Samuel J. Nicita 55 Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer 2008 56 Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer 2008
John Stocchetti  59  Executive Vice President, Mortgage Partnership Finance Program and the Project Management Office  2006  60  Executive Vice President, Mortgage Partnership Finance Program and the Project Management Office  2006
Nancy A. Nottoli 61 Senior Vice President, Bank Services 2012
Laura M. Turnquest 52 Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary 2004
Nancy A. Labelle 62 Senior Vice President, Bank Services 2012
*Although Mr. Harper is a non-voting member of the Bank's Executive Team, he is not considered an "executive officer" as defined in Rule 3b-7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 because he is not in charge of a principal business unit, division or function, nor does he perform a similar policy making function.

Matthew R. Feldman became President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2008, after serving as Acting President from April 2008 until then. Mr. Feldman was Executive Vice President, Operations and Administration of the Bank from 2006 to 2008, Senior Vice President, Risk Management of the Bank from 2004 to 2006 and Senior Vice President, Manager of Operations Analysis of the Bank from 2003 to 2004. Prior to his employment with the Bank, Mr. Feldman was founderCo-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Learning Insights, Inc. from 1996 to 2003. Mr. Feldman conceived, established, financed, and directed the operations of this privately held e-learning company of which he is still Non-Executive Chairman.company. Mr. Feldman was President of Continental Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental Bank from 1992 to 1995 and Managing Director-Global Trading and Distribution of Continental Bank from 1988 to 1992. Mr. Feldman currently serves on the Board of Directors of the FHLBs' Office of Finance, as Chairman of the Financing Corporation Directorate, and as Chairman of the Board of the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions.

Michael A. Ericson became Executive Vice President & Group Head, Members and Markets in July 2014. Prior to that, he became Senior Vice President & Chief Risk Officer of the Bank in July 2008 and Executive Vice President in December 2008. Previously, Mr. Ericson was Senior Vice President of Accounting Policy and SEC Reporting since joining the Bank in January 2005. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Ericson was Vice President, Accounting Policy at Bank One before the merger with JPMorgan Chase and became Global Treasury Controller at JPMorgan Chase subsequent to the merger from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Ericson was Senior Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in the Financial Services group from 1994 to 2003.

Peter E. Gutzmer has been Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of the Bank since 2003 leading the law, government & industry relations, regulatory affairs and corporate secretary functions. Mr. Gutzmer is also the Bank's Chief Compliance Officer. Mr. Gutzmer was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Bank from 1992 to 2003, and General Counsel of the Bank from 1985 to 1991. Prior to his employment with the Bank, Mr. Gutzmer held various legal positions with LaSalle Bank, NA (and its predecessors) from 1980 to 1985.

Thomas H. W. Harper became Senior Vice President, General Auditor of the Bank in 2006 and Executive Vice President in January 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Harper was Senior Vice President, Audit Director from 2005 to 2006. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Harper was First Vice President, Senior Audit Manager with JPMorgan Chase and Co., from 2004 to 2005, responsible for the corporate areas of JPMorgan Chase and Co. From May 1997 until the merger of Bank One, NA with JPMorgan Chase in June 2004, Mr. Harper was responsible for the internal audit of the Commercial and Investment Bank, Treasury Services and Corporate areas of Bank One, NA. Mr. Harper was Vice President, Audit Manager with the First National Bank of Chicago, NA (which became Bank One, NA) in London, U.K. from 1993 to 1997 and an auditor in Banking and Financial Services with KPMG Peat Marwick in London, U.K., from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Harper is a Chartered Accountant (England and Wales), a Certified Financial Services Auditor, and a Certified Internal Auditor.

Michelle Jonson became Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer of the Bank in July 2014. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President and Co-Head of the Members and Markets Group since May 2014. Previously, Ms. Jonson served as Managing

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Director of the sales, member support, and member marketing relations functions since 2011. In 2000, Ms. Jonson joined the Bank and has managed responsibilities around pricing, funding, and hedging of Advances and MPF, and developing operational risk strategies for the Members and Markets Group. Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. Jonson worked as an Investment Analyst for Aon Advisors. She received her CFA charter designation in 2008.

Roger D. Lundstrom has been Chief Financial Officer since October 2008 and Executive Vice President & Group Head, Financial Information (now Member, Community & Financial Services) of the Bank since 2003. Mr. Lundstrom was Senior Vice President, Financial Information of the Bank from 1997 to 2003 and Senior Vice President, Financial Reporting and Analysis of

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the Bank from 1992 to 1997. Mr. Lundstrom held various positions with the Bank in analysis and reporting functions with increasing levels of responsibility from 1984 to 1992.

Samuel J. Nicita became Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer of the Bank in January 2016. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President & Group Head, Community Investment and Member Products Support of the Bank from 2014 to 2015, Senior Vice President & Group Head, Community Investment of the Bank from 2012 to 2014, Community Investment Officer of the Bank from 2011 to 2012, Senior Vice President, Manager Premier Group/Middle Office of the Bank from 2010 to 2011 and Vice President, Manager Premier Group/Middle Office of the Bank from 2008 to 2010.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Nicita was Chief Operating Officer of Highview Capital Management from 2006 to 2008, Director of Operations of Ritchie Capital Management from 2001 to 2006 and held various positions with Chicago Research and Trade (which was acquired by Nations Bank, and later merged with Bank of America) from 1990 to 2001.

John Stocchetti became Executive Vice President & Group Head, Mortgage Partnership Finance Group and Project Management Office in January 2014.  Prior to his focus on MPF, Mr. Stocchetti was Executive Vice President & Group Head, Products and Operations (formerly Products, Operations and Technology) of the Bank since May 2008, after serving as Senior Vice President, Acting Head of Operations and Administration from April 2008 until then.  Mr. Stocchetti served as Senior Vice President, Project Premier Director of the Bank from 2006 to 2008, where he led the effort to implement an enterprise-wide systems platform that is now the Bank's main operating platform.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Stocchetti served in several positions, including Chief Financial Officer at Ritchie Capital Management, LLC from 2004 to 2006, a multi-strategy hedge fund.  Previously, Mr. Stocchetti served in various capacities, including CEO, with Learning Insights, Inc., from 1997 to 2004, an e-learning internet company. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Stocchetti was a Senior Vice President with NationsBank where he was the head of interest rate derivatives operations on a global basis and the Chief Operating Officer of NationsBanc Financial Products, a AAA-rated derivatives company. From 1978 to 1995, Mr. Stocchetti was with Continental Bank where he held various positions, the latest of which was as a Managing Director of Derivative Products.

Laura M. Turnquest became Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary of the Bank in August 2016. Prior to that, Ms. Turnquest was: Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel from 2007 to August 2016; Vice President, Deputy General Counsel from 2006 to 2007; and Assistant Vice President, Assistant General Counsel from 2004 to 2006. Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. Turnquest was an associate in the Banking and Finance practice at Mayer Brown LLP from 1997 to 2004.

Nancy A. NottoliLabelle became Senior Vice President & Group Head, Bank Services of the Bank in March 2013, after serving as Director, Human Resources of the Bank from October 2012 until then.  Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. NottoliLabelle was Regional Human Resources Manager - Americas with AkzoNobel, Surface Chemistry from 2010 to 2012.  Previously, Ms. NottoliLabelle held various positions in human resources with LaSalle Bank NA (ABN AMRO North America, Inc.) from 1980 to 2008, serving as Group Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Head Business Partner for Services/Group Functions from 2006 to 2008. 

There are no family relationships among the above executive officers or our directors.

We have adopted a code of ethics for all of our employees and directors, including our President and CEO, principal financial officer, and those individuals who perform similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics is published on our internet website and may be accessed at: http://www.fhlbc.com/OurCompany/Pages/federal-home-loan-bank-chicago-governance.aspx.

We intend to disclose on our website any amendments to, or waivers of, the Code of Ethics covering our President, CEO, principal financial officer, and those individuals who perform similar functions. The information contained in or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any report filed with the SEC.




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Item 11. Executive Compensation.

This section provides information regarding our compensation program for our 20152016 named executive officers (NEOs): Matthew Feldman, President and CEO; Roger Lundstrom, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer; Michael Ericson, Executive Vice President & Group Head, Members and Markets; Michelle Jonson, Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer; and John Stocchetti, Executive Vice President & Group Head, Mortgage Partnership Finance Program and the Project Management Office.

Compensation Discussion & Analysis
 
Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy
 
Our Human Resources & Compensation Committee (the HR&C Committee) is responsible for, among other things, reviewing and making recommendations to the full Board of Directors regarding compensation and incentive plan awards for the Bank's President and CEO and to assist the Board in matters pertaining to the employment and compensation of other executive officers, our employment and benefits programs in general, and overseeing a risk assessment of our compensation policies and practices for all employees. The HR&C Committee may rely on the assistance, advice, and recommendations of the Bank's management and other advisors and may refer specific matters to other committees of the Board.
 
The goal of our compensation program is to set compensation at a level which allows us to attract, motivate, and retain talented executives who can enhance our business performance and help us fulfill our mission. Our compensation program is designed to reward:
 
Individual performance and attainment of Bank-wide requirements and goals and business strategies on both a short-term and long-term basis;
 
Fulfillment of our mission;
 
Effective and appropriate management of risks, including financial, operational, market, credit, legal, regulatory, and other risks; and
 
The growth and enhancement of executive leadership.
 
Our current compensation program is comprised of a combination of base salary, short-term incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation, retirement, severance, and other benefits which reflect total compensation that is consistent with individual performance, business results, job responsibility levels, and the competitive market. Because we are a cooperative and our capital stock generally may be held only by members, we are unable to provide compensation to executives in the form of stock or stock options which is typical in the financial services industry.
 
Regulatory Oversight of Executive Compensation

The FHFA provides certain oversight of FHLB executive officer compensation. Under the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended, the FHFA Director must prohibit an FHLB 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. In connection with this responsibility, the FHFA has directed the FHLBs to submit all compensation actions involving named executive officers to the FHFA for prior review.

In 2014, the FHFA issued a final rule setting forth requirements and processes with respect to compensation provided to executive officers by FHLBs. The final rule addresses the authority of the FHFA Director to: 1) approve executive officer agreements that provide for compensation in connection with termination of employment and 2) review the compensation arrangements of executive officers of the FHLBs and to prohibit an FHLB from providing compensation to any executive officer that the Director determines is not reasonable and comparable with compensation for employment in other similar businesses involving similar duties and responsibilities.
 
The FHFA has also issued an advisory bulletin establishing certain principles for executive compensation at the FHLBs and the Office of Finance. These principles include that: (1) such compensation must be reasonable and comparable to that offered to executives in similar positions at comparable financial institutions; (2) such compensation should be consistent with sound risk management and preservation of the par value of FHLB stock; (3) a significant percentage of an executive's incentive-based compensation should be tied to longer-term performance and outcome-indicators and be deferred and made contingent upon performance over several years; and (4) the Board of Directors should promote accountability and transparency in the process of

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setting compensation. Under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the FHFA Director has the right to prohibit or limit golden parachute payments under certain conditions as described in Severance Arrangements on page 102.105.

On June 10, 2016, the FHFA, jointly with five other federal regulators, published a proposed rule that would prohibit certain financial institutions, including the Bank, from establishing or maintaining incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks by certain covered persons that could lead to a material financial loss at the institution. The proposed rule would impact the design and operation of our compensation policies and practices, including our incentive compensation policies and practices, if adopted as proposed.

The HR&C Committee has established a risk review framework in connection with its review and approval of incentive compensation plan requirements and goals, risks, and payouts. Under the framework, our Chief Risk Officer delivered a risk analysis report to our Operations and Technology Committee and the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors evaluating operational, market, and credit risk principles against the requirements and goals, risks, and payouts associated with our short-term, deferred and long-term incentive compensation plans.plans, and evaluating whether our compensation policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Bank. The HR&C Committee reviewed the report, along with base salary information and consultant studies (as further described below), and determined that the compensation payable to our executive officers for each of 20152016 and 20162017 was and is reasonable and comparable to that paid within the FHLB System and complies with the FHFA guidance.

Use of Compensation Consultants and Surveys
 
It is the intent of the HR&C Committee to set overall compensation packages at competitive market levels. In order to evaluate and maintain our desired market compensation position, the HR&C Committee reviews comparable market compensation information. We participated in the 20142015 Federal Home Loan Bank System Key Position Compensation Survey. This survey, conducted by Jan FrischKathy Riemer Compensation Consulting, outlines executive and non-executive compensation information for various positions across all 11 FHLBs.

We also engaged McLagan Partners, a compensation consulting firm, to conduct a broad-based compensation survey for 20142015 that includes market statistics on salary, annual incentives, total cash, long-term/deferred awards, and total compensation.  The survey compares our executive officer compensation against three peer groups: (1) commercial banks with $20 billion or more in assets, (including Federal Reserve Banks), (2) other FHLBs, and (3) named executive officers from publicly traded financial institutions with $5$10 billion to $20 billion in assets. McLagan reviewed the data collection and results with our Human Resources senior management so that we may understand the appropriateness of the survey comparisons adjusting for scale and scope of the survey position versus the other survey participants. Our Human Resources senior management reviews the surveys with our HR&C Committee.

The information obtained from the 20142015 Federal Home Loan Bank System Key Position Survey and the McLagan Executive Compensation Benchmarking Survey (together, Compensation Surveys) was considered by the Board of Directors, the HR&C Committee, and our President and CEO, as appropriate, when making compensation decisions for 2015.2016.

Elements of Our Compensation Program

On an annual basis, the HR&C Committee reviews the components of our NEO compensation: salary, short- and long-term incentive compensation, matching bank contributions, severance benefits, and projected payments under our retirement plans.

Base salary is included in our NEO compensation package because the HR&C Committee believes it is appropriate that a portion of the compensation be in a form that is fixed and liquid. We use the base salary element to provide the foundation of a fair and competitive compensation opportunity for each of our executive officers. We generally do not provide perquisites to our executives as part of our compensation program, and during 20152016 none of our executives have received perquisites in excess of $10,000 in annual value.

Performance-based compensation is split between our short-term, long-term, and deferred cash incentive award opportunities, providing incentive for our NEOs to pursue particular business objectives consistent with the overall business strategies and risk management criteria set by our Board of Directors. The plans for our NEOs, although designed to reward both overall Bank performance and individual performance, are heavily weighted toward overall Bank performance. These long-term and deferred award opportunities also serve as a retention incentive for our executives.

In determining executive compensation, we do not have to consider federal income tax effects on the Bank because we are exempt from federal income taxation.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Employment Agreements 

All of our NEOs (other than the President and CEO) are at-will employees of the Bank.

The Bank entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Feldman effective January 1, 2015, which replaced his prior agreement that was effective January 1, 2011. The new agreement provides for a four-year employment term ending December 31, 2018, unless terminated earlier as provided for in the agreement. The agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions until such date as the Board of Directors or Mr. Feldman elects not to renew the agreement.


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(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Under this agreement, theThe Board of Directors set Mr. Feldman's 20152016 base salary at $869,450,$904,250 effective January 1, 2015,2016, after considering his performance and accomplishments during 20142015 and the overall competitive market data from the Compensation Surveys, which maintains Mr. Feldman's base salary above the 90th percentile of the base salaries paid to other FHLB presidents. The Board of Directors determined that this was appropriate based upon his tenure and experience, the complex nature and operations of the Bank relative to the other FHLBs, and the importance of his retention.  The HR&C Committee reviews Mr. Feldman's performance annually and in its discretion may recommend an increase in salary to the Board of Directors for approval.

Mr. Feldman’s employment agreement allows Mr. Feldman to participate in the Bank’s President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan.Plan (as amended to date, the Incentive Plan). In 2016, the long-term incentive plan component of Mr. Feldman is also entitled to participate inFeldman’s compensation under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for the 2013 to 2015 performance period after which this long-term incentive component of his compensation will bewas replaced by the Deferred Award under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan discussed below. In addition, Mr. Feldman is also entitled to participate in our health insurance, life insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans that are generally applicable to our other senior executives. Under the employment agreement, the Bank has agreed to indemnify Mr. Feldman with respect to any tax liabilities and penalties and interest under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

For a description of Mr. Feldman's post-termination compensation payable under his employment agreement, see Severance Arrangements on page 102.105.

Base Salary

Base salary is a key component of our compensation program. In making base salary determinations, the HR&C Committee and, with respect to making compensation recommendations for the other executive officers, the President and CEO, review competitive market data from the Compensation Surveys and consider factors such as prior related work experience, individual job performance, and the position's scope of duties and responsibilities within our organizational structure and hierarchy.

The Board of Directors determines base salary for the President and CEO after it has received a recommendation from the HR&C Committee, andCommittee; it set Mr. Feldman’s base salary at $869,450$904,250 for 20152016 as described above.

On an annual basis, the President and CEO reviews the performance of the other NEOs and makes salary recommendations to the HR&C Committee. In setting base salaries, Mr. Feldman and the HR&C Committee will generally consider competitive market data from the Compensation Surveys. The HR&C Committee and Mr. Feldman have determined that the compensation guideline for base salaries for NEOs (other than the President and CEO) should generally target the 75th percentile of the base salaries paid to senior executives serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs.  Due to the complex nature and operations of the Bank relative to the other FHLBs and the importance of retaining key members of the executive management team, salaries for certain NEOs may be targeted above the 75th percentile.

Mr. Stocchetti received a 9.9%an 8% increase in base salary for 20152016 from $466,050$512,050 to $512,050,$553,050, which maintains his base salary above the 90th percentile of base salaries paid to senior executives serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs and reflects the increased complexities of his job compared to those serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs and his individual performance. Mr. Ericson received a 10.0%7.32% increase in base salary for 20152016 from $360,000 to$396,000,$396,000 to $425,000, which brings his base salary slightly belowabove the 90th percentile of base salaries paid to senior executives serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs and reflects the increased complexities of his position as compared to those serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs. Mr. Lundstrom received an 8.2%8.97% increase in base salary for 20152016 from $360,500$390,000 to $390,000,$425,000, which brings his new base salary slightly abovebelow the 7590th percentile of base salaries paid to senior executives serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs and reflects his tenure and experience as compared to those serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs. Ms. Jonson received a 7.7%6% increase in base salary for 20152016 from $325,000$350,000 to $350,000,$371,000, which brings her base salary nearslightly above the 75th percentile of base salaries paid to senior executives serving in similar positions at the other FHLBs. The new base salaries for these NEOs became effective February 1, 2015.2016.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan

Since 2013 our NEOs have participated in our President and Executive Teamthe Incentive Compensation Plan, (the Incentive Plan), which is a cash-based annual incentive plan with a deferral component that establishes individual incentive award opportunities related to achievement of performance objectives by the Bank and by participants during performance periods. Effective January 1, 2017, the Incentive Plan was amended and restated principally to provide for certain awards upon termination of employment (which provisions apply retroactively as further illustrated in the Potential Payments Upon Termination Table on page 113. The Incentive Plan provides the Bank’s executive team management, including our NEOs, the opportunity to earn incentive compensation awards based on the Bank’s achievement of certain financial and performance goalsrequirements established by the Board (the Performance Goals)Requirements).

The Incentive Plan establishes two performance periods. Incentive Plan participants may earn an annual award duringfollowing a one-year performance period (an Annual Award) and may receive a deferred award following a three-year deferral period (a Deferred Award). For each performance period the Board will present an opportunity to Incentive Plan participants to earn a total award

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


(an (an Incentive Award), which is composed of the Annual Award and the Deferred Award, equal to a percentage of each Incentive Plan participant’s annual base salary at the end of the performance period for the Annual Award. After the end of a performance period the Board will determine the total Incentive Award of each Incentive Plan participant based on the achievement of the Performance GoalsRequirements at a minimum, target, or maximum level. As approved by the Board for the 20152016 - 20182019 performance period, the Incentive Award may range for NEOs other than the President & CEO from 40% to 80% of base salary and from 60% to 100% of base salary for the President & CEO. The HR&C Committee has the discretion to award amounts that fall between these ranges based on an interpolation of the performance results. The Annual Award will be equal to 50% of the Incentive Award and the Deferred Award will be equal to 50% of the Incentive Award (subject to adjustment based upon achievement of certain Performance Goals)Requirements) and will be deferred during the three-year deferral period. The HR&C Committee may in its discretion increase the Annual Award of an individual Incentive Plan participant to account for such participant’s performance that is not captured in the Performance GoalsRequirements applicable to such individual.

In determining the Performance GoalsRequirements under the Incentive Plan, the HR&C Committee strives to:
 
(1)balance risk and financial results in a manner that does not encourage participants to expose the Bank to imprudent risks;
 
(2)make such determination in a manner designed to ensure that participants’ overall compensation is balanced and not excessive in amount and that the awards are consistent with the Bank’s policies and procedures regarding such compensation arrangements; and
 
(3)monitor the success of the Performance GoalsRequirements and weighting established in prior years, alone and in combination with other incentive compensation awarded to the same participants, and make appropriate adjustments in future calendar years as needed so that payments appropriately incentivize participants and reflect risk.

Performance GoalsRequirements for Annual Awards

The Incentive Award opportunity for each performance period will be based on Performance GoalsRequirements established annually by the Board. The Incentive Plan provides that the HR&C Committee and the Board will establish separate Performance GoalsRequirements for Annual Awards and Deferral Awards. Performance GoalsRequirements for Deferred Awards will apply during the deferral period and assessment of the achievement of Performance GoalsRequirements will be determined at the end of each deferral period.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


The Performance GoalsRequirements for the 20152016 Annual Awards and total weighting for each goalrequirement are as follows:

 Performance Goals Weighting for Chief Risk Officer Weighting for President and Other NEOs Performance Requirements Weighting for Chief Risk Officer Weighting for President and Other NEOs
A Change in the percentage of outstanding advances plus the unpaid principal balance of mortgage assets acquired from members and held on the Bank’s balance sheet as a proportion of consolidated obligations issued for the Bank on 12/31/14 compared to 12/31/15 12.50% 15.00% The Core Mission Asset Ratio at 12/31/16, calculated using the annual average par values of outstanding advances plus the unpaid principal balance of mortgage assets acquired from members and held on the Bank’s balance sheet as a proportion of consolidated obligations issued for the Bank 12.50% 15.00%
B Increase in the par amount of advances outstanding (average daily levels for the fourth quarter of 2015) plus the change in the year-end balances of the following mission assets and activities from 12/31/14 to 12/31/15: unpaid principal balance of mortgage assets acquired from members and held on Bank’s balance sheet; outstanding unpaid principal balance of all other mortgage loans processed through all other MPF products and services; short-term investments held by the Bank for liquidity purposes (capped at 7.5% of assets); “mission-related” investments in securities and debentures under the SBA/USDA programs; investments in housing development bonds; standby bond purchase agreements; letters of credit outstanding; and the notional amount of derivatives outstanding with Bank members 7.50% 10.00% Increase in the par amount of advances outstanding (average daily levels for the fourth quarter of 2016) plus the change in the year-end balances of the Bank's supplemental mission assets and activities from 12/31/15 to 12/31/16 7.50% 10.00%
C Increase in year-end collateral capacity of loan collateral for all for all federally-insured depository institutions and credit union members based on collateral loan values under the Bank’s Collateral Guidelines for collateral reported by such members at 12/31/14 compared to 12/31/15 7.50% 10.00% Increase in the level of total retained earnings at 12/31/16 compared to 12/31/15 10.00% 10.00%
D Funds committed during 2015 to partners through the Bank’s Community First Fund 2.50% 2.50% Member use of Community Investment products measured as the sum of the number of: members participating in 2016 with Community First Fund borrowers; CICA advance borrowers in 2016; AHP member applicants in 2016; and members participating in the Downpayment Plus program in 2016 5.00% 5.00%
E Expand community investment outreach 2.50% 2.50% Net revenue generated by the Bank on MPF products 7.50% 7.50%
F New volume in the unpaid principal balance of FHLB member mortgage loans in all MPF Program products and services processed through MPF Provider in 2015 7.50% 10.00% Implementation of MPF Program enhancement projects 5.00% 5.00%
G Assessment of enhancements to be made to improve customer (PFI) ease of use of the MPF Program and completion of required 2015 changes 10.00% 10.00% Net income of the MPF Provider vs. the 2016 MPF Provider forecasted net income 7.50% 7.50%
H Ratio of ineligible loans to total loans sampled in MPF Provider quality control review 12.50% 10.00% Remediation of 2015 FHFA examination findings 15.00% 10.00%
I Remediation of 2014 FHFA examination findings 10.00% 10.00% Implementation of key Bank projects 20.00% 20.00%
J Implementation of key Bank projects 27.50% 20.00% Implementation of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives 10.00% 10.00%


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


The minimum, target and maximum achievement levels for each Performance GoalRequirement for the 20152016 Annual Awards along with actual and weighted achievement (as a percentage of base salary) are set forth in the following table:

 Actual Weighted Incentive Award as % of Salary for Actual Weighted Incentive Award as % of Salary for
Goal Minimum Target Maximum 2015 Results 
President a
 
Chief Risk Officer b
 
All Other NEOs b
Requirement Minimum Target Maximum 2016 Results 
President a
 
Chief Risk Officer b
 
All Other NEOs b
A 1.0% 3.0% 5.0% 5.94% 15.00% 10.00% 12.00% 62.0% 64.0% 66.0% 66.09% 15.00% 10.00% 12.00%
B Flat $500 million $1.0 billion $7.75 billion 10.00% 6.00% 8.00% $350 million $500 million $650 million $16.863 billion 10.00% 6.00% 8.00%
C 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 33.90% 10.00% 6.00% 8.00% $150 million $175 million $200 million $289 million 10.00% 8.00% 8.00%
D $18.75 million $28.75 million $38.75 million $28.50 million 1.99% 1.49% 1.49% 375 participants 400 participants 425 participants 385 participants 3.40% 2.40% 2.40%
E 50 visits to sites, sponsors, members and other stakeholders 60 visits to sites, sponsors, members and other stakeholders 70 visits to sites, sponsors, members and other stakeholders 85 visits to sites, sponsors, members and other stakeholders 2.50% 2.00% 2.00% $4.3 million $5.3 million $6.3 million $5.892 million 6.89% 5.39% 5.39%
F $5.5 billion $7.0 billion $8.5 billion $7.23 billion 8.30% 4.73% 6.30% 3 enhancements 4 enhancements 5 enhancements President - 0 enhancements, Executive Team (including NEOs) - 3 enhancements 0.00% 2.00% 2.00%
G Definition of enhancements and implementation of 2015 changes by 12/31/15 Definition of enhancements and implementation of 2015 changes by 9/30/15 Definition of enhancements and implementation of 2015 changes by 6/30/15 Definition of enhancements and implementation of 2015 changes by 9/30/15 8.00% 6.00% 6.00% ($1.5) million $0.0 million $0.8 million $.086 million 6.16% 4.66% 4.66%
H 4% 3% 2% 1.70% 10.00% 10.00% 8.00% Complete action plans as assessed by the HR&C Committee with a report from Internal Audit within 90 days of the timeframe agreed upon for each (80% credit) Complete action plans as assessed by the HR&C Committee with a report from Internal Audit within 30 days of the timeframe agreed upon for each (100% credit) Complete action plans as assessed by the HR&C Committee with a report from Internal Audit within by the timeframe agreed upon for each (130% credit) 117.00% 10.00% 12.00% 8.00%
I Complete 100% of the remediation action plans within 90 days of the agreed upon date for each Complete 100% of the remediation action plans by 9/30/15 Complete 100% of the remediation action plans by the agreed upon date for each Completed 87% of remediation action plans by the agreed upon date and remainder by 9/30/15 9.73% 7.73% 7.73% 6 projects 8 projects 10 projects 10 projects 20.00% 16.00% 16.00%
J 6 projects 8 projects 10 projects 8.9 projects 18.00% 19.24% 14.00% 4 actions 6 actions 8 actions 8 actions 10.00% 8.00% 8.00%
Total Actual Incentive Award as a % of Salary c
Total Actual Incentive Award as a % of Salary c
 93.52% 73.19% 
73.52% d
Total Actual Incentive Award as a % of Salary c
 91.45% 74.45% 
74.45% d
a 
The percentages shown above represent the actual achievement (which includes interpolated amounts where performance fell between the achievement levels) multiplied by (1) the applicable weighting for each goalrequirement and (2) the opportunity percentage (which ranges from 60% to 100% of base salary for the President).
b 
The percentages shown above represent the actual achievement (which includes interpolated amounts where performance fell between the achievement levels) multiplied by (1) the applicable weighting for each goalrequirement and (2) the opportunity percentage (which ranges from 40% to 80% of base salary for NEOs other than the President).
c 
50% of the Total Actual Incentive Award Achievedachieved is the Annual Award, which vestedis payable at the end of 2015,2016, and 50% of the Incentive Award is the Deferred Award, which will vestis payable at the end of the 2016-20182017-2019 deferral period.
d 
The HR&C Committee began with an award opportunity of 73.52%74.45% for Mr. Stocchetti.Ericson. After considering the Bank's overall performance and Mr. Stocchetti'sEricson's individual performance, the HR&C Committee increased the Incentive Award for Mr. StocchettiEricson to 88.52%85.62% of his base salary.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Performance GoalsRequirements for Deferred Awards

The Performance GoalsRequirements for the Deferred Awards during the 20162017 - 20182019 deferral period and award opportunities (expressed as a percentage of base salary) are set forth in the following table:

  Performance GoalsRequirements 
Weighting for all NEOsa
 Minimum Target Maximum
A Ratio of the market value to par value of the Bank's capital stock as of 12/31/1819 25%33.34% >100% >105% >150%
B Maintain the three minimum regulatory capital ratios at each month end through 12/31/1819 25%33.33% At least 104 capital requirements At least 106 capital requirements In all 36 months (108 capital requirements)
C Maintain positive annual net income for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 20182019 25%33.33% In 10 of 12 quarters In 11 of 12 quarters In all 12 quarters
D
a
MaintainIf the composite exam rating declines during any of 2017, 2018, or improve Bank's examination rating2019 from the level at 12/31/15 then the calculation based on actual achievement of the Performance Requirements for the Deferred Awards will reflect a reduction of 33% in future years25%Maintain rating during the deferral periodImprove rating in at least 1 year during the deferral periodImprove rating in at least 2 years during the deferral periodweighting of each Performance Requirement above.

The HR&C Committee may, in its discretion, reduce or eliminate an Annual Award or a Deferred Award for any applicable performance period under any of the following circumstances: (1) the Bank receives the lowest or second-lowest cumulative rating in its FHFA examination in any calendar year in a particular performance period; (2) the Board determines that a material safety and soundness problem has occurred, or a material risk management deficiency exists at the Bank, or if (a) operational errors or omissions result in material revisions to the Bank’s financial results, information submitted to the FHFA, or to data used to determine Incentive Awards, (b) submission of material information to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of Finance, or the FHFA is materially beyond any deadline or applicable grace period, or (c) the Bank fails to make sufficient progress, as determined by the Board, in the timely remediation of significant examination, monitoring, or other supervisory findings; (3) a Deferred Award may be reduced for each year during the deferral period in which the Bank has negative net income; or (4) with respect to an individual Incentive Plan participant only, (a) such Incentive Plan participant’s job performance is rated less than “Meets Expectations,” either during a performance period or at the scheduled time of an Incentive Award payout, (b) such Incentive Plan participant becomes subject to any disciplinary action at the scheduled time of an Incentive Award payout, or (c) such Incentive Plan participant fails to comply with regulatory requirements or standards, internal control standards, the standards of his or her profession, any internal Bank standard, or fails to perform responsibilities assigned to such Incentive Plan participant under the Bank’s strategic business plan.

The amount of the Deferred Award may increase or decrease based on the level of achievement of the Performance GoalsRequirements during the deferral period. For the 20152016 - 20182019 performance period, the amount of the Deferred Award as approved by the Board for each participant can range from 75% to 125% of the initial deferred portion of the Incentive Award as determined at the end of the initial performance period. The HR&C Committee has the discretion to award amounts that fall between these ranges based on an interpolation of the performance results.

In addition, the HR&C Committee may in its discretion increase the Annual Award of an individual Incentive Plan participant to account for such participant’s performance that is not captured in the Performance Goals applicable to such individual.

Incentive Plan participants are paid their respective Incentive Awards, if any, in cash following the initial and deferred performance periods, provided that the Incentive Plan participant is actively employed by the Bank at the end of the performance period and also provided that participants may elect to defer some or all of an Incentive Award under our Benefit Equalization Plan. However,Effective January 1, 2017 and retroactively applied to prior performance periods, if a Incentive Plan participant dies, becomes disabled, retires, terminates employment for good reason or retires on a date that is not more than 18 months beforechange of control occurs, the end ofparticipant shall be eligible to receive, unless he participates in any activity constituting cause, (a) a deferral period, such Incentive Plan participant will be vested atpro-rated incentive award for the end of thecurrent performance period in a pro rata portion of the Deferred Award such Incentive Plan participant would have received if his or her employment at the Bank continued through the end of the deferral period. Such pro rata portion of the Deferred Award would be calculated by multiplying the applicable Deferred Award by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full months such Incentive Plan participantbased on how long he was employed bywith the Bank during the deferralyear (excluding any period of disability in excess of three months), and (b) all Deferred Awards previously granted. If a participant terminates employment other than as set forth in the denominatorimmediately preceding sentence, he shall receive all Deferred Awards previously granted, as long as the participant has not been terminated for cause, subject to the terms of which is 36.the plan. For a description of the terms of the Benefit Equalization Plan see Benefit Equalization Plan on page 104.107.

TheSee President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan also provides for a one-time final “gap year” award opportunity to compensate Incentive Plan participantson page 110 for the gap in incentive award payments that will result fromawards made to the planned discontinuation of the Bank’s Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Incentive Plan participants. No long-term or deferred incentive compensation would have been payable to Incentive Plan participants in calendar year 2016 because of differences between the long-term performance period of the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan and the deferral periodNEOs under the Incentive Plan. The Incentivethis plan.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Plan establishes a one-time three-year gap year performance period from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015. Gap year awards for Incentive Plan participants will be determined under and governed by the terms of the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan as described below.

See President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Planon page 106 for the awards made to the NEOs under this plan.

Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan

Although our executive team management previously participated in the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for the 2013 to 2015 performance period, this long-term incentive component of their compensation was replaced by the Deferred Award under the Incentive Plan discussed above for the 2014-2016 performance period.

However, since Ms. Jonson was promoted to the Executive Team in May 2014, she continued to participate in the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (which remained in effect for eligible employees) for the 2014-2016 performance period on a pro-rated basis, and was not eligible for a Deferred Award under the Incentive Plan for the 2014-2016 performance period. Award percentages under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan vary based upon a participant's level of responsibility and are higher for those individuals serving as members of the Executive Team. Ms. Jonson's award payment for the 2014-2016 performance period was prorated to reflect her promotion to the Executive Team in May 2014.

The HR&C Committee believes that long-term incentives for executivesour officers align the interests of our shareholder members and our executives. Our NEOsofficers. Certain employees participate in aour Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan under which the HR&C Committee establishes performance periods, performance goals consistent with our long-term business strategies, related performance criteria, performance targets and target values (collectively, goals) for approval by the Board of Directors. The HR&C Committee designates those officers, including our NEOs,employees who are eligible to participate in the plan for the performance period. The HR&C Committee may make adjustments in the performance goals at any time to reflect major unforeseen transactions, events, or circumstances. Our NEOs continued to participate in the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for the 2013 to 2015 performance period, after which this long-term incentive component of their compensation will be replaced by the Deferred Award under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan discussed above.
 
Participants are vested in their respective awards, if any, at the end of the performance period provided that the participant is actively employed by the Bank at that time. If a participant retires, dies, incurs a separation from service on or after attaining normal retirement age of sixty-five on a date that is not more than 12 months before the end of a performance period, the participant becomes vested at the end of the performance period pro rata based upon the number of full months that the participant was employed during the performance period and the length of the performance period. In the event of (1) a change-of-control (as defined in the plan) or (2) a termination of the participant's employment by the participant for good reason (as defined in the plan), the participant will be fully vested in any performance period award to the extent an award is applicable at the end of the corresponding performance period; provided, however that if either of these events occurred the HR&C Committee may exercise its discretion under the plan to adjust awards, including a pro-rata adjustment based upon the period of time the senior executive was employed during the performance period. In addition, the Bank has the right to recover awards paid to an Executive Team member based on the purported achievement of financial or operational plan goals that are subsequently deemed to be materially inaccurate, misstated, or misleading. The Bank's right to recover such “undue compensation” extends for three years from the date of dissemination of the inaccurate, misstated, or misleading information.
 
In determining the goals under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, the HR&C Committee considers several factors, including:
 
(1) the long-term strategic priorities of the Bank;
 
(2) the desire to ensure, as described above, that a significant portion of total compensation is performance-based;
 
(3) the relative importance, in any given year, of the long-term performance goals established under our strategic business plan;
 
(4) market comparisons as to long-term incentive compensation practices at other financial institutions within our peer group; and
 
(5) the target awards set, and actual awards paid, in recent years.
 
Performance criteria for the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan are developed through an iterative process between the HR&C Committee and our senior management. The performance criteria are set so that the target goals are reasonably obtainable, but only with significant effort from senior management, including the NEOs.management.

At the end of the performance period, the HR&C Committee determines the extent to which the goals for that period were achieved. Attainment of each performance criterion is measured on a percentage basis (not to exceed 150%) and multiplied by the target value, with results for the individual criteria then aggregated to determine a performance percentage. However, the HR&C Committee has the sole discretion to change or deny the grant of awards even if it has determined that the goals for the period were achieved.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Award payments under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan for the President and CEO can range, on the basis of performance, from 0% to 50% of annual salary with the target amount being 30% of annual salary as further described in the following table.

President's Potential Awards
Performance PercentageAward Payment Level
80% or lowerNo payment
Every 1% increase between 80% and 100%An additional 1.5% of annual salary
100% (target amount)30% of annual salary
Every 1% increase between 100% and 130%
An additional 2/3rds of 1% of annual salary
(to a maximum of 50% of annual salary)

Award payments for the other NEOs, except as noted below,Executive Team under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan can range, on the basis of performance, from 0% to 40% of annual salary with the target amount being 20% of annual salary as further described in the following table.

Executive Team Potential Awards
Performance Percentage Maximum Award Percentage
80% or lower No payment
Every 1% increase between 80% and 100% An additional 1.00% of annual salary
100% (target amount) 20% of annual salary
Every 1% increase between 100% and 130% 
An additional 2/3rds of 1% of annual salary
(to a maximum of 40% of annual salary)

Award percentages under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan vary based upon a participant’s level of responsibility and are higher for those individuals serving as members of the Bank’s Executive Team. Ms. Jonson’s award payment for the 2013 to 2015 performance period was prorated to reflect her promotion to the Executive Team in May 2014.

In connection with determining the award payments for the 20132014 to 20152016 plan period, the HR&C Committee evaluated the achievement of the performance period goals outlined below. 

Target Value 2013 - 2015 Performance Criteria Percentage Attained 2014 - 2016 Performance Criteria Percentage Attained
30% $15.1 billion increase in the par amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding from 12/31/2013 to 12/31/2016. 150%
15% $6.5 billion increase in the par amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding from 12/31/2012 to 12/31/2015. 150% $25.5 billion of new volume in the unpaid principal balance of new FHLB member mortgage loans processed through MPF products and services from 2014 to 2016. 92.16%
15% $21.0 billion of new volume in the unpaid principal balance of new FHLB member mortgage loans processed through the MPF provider from 2013 to 2015. 102.89%
25% $400.0 million increase in GAAP retained earnings from 12/31/2012 to 12/31/2015. 150%
20% 12 external meetings to which the entire membership is invited from 2013 to 2015. 150%
45% $623.0 million increase in GAAP retained earnings from 12/31/2013 to 12/31/2016. 150%
10% Implementation of the Community First Fund. 100% Improvement in the Bank's examination rating. 120%
15% Improvement in the Bank's examination rating. 120%

Attainment of each performance criterion is measured on a percentage basis (not to exceed 150%) and multiplied by the target value, with results for the individual criteria then aggregated to determine a performance percentage, which was 133%138.22% for 2013-2015.2014-2016. This resulted in a potential award amount of 40%39% of base salary for our executive officers (other thanMs. Jonson, which as discussed above was prorated to reflect her promotion to the President & CEO) and 50% for the President & CEO.Executive Team in May 2014. The HR&C Committee decided to make awards under the plan at these levelsthis level based upon the accomplishment of the plan criteria and determined that no award adjustments were warranted.

See Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan on page 106110 for the awards made to the NEOsMs. Jonson under this plan.

As discussed above, participants in the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan will no longer participate in the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan after the final “gap year” award for the 2013 to 2015 performance period.

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Post-Termination Compensation

Severance Arrangements

Our NEOs (other than the President and CEO) are eligible to receive severance benefits under our Employee Severance Plan. Under the plan, if an employeeNEO covered by the plan were to be terminated other than for cause includingor voluntarily terminated their employment because of a constructive discharge, that employeeNEO would be entitled to receive the greater of: (1) four weeks' base salary for each full year of calendar service, but not to exceed 104 weeks; or (2) one year's base salary, subject to certain limits. In addition, we will make COBRA payments required to continue health insurance benefits for a time period generally equal to the number of weeks of pay such employee is entitled to receive (not to exceed the statutory COBRA continuation period). Payments under the Employee Severance Plan shall be made during the payment period (as defined in such plan) with the regular payroll schedule of the Bank. An NEO’s receipt of benefits under the Employee Severance Plan is conditioned on an executed general release waiving all claims against the Bank.

Under Mr. Feldman's employment agreement, in the event his employment with the Bank was terminated either by him with good reason (as defined in the agreement), by the Bank other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), by non-renewal by the Bank of the agreement, or as a result of the death or disability of Mr. Feldman, Mr. Feldman is entitled to receive the following payments:

(1)all accrued and unpaid salary for time worked as of the date of termination;

(2)all accrued but unutilized vacation time as of the date of termination;

(3)salary continuation (at the base salary in effect at the time of termination) for a one-year period beginning on the date of termination;termination, and pursuant to the Bank's normal payroll schedule;

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(4)payment in a lump sum of an amount equal to the minimum total incentive compensation that Mr. Feldman would otherwise have been entitled to for

i.the total Incentive Award (both Annual Award and Deferred Award) under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan for the year in which termination occurs, calculated as if all performance targets for the annual and deferral award period had been met at the target award level and prorated based on the number of months Mr. Feldman was employed during the year of termination, and

ii.any incentive award not already paid for the special “gap year” performance period under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan calculated as if all performance targets for the “gap year” performance period had been met at the target award level and prorated based on the number of months Mr. Feldman was employed during the “gap year” performance period, and

iii.any previously deferred award (50% of the total Incentive Award) under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan not subject to proration or further adjustments based on performance target achievement during the deferral period;

(5)continued participation in the Bank's employee health care benefit plans in accordance with the terms of the Bank's then-current severance plan that would be applicable to him if his employment had been terminated pursuant to such plan, provided that the Bank will continue paying the employer's portion of medical and/or dental insurance premiums for one year from the date of termination, and

(6)an additional amount under the BanksBank’s Post-December 31, 2004 Benefit Equalization Plan equal to the additional annual benefit as if such benefit had been calculated as though (i) Mr. Feldman were 3 years older than his actual age and (ii) Mr. Feldman had 3 additional years of service at the same rate of annual compensation in effect for the 12-month period ending on the December 31 immediately preceding the termination of Mr. Feldman's employment. employment, to be distributed at the same time and in the same manner as Mr. Feldman has elected pursuant to the Benefit Equalization Plan.
 
If Mr. Feldman's employment with the Bank is terminated by the Bank for cause or by Mr. Feldman other than for good reason, Mr. Feldman would be entitled only to the amounts in items (1) and (2) above. The employment agreement specifies that the HR&C Committee may in its discretion reduce or eliminate any incentive compensation amounts in item (4) above for certain circumstances related to the performance of the Bank or Mr. Feldman, as more fully set forth in the President and Executive Team Incentive Plan as described in Performance GoalsRequirements for Deferred Awards on page 99.103.
 
The employment agreement provides that Mr. Feldman would not be entitled to any other compensation, bonus, or severance pay from the Bank other than as specified above and any vested rights which he has under any pension, thrift, or other benefit plan, excluding the severance plan.


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The right to receive termination payments as outlined above is contingent upon, among other things, Mr. Feldman signing a general release of all claims against the Bank in such form as the Bank requires.

Under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the FHFA Director has the authority to prohibit or limit any golden parachute or indemnification payment by an FHLB if a payment is made in contemplation of insolvency, the FHLB is insolvent or the payment may result in the preference of one creditor over another. Golden parachute payment means any compensation payment (or any agreement to make any payment) that is (i) contingent on, or by its terms is payable on or after, the termination of the person's employment or affiliation, and (ii) is received on or after insolvency, conservatorship, or receivership of the FHLB or the Director's determination that the FHLB is in a troubled condition (subject to a cease-and-desist order, written agreement, or proceeding, or determined to be in such a condition by the Director).
 
In 2014, the FHFA issued a final rule setting forth the standards that the FHFA will take into consideration when determining whether to limit or prohibit golden parachute payments. The primary impact of this final rule is to better conform existing FHFA regulations on golden parachutes with FDIC golden parachute regulations and to further limit golden parachute payments made by an FHLB that is assigned a less than satisfactory composite FHFA examination rating.

For a further description of potential payments to our NEOs upon termination of employment, see Potential Payments Upon Termination Table on page 109.113.

Pension Plan Benefits

The HR&C Committee believes that retirement plan benefits and retiree health and life insurance are an important part of our NEO compensation program which provides a competitive benefits package. The Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (Pension Plan) and related Benefit Equalization Plan benefits serve a critically important role in the retention of our senior executives (including our NEOs), as benefits under these plans increase for each year that these executives remain employed by us and thus encourage our most senior executives to remain employed by us. We provide additional retirement and savings benefits under the Benefit Equalization Plan because we believe that it is inequitable to limit retirement benefits and

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the matching portion of the retirement savings plan on the basis of a limit that is established by the IRS for purposes of federal tax policy.
We participate in the Pentegra Financial Institutions Retirement Fund, a multiemployer, funded, tax-qualified, noncontributory defined-benefit pension plan that covers most employees, including the NEOs. Benefits under this Pension Plan are based upon the employee's years of service and the employee's consecutive five-year average highest average earnings, for a five calendar-year period, and are payable after retirement in the form of an annuity or a lump sum. Earnings, for purposes of the calculation of benefits under the Pension Plan, are defined to include salary and bonuses under the applicable short-term incentive plan. The amount of annual earnings that may be considered in calculating benefits under the Pension Plan is limited by law. For 2015,2016, the limitation on annual earnings was $265,000. In addition, benefits provided under tax-qualified plans may not exceed an annual benefit limit of $210,000 in 2015.2016.
 
The formula for determining the normal retirement annual benefit for employees hired prior to January 1, 2010 is 2.25%, multiplied by the number of years of the employee's credited service, multiplied by the employee's consecutive five-year average highest earnings. An employee's retirement benefit vests 20% per year beginning after an employee has completed two years of employment, but is completely vested at age 65 regardless of completed years of employment. Normal retirement age is 65, but a reduced benefit may be elected in connection with early retirement beginning at age 45. All of the NEOs other than Mr. Ericson and Ms. Jonson are currently eligible for the early retirement benefit. We also provide health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees of which they pay 50% of the total Bank premium for each benefit.
 
Savings Plan Benefits
 
We participate in the Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions (Savings Plan), a tax-qualified, defined-contribution savings plan. Under the Savings Plan, employees, including our NEOs, may contribute up to 50% of regular earnings on a before-tax basis to a 401(k) account or on an after-tax basis to a Roth Elective Deferral Account or a regular account. In addition, under the Savings Plan and for employees who have completed one year of service, the Bank matches a portion of the employee's contribution (50% for employees with three years of service or less, 75% for employees with more than three years of service but less than five years of service, and 100% for employees with five or more years of service).
 
For 2015,2016, our matching contribution was limited to $15,900 for each employee. For employees hired prior to January 1, 2011, both employee and employer Savings Plan contributions are immediately 100% vested. Pursuant to IRS rules, effective for 2015,2016, the Savings Plan limits the annual additions that can be made to a participating employee's account to $53,000 per year. Annual additions include our matching contributions and employee contributions. Of those annual additions, the current maximum before-tax contribution to a 401(k) account is $18,000 per year. In addition, no more than $265,000 of annual

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compensation may be taken into account in computing benefits under the Savings Plan. Participants age 50 and over are eligible to make catch-up contributions of up to $6,000 per year. Generally, Savings Plan distributions can only be made at termination of employment. However, an employee may take a withdrawal of employee and employer plan contributions while employed, but an excise tax of 10% is generally imposed on the taxable portion of withdrawals occurring prior to an employee reaching age 59 1/2. Employees may also take one loan each year from the vested portion of the Regular, Roth Elective Deferral and 401(k) Savings Plan accounts. Loan amounts may be between $1,000 and $50,000. No more than 50% of the available balance can be borrowed at any time.

Benefit Equalization Plan

We also provide supplemental retirement and savings plan benefits under our Benefit Equalization Plan, a nonqualified unfunded plan that preserves the level of benefits which were intended to be provided under our Pension Plan and Savings Plan in light of legislation limiting benefits under these tax qualified plans. The Benefit Equalization Plan was established in 1994. On December 19, 2008, our Board of Directors approved a new plan, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Post December 31, 2004 Benefit Equalization Plan, that replaces the former plan. The new plan includes updated provisions related to compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, but the basic benefits under the plan remain unchanged.

Our Benefit Equalization Plan provides that if an executive officer dies, retires, or terminates employment due to disability when any short-term incentive compensation that was previously earned but deferred in accordance with the deferral provisions of any of the Bank’s incentive compensation plans, we will recalculate the officer’s pension benefits in order to adjust for the fact that such short-term incentive compensation would not otherwise be included in the officer’s base compensation for purposes of calculating pension benefits at the time the executive officer dies, retires or terminates employment due to disability. We will recalculate the employee’s pension benefit as if such deferred amounts had been included in the executive officer’s base compensation and the difference between that calculation and the amount to which the retired, deceased or disabled employee is entitled to under the Benefit Equalization Plan as a result of such calculation will be paid in a lump sum.

The Pension Plan benefit under the Benefit Equalization Plan is an amount equal to the difference between the Pension Plan formula without considering legislative limitations, and the benefits which may be provided under the Pension Plan considering

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such limitations. Generally, participants may elect when Pension Plan benefits under the Benefit Equalization Plan are paid, but not earlier than termination of employment or later than age 70 1/2. Generally, participants may elect to receive a benefit in the form of a single lump sum, a 50% joint and survivor annuity, a 100% joint and survivor annuity with a ten year certain benefit or a life annuity with a ten year certain benefit.

The Benefit Equalization Plan also allows employees to make additional salary reduction contributions up to the maximum percentages allowed under the Savings Plan and to receive matching contributions up to the maximum percentages under the Savings Plan, in each case without giving effect to laws limiting annual additions. Salary reduction contributions and earnings under the Benefit Equalization Plan are treated as deferred income. Effective January 1, 2014, Savings Plan related contributions and earnings in the Benefit Equalization Plan earn interest at the 20 quarter (five year) moving average of the five year Federal Home Loan Bank consolidated obligation bond rate. Generally, a participant's Savings Plan benefit under the Benefit Equalization Plan are payable in lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable after his termination of employment with the Bank. While employed at the Bank, a participant may, in the event of an unforeseeable emergency, request withdrawal from his or her Savings Plan account, and such request shall be made in a time and manner determined by the HR&C Committee.

Compensation Committee Report

Our Board of Directors has established the HR&C Committee to assist it in matters pertaining to the employment and compensation of the President and CEO and executive officers and our employment and benefits programs in general.
 
The HR&C Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation of the President and CEO and approves compensation of the other executive officers, including base salary, merit increases, incentive compensation and other compensation and benefits. Its responsibilities include reviewing our compensation strategy and its relationship to our goals and objectives as well as compensation at the other FHLBs and other similar financial institutions that involve similar duties and responsibilities.
 
The HR&C Committee has reviewed and discussed with our management the Compensation Discussion & Analysis included in this Item 11 - Executive Compensation. In reliance on such review and discussions, the HR&C Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that such Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.
 
The HR&C Committee:
 
John K. Reinke, Chairman
James T. Ashworth, Vice Chairman
Owen E. Beacom
ThomasMichelle L. HerlacheGross
Gregory A. White
Charles D. Young
William W. Sennholz, ex officio


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Compensation Tables

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth summary compensation information for our NEOs for 2015.2016.


Summary Compensation Table
   Year     Salary   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation 
Change in Pension Value a
 
All Other Compensation c 
   Total     Year     Salary   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation 
Change in Pension Value b
 
All Other Compensation c 
   Total  
 Annual Award Long Term Award   Annual Award 
Deferred/Long Term Award a
 
Matthew R. Feldman 2015 $869,450
 $406,555
 $434,725
 $624,000
 $15,900
 $2,350,630
 2016 $904,250
 $413,468
 $440,156
 $1,006,000
 $15,900
 $2,779,774
President and Chief Executive Officer 2014 808,780
 343,206
 404,390
 1,232,000
 15,600
 2,803,976
 2015 869,450
 406,555
 434,725
 624,000
 15,900
 2,350,630
2013 763,000
 352,125
 305,200
 283,000
 15,300
 1,718,625
2014 808,780
 343,206
 404,390
 1,232,000
 15,600
 2,803,976
                        
Roger D. Lundstrom 2015 387,542
 143,364
 156,000
 265,000
 15,900
 967,806
 2016 422,083
 158,206
 158,156
 665,000
 15,900
 1,419,345
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2014 359,625
 116,928
 144,200
 1,151,000
 15,600
 1,787,353
 2015 387,542
 143,364
 156,000
 265,000
 15,900
 967,806
2013 350,000
 126,525
 105,000
 
b 

 15,300
 596,825
2014 359,625
 116,928
 144,200
 1,151,000
 15,600
 1,787,353
                        
Michael A. Ericson 2015 393,000
 145,570
 158,400
 80,000
 15,900
 792,870
 2016 422,583
 181,937
 136,343
 201,000
 15,900
 957,763
Executive Vice President and Group Head, Members and Markets 2014 345,872
 115,783
 144,000
 266,000
 15,600
 887,255
 2015 393,000
 145,570
 158,400
 80,000
 15,900
 792,870
2013 310,000
 109,074
 93,000
 
b 

 15,300
 527,374
2014 345,872
 115,783
 144,000
 266,000
 15,600
 887,255
                        
Michelle Jonson d
 2015 347,917
 128,083
 123,472
 35,000
 15,900
 650,372
 2016 369,250
 138,105
 143,247
 165,000
 15,900
 831,502
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer           
 2015 347,917
 128,083
 123,472
 35,000
 15,900
 650,372
           
           
                        
John Stocchetti 2015 508,217
 226,634
 204,820
 242,000
 13,250
 1,194,921
 2016 549,633
 205,873
 218,750
 401,000
 15,900
 1,391,156
Executive Vice President and Group Head, Mortgage Partnership Finance Program and the Project Management Office 2014 464,379
 181,396
 186,420
 473,000
 15,600
 1,320,795
 2015 508,217
 226,634
 204,820
 242,000
 13,250
 1,194,921
2013 446,000
 175,000
 133,800
 102,000
 15,300
 872,100
2014 464,379
 181,396
 186,420
 473,000
 15,600
 1,320,795
a
For 2014 and 2015, amounts earned are under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan. For 2016, amounts earned for all NEOs except Ms. Jonson reflect the Deferred Award under the Incentive Plan. As further detailed on page 110, for 2016, amounts earned for Ms. Jonson are under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan, on a prorated basis.
b 
The amount reported in this column represents the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the NEO's accumulated benefit under the Pension Plan and BEP from December 31, 20142015 to December 31, 2015.2016.  The change in value resulted primarily from adding another year of credited service as well as 20152016 annual salary increases. The increasedecrease in the discount rates used to calculate the present value of accrued benefits, as further described in Retirement and Other Post-Employment Compensation Table and Narrative on page 107,111, also contributed to the change in projected benefit amount.
b
During 2013, total pension value for Mr. Lundstrom and Mr. Ericson decreased, for each by $15,000. In accordance with SEC rules, these negative amounts are not included in this table.
c 
Amounts reported for all other compensation consists of Bank contributions to employee 401(k) and BEP plans.
d 
Ms. Jonson was not a named executive officer for 2013 and 2014.


Narrative to Summary Compensation Table

Compensation under the heading Annual in the Summary Compensation Table is comprised of the Annual Awards under ourPresident and Executive Teamthe Incentive Compensation Plan. Compensation under the heading Deferred/Long Term Award in the Summary Compensation table is comprised of Deferred Awards under the Incentive Plan and awards under our Key Employee Long Term Compensation Plan. In 2016, none of our NEOs except Ms. Jonson received awards under the Key Employee Long Term Compensation Plan.


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President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan

Annual Awards for 20152016 to the NEOs under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan are set forth below. For a description of how these awards were calculated see President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan page 95.100.

Name Base Salary 
Actual Annual Award
as a % of Salary a
 Actual Annual Award Base Salary 
Actual Annual Award
as a % of Salary a
 Actual Annual Award
Matthew Feldman $869,450
 46.76% $406,555
 $904,250
 46% $413,468
Roger D. Lundstrom 390,000
 36.76% 143,364
 425,000
 37% 158,206
Michael A. Ericson 396,000
 36.76% 145,570
 425,000
 43% 181,937
Michelle Jonson 350,000
 36.60% 128,083
 371,000
 37% 138,105
John Stocchetti 512,050
 44.26% 226,634
 553,050
 37% 205,873
a 
50% of the Total Actual Incentive Award achieved as a percentage of base salary is the Annual Award for 2015.2016.

Deferred Awards for the 2014-2016 performance period to the NEOs under the Incentive Plan are set forth below. For a description of how these awards were calculated see President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan page 100.

Name Base Salary Actual Deferred Award as a % of Salary Actual Deferred Award
Matthew R. Feldman $904,250
 49% $440,156
Roger D. Lundstrom 425,000
 37% 158,156
Michael A. Ericson 425,000
 32% 136,343
John Stocchetti 553,050
 40% 218,750


Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan

The following table sets forth the actual awardsaward under the 2013 to 2015 plan. For a description of how these awards were calculated see our Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan on page 100.for Ms. Jonson.

Name Base Salary Actual Long term Award as a % of Salary Actual Long term Award
Matthew R. Feldman $869,450
 50% $434,725
Roger D. Lundstrom 390,000
 40% 156,000
Michael A. Ericson 396,000
 40% 158,400
Michelle Jonson a
 350,000
 35% 123,472
John Stocchetti 512,050
 40% 204,820
Name Base Salary Actual Award as % of Salary Actual Award
Michelle Jonson a
 $371,000
 39% $143,247
a 
Award percentages under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan vary based uponon a participant’sparticipant's level of responsibility and are higher for those individuals serving as members of the Bank’sBank's Executive Team. See the Executive Team Potential Awards Tabletable on page 101.105. Ms. Jonson’sJonson's award under the 2013 to 20152014-2016 plan was prorated to reflect her promotion to the Executive Team in May 2014.

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table describes the potential NEO awards under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan for the plan period covering January 1, 2015,2016, through December 31, 2018.2019. See President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan starting on page 95100 for a description of the performance criteria under this plan.

 Estimated Future Payouts under Incentive Plan Awards Estimated Future Payouts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
Name 
Incentive Plan a
 Minimum Target Maximum 
Incentive Plan a
 Minimum Target Maximum
Matthew R. Feldman Annual $260,835
 $347,780
 $434,725
 Annual $271,275
 $361,700
 $452,125
 Deferred 301,982
 402,642
 503,303
 Deferred 310,101
 413,468
 516,835
Roger D. Lundstrom Annual 78,000
 117,000
 156,000
 Annual 85,000
 127,500
 170,000
 Deferred 106,207
 141,609
 177,011
 Deferred 118,655
 158,206
 197,758
Michael A. Ericson Annual 79,200
 118,800
 158,400
 Annual 85,000
 127,500
 170,000
 Deferred 107,841
 143,788
 179,735
 Deferred 136,453
 181,937
 227,421
Michelle Jonson Annual 70,000
 105,000
 140,000
 Annual 74,200
 111,300
 148,400
 Deferred 95,183
 126,910
 158,638
 Deferred 103,579
 138,105
 172,631
John Stocchetti Annual 102,410
 153,615
 204,820
 Annual 110,610
 165,915
 221,220
 Deferred 168,247
 224,329
 280,411
 Deferred 154,405
 205,873
 257,341
a 
Annual: Annual Award under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan. The amounts shown are based on the potential awards for each NEO for 2015.2016.Annual awards granted in 2016 were earned in the same year; for such amounts actually earned, please see the Summary Compensation Table.
Deferred: Deferred Award under the President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan. The amounts shown reflect the actual Deferred Awards granted for 2016-20182017-2019 based on actual performance for 2015.2016. The Deferred Awards remain subject to adjustment based upon achievement of certain Performance GoalsRequirements during the 2016-20182017-2019 deferral period and may be reduced to zero if actual achievement is below the minimum achievement level for those Performance Goals.

Requirements.

Retirement and Other Post-Employment Compensation Table and Narrative

Name 
Plan
Name
 
Years
Credited
Service
 Present Value of Accumulated Benefit Payments During Last Fiscal Year 
Plan
Name
 
Years
Credited
Service
 Present Value of Accumulated Benefit Payments During Last Fiscal Year
Matthew R. Feldman a
 Pension 11.75
 $875,000
 $
 Pension 12.75
 $1,022,000
 $
 BEP 11.75
 2,893,000
 
 BEP 12.75
 3,752,000
 
Roger D. Lundstrom Pension 31.33
 1,745,000
 
 Pension 32.33
 1,924,000
 
 BEP 31.33
 1,632,000
 
 BEP 32.33
 2,118,000
 
Michael A. Ericson Pension 10.42
 357,000
 
 Pension 11.42
 438,000
 
 BEP 10.42
 269,000
 
 BEP 11.42
 389,000
 
Michelle Jonson Pension 12.75
 419,000
 
 Pension 13.75
 508,000
 
 BEP 12.75
 245,000
 
 BEP 13.75
 321,000
 
John Stocchetti Pension 8.75
 555,000
 
 Pension 9.75
 671,000
 
 BEP 8.75
 837,000
 
 BEP 9.75
 1,122,000
 
a 
At December 31, 20152016 the additional present value of accrued benefits due Mr. Feldman under section (7)(b)(vi) of his employment agreement is $1,471,000.$1,495,000.

Our NEOs are entitled to receive retirement benefits through the Pension Plan and the Benefit Equalization Plan. See Post-Termination Compensation on page 102.105. The present value of the current accumulated benefit, with respect to each NEO under both the Pension Plan and the Benefit Equalization Plan, described in the table above is based on certain assumptions described below.


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(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


The participant's accumulated benefit is calculated as of December 31, 20152016 and 2014.2015. Under the Pension Plan, which is a qualified pension plan, the participant's accumulated benefit amount as of these calculation dates is based on the plan formula, ignoring future service periods and future salary increases during the pre-retirement period. The present value is calculated using the accumulated benefit at each date multiplied by a present value factor based on an assumed age 65 retirement date.  As of December 31, 2014, 50% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2014 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2014) and 50% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2000 static mortality table for lump sums projected to 2014.  As of December 31, 2015, 50% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2014 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2015) and 50% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2000 static mortality table for lump sums projected to 2015. As of December 31, 2016, 55% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2014 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2016) and 45% of the Pension Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2000 static mortality table for lump sums projected to 2016.  The interest rates used are 3.95% as of December 31, 2014 and 4.34% as of December 31, 2015.2015 and 4.14% as of December 31, 2016.

The present value amount discounted back to the reporting period does not factor in the mortality table. The difference between the present value of the December 31, 20152016 accumulated benefit and the present value of the December 31, 20142015 accumulated benefit is the change in pension value for the qualified plan presented in the Summary Compensation Table.

Benefits provided under the qualified plan are limited under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). As a result, the Benefit Equalization Plan, which is a nonqualified plan, is designed to provide benefits above the amount allowed under ERISA. The benefits provided under the Benefit Equalization Plan are initially calculated on a gross basis to include benefits provided by the qualified plan. The benefits under the qualified plan are then deducted from the initially calculated gross amount to arrive at the amount of benefits provided by the Benefit Equalization Plan. The participant's accumulated benefit amounts as of these calculation dates are based on plan formula, ignoring future service periods and future salary increases. The present value is calculated by multiplying the benefits accumulated at each date by a present value factor based on an assumed age 65 retirement date. As of December 31, 2014, the Benefit Equalization Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2014 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2014). As of December 31, 2015, the Benefit Equalization Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2014 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2015). As of December 31, 2016, the Benefit Equalization Plan benefit is valued using the RP-2016 mortality table for white collar worker annuitants (with mortality improvement scale MP-2016). The interest rates used are 3.84% as of December 31, 2014 and 4.17% as of December 31, 2015.2015 and 4.03% as of December 31, 2016.

The difference between the present value of the December 31, 20152016 accumulated benefit and the present value of the December 31, 20142015 accumulated benefit is the change in pension value for the nonqualified plan presented in the Summary Compensation Table.

The difference in the interest rates used for the assumptions under the Pension Plan and the Benefit Equalization Plan is due to the Pension Plan being a multi-employer plan and the experience/assumptions under that plan versus our Benefit Equalization Plan being a single employer plan.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

Name 
Plan Name a
 Executive Contributions in Last FY Registrant Contributions in Last FY 
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY b
 Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions Aggregate Balance of All Plans at Last FYE 
Plan Name a
 
Executive Contributions in Last FY b
 
Registrant Contributions in Last FY c
 
Aggregate Earnings in Last FY d
 Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions 
Aggregate Balance of All Plans at Last FYE e
Matthew R. Feldman BEP $54,251
 $
 $4,086
 $
 $302,545
 BEP $141,511
 $
 $5,881
 $
 $449,937
Roger D. Lundstrom BEP 72,885
 7,328
 8,088
 
 579,369
 BEP 89,963
 8,638
 9,116
 
 687,084
Michael A. Ericson BEP 9,510
 345
 575
 
 45,619
 BEP 11,635
 355
 710
 
 58,319
Michelle Jonson BEP 16,792
 4,817
 1,838
   136,150
 BEP 18,925
 4,875
 2,104
 
 162,054
John Stocchetti BEP 93,365
 
 12,311
 
 828,099
 BEP 79,605
 2,279
 12,892
 
 922,875
a 
The table above includes salary reduction contributions by our NEOs, and matching Registrant Contributions by the Bank under the Benefit Equalization Plan.Plan (BEP). For a description of the Benefit Equalization Plan,BEP, see Benefit Equalization Plan on page 104.107.
b 
Represents the amounts of the contributions made by each NEO. These amounts are reflected in the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table.
c
Represents the amounts of the contributions made by the Bank for each NEO under the BEP. These amounts are reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
d
Not included in 20152016 compensation as rate paid was not above a market rate.
e
The aggregate balance at December 31, 2016, as reported above, includes amounts that are either currently reported or were previously reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for 2016 and prior years, except for the aggregate earnings on deferred compensation to the extent such compensation was not above market rate.



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(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


Potential Payments Upon Termination Table

Name Severance President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan Payment Long-Term Incentive Plan Payment Health Care Total Severance President and Executive Team Incentive Plan Key Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan Health Care Total
Matthew R. Feldman $869,450
 $1,390,981
 $260,835
 $12,267
 $2,533,533
 $904,250
 $2,016,853
 $
 $12,267
 $2,933,370
Roger D. Lundstrom 780,000
 78,000
 78,000
 28,884
 964,884
 850,000
 734,860
 
 25,228
 1,610,088
Michael A. Ericson 396,000
 79,200
 79,200
 19,256
 573,656
 425,000
 761,570
 
 18,898
 1,205,468
Michelle Jonson 350,000
 70,000
 70,000
 
 490,000
 371,000
 508,820
 143,247
 
 1,023,067
John Stocchetti 512,050
 102,410
 102,410
 19,256
 736,126
 553,050
 1,038,526
 
 18,898
 1,610,474


The table above outlines payments that our NEOs would be entitled to receive in connection with their termination of employment as of December 31, 2015,2016. The Incentive Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2017 and applied retroactively; therefore its terms are applied to the above and below analysis. Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amounts of compensation and benefits provided upon the potential termination events discussed, the actual amounts paid or distributed may be different.

For Mr. Feldman, the table above outlines termination under certain conditions.the following conditions in accordance with his employment agreement: by the Bank without cause (as defined in his employment agreement), by Mr. Feldman for good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), as a result of the Bank’s non-renewal of Mr. Feldman’s employment agreement, or upon the death or disability (as defined in his employment agreement) of Mr. Feldman. For purposes of calculating the severance benefitbenefits outlined in the table above, we have also assumed that Mr. Feldman was terminated by us other than for cause or that he terminated his employment for good reason and he would continue to receive the termination payments outlined in his employment agreement and continued Bank-subsidized health care coverage. With respectFor Mr. Feldman, the amounts reflected in the “President and Executive Team Incentive Plan” column in the table above include the following awards under the Incentive Plan: the earned 2016 Annual Award, and Deferred Awards for the following performance periods: 2014-2016 (as earned); 2015-2017(assuming target performance); 2016-2018 (assuming target performance); and 2017-2019 (assuming target performance). In addition to the amounts outlined above, pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Lundstrom, Mr. Ericson, Ms. Jonson and Mr. Stocchetti,Feldman would be entitled to an additional amount under the BEP, as detailed on page 111.

For the other NEOs, the table above outlines termination under the following conditions in accordance with the Employee Severance Plan: without cause (as defined in the Employee Severance Plan) or as a result of constructive discharge (as defined in the Employee Severance Plan). In addition, we have assumed termination was not for cause as defined in the Incentive Plan, that their employment was terminated by us other than for cause, including a constructive discharge, and these NEOs would receiveseverance payments do not exceed the termination payments outlinedlimits set forth in the Employee Severance Plan, and continuedthat they continue to receive Bank-subsidized health care coverage if the NEO was enrolled in the Bank’s health care benefit plan during 2015. See Severance Arrangements on page 102.

We have also assumed that2016. For the payments underother NEOs, the Presidentamounts reflected in the “President and Executive Team Incentive CompensationPlan” column in the table above include the following awards under the Incentive Plan: the 2016 Annual Award (as earned) and the Deferred Awards for the following performance periods: 2014-2016 (as earned); 2015-2017 (assuming target performance); 2016-2018 (assuming target performance); and 2017-2019 (assuming target performance).

Additionally, under the Incentive Plan, assuming termination at December 31, 2016 and provided termination is not for cause (as defined in the Incentive Plan), the same awards as set forth under the “President and Executive Team Incentive Plan” column in the table above would be available to the NEOs (except for Mr. Feldman) in the event they terminate employment for any reason, including as set forth in the immediately following sentence. Under the Incentive Plan, the 2016 Annual Award and the 2014-2016, 2015-2017, 2016-2018, and 2017-2019 Deferred Awards as reflected in the table above will also be available to these NEOs in the event they die, become disabled, retire, terminate employment for good reason, or a change of control occurs (as such terms are defined in the Incentive Plan) at December 31, 2016, assuming they did not participate in any activity constituting cause (as defined in the applicable minimumIncentive Plan).

For Ms. Jonson, the amount for that plan. With respect toreflected in the “Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan” column includes Ms. Jonson’s 2014-2016 award under the Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, we have assumed that theassuming termination of employment either (1) was in connection with a change-of-control or (2) was made byon December 31, 2016, which will vest on that date regardless of how employment is terminated.

For further details on payments due upon these circumstances to the executive for good reason. In these instances, an executive officer is vested in their potential award for plan periods ending in the year of termination. In this case, we have assumed the applicable plan period would be 2013 to 2015 with an award at the target amount.NEOs, see Severance Arrangements on page 105.

In addition toother termination scenarios, including the amounts indicated above,death or disability or retirement of the NEOs other than Mr. Feldman and the retirement of Mr. Feldman, or termination of Mr. Feldman for cause (as defined in his termination agreement) or for other than good reason (as defined in his termination agreement), our NEOs arewould be entitled to receive benefits undergenerally available to other employees, except as described above. The narrative disclosure and tables above describe and quantify the Benefit Equalization Plancompensation and the Pension Planbenefits that are paid in accordance with the termsaddition to compensation and benefits generally available to other employees. Examples of those plans.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


compensation and benefits generally available to other employees, and thus not included above, are distributions under the Savings Plan, disability and life insurance benefits to the extent such employee has paid for such benefits, health and life insurance benefits, and amounts for accrued and unpaid salary and vacation.
For more information on the Pension Plan and the BEP, see Retirement and Other Post-Employment Compensation Tableand Narrative and the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table, as well as Pension Plan Benefits on page 106 and Benefit Equalization Plan on page 107.
Director Compensation

The goal of our policy governing compensation and travel reimbursement for our Board of Directors is to compensate members of the Board of Directors for work performed on our behalf and to make them whole for out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred while working for the Bank. The fees compensate Directors for time spent reviewing Bank materials, preparing for meetings, participating in other Bank activities and actual time spent attending the meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees. Directors are also reimbursed for reasonable Bank-related travel expenses. Director compensation levels are established at the discretion of each FHLB's Board of Directors, provided that the fees are reasonable. In connection with setting director compensation, we participated in an FHLB System review of director compensation in June 2013May 2015 which includes a director compensation study prepared by McLagan Partners. The McLagan study includes separate analysis of director compensation broken into fivesix subgroups: small banks ($5 billion to $19.9$20 billion asset size); mediumsmall banks subject to increased regulation ($2010 billion to $29.9 billion asset size); large banks ($30 billion to $100 billion asset size)$20 billion); Fannie Mae; Freddie Mac; other FHLBs, and the Office of Finance.
 
In connection with setting Director compensation for 2015, ourOur Board of Directors decided to maintainset compensation levels at the same amounts as provided for in 2013-20142016 as follows:

Position Maximum Total Quarterly Retainers Maximum Total Meetings Fees Maximum Total Annual Compensation Maximum Total Quarterly Retainers Maximum Total Meetings Fees Maximum Total Annual Compensation
Chairman of the Board $45,000 $45,000 $90,000 $52,500 $52,500 $105,000
Vice-chairman of the Board 40,000 40,000 80,000 47,500 47,500 95,000
Chairman of the Audit Committee 40,000 40,000 80,000 47,500 47,500 95,000
Other Committee Chairman 37,500 37,500 75,000 45,000 45,000 90,000
All other Directors 35,000 35,000 70,000 42,500 42,500 85,000

If a director does not fulfill his or her responsibility by meeting certain performance and attendance criteria set forth in the policy, the director's compensation will be reduced below the maximum amounts shown above. No additional meeting fees will be paid to any director for their participation in any other special meetings or events on behalf of the Board or the Bank, unless such participation results in a director being absent for a Board or Board committee meeting, in which case a meeting fee will be paid. All directors are also entitled to participate in a non-qualified, unfunded, deferred compensation plan, under which each Bank director has the opportunity to defer all or a portion of the compensation paid under this policy. The Bank reimburses directors for necessary and reasonable travel and related expenses associated with meeting attendance in accordance with the Bank's employee reimbursement policy. A director also may be reimbursed up to $3,000 annually in addition to the maximum annual fees for reasonable travel expenses for the director’s spouse.


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(All dollar amounts within this Item 11 Executive Compensation are in whole dollars unless otherwise specified)


The HR&C Committee reviewed Director performance, as required by the revised policy, and determined that all directors serving during 20152016 met the criteria necessary to receive their quarterly retainer fees. Per meeting fees reflect actual attendance by the Directors. As noted below, some fees were prorated to reflect a director's partial year of service on the Board. The following table sets forth Director Compensation for 2015.2016.

Name 2015 Total Fees Earned 2015 Fees Paid in Cash 
2015 Fees Deferred a
 2016 Total Fees Earned 2016 Fees Paid in Cash 
2016 Fees Deferred a
Steven F. Rosenbaum - Chair $90,000
 $67,500
 $22,500
William W. Sennholz - Vice Chair/Audit Committee Chair 80,000
 80,000
 
Diane M. Aigotti b
 39,227
 39,227
 
William W. Sennholz - Chair $105,000
 $105,000
 $
Michael G. Steelman - Vice Chair/Audit Committee Chair 95,000
 95,000
 
James T. Ashworth 75,000
 52,500
 22,500
 90,000
 63,000
 27,000
Owen E. Beacom 70,000
 70,000
 
 85,000
 85,000
 
Edward P. Brady 75,000
 75,000
 
 90,000
 90,000
 
Mary J. Cahillane 75,000
 56,250
 18,750
 90,000
 45,000
 45,000
Mark J. Eppli 70,000
 70,000
 
 85,000
 85,000
 
Arthur E. Greenbank b
 49,996
 49,996
 
Michelle L. Gross b
 12,606
 12,606
 
Michelle L. Gross 85,000
 85,000
 
Thomas L. Herlache 70,000
 70,000
 
 85,000
 85,000
 
E. David Locke 75,000
 75,000
 
 90,000
 90,000
 
Phyllis Lockett b
 23,302
 23,302
 
Phyllis Lockett 85,000
 85,000
 
David R. Pirsein 70,000
 7,000
 63,000
 85,000
 85,000
 
John K. Reinke 75,000
 75,000
 
 90,000
 90,000
 
Leo J. Ries 70,000
 70,000
 
 85,000
 85,000
 
Michael G. Steelman 70,000
 70,000
 
Steven F. Rosenbaum 85,000
 59,500
 25,500
Gregory A. White 70,000
 70,000
 
 85,000
 85,000
 
Charles D. Young b
 23,302
 23,302
 
Charles D. Young 85,000
 85,000
 
Total $1,183,433
 $1,056,683
 $126,750
 $1,500,000
 $1,402,500
 $97,500
a 
Directors could elect to defer fees to a director's non-qualified, unfunded, deferred compensation plan. Earnings on this deferred compensation are not included above as the rate paid was not above a market rate.
b

Partial year.

The Board compensation policy for 20162017 was reported in a Form 8-K/A8-K filed on December 15, 2015November 9, 2016 and is attached as Exhibit 10.16 to this Form 10-K.

We are a cooperative and our capital stock may only be held by current and former member institutions, so we do not provide compensation to our directors in the form of stock or stock options. In addition, our directors do not participate in any of our incentive or pension plans.
 
FHLB Director compensation is subject to FHFA regulations that permit an FHLB to pay its directors reasonable compensation and expenses, subject to the authority of the FHFA Director to object to, and to prohibit prospectively, compensation and other expenses that the Director determines are not reasonable.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
During 2016, the following directors served on our HR&C Committee: John K. Reinke (Chairman), James T. Ashworth (Vice Chairman), Owen E. Beacom, Thomas L. Herlache, William W. Sennholz (ex-officio), and Gregory A. White. No member of our HR&C Committee has at any time been an officer or employee of the Bank. None of our executive officers has served or is serving on the Board of Directors or the compensation committee of any entity whose executive officers served on our HR&C Committee or Board of Directors.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

We are cooperatively owned. Our members (and, in limited circumstances, former members) own our outstanding capital stock, and a majority of our directors are elected from our membership. No individuals, including our directors, officers and employees, may own our capital stock. The exclusive voting rights of members in 2016 are for the election of our directors, as more fully discussed in 20152016 Director Election on page 84.88.

We do not offer any compensation plan under which our capital stock is authorized for issuance.

The following table sets forth information about beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding regulatory capital stock:

As of February 29, 2016 Regulatory Capital Stock % of Total
As of February 28, 2017 Regulatory Capital Stock % of Total
One Mortgage Partners Corp. a
10 South Dearborn St., Suite 413
Chicago, IL 60603
 $250
 12.5% $245
 14.54%
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60690
 197
 11.68%
State Farm Bank, FSB
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61791
 159
 9.41%
The Northern Trust Company
50 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60603
 200
 10.0% 105
 6.23%
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
111 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60690
 119
 5.9%
State Farm Bank, FSB
3 State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61791
 109
 5.4%
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.



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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table sets forth information about those members with an officer or director serving as a director of the Bank. Independent directors do not control any capital stock of the Bank.

As of February 29, 2016 Director Name Capital Stock Percent of Total Outstanding Capital
Baylake Bank
217 North 4th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
 Thomas L. Herlache $4.5 0.22%
As of February 28, 2017 Director Name Regulatory Capital Stock % of Total
McFarland State Bank
5990 Highway 51
McFarland, WI 53558
 E. David Locke 3.0 0.15% E. David Locke $2.5
 0.15%
Forward Financial Bank
207 West 6th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
 William W. Sennholz 1.0
 0.06%
CNB Bank & Trust, N.A.
450 West Side Square
Carlinville, IL 62626
 James T. Ashworth 0.7
 0.04%
Commerce State Bank
1700 South Silverbrook Drive
West Bend, WI 53095
 Joseph Fazio III 0.7
 0.04%
First Bank & Trust
820 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60201
 Owen E. Beacom 2.6 0.13% Owen E. Beacom 0.7
 0.04%
Forward Financial Bank
207 West 6th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
 William W. Sennholz 2.4 0.12%
The Stephenson National Bank & Trust
1820 Hall Avenue
Marinette, WI 54143
 John K. Reinke 0.5
 0.03%
Prospect Federal Savings Bank
11139 South Harlem Avenue
Worth, IL 60482
 Steven F. Rosenbaum 2.1 0.10% Steven F. Rosenbaum 0.4
 0.02%
CNB Bank & Trust, N.A.
450 West Side Square
Carlinville, IL 62626
 James T. Ashworth 1.5 0.08%
The Stephenson National Bank & Trust
1820 Hall Avenue
Marinette, WI 54143
 John K. Reinke 1.4 0.07%
State Bank of Bement
180 East Bodman Street
Bement, IL 61813
 Michelle Gross 0.1
 0.01%
First National Bank in Pinckneyville
210 South Main Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
 David R. Pirsein 0.5 0.03% David R. Pirsein 0.1
 0.01%
State Bank of Bement
180 East Bodman Street
Bement, IL 61813
 Michelle Gross 0.1 0.005%
Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bushnell
484 East Main Street
Bushnell, IL 61422
 Michael G. Steelman 0.1 0.005% Michael G. Steelman 0.04
 0.002%
Total Directors as a group $18.2 0.91% $6.7
 0.40%

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(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.Transactions, and Director Independence.

Related Persons and Related Transactions

We are a cooperative. Capital stock ownership is a prerequisite to transacting any member business with us. Our members (and, in limited circumstances, former members) own all of our capital stock.

Our Board of Directors consists of two types of directors: “member directors” and “independent directors”. Member directors are required to be directors or executive officers of our members, whereas independent directors cannot be directors or officers of a Bank member. For further discussion of the eligibility criteria for our directors, see Nomination of Member Directors and Nomination of Independent Directors on page 83.87. We have seveneight independent directors and ten member directors currently serving on our Board.

We conduct our advances business and the MPF Program almost exclusively with members. Therefore, in the normal course of business, we extend credit to members whose officers and directors may serve as our directors. We extend credit to them on market terms that are no more favorable than the terms of comparable transactions with other members who are not considered related parties (as defined below). In addition, we may purchase short-term investments, sell Federal Funds to, and purchase MBS from members (or affiliates of members) whose officers or directors serve as our directors. All such investments are market term transactions and all such MBS are purchased through securities brokers or dealers. As an additional service to our members, including those whose officers or directors serve as our directors, we may enter into interest rate derivatives with members and offset these derivatives with non-member counterparties. These transactions are executed on market terms.

We define a “related person” as any director or executive officer of the Bank, any member of their immediate families, or any holder of 5% or more of our capital stock.

During 2015,2016, we did not have a separate written policy to have the Board of Directors review, approve, or ratify transactions with related persons that are outside the ordinary course of business because such transactions rarely occur. However, it has been our practice to report to the Board all transactions between us and our members that are outside the ordinary course of business, and on a case-by-case basis, seek approval or ratification from the Board. In addition, each director is required to disclose to the Board any personal financial interests he or she has and any financial interests of immediate family members or of a director's business associates where such person or entity does or proposes to do business with us. Under our Code of Ethics, executive officers are prohibited from engaging in conduct that would cause an actual or apparent conflict of interest. An executive officer other than the CEO and President may seek a waiver of this provision from the CEO and President, and the CEO and President may seek a waiver from the Board.

Director Independence

General

Our Board of Directors is required to evaluate and report on the independence of our directors under two distinct director independence standards. First, FHFA regulations establish independence criteria for directors who serve as members of our Audit Committee. Second, SEC rules require that our Board of Directors apply the independence criteria of a national securities exchange or automated quotation system in assessing the independence of its directors and members of its board committees, to the extent the exchange or quotation system selected by the Bank has adopted separate independence rules for such committee members.

See Information Regarding Current Directors of the Bank on page 8488 for more information on our current directors. None of our directors is an “inside” director. That is, none of our directors is a Bank employee or officer. Further, our directors are prohibited from personally owning stock in the Bank. Each of the member directors, however, is a senior officer or director of an institution that is one of our members, and our members are able, and are encouraged, to engage in transactions with us on a regular basis.


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FHFA Regulations Regarding Independence

The FHFA director independence standards prohibit an individual from serving as a member of our Audit Committee if he or she has one or more disqualifying relationships with us or our management that would interfere with the exercise of that individual's independent judgment. Relationships considered disqualifying by the FHFA include: employment with the Bank at any time during the last five years; acceptance of compensation from the Bank other than for service as a director; being a consultant, advisor, promoter, underwriter or legal counsel for the Bank at any time within the last five years; and being an immediate family member of an individual who is or who has been within the past five years, a Bank executive officer. Our Board of Directors assesses the independence of each director under the FHFA's independence standards, regardless of whether he or she serves on the Audit Committee. Our Board of Directors determined that all of our directors are independent under these criteria.

SEC Rules Regarding Independence

SEC rules require our Board to adopt a standard of independence to evaluate our directors. Pursuant thereto, the Board adopted the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) to determine which of our directors are independent, which members of our Audit Committee and HR&C Committee are not independent, and whether our Audit Committee's financial experts are independent.

Under the NYSE rules, no director qualifies as independent unless the full Board affirmatively determines that he or she has no material relationship with the issuercompany (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). In addition, the NYSE rules set out a number of specific disqualifications from independence, including certain employment relationships between the director or his or her family members and the issuer,company, the issuer'scompany’s internal or external auditor, another company where any of the issuer'scompany’s executive officers is a compensation committee member or another company that conducted business with the issuercompany above a specified threshold; and receipt by the director or his or her family members of compensation from the issuer above a specified threshold.threshold (with certain exceptions).

Applying the NYSE independence standards for boards of directors to our current member directors and those who served during 2016, our Board determined that only member directors Beacom, Gross, Reinke, and Steelman did not trigger any of the objective NYSE independence disqualifications. However, based upon the fact that each member director is a senior officer or director of an institution that is a member of the Bank (and thus is an equity holder in the Bank), that each such institution routinely engages in transactions with us, and that such transactions occur frequently and are encouraged, the Board determined that at the present time it would conclude that none of these current member directors, consisting of Ashworth, Beacom, Fazio, Gross, Herlache (former director whose term ended in 2016), Locke, Pirsein, Reinke, Rosenbaum, Sennholz, and Steelman, meets the independence criteria under the NYSE independence standards. None of the independent directors are employees or officers of institutions that are members of the Bank, and therefore do not have, ongoing business transactions with us. The Board determined that each of these independent directors, consisting of Brady, Cahillane, Eppli, Lockett, Ries, Scott, White and Young, is independent under the NYSE independence standards. Similarly, the Board determined that the following current member directors serving on the Audit Committee, and member directors who served on the Audit Committee during 2016, are not independent under the NYSE independence standards for audit committees: Fazio, Herlache (former director whose term ended in 2016), Rosenbaum, Reinke, and Steelman. The Board determined that the following current member directors serving on the HR&C Committee, and member directors who served on the HR&C Committee in 2016, are not independent under the NYSE independence standards for compensation committees: Ashworth, Beacom, Gross, Herlache (former director whose term ended in 2016), and Reinke.




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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees we have been charged (or accrued) by our external accounting firm:

 (in thousands) (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2016 2015
Audit fees $878
 $842
 $900
 $878
Audit related fees 197
 71
 208
 197
All other fees 13
 
 6
 13
Total fees $1,088
 $913
 $1,114
 $1,088

Audit fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of our financial statements. Audit related fees were for other assurance and related services. No tax related fees were paid. No fees were paid for financial information system design, implementation, or software license fees. All other fees consist of our allocated share for systemwide human resources consulting.

Our Audit Committee has adopted the Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services Policy (the Policy). In accordance with the Policy and applicable law, the Audit Committee pre-approves audit services, audit-related services, tax services, and non-audit services to be provided by its independent auditor. The term of any pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless the Audit Committee specifically provides otherwise. On an annual basis, the Audit Committee reviews the list of specific services and projected fees for services to be provided for the next 12 months.




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PART IV
Item 15.     Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules.

(a) See "2016 Annual Financial Statements and Notes"

(b) The below exhibits were filed with the Form 10-K Annual Report to the SEC on March 9, 2016,2017, or as noted below, were filed with the Bank's previously filed Annual, Quarterly, or Current Reports or registration statements, copies of which may be obtained by going to the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Each exhibit that is considered a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed is identified with a "*".

Exhibit No.  Description
3.1  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Charter a
3.2  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Bylaws b
4.1 
Capital plan of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, as amended and restated effective October 1, 2015 c
10.1.1  
Sublease Agreement between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the Aon Corporation dated December 31, 2008 d
10.1.2  
First Amendment to Sublease Agreement, dated January 26, 2010 e
10.2  
Office Lease between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Wells REIT-Chicago Center Owner, LLC, dated January 9, 2009 df
10.3  
Advances, Collateral Pledge, and Security Agreement fg
10.4  
Mortgage Partnership Finance Participating Financial Institution Agreement [Origination or Purchase] ah
10.5  
Mortgage Partnership Finance Participating Financial Institution Agreement [Purchase Only] ai
10.6.110.6  
Mortgage Partnership Finance Program Liquidity Option and Master ParticipationConsolidated Interbank Agreement, dated September 15, 2000July 22, 2016 a
10.6.2
First Amendment to Liquidity Option and Master Participation Agreement, dated April 16, 2001 a
10.6.3
Second Amendment to Liquidity Option and Master Participation Agreement, dated January 22, 2004 aj
10.7  
Federal Home Loan Banks P&I Funding and Contingency Plan Agreement, as amended and restated effective as of July 20, 2006,January 1, 2017, by and among the Office of Finance and each of the Federal Home Loan Banks gv
10.8 
Employment Agreement between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Matthew R. Feldman, effective January 1, 2015 h*k
10.9  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Key Employee Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan, dated December 19, 2008 j*l
10.1010.10.1
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2017 *v
10.10.2 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago President and Executive Team Incentive Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2013 *km
10.11  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Benefit Equalization Plan, dated December 16, 2003 a*n
10.12  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Post December 31, 2004 Benefit Equalization Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2013 i*o
10.13  
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Employee Severance Plan, dated April 24, 2007 l*p
10.14
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 2014 Board of Directors Compensation Policy m
10.15 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 2015 Board of Directors Compensation Policy n*q
10.1610.15 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 2016 Board of Directors Compensation Policy*r
10.16
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 2017 Board of Directors Compensation Policy*v
10.17 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, effective September 1, 2013 i*s
10.18 
Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement, as amended August 5, 2011 ot
14  
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Code of Ethics pu
24  Power of Attorney (included on the signature page)
31.1  
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Executive Officerv
31.2  
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Financial Officerv
32.1  
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Executive Officerv
32.2  
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Financial Officerv
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Documentv
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Documentv
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Documentv
101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Documentv
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Documentv
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Documentv


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a 
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 with our Form 10 on December 14, 2005, SEC File No.: 000-51401
b 
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 with our 8-K Current Report on February 1, 2016, SEC File No.: 000-51401
c 
Filed as Exhibit 4.1 with our 8-K Current Report on August 31, 2015, SEC File No.: 000-51401
d 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our 8-K Current Report on January 15, 2009, SEC File No.: 000-51401
e 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our 8-K Current Report on February 1, 2010, SEC File No.: 000-51401
f 
Filed as Exhibit 10.2 with our 2010 Form 10-K8-K Current Report on March 17, 2011January 15, 2009, SEC File No.: 000-51401
g 
Filed as Exhibit 10.3 with our 8-K Current ReportForm 10-K on June 28, 2006March 17, 2011, SEC File No.: 000-51401


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h 
Filed as Exhibit 10.4 with our 8-K Current ReportForm 10 on January 30, 2015December 14, 2005, SEC File No.: 000-51401
i 
Filed as Exhibit 10.4.1 with our 2013 3rd Quarter Form 10-Q10 on November 6, 2013
December 14, 2005, SEC File No.: 000-51401
j 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our 2008 Form 10-K10-Q on March 20, 2009November 3, 2016, SEC File No.: 000-51401
k 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our 2013 2nd Quarter Form 10-Q8-K Current Report on August 8, 2013
January 30, 2015, SEC File No.: 000-51401
l 
Filed as Exhibit 10.22 with our 2007 1st Quarter Form 10-Q10-K on May 11, 2007
March 20, 2009, SEC File No.: 000-51401
m 
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our Form 10-Q on August 8, 2013, Form 10-K on March 13, 2014SEC File No.: 000-51401
n 
Filed as Exhibit 10.8.4 with our 2014 Form 10-K10 on March 12, 2015December 14, 2005, SEC File No.: 000-51401
o 
Filed as Exhibit 10.2 with our Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013, SEC File No.: 000-51401
p
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 with our Form 10-Q on May 11, 2007, SEC File No.: 000-51401
q
Filed as Exhibit 10.17 with our Form 10-K on March 12, 2015, SEC File No.: 000-51401
r
Filed as Exhibit 10.16 with our Form 10-K on March 9, 2016, SEC File No.: 000-51401
s
Filed as Exhibit 10.4 with our Form 10-Q on November 6, 2013, SEC File No.: 000-51401
t
Filed as Exhibit 99.1 with our 8-K Current Report on August 5, 2011, SEC File No.: 000-51401
pu 
Published on our website at http://www.fhlbc.com/OurCompany/Pages/federal-home-loan-bank-chicago-governance.aspx
v
Filed herewith.


Item 16.     Form 10-K Summary.

Not applicable.




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Glossary of Terms

Advances: Secured loans to members.
 
ABS: Asset-backed-securities.
 
AFS: Available-for-sale securities.

Agency MBS: Mortgage-backed securities issued by, or comprised of mortgage loans guaranteed by, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
 
AHP: Affordable Housing Program.

ALM Policy: Our Asset/Liability Management Policy.
 
AMA: Acquired Member Assets. Assets that an FHLB may acquire from or through FHLB System members or housing associates by means of either a purchase or a funding transaction.

AMA investment grade: A determination made by the Bank with respect to an asset or pool, based on documented analysis, including consideration of applicable insurance, credit enhancements, and other sources for repayment on the asset or pool, that the Bank has a high degree of confidence that it will be paid principal and interest in all material respects, even under reasonably likely adverse changes to expected economic conditions.

AVM: Automated Valuation Methodology. A service that provides real estate property valuations using mathematical modeling combined with a database.
 
AOCI: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.Income (Loss).
 
BEP: Benefit Equalization Plan.

Capital Plan: The Second Amended and Restated Capital Plan of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, effective as of October 1, 2015.
 
CBSA: Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), which are based upon an assessment of the individual housing markets. CBSA refers collectively to metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget; as currently defined, a CBSA must contain at least one urban area with a population of 10,000 or more people.

CDFI: Community development financial institution.
 
CE Amount: A PFI's assumption of credit risk on conventional MPF Loan products held in an MPF Bank's portfolio that are funded by, or sold to, an MPF Bank by providing credit enhancement either through a direct liability to pay credit losses up to a specified amount or through a contractual obligation to provide SMI. Does not apply to the MPF Government, MPF Xtra, MPF Direct or MPF Government MBS product.

CE Fee: Credit enhancement fee. PFIs are paid a credit enhancement fee for managing credit risk and in some instances, all or a portion of the CE Fee may be performance based.
 
CEDA: Community Economic Development Advance Program.
 
CFI: Community Financial Institution - FDIC-insured institutions with an average of total assets over the prior three years which is less than the level prescribed by the FHFA and adjusted annually for inflation. The average total assets for calendar year-ends 2013-2015year ends 2014-2016 must be $1.128$1.148 billion or less ($1.1231.128 billion for 2012-20142013-2015 and $1.108$1.123 billion for 2011-2013)2012-2014).
CFTC: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

CIP: Community Investment Program.
 
CO Curve: Consolidated Obligation curve. The Office of Finance constructs a market-observable curve referred to as the CO Curve. This curve is constructed using the U.S. Treasury Curve as a base curve which is then adjusted by adding indicative spreads obtained largely from market observable sources. These market indications are generally derived from pricing indications from dealers, historical pricing relationships, market activity such as recent GSE trades, and other secondary market activity.
 

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Consolidated Obligations (CO): FHLB debt instruments (bonds and discount notes) which are the joint and several liability of all FHLBs; issued by the Office of Finance.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Consolidated obligation bonds: Consolidated obligations that make periodic interest payments with a term generally over one year, although we have issued for terms of less than one year.

COSO: The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. A joint initiative of the private sector dedicated to providing frameworks and guidance on enterprise risk management, internal control and fraud deterrence. 

DCO: Derivatives Clearing Organization. A clearinghouse, clearing association, clearing corporation, or similar entity that enables each party to an agreement, contract, or transaction to substitute, through novation or otherwise, the credit of the DCO for the credit of the parties; arranges or provides, on a multilateral basis, for the settlement or netting of obligations; or otherwise provides clearing services or arrangements that mutualize or transfer credit risk among participants.
 
Discount notes: Consolidated obligations with a term of one year or less, which sell at less than their face amount and are redeemed at par value when they mature.
Dodd-Frank Act: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted July 21, 2010.
 
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Excess capital stock: Capital stock held by members in excess of their minimum investment requirement.
 
Excess capital stock ratio: Excess capital stock divided by regulatory capital.  
Fannie Mae: Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FCM: Futures Commission Merchant.
  
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
Federal Reserve: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
FFELP: Federal Family Education Loan Program.
 
FHA: Federal Housing Administration.
 
FHFA: Federal Housing Finance Agency - The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 enacted on July 30, 2008 created the Federal Housing Finance Agency which became the regulator of the FHLBs.

FHFA Purchase Only House Price Index (HPI): The HPI is a broad measure of the movement of single-family house prices. The HPI is a weighted, repeat-sales index, meaning that it measures average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings on the same properties. This information is obtained by reviewing repeat mortgage transactions on single-family properties whose mortgages have been purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac since January 1975.
 
FHLB Act: The Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932, as amended.
 
FHLBs: The 11 Federal Home Loan Banks or subset thereof.

FHLBC: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
 
Finance Board: The Federal Housing Finance Board. We were supervised and regulated by the Finance Board, prior to creation of the Federal Housing Finance Agency as regulator of the FHLBs by the Housing Act, effective July 30, 2008.

Fitch: Fitch Ratings, Inc.
 
FLA: First loss account is a memo account used to track the MPF Bank's exposure to losses until the CE Amount is available to cover losses.
 
Freddie Mac: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
 

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GAAP: Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
 
Ginnie Mae: Government National Mortgage Association.

Ginnie Mae MBS: Mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae. 


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GLB Act: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

Government Loans: Mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service (RHS).
 
GSE: Government sponsored enterprise.

HFS: Held for sale.

Housing Act: Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, enacted July 30, 2008.

HR&C Committee: Human Resources and Compensation Committee.
 
HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
HTM: Held-to-maturity securities.

JCE Agreement: Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement entered into by all FHLBs, effective February 28, 2011 and amended August 5, 2011, which is intended to enhance the capital position of each FHLB. The intent of the agreement is to allocate that portion of each FHLB's earnings to a separate retained earnings account at that FHLB.

Lead Bank: MPF Bank selling interests in MPF Loans.
 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate.

LTV: Loan-to-value ratio.
 
Master Commitment (MC): Pool of MPF Loans purchased or funded by an MPF Bank.
 
MBS: Mortgage-backed securities.

MI: Mortgage Insurance.
 
Moody's: Moody's Investors Service.
 
MPF®: Mortgage Partnership Finance.
 
MPF Banks: FHLBs that participate in the MPF program.

MPF Direct product: The MPF Program product under which we acquire non-conforming MPF Loans from PFIs and concurrently resell them to a third party investor.

MPF Government MBS product: The MPF Program product under which we aggregate Government Loans acquired from PFIs in order to issue securities guaranteed by the Ginnie Mae that are backed by such Government Loans.Loans.

MPF Guides: MPF OriginationProgram Guide, MPF Selling Guide, and MPF Servicing Guide as supplementedincluding the Selling and Servicing Guides and manuals for specific MPF Loan products.
 
MPF Loans: Conventional and government fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties with maturities from five to 30 years or participations in such mortgage loans that are acquired under the MPF Program.

MPF Program: A secondary mortgage market structure that provides liquidity to FHLB members that are PFIs through the purchase or funding by an FHLB of MPF Loans.


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MPF Provider: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, in its role of providing programmatic and operational support to the MPF Banks and their PFIs.
 
MPF Xtra® product: The MPF Program product under which we acquire MPF Loans from PFIs without any CE Amount and concurrently resell them to Fannie Mae.

MRCS: mandatorily redeemable capital stock. 

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NEO: Named executive officer.

Nonaccrual MPF Loans: Nonperforming mortgage loans in which the collection of principal and interest is determined to be doubtful or when interest or principal is past due for 90 days or more, except when the MPF Loan is well secured and in the process of collection.
 
NRSRO: Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
 
NYSE: New York Stock Exchange.

OCI: Other Comprehensive Income.

Office of Finance: A joint office of the FHLBs established by the Finance Board to facilitate issuing and servicing of consolidated obligations.

OIS: Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate).

OTTI: Other-than-temporary impairment.
 
OTTI Committee: An FHLB System OTTI Committee formed by the FHLBs to achieve consistency among the FHLBs in their analyses of the OTTI of private-label MBS.
 
PCAOB: Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
 
Pension Plan: Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions.
 
PFI: Participating Financial Institution. A PFI is a member (or eligible housing associate) of an MPF Bank that has applied to and been accepted to do business with its MPF Bank under the MPF Program.
 
PFI Agreement: MPF Program Participating Financial Institution Agreement.

PMI: Primary Mortgage Insurance.

PwC: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

RCAP: Reduced Capitalization Advance Program.

Recorded Investment: Recorded investment in a loan is its amortized cost basis plus related accrued interest receivable, if any. Recorded investment is not net of an allowance for credit losses but is net of any direct charge-off on a loan. Amortized cost basis is defined as either the amount funded or the cost to purchase MPF Loans. Specifically, the amortized cost basis includes the initial fair value amount of the delivery commitment as of the purchase or settlement date, agent fees (i.e., market risk premiums or discounts paid to or received from PFIs), if any, subsequently adjusted, if applicable, for accretion, amortization, collection of cash, charge-offs, and cumulative basis adjustments related to fair value hedges.
 
Recoverable CE Fee: Under the MPF Program, the PFI may receive a contingent performance based credit enhancement fee whereby such fees are reduced up to the amount of the FLA by losses arising under the Master Commitment.
 
Regulatory capital: Regulatory capital stock plus retained earnings.

Regulatory capital stock: The sum of the paid-in value of capital stock and mandatorily redeemable capital stock.
 
REO: Real estate owned.


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RHS: Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service.

S&P: Standard and Poor's Rating Service.
 
Savings Plan: Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions.
SBA: Small Business Administration.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

 
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secretary: Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.
 
SMI: Supplemental mortgage insurance.
 
System or FHLB System: The Federal Home Loan Bank System consisting of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks and the Office of Finance.

TBA: A forward contract on a mortgage-backed security (MBS), typically issued by a U.S. government sponsored entity, whereby a seller agrees to deliver an MBS for an agreed upon price on an agreed upon date.

TDR: Troubled Debt Restructuring

UPB: Unpaid Principal Balance.

U.S.: United States

VA: Department of Veteran's Affairs.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


20152016 Annual Financial Statements and Notes



TABLE OF CONTENTS


    



F-1



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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Tothe Board of Directors and Shareholders
of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of condition and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, capital, and cash flowspresent fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (the “Bank”) at December 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20152016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Bank maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Bank’sBank'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 Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Bank’sBank's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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.

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.

auditorsignature.jpg

Chicago, Illinois
March 9, 20162017


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
T: (312) 298 2000, F: (312) 298 2001, www.pwc.com/us

F-2

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Condition
(Dollars in millions, except capital stock par value)
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Assets   
Cash and due from banks$499
 $342
Interest bearing deposits650
 560
Federal Funds sold1,702
 1,525
Securities purchased under agreements to resell1,375
 3,400
Investment securities -   
Trading, $62 and $71 pledged1,160
 167
Available-for-sale17,470
 19,975
Held-to-maturity, $6,513 and $7,824 fair value5,967
 7,118
Total investment securities24,597
 27,260
Advances, $511 and $83 carried at fair value36,778
 32,485
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses of $(3) and $(15)4,828
 6,057
Derivative assets2
 29
Other assets245
 183
Total assets$70,676
 $71,841
Liabilities   
Deposits -   
Noninterest bearing$41
 $49
Interest bearing, $12 and $13 from other FHLBs497
 617
Total Deposits538
 666
Consolidated obligations, net -   
Discount notes, $9,006 and $1,799 carried at fair value41,565
 31,054
Bonds, $952 and $2,785 carried at fair value22,586
 34,251
Total consolidated obligations, net64,151
 65,305
Derivative liabilities55
 55
Affordable Housing Program assessment payable89
 90
Other liabilities247
 256
Subordinated notes944
 944
Total liabilities66,024
 67,316
Commitments and contingencies - see notes to the financial statements

 

Capital   
Class B1 activity stock - putable $100 par value - 13 million and 8 million shares issued and outstanding1,313
 827
Class B2 membership stock - putable $100 par value - 6 million and 11 million shares issued and outstanding637
 1,075
Total capital stock1,950
 1,902
Retained earnings - unrestricted2,407
 2,152
Retained earnings - restricted323
 254
Total retained earnings2,730
 2,406
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI)(28) 217
Total capital4,652
 4,525
Total liabilities and capital$70,676
 $71,841
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



F-3

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Income
(Dollars in millions)
For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013
Interest income $1,252
 $1,362
 $1,511
Interest expense 744
 841
 1,061
Net interest income 508
 521
 450
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 5
 (7) (2)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses 503
 528
 452
       
Noninterest gain (loss) on -      
Trading securities (3) (19) (13)
Derivatives and hedging activities (16) (7) 12
Instruments held under fair value option 8
 13
 
Early extinguishment of debt (1) 
 (118)
Litigation settlement awards 13
 27
 99
Other, net 22

18

19
Noninterest gain (loss) 23
 32
 (1)
       
Noninterest expense -      
Compensation and benefits 81
 66
 62
Other operating expenses 51
 48
 41
Other community investment 
 
 (50)
Litigation settlement legal expense 2
 3
 19
Other 4

7

3
Noninterest expense 138
 124
 75
       
Income before assessments 388
 436
 376
       
Affordable Housing Program assessment 39
 44
 33
       
Net income $349
 $392
 $343
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Assets   
Cash and due from banks$351
 $499
Interest bearing deposits650
 650
Federal Funds sold4,075
 1,702
Securities purchased under agreements to resell2,300
 1,375
Investment securities -   
Trading, $97 and $62 pledged1,045
 1,160
Available-for-sale14,918
 17,470
Held-to-maturity, $5,516 and $6,513 fair value5,072
 5,967
Investment securities21,035
 24,597
Advances, $672 and $511 carried at fair value45,067
 36,778
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses of $(3) and $(3)4,967
 4,828
Derivative assets6
 2
Other assets, $44 and $54 carried at fair value241
 240
Assets$78,692
 $70,671
    
Liabilities   
Deposits -   
Noninterest bearing$53
 $41
Interest bearing, $16 and $12 from other FHLBs443
 497
Deposits496
 538
Consolidated obligations, net -   
Discount notes, $6,368 and $9,006 carried at fair value35,949
 41,564
Bonds, $5,443 and $952 carried at fair value36,903
 22,582
Consolidated obligations, net72,852
 64,146
Derivative liabilities43
 55
Affordable Housing Program assessment payable86
 89
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock301
 8
Other liabilities219
 239
Subordinated notes
 944
Liabilities73,997
 66,019
Commitments and contingencies - see notes to the financial statements

 

Capital   
Class B1 activity stock - putable $100 par value - 12 million and 13 million shares issued and outstanding1,160
 1,313
Class B2 membership stock - putable $100 par value - 6 million and 6 million shares issued and outstanding551
 637
Capital stock1,711
 1,950
Retained earnings - unrestricted2,631
 2,407
Retained earnings - restricted389
 323
Retained earnings3,020
 2,730
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI)(36) (28)
Capital4,695
 4,652
Liabilities and capital$78,692
 $70,671

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



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Income (Dollars in millions)
For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014
Interest income $1,259
 $1,252
 $1,362
Interest expense 803
 744
 841
Net interest income 456
 508
 521
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 1
 5
 (7)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses 455
 503
 528
       
Noninterest income -      
Trading securities (2) (3) (19)
Derivatives and hedging activities 1
 (16) (7)
Instruments held under fair value option 5
 8
 13
Litigation settlement awards 38
 13
 27
MPF fees from other FHLBs 17
 11
 10
Other, net 17

10

8
Noninterest income 76
 23
 32
       
Noninterest expense -      
Compensation and benefits 94
 81
 66
Operating expenses 60
 51
 48
Other 13

6

10
Noninterest expense 167
 138
 124
       
Income before assessments 364
 388

436
       
Affordable Housing Program assessment 37
 39
 44
       
Net income $327
 $349
 $392

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



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in millions)

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Net income $349
 $392
 $343
 $327
 $349
 $392
            
Other comprehensive income (loss) -            
Net unrealized gain (loss) available-for-sale securities (402) 8
 (524) (199) (402) 8
Non-credit OTTI held-to-maturity securities 47
 56
 61
Noncredit OTTI held-to-maturity securities 40
 47
 56
Net unrealized gain (loss) cash flow hedges 117
 85
 413
 151
 117
 85
Post-retirement plans (7) 1
 10
Postretirement plans 
 (7) 1
Other comprehensive income (loss) (245) 150
 (40) (8) (245) 150
 
     
    
Comprehensive income $104
 $542
 $303
 $319
 $104
 $542


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



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Capital
(Dollars and shares in millions)
Capital Stock - Putable - B1 Activity Capital Stock - Putable - B2 Membership Total Capital Stock Retained Earnings    Capital Stock - Putable - B1 Activity Capital Stock - Putable - B2 Membership Capital Stock Retained Earnings    
Shares Value Shares Value Shares Value Unrestricted Restricted Total AOCI TotalShares Value Shares Value Shares Value Unrestricted Restricted Total AOCI Total
December 31, 201513

$1,313

6

$637

19

$1,950

$2,407

$323

$2,730

$(28)
$4,652
Comprehensive income            261
 66
 327
 (8) 319
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock14
 1,293
 1
 16
 15
 1,309
         1,309
Repurchases of capital stock(7) (672) (6) (576) (13) (1,248)         (1,248)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (liabilities)(3) (295) 
 (5) (3) (300)         (300)
Transfers between classes of capital stock(5) (479) 5
 479
              
Cash dividends - class B1            (33) 

 (33)   (33)
Class B1 annualized rate                    2.75%
Cash dividends - class B2            (4) 

 (4)   (4)
Class B2 annualized rate                    0.60%
Total change in period(1)
(153)


(86)
(1)
(239)
224

66

290

(8)
43
December 31, 201612
 1,160
 6
 551
 18
 1,711
 2,631
 389
 3,020
 (36) 4,695
December 31, 20148

$827

11

$1,075

19

$1,902

$2,152

$254

$2,406

$217

$4,525
8
 827
 11
 1,075
 19
 1,902
 2,152
 254
 2,406
 217
 4,525
Comprehensive income            280
 69
 349
 (245) 104
            280
 69
 349
 (245) 104
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock4
 357
 
 17
 4
 374
         374
4
 357
 
 17
 4
 374
         374
Repurchases of capital stock(1) (95) (3) (229) (4) (324)         (324)(1) (95) (3) (229) (4) (324)         (324)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (other liabilities)
 
 
 (2) 
 (2)         (2)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (liabilities)
 
 
 (2) 
 (2)         (2)
Transfers between classes of capital stock2
 224
 (2) (224)              2
 224
 (2) (224)              
Cash dividends - class B1
(2.31% annualized average)
            (20) 

 (20)   (20)
Cash dividends - class B2
(0.50% annualized average)
            (5) 

 (5)   (5)
Cash dividends - class B1            (20)   (20)   (20)
Class B1 annualized rate                    2.31%
Cash dividends - class B2            (5)   (5)   (5)
Class B2 annualized rate                    0.50%
Total change in period5

486

(5)
(438)


48

255

69

324

(245)
127
December 31, 201513
 $1,313
 6
 $637
 19
 $1,950
 $2,407
 $323
 $2,730
 $(28) $4,652
13

1,313

6

637

19

1,950

2,407

323

2,730

(28)
4,652
December 31, 20137
 $629
 10
 $1,041
 17
 $1,670
 $1,853
 $175
 $2,028
 $67
 $3,765
7
 629
 10
 1,041
 17
 1,670
 1,853
 175
 2,028
 67
 3,765
Comprehensive income            313
 79
 392
 150
 542
            313
 79
 392
 150
 542
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock3
 351
 1
 45
 4
 396
         396
3
 351
 1
 45
 4
 396
         396
Repurchases of capital stock(1) (46) (1) (114) (2) (160)         (160)(1) (46) (1) (114) (2) (160)         (160)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (other liabilities)
 
 
 (4) 
 (4)         (4)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (liabilities)
 
 
 (4) 
 (4)         (4)
Transfers between classes of capital stock(1) (107) 1
 107
              (1) (107) 1
 107
              
Cash dividends - class B1
(1.58% annualized average)
            (9)   (9)   (9)
Cash dividends - class B2 (0.45% annualized average)            (5)   (5)   (5)
Cash dividends - class B1            (9)   (9)   (9)
Class B1 annualized rate                    1.58%
Cash dividends - class B2            (5)   (5)   (5)
Class B2 annualized rate                    0.45%
Total change in period1

198

1

34

2

232

299

79

378

150

760
December 31, 20148
 $827
 11
 $1,075
 19
 $1,902
 $2,152
 $254
 $2,406
 $217
 $4,525
8

$827

11

$1,075

19

$1,902

$2,152

$254

$2,406

$217

$4,525
December 31, 20121
 $122
 15
 $1,528
 16
 1,650
 $1,584
 $107
 $1,691
 $107
 $3,448
Comprehensive income            275
 68
 343
 (40) 303
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock3
 365
 1
 70
 4
 435
         435
Repurchases of capital stock
 (79) (3) (278) (3) (357)         (357)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (other liabilities)
 (56) 
 (2) 
 (58)         (58)
Transfers between classes of capital stock3
 277
 (3) (277)              
Cash dividends - class B1 (0.55% annualized average)            (2)   (2)   (2)
Cash dividends - class B2 (0.30% annualized average)            (4)   (4)   (4)
December 31, 20137
 $629
 10
 $1,041
 17
 $1,670
 $1,853
 $175
 $2,028
 $67
 $3,765

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

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in millions)

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 
OperatingNet income $349
 $392
 $343
 Net income $327
 $349
 $392
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income for non-cash operating activities -       
Depreciation and amortization 2
 21
 42
 Adjustments to reconcile net income for noncash operating activities -       
Change in net fair value on derivatives and hedging activities 326
 309
 490
 Amortization and accretion 19
 2
 21
 
Change in net fair value on trading securities 3
 19
 13
 Change in net fair value on derivatives and hedging activities 192
 326
 309
 
Change in net fair value on assets and liabilities held under the fair value option (8) (13) 
 Other (10) 11
 (15) 
Losses (gains) on early extinguishment of debt 1
 
 118
 Changes in operating assets or liabilities -       
Other adjustments 15
 (21) (11) Purchases of mortgage loans to be securitized (446) (151) 
 
Net change in -       Proceeds from sales of securitized mortgage loans 457
 97
 
 
Other operating assets (113) (65) (86) Other operating assets (40) (59) (65) 
Other operating liabilities (5) (22) (66) Other operating liabilities (17) (5) (22) 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 570
 620
 843
 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 482
 570
 620
 
              
InvestingNet change interest bearing deposits (90) (560) 
 Net change interest bearing deposits 
 (90) (560) 
Net change Federal Funds sold (177) (1,025) (500) Net change Federal Funds sold (2,373) (177) (1,025) 
Net change securities purchased under agreements to resell 2,025
 1,150
 1,950
 Net change securities purchased under agreements to resell (925) 2,025
 1,150
 
Advances -       Trading securities -       
Principal collected 342,573
 222,943
 246,301
 Sales 2,158
 300
 2,002
 
Issued (346,874) (231,821) (255,387) Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 111
 812
 1,916
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio -       Purchases (2,156) (2,106) (2,208) 
Principal collected 1,424
 1,732
 2,814
 Available-for-sale securities -       
Purchases (204) (85) (77) Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 2,243
 2,027
 1,555
 
Trading securities -       Purchases (2) (14) (3) 
Sales 300
 2,002
 300
 Held-to-maturity securities -       
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 812
 1,916
 2,148
 Short-term held-to-maturity securities, net 37
a 
112
a 
(135)
a 
Purchases (2,106) (2,208) (3,122) Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 979
 1,154
 1,064
 
Held-to-maturity securities -       Purchases (41) (24) (28) 
Short-term held-to-maturity securities, net 112
a 
(135)
a 
78
a 
Advances -       
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 1,154
 1,064
 1,705
 Principal collected 704,656
 342,573
 222,943
 
Purchases (24) (28) (18) Issued (713,017) (346,874) (231,821) 
Available-for-sale securities -       MPF Loans held in portfolio -       
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns 2,027
 1,555
 1,106
 Principal collected 1,164
 1,424
 1,732
 
Purchases (14) (3) 
 Purchases (1,306) (204) (85) 
Other investing activities 31
 77
 79
 Other investing activities 33
 31
 77
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $969
 $(3,426) $(2,623) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $(8,439) $969
 $(3,426) 
              

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago


For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 For the years ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 
FinancingNet change in deposits $(125) $122
 $(272) Net change deposits $(43) $(125) $122
 
Net proceeds from issuance of consolidated obligations-       Discount notes -       
Discount notes 277,115
 1,205,177
 711,289
 Net proceeds from issuance 682,913
 277,115
 1,205,177
 
Bonds 10,283
 20,109
 15,132
 Payments for maturing and retiring (688,540) (266,620) (1,205,214) 
Payments for maturing and retiring consolidated obligations-       Consolidated obligation bonds -       
Discount notes (266,620) (1,205,214) (711,458) Net proceeds from issuance 36,752
 10,283
 20,109
 
Bonds (21,962) (18,178) (15,386) Payments for maturing and retiring (22,297) (21,962) (18,178) 
Net proceeds (payments) on derivative contracts with financing element (60) (61) (69) Net proceeds (payments) on derivative contracts with financing element (49) (60) (61) 
Net proceeds (payments) on bond transfers to other FHLBs (35) 
 
 Net proceeds (payments) on bond transfers with other FHLBs 
 (35) 
 
Payments for retiring of subordinated debt 
 
 (62) Payments for retiring of subordinated debt (944) 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock 374
 396
 435
 Capital stock -       
Repurchase of capital stock (324) (160) (357) Proceeds from issuance 1,309
 374
 396
 
Other financing activities (3) 
 (59) Repurchases (1,248) (324) (160) 
Cash dividends paid (25) (14) (6) Cash dividends paid (37) (25) (14) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (1,382) 2,177
 (813) Other financing activities (7) (3) 
 
       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 7,809
 (1,382) 2,177
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks 157
 (629) (2,593)        
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period 342
 971
 3,564
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks (148) 157
 (629) 
Cash and due from banks at end of period $499
 $342
 $971
 Cash and due from banks at beginning of period 499
 342
 971
 
       Cash and due from banks at end of period $351
 $499
 $342
 
       
SupplementalInterest paid $740
 $829
 $1,010
 Interest paid $644
 $740
 $829
 
Affordable Housing Program assessments paid 40
 32
 33
 Affordable Housing Program assessments paid 40
 40
 32
 
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock 2
 4
 58
 Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock 300
 2
 4
 
Transfer of MPF Loans held in portfolio to other assets 30
 63
 81
 Transfer of MPF Loans held for sale (in other assets) to securitized mortgage loans (in trading securities) 422
 83
 
 
Transfer of MPF Loans held in portfolio to other assets 23
 30
 63
 
a 
Short-term held-to-maturity securities, net, consists of investment securities with a maturity of less than 90 days when purchased.

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

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)




Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago is a federally chartered corporation and one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (the FHLBs) that, with the Office of Finance, comprise the Federal Home Loan Bank System (the System).  The FHLBs are government-sponsored enterprises (GSE) of the United States of America and were organized under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932, as amended (FHLB Act), in order to improve the availability of funds to support home ownership.  We are supervised and regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an independent federal agency in the executive branch of the United States (U.S.) government.

Each FHLB is a member-owned cooperative with members from a specifically defined geographic district. Our defined geographic district is Illinois and Wisconsin. All federally-insured depository institutions, insurance companies engaged in residential housing finance, credit unions and community development financial institutions located in our district are eligible to apply for membership with us. All our members are required to purchase our capital stock as a condition of membership. Our capital stock is not publicly traded and subject to certain statutory and regulatory limits, is issued, repurchased or redeemed at a par value of $100 per share, subject to certain statutory and regulatory limits.

share. As a cooperative, we do business with our members, and former members (under limited circumstances). Specifically, we provide credit principally in the form of secured loans called advances. We also provide liquidity for home mortgage loans to members approved as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) through the Mortgage Partnership Finance® (MPF®) Program.

Our accounting and financial reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP). Amounts in prior periods may be reclassified to conform to the current presentation and if material are disclosed in the following notes. Effective January 1, 2016, we retrospectively adopted new FASB guidance requiring deferred concession fees resulting from debt issuances to be reclassified from Other Assets to a direct deduction of the debt it relates to in our statements of condition. This reclassification did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or percentage net interest yield on our consolidated obligations at the time of adoption.

Unless otherwise specified, references to we, us, our, and the Bank are to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

“Mortgage Partnership Finance”, “MPF”, “MPF Xtra”, and "Community First" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Refer to the Glossary of Terms starting on page 123 for the definitions of certain terms used herein.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation ofWe are required to make estimates and assumptions when preparing our financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expense.GAAP. The most significant of these assumptionsestimates and estimatesassumptions applies to fair value measurements and allowance for credit losses. ActualOur actual results couldmay differ from these assumptionsthe results reported in our financial statements due to such estimates and estimates.assumptions. This includes the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of income and expense, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

We would consolidate aare not the primary beneficiary of any variable interest entity ifentity. Specifically, we determine that we are its primary beneficiary, which occurs when both conditions shown below are met.

Wedo not have the power to direct the activities of aany variable interest entity that would most significantly impact the entity’sit's economic performance.

Weperformance and we do not have the obligation to absorb losses ofor the right to receive benefits from any variable interest entity that could potentially be significant to thea variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.

We did As a result, we do not consolidate any of our investments in variable interest entities sinceentities. Instead, we are not the primary beneficiary. We classify variable interest entities as investment securities in our statements of condition. Such investment securities include, but are not limited to, senior interests in private-label mortgage backed securities (MBS) and Federal Family Education Loan Program asset backed securities (FFELP ABS). Our maximum loss exposure for these investment securities is limited to their carrying amounts. We have no liabilities related to these investments in variable interest entities. We have not provided financial or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to these investment securities that we were not previously contractually required to provide, nor do we intend to provide such support in the future.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Gross versus Net Presentation of Financial Instruments

We present derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis in our statements of condition on the basis that the Bank'sour right of setoff with itsto net amounts due to our clearing agents and/or itsour counterparties is enforceable at law. We include accrued net interest receivable/payablesettlements and cash collateral, including initial and variation margin, in the carrying amount of a derivative. Derivatives are netted by contract (e.g., master netting agreement) or otherwise,, to discharge all or a portion of the debtamounts that would be owed to our counterparty by

F-9

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


applying them against the debt an amountamounts that our counterparty owes to us. Additionally, we clear certain derivatives transactions with clearinghouses classified as a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), through a Futures Commission MerchantMerchants (FCM)., a clearing member of the DCO. If these netted amounts are positive, they are classified as a derivative asset and if negative, they are classified as a derivative liability.  Any over-collateralization amount received by us is not offset against another derivative asset counterparty

The net exposure for whichthese financial instruments can change on a daily basis; therefore, there may be a delay between the time this exposure change is no legal right of offset, whileidentified and additional collateral is requested, and the time when this collateral is received or pledged. Likewise, there may be a delay for excess collateral to be returned. For derivative instruments that meet the netting requirements, any over-collateralization delivered by usexcess cash collateral received or pledged is not offset against anotherrecognized as a derivative liability counterparty exposure for which there is no legal right of offset. or asset.

Refer to Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further details.

Our policy is to report securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, if any, and securities borrowing transactions, if any, on a gross basis.

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued or within one year after the financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable. Substantial doubt exists if it is probable that the entity will be unable to meet its obligations for the assessed period. This guidance became effective for us for the annual period ending December 31, 2016, and for the annual and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the disclosures to our financial statements.


F-10

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fair Value

Fair value represents the exit price that we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date.

Fair Value HierarchyValuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

We useutilize the fair value hierarchy to prioritize ourwhen selecting valuation techniques and significant inputs when measuringto measure the fair value of our assets and liabilities carried atliabilities. Our valuation techniques may utilize market, cost, and/or income models to estimate fair values. Under the fair value on our statements of condition. Refer to Note 16 - Fair Value for further details on ourhierarchy, valuation techniques and significant inputs are prioritized from the most objective, such as quoted market prices in external active markets, to the least objective, such as valuation approaches that utilize unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy requires us 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 fair value measurement is determined. This overall level is an indication of market observability of the fair value measurement for the asset or liability. Outlined below is an overview of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Refer to Note 16 - Fair Value for further details on our valuation techniques and significant inputs.

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable 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 3 inputs are unobservable inputs used to measure fair value of an asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available; for example, situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

We apply the “portfolio exception” for purposes of determining the nonperformance risk adjustment, if any, toFor instruments carried at fair value, we review the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of our derivative instruments. The “portfolio exception” allows for the nonperformance risk adjustmentvaluation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities from one level to theanother. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in/out at fair value as of our derivative assets and derivative liabilities to be measured based on the net counterparty position (i.e.beginning of the price that would be received to sell a net long position or transfer a net short position for a particular credit risk exposure), rather thanquarter in which the individual values of financial instruments within the portfolio (i.e., the gross position).changes occur.

Fair Value Option

We may elect the fair value option for financial instruments, such as advances, MPF Loans held for sale, consolidated obligation discount notes and bonds; orbonds, in cases where hedge accounting treatment may not be available.achieved due to the inability to meet the hedge effectiveness testing criterion. We carry these financial instruments at fair value in our statements of condition with any changes in their fair value immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss)noninterest income on instruments held under fair value option in our statements of income. We economically hedge these financial instruments with derivatives that also are carried at fair value in our statements of condition with changes in their fair value immediately recognized as noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities in our statements of income. Interest income or expense recognized in our statements of income on these financial instruments is based solely on the contractual amount of interest due or unpaid, except for discount notes. Our discount notes which have a zero coupon rate. In such cases,rate, and accordingly, we accrete interest expense accretedequal to the initial discount at the time of issuance over their life into our statements of income over the life of the discount notes is equal to the amount of the discount at the time the discount note was issued.income. Any transaction fees or costs, such as concession fees on consolidated obligation bonds and discount notes, are immediately recognized into other non-interest expense.noninterest expense - other. See Note 16 - Fair Value to the financial statements for further details.

Cash and Due From Banks

We consider only cash and due from banks as cash and cash equivalents. Cash and due from banks consists of unrestricted reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.


F-10

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Interest Bearing Deposits, Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

We utilize these investments for short-term liquidity purposes and carry them aton an amortized cost basis in our statements of condition.


F-11

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Collateral on Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell (resale agreements)

Collateral accepted from our counterparties is held in safekeeping in our name for safekeeping by third party custodians.
Although we are contractually permitted to
We do not sell or repledge theany collateral we do not do so givenreceive due to the short-term nature of our resale agreements.

The collateral's fair value less haircuts approximates the resale agreement's carrying amount in our statements of condition.
A
Our counterparty is required to make up any shortfall, which exists if the collateral's fair value decreases below the contractually required amount. In such cases, our counterparty is required to provide an equivalent amount, ofby providing additional securities as collateral equal to make upthe amount of the shortfall. If our counterparty does not provide such additional collateral, we reduce the resale agreement's carrying amount is reduced by the amount of thecollateral shortfall in collateral.amount.

Investment Securities
  
We record purchases and sales of investment securities (securities) on a trade date basis. We classify securities as either trading, held-to-maturity (HTM), or available-for-sale (AFS) period based on the criteria outlined below. Classification is made at the time a security is acquired and then reassessed each subsequent reporting period.

Securities held solely for liquidity purposes are classified as trading. We are prohibited from holding trading securities for speculative purposes pursuant to FHFA regulations.

Securities held to provide additional earnings are classified as HTM. Classification as HTM requires that we have both the intent and ability to hold the security to maturity.

Securities not classified as either trading or HTM are classified as AFS; for example, securities held for asset-liability management purposes.

Our accounting policypolicies for trading, HTM and AFS securities isare outlined below.

Trading securities are carried at fair value. Fair value changes related to trading securities are recognized in non-interest gain (loss). This includes fair value changes related to purchase premiums/discounts,noninterest income on trading securities. Interest income on trading securities is based solely on the contractual amount of interest due, except for securities, if any, that have a zero coupon rate. For trading securities such as U.S. Treasury bills. In such cases,with a zero coupon rate, we accrete the initial discount is accreted tointo interest income over their life into our statements of income. Cash flows from trading securities, excluding cash flows from our securitized MPF Government MBS product, are treatedpresented on a gross basis and classified as an investing activity.activities in our statements of cash flows. Cash flows from our securitized MPF Government MBS product are classified as operating activities in our statements of cash flows.

HTM securities are carried at theiron an amortized cost basis.basis adjusted for any noncredit other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) recognized in AOCI. Amortized cost basis is defined asrepresents the original cost of a security adjusted for accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) recognized into earnings (less any cumulative effect adjustments), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments. 

AFS securities are carried at fair value. We recognizeChanges in fair value changes related toon AFS securities are recognized into AOCI in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI),our statements of condition except when we enter intofor AFS securities that are in a fair value hedge of an AFS security. In such cases, we immediately recognizerelationship. Changes in fair value changes related to bothon AFS securities and the AFS security and its related derivative hedging instrumentAFS securities in a fair value hedging relationship are immediately recognized into our statements ofnoninterest income as a component of non-interest gain (loss) on derivatives and hedging activities.

We use the interest method to amortize/accrete premiums/discounts on HTM and AFS securities into interest income in our statements of income. HTM and AFS securities having a prepayment feature amortize/accrete premiums/discounts over their estimated lives which is based on anticipated prepayments. Such amortization/accretion is recognized in our statements of income as interest income. If a difference arises between the prepayments anticipated and actual prepayments received, weWe recalculate thetheir effective yield on an ongoing basis to reflect actual payments to date and anticipated future payments.

We use the interest method to amortize/accrete premiums/discounts on HTM and AFS securities that do not have a prepayment feature amortize/accrete premiums/discounts over thetheir contractual life of the securities. Such amortization/accretion is recognized in our statements of income as interest income.life.

Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method and are included in non-interest gain (loss) on thenoninterest income in our statements of income.


F-11

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Investment Securities - Other-than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI) 

We assess an HTM or AFS security for OTTI whenever its fair value is less than its amortized cost basis as of the reporting date.

Fair Value Write-downs

AnWe write-down an OTTI security is written down to fair value under the following circumstances:

Ifif we decide to sell the OTTI security.
Ifit or if we believe it is more likely than not that we will be

F-12

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


required to sell the OTTI securityit before the recovery of its amortized cost basis.

Credit and Non-Credit Loss Write-downs

We The entire amount of the fair value write-down and recognizeis recognized as an OTTI credit loss intoin our statements of income. If a fair value write-down on an OTTI security is not required but a recovery of its entire amortized cost basis is not expected, then the OTTI security is written down to its fair value in our statements of condition. The offset to such a fair value write-down is allocated between an OTTI credit loss that is recognized in our statements of income when we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis ofand a HTM or an AFS security. We recognize non-creditnoncredit related losses into AOCI when we have not decided to, or we believe itloss that is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the security before recovering its amortized cost basis.recognized in AOCI.

Subsequent Accretion and Amortization

We prospectively accrete the noncredit OTTI recognized in other comprehensive incomeAOCI for HTM securities to the security's carrying amount over its remaining life. The accretion is based on the amount and timing of the security's future estimated cash flows. This accretion increases the security's carrying amount until we derecognize the security (e.g., at maturity) or until we recognize additional OTTI on that security.security into earnings. See Statements of Comprehensive Income on page F-5.

We evaluate the yield of each impaired HTM or AFS security on a quarterly basis. We adjust the impaired security's yield for subsequent increases or decreases in its estimated cash flows, if any. The adjusted yield is then used to calculate the amount to be recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the impaired security.

Advances

We offer a wide range of fixed- andfixed-and variable-rate advance products with different maturities, interest rates, payment characteristics and optionality. Advances areAn advance is carried either at its amortized cost basis, or fair valueexcept when we elect the fair value option - see Note 16 - Fair Value to theoption. Our accounting for financial statements for further discussion oninstruments under the fair value option.option is outlined in our "Fair Value" accounting policy discussed above. Amortized cost basis is defined asrepresents the original amount funded to our member which includes premiums or discounts, ifadjusted for any subsequently adjusted, if applicable, for accretion, amortization, collection of cash, and cumulative basis adjustments related to fair value hedges.hedge accounting adjustments.  Fair value hedge adjustments include ongoing (open) and/or discontinued (closed) fair value hedges. Cash flow hedging adjustments related to ongoing (open) and/or discontinued (closed) cash flow hedges are classified in AOCI. We utilize the interest method to amortize/accrete the items shown below into interest income over the contractual life of advances carried on an amortized cost basis.

Premiumsany premiums/discounts and discounts, if any;
Closedclosed fair value hedging adjustments; and
Closedand/or cash flow hedging adjustments.

Prepayments

If an advance is prepaid, weWe recognize prepayment fees, if any, and any related fair value and/or cash flow hedging adjustments into interest income onin our statements of income.income when an advance is prepaid.

Modifications versus Extinguishments

InWe assess whether a modification or an extinguishment of an existing advance has occurred in cases where a new advance is issued concurrently or shortly after the prepayment of anthat existing advance (within 5 business days), we determine whether the new by a member. An advance represents a modification to the original termsis considered extinguished if either of the prepaid advance or whether the prepayment represents an extinguishment. We recognize an extinguishment of an advance if theconditions shown below are met:

The present value of the cash flows under the terms offlow on the new debt instrumentadvance is at least 10% different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms ofon the original instrumentadvance; or if we determine that a

A significant modification has occurred based on the specific facts and circumstances (and other relevant considerations) surrounding the modification.

Any prepayment fees and any unamortized cumulative basis adjustment resulting from a fair value hedge of an extinguished advance would be immediately recognized into interest income in our statements of income. Amounts deferred in AOCI related to a cash flow hedge on the extinguished advance are immediately recognized into noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities.

If both of the above conditions are not met, a modification of the existing advance has occurred. Any prepayment fees and any unamortized cumulative basis adjustment resulting from a fair value hedge of the modified advance would continue to be amortized over its contractual life.

MPF Loans

See Note 7 - MPF Loans Held in Portfolio for further details pertaining to the MPF Program and MPF Loans.

MPF Loans Held for Sale  

MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Xtra product, MPF Direct product, and MPF Government MBS product are classified as

F-12F-13

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


If the new advance is accounted for as a modification, then any unamortized cumulative basis adjustment resulting from fair value hedges of that advance and prepayment fees attributable to the original advance would continue to be amortized over the contractual life of the modified advance.

If we extinguish an advance, then any unamortized cumulative basis adjustment resulting from any related fair value hedges and/or prepayment fees are recognized immediately into our statements of income as interest income. Amounts deferred in AOCI related to a cash flow hedge on the extinguished advance are immediately recognized into gain or loss from derivatives and hedging activities.

MPF Loans

See Note 7 - MPF Loans for further details pertaining to the MPF Program and MPF Loans.

MPF Loans Held for Sale  

We classify MPF Loans we acquire under the MPF Xtra product, MPF Direct product, and MPF Government MBS product as MPF Loans held for sale (HFS). Currently, we classify MPF Loans under the MPF Government MBS product are reclassified from Mortgage Loans HFS in Other Assets.to trading securities upon their securitization provided the securitization qualifies for sales accounting treatment. If the securitization does not meet the conditions for sale accounting treatment, then we continue to classify these mortgage loans as MPF Loans HFS. We have elected the fair value option for MPF Loans HFS. Accordingly, we carry MPF Loans HFS atOur accounting for financial instruments under the fair value option is outlined in our statements of condition with any changes in fair value immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss) in our statements of income."Fair Value" accounting policy discussed above. The initial fair value of the MPF Loans HFS includes the fair value amount of the MPF delivery commitment as of the purchase or settlement date. We classify MPF Loans HFS in Other Assets rather than as a separate line item in our statements of condition on the basis of materiality. Cash flows from MPF Loans HFS are classified as operating activities in our statements of cash flows. The following transaction fees are recognized into noninterest income - other, net in our statements of income:

Any transaction fees, such as extension fees, or incremental third party transaction costs are immediately recognized into other noninterest income. recognized.

Any transaction fees representing the reimbursement of our third party costs attributable to securitization of MPF Loans HFS are immediately recognized.

Any transaction fees attributable to services we perform over the life of the MPF Loan HFS, such as administrative services, is recognized into noninterest income over the remaining life of that MPF Loan HFS after it is transferred or securitized to a third party. For MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Government MBS product, cash outflows from purchasing such loans are shown net of cash inflows from any principal payments received and proceeds received from issuing Ginnie Mae securities. The net cash flows from MPF Loans HFS are classified as an operating activity within our statements of cash flows.

MPF Loans Held in Portfolio  

MPF Loans for which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as MPF Loans held in portfolio on our statements of condition. MPF Loans held in portfolioportfolio. Such loans are carried on an amortized cost basis.basis on our statements of condition. Amortized cost basis is defined as either the amount funded or the cost to purchase MPF Loans. Specifically, the amortized cost basis includesrepresents the initial fair value amount of the MPF delivery commitment as of the purchase or settlement date, agent fees (i.e., market risk premiums or discounts paid to or received from PFIs), if any, subsequently adjusted, if applicable, for accretion, amortization, collection of cash, charge-offs, and cumulative basis adjustments related to fair value hedges. Cumulative basis adjustments for MPF Loans only include discontinued (closed) fair value hedges.
Fee and Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Recognition in the Statements of Income

We use the interest method to amortize the items belowyield adjustments into interest income in our statements of income over the contractual life of an MPF Loan held in portfolio. Yield adjustments may include agent fees, the MPF Loan.

Agent fees.
Fairfair value amount of the delivery commitment as of its settlement date.
Anydate, any origination net fees or costs representing yield adjustments.
Closedadjustments, closed fair value hedging adjustments.
Creditadjustments, and credit enhancement fees.

MPF Fees from other FHLBs

Other FHLBs pay us a membership fee to participate in the MPF Program and a fee for us to provide services related to their on balance sheet MPF Loans, which offsets a portion of expenses we incur to run the program. We present these fees on a gross basis and classify them in Noninterest income - MPF Fees from other FHLBs.

Allowance for Credit Losses

Refer to Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for further details.

On-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

An allowance for credit losses is a contra asset valuation account on our statements of condition that provides for incurred but not reported credit losses for the reporting periods presented. If necessary,attributable to an allowance for credit losses is established for eachon-balance sheet portfolio segment, defined by management.such as conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio. A portfolio segment is defined asrepresents the first level of disaggregation that we develop and document a systematic method for determining an allowance for credit losses attributable to our financing receivablesreceivables. We establish an allowance for credit losses for a portfolio segment when, based on available information, it is probable a credit loss has been incurred as discusseda result of past events and the current economic conditions existing at the date of our statements of condition and if such credit losses are reasonably estimable. We recognize the change in detail further below. We recognizecredit losses during the reporting period as a provision for (reversal of) credit losses in our statements of income based on available information relatingincome.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

We establish a separate liability for credit losses, if any, attributable to past events andoff-balance sheet financial instruments, such as standby letters of credit (also referred to herein as letters of credit), using the current economic environment. Future events are not considered when determiningsame approach described above for on-balance sheet financial instruments. We recognize the change in credit losses during the reporting period, if any, in other noninterest expense in our statements of income.

The allowance for credit losses.losses methodology for each of our portfolio segments is discussed below.


F-13F-14

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments

A separate liability rather than a contra asset valuation account is established for credit products with off-balance sheet credit risk exposures, such as standby letters of credit. An inherent loss exists and an estimated loss is accrued by charging other noninterest expense in our statements of income if, based on available information relating to past events and the current economic environment, it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the probable loss can be reasonably estimated. Future events are not considered when determining whether a liability needs to be recorded.

We have identified our portfolio segments and have established an allowance methodology as discussed below.

Member credit productsCredit Products (advances, letters of credit and other extensions of credit to borrowers);
Conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio;
Government Loans held in portfolio; and
Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell.

Member Credit Products

We consider our risk-based approach to determining collateral requirements, including risk-based collateral levels and collateral delivery triggers, and our credit extension policies as the primary tools for managing the credit quality on our member credit products. We assess and protect our rights to collateral on a member-by-member basis to determine if we haveare holding collateral with a collateral value that is at least equal to the credit outstanding to that member. The estimated collateral value required to secure each member's credit products is calculated for securities, by multiplying a percentage margin by the fair value of each security adjusted for eligible collateral and for loans, by multiplying a percentage margin by the unpaid principal balance of pledged loans, along with any applicable ineligibility discount factor. We also factor in the repayment history of our members when assessing whether a credit risk loss has been incurred with respect to our member credit products.

Conventional MPF Loans Held in Portfolio

MPF Risk Sharing Structure

Our allowance for credit losses methodology factors in the allocation of losses for conventional MPF products held in our portfolio as further described below. The credit risk analysis determines the degree to which layers of the MPF Risk Sharing Structure are available to recover losses on MPF Loans. PFIs deliver MPF Loans into pools designated by product specific Master Commitments (MCs). The credit risk analysis is performed at an individual MC level since credit loss recovery from a PFI is MC-specific and no- that is, credit losses on a loan may be absorbed by the PFI only by its risk layer can be applied across a PFI's MCs. With respectof the MC related to that loan. We allocate losses on participation interests in MPF Loans losses are allocated amongst the participating MPF Banks pro-ratably based upon their respective percentage participation interest in the related MC. Credit losses are absorbed under the MPF Risk Sharing Structure in the following order:

Borrower's equity.
Primary mortgage insurance (PMI), if any.
The PFI. We will withhold a PFI's scheduled performance credit enhancement fee in order to reimburse ourselves for any losses allocated to the FLA (as further described below).
Us or pro-rata with another MPF Bank in the case of a participation. Our first layer of exposure is referred to as the First Loss Account (FLA). The FLA functions as a tracking mechanism for determining the point in which a PFI's credit enhancement obligation (CE Amount) would cover the next layer of losses. Our FLA exposure varies by MPF Loan product type - that is, MPF Original, MPF 100 and 125, and MPF Plus (or its variation, MPF 35).
Borrower's equity.
Primary mortgage insurance (PMI), if any.
The PFI. We will withhold a PFI's scheduled performance credit enhancement fee in order to reimburse ourselves for any losses allocated to the FLA (as further described below).
Us or pro-rata with another MPF Bank in the case of a participation. Our first layer of exposure is referred to as the First Loss Account (FLA). The FLA functions as a tracking mechanism for determining the point in which a PFI's credit enhancement obligation (CE Amount) would cover the next layer of losses. Our FLA exposure varies by MPF Loan product type - that is, MPF Original, MPF 35, MPF 100, MPF 125, and MPF Plus.
The PFI. The PFI's CE Amount, which may include proceeds from a provider of supplemental mortgage guaranty insurance (SMI).
Us or pro-rata with another MPF Bank in the case of a participation. We and the participating MPF Bank, if applicable, will absorb any losses after the CE Amount has been exhausted.

Review Process

Our overall allowance for credit losses is determined by an analysis that includes consideration of various data observations such as past performance, current performance, loan portfolio characteristics, other collateral related characteristics, industry data, and prevailing economic conditions. The measurement of the allowance for credit losses consists of: (1) reviewing the change in the rates (i.e., migration or "roll rates") of delinquencies on residential mortgage loans for the entire portfolio; (2) reviewing the total severity rate and the credit loss severity rate; and (3) estimating credit losses in the remaining portfolio.


F-14

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Loss Severity

The Total Severity Rate and the Credit Loss Severity Rate calculations, as defined further below, are based on analysis of MPF Loans that have experienced a credit loss in the previous 12 months. The analysis is done on a rolling 12 month basis.
 
Total Severity Rate: This severity rate is based on the total losses experienced and expenses incurred on conventional MPF Loans under the MPF Risk Sharing Structure. Specifically, this severity rate includes all credit losses related to contractual principal and interest due on impaired conventional MPF Loans, real estate owned (REO) sale losses, and periodic expenses incurred through the life cycle of a conventional MPF Loan, such as real estate taxes and attorney fees incurred after the MPF Loanit is transferred to REO.real estate owned (REO), and REO sale gains or losses.
 
Credit Loss Severity Rate: The second severity rate only includes credit losses attributable to the contractual principal amounts due on impaired conventional MPF Loan portfolios that either were not collected or were not received on a timely basis.
 

F-15

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The Total Severity Rate includes total losses and expenses to prevent our allowance for credit losses from being understated. This ensures the portion of the MPF Risk Sharing Structure utilized to absorb non-creditnoncredit losses is not being included when calculating the amount to be utilized to absorb credit losses.
 
We may adjust these severity rates to reach the final Total Severity Rate and Credit Loss Severity Rate used in the allowance for credit losses methodology. Adjustments may include factors that exist in the current economic environment, such as the FHFA Purchase-Only index,House Price Index, as of the reporting date.

We have not presented quantitative information pertaining to our total and credit loss severity rates due to the immateriality of our allowance for credit losses.

Consideration of the MPF Risk Sharing Structure

The entire population of conventional MPF Loans is analyzed using the MPF Risk Sharing Structure at the MC level using roll rates and the Total Severity Rate. The total losses resulting after factoring in the MPF Risk Sharing Structure are then calculated. The adjusted total losses are then split into credit losses (GAAP losses) and non-creditnoncredit losses. Under GAAP, aA credit loss only consists of the loss resulting from the timing and amount of unpaid principal on an MPF Loan and does not include periodic expenses incurred during the time period in which an MPF Loan has become REO. Such periodic expenses are non-creditnoncredit losses, and they are directly expensed through the statements of income as incurred.

Estimating Credit Losses in the Remaining Portfolio

We apply an imprecision factor to our homogeneous pools of conventional MPF Loans when estimating our allowance for credit losses. Our margin of imprecision represents a subjective management judgment based on facts and circumstances that exist as of the reporting date that is unallocated to any specific measurable economic or credit event and is intended to cover other inherent losses that may not be captured by our loan loss methodology.

Government Loans Held in Portfolio

The PFI provides and maintains insurance or a guaranty from governmental agencies, which includes ensuring compliance with all of their requirements,requirements. Servicers maintain the insurance or guaranty and obtainingobtain the benefit of the applicable insurance or guaranty with respect to defaulted Government Loans. Any losses incurred on Government Loans that are not recovered from the government insurer or guarantor are absorbed by the servicing PFI.servicer. Accordingly, credit losses of our portfolio segment for Government Loans included in our MPF Loan held in portfolio for the reporting periods presented is based on our assessment of our servicing PFIs'servicers' ability to absorb losses not covered by the applicable government guarantee or insurance.

Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

Federal Funds sold are only evaluated for purposes of an allowance for credit losses if payment is not made when due. In this regard, we may establish an allowance for credit losses for Federal Funds sold when repayment has not been made according to contractual terms.

We may establish an allowance for credit losses for Securities Purchased Under Agreementssecurities purchased under agreements to Resellresell or resale agreements in cases where all payments due under the contractual terms have not been received and where we do not hold sufficient underlying collateral. For example, if the credit markets experience disruptions, it may increase the likelihood that one of our counterparties could experience liquidity or financial constraints that may cause them to become insolvent or otherwise default on their obligations to

F-15

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


us. If the collateral's fair value amount has decreased below the resale agreement's carrying amount, we may suffer a credit loss that would be recognized as an allowance for credit loss with an offsetting amount recognized as a provision for credit losses in our statements of income.

Refer to Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for further details.

Asset Classification and Charge-off Provisions

On January 1, 2014, we adoptedWe recognize a charge-off on a loan upon the asset classification provisionsoccurrence of Advisory Bulletin 2012-02, Framework for Adversely Classifyinga confirming event, which include, but are not limited to, the events shown below. The charge-off amount equals the difference between the loan's amortized cost basis and its fair value, less costs to sell. We use an Automated Valuation Methodology (AVM) to determine the fair value of our impaired conventional MPF Loans Other Real Estate Owned,held in portfolio, including troubled debt restructurings, and Other Assets and Listing Assets for Special Mention (AB 2012-02) issued by the FHFA. On January 1, 2015, we prospectively adopted the remaining provisions of AB 2012-02. The remaining provisions did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows at the time of adoption. AB 2012-02 established a standard and uniform methodology for the items outlined below.REO.

When an asset should be "adversely classified" as either Substandard, Doubtful,a loan is 180 days or Loss.
When an asset should be charged-off (excluding investment securities). A charge-off is recognized upon the occurrence of a confirming event, which include, but are not limited to, the items below. Our prior practice was to recognize a charge-off when a conventional MPF Loan was transferred to Real Estate Owned (REO).
A current assessment of value is made before a single family residential loan is more than 180 days past due. Any outstanding loan balance in excess of the fair value of the property, less cost to sell, is classified as "Loss" when the loan is no more than 180 days delinquent.

more past due and its fair value, less cost to sell, is less than the loan's amortized cost basis.
When a borrower is in bankruptcy, loans are written down to the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell, within 60 days of receipt of the notification of filing from the bankruptcy court or within the delinquency time frames specified in the

F-16

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


guidance, whichever is shorter. A loan is not written down if the loan is performing, the borrower continues making payments on the loan, and repayment in full is expected.

Fraudulent loans, not covered by any existing representations and warranties in the loan purchase agreement, are charged off within 90 days of discovery of the fraud, or within the delinquency time frames specified in the adverse classification guidance, whichever is shorter.
Nonaccrual

Fair value measurement guidance for classified conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio and REO. We began using Automated Valuation Methodology (AVM) to determine the fair value of our impaired conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio, including troubled debt restructurings, and REO. Our prior practice was to determine fair value using broker price opinions, if available. If broker price opinions were not available, we used our credit loss severity rate determined from actual historical sales. The use of AVMs to determine fair value may result in increased volatility with respect to our allowance for credit losses and its related provision for (reversal of) credit loss in our financial statements.
When to place an asset on nonaccrual. Conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio are placed on nonaccrual when they become "adversely classified" - that is, when a loan is classified as "Substandard", "Doubtful", or "Loss". An adverse classification means that such a loan is not considered well secured and is in the process of collection. Our prior practice was to place conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio on nonaccrual when the loan was 90 or more days past due (or 60 days past due in the case of a bankruptcy) and the loan was not well-secured and in the process of collection.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

We consider a troubled debt restructuring of a financing receivable to have occurred when we grant a concession to a borrower that we would not otherwise consider for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties. An MPF Loan involved in a troubled debt restructuring is individually evaluated for impairment when determining its related allowance for credit losses. Refer to Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for further details.

Derivatives

Refer to Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for additional details.

We carry all derivatives at fair value in our statements of condition. We designate derivatives either as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, or economic hedges. We use fair value hedges to offset changes in the fair value or a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR) related to (1) a recognized asset or liability or (2) an unrecognized firm commitment. We use cash flow hedges to offset an exposure to variability in expected future cash flows associated with an existing recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction. We utilizeuse economic hedges to reduce a particular risk, such asin cases where hedge accounting treatment is not permitted or achievable; for example, hedges of portfolio interest rate risk for which hedge accounting is not permitted. Refer to Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for additional disclosures.or financial instruments carried at fair value under the fair value option.

F-16

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Derivative Hedge Accounting - We apply hedge accounting to qualifying items. Our assessment thathedge relationships. A qualifying hedge relationship exists when a derivative used as a hedging instrument is expected to effectively offset changes in fair values, or cash flows, or underlying risk of the hedged item during the term of the hedge for the risk being hedged is a key aspect of a hedged relationship qualifying for hedge accounting. We perform hedge effectiveness testing at hedge inception and at least quarterly thereafter. We use regression analysis to assess hedge effectiveness.relationship. We prepare formal contemporaneous documentation at inception of the hedge inception identifying qualifyingrelationship to support that the hedge relationship qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. Such documentation includes the items as outlined below.below:

Our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge.
The nature of the hedged risk.
The derivative hedging instrument.
The hedged item or forecasted transaction.
The method we will use to retrospectively and prospectively assess the hedging instrument's effectiveness.
The method we will use to measure the amount of hedge ineffectiveness into earnings.
Where applicable, relevantFor cash flow hedges only, we document details includingthat include, but are not limited to, the date or period when a forecasted transaction is expected to occur.

We also perform hedge effectiveness testing at hedge inception and at least quarterly thereafter. We use regression analysis to assess hedge effectiveness.

We immediately recognize changes in fair values on the derivative's trade date for both the derivative and the related hedged item, even when settlement date is used for the hedged item; for example, settlement date accounting is applied to advances and consolidated obligation bonds. Changes in the fair value of the derivative hedging instrument and the related hedged item beginning on the derivative hedging instrument's trade date. For fair value hedges, changes in a qualifying fair hedgevalue on the hedged item are recognized as non-interest gain (loss)a cumulative basis adjustment to the asset or liability being hedged with an offsetting entry recognized in noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities. Changesactivities in theour statements of income. For cash flow hedges, we recognize changes in fair value ofon the derivative hedging instrument and the related hedged item in a qualifying cash flow hedge are recognized in AOCI to the extent that the hedge is effective. A cash flow hedge's ineffective portion is immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss) innoninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities.activities in our statements of income. Amounts recorded in AOCI are reclassified either to interest income or interest expense depending on the hedged item during the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

Discontinuance of Derivative Hedge Accounting - Derivative hedge accounting for discontinued fair value and cash flow hedges is outlined below.

We begin amortizing a closed fair value hedging adjustment on a hedged asset or liabilityadjustments into interest income or interest expense, whichever is appropriate,applicable, over itsthe remaining life of the hedged item using the interest method at the time the hedge relationship is discontinued.

We begin amortizing a closed cash flow hedging adjustmentadjustments on athe hedged item from AOCI into interest income or interest expense, whichever is applicable, when earnings are affected by the original forecasted transaction.

In cases where
F-17

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


If hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding as an economicis not redesignated to another qualifying hedge relationship, we account for the derivative as an economic hedge as discussed further below.hedge.

Economic Hedges - Derivatives used in economic hedges do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, such derivatives are carried at fair value with changesChanges in fair value on economic hedges are immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss) innoninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities.activities in our statements of income.

Purchased Options - Premiums paid to acquire options are included in the initial basis of the derivative and reported in derivative assets on the statements of condition.

AccruedAccrual of Net Interest Receivables and PayablesSettlements - Any differentials between accrualsAccrual of net interest receivables and payablessettlements on derivatives designateda derivative qualifying as a fair value or cash flow hedgeshedge are recognized in the same line item in our statements of income as adjustments to either the interest income or interest expense based onof the underlying naturehedged item. Accrual of the hedged item; for example, the differential related to a hedge of an advance is recognized innet interest income. The differentials between accruals of interest receivables and payablessettlements on economic hedges are recognized as non-interest gain (loss) innoninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities.activities in our statements of income.

MPF Delivery Commitments - Commitments to purchase MPF Loans are carried at fair value as a derivative asset or derivative liability, with changes in fair value immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss) innoninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities.activities in our statements of income.

Written Advance Commitments - An unhedged written advance commitment on an advance we intend to hold for investment purposes upon funding is accounted for as a firm commitment rather than a derivative instrument as we intend to hold advances for investment purposes upon funding.derivative. Firm commitments are accounted for off-balance sheet rather than carried at fair value. However, when we enter intoA hedged advance commitment (i.e., in a fair value hedge relationship between the written advance commitment and an interest rate swap, we carry the written advance commitmentrelationship) is carried at fair value with any changes in fair value immediately recognized in non-interest gain (loss)noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities. Such changes in fair value are offset by the change in fair value of the interest rate swap (i.e., hedging instrument).


F-17

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Derivative Contracts with a Financing Element - CashWe present cash flows from derivative contracts are presented as cash flows from operating activities in our statements of cash flows, except in cases where an other-than-insignificant financing element is present at the derivative contract's inception. In such cases, we classify cash flows from derivative contractsinception as a financing activity. We define the term “other-than-insignificant” as an amount that is equal to or greater than 10% of the present value of an at-the-market derivative’s fully prepaid amount.

Novation - In March of 2016, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying that a change in counterparty (through novation) to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument in an existing hedging relationship would not, in and of itself, be considered a termination of the derivative instrument or be considered a change in the critical term of the hedging relationship. We early adopted this new guidance on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2016. The new guidance had no effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows at the time of adoption.

Consolidated Obligations

Consolidated obligations consist of discount notes and consolidated obligation bonds. Consolidated obligations are the joint and several liability of the FHLBs. See Note 10 - Consolidated Obligations to the financial statements for further details.

We carry consolidated obligations on an amortized cost basis, which includesexcept when we elect the fair value option. Our accounting for financial instruments under the fair value option is outlined in our "Fair Value" accounting policy discussed above. Amortized cost basis represents the amount funded to us adjusted for any premiums and discounts, if any,concession fees, and cumulative basis adjustments related to ongoing (open) and/or discontinued (closed) fair value hedges (fair value hedging adjustments). An exception occurs when we elect the fair value option for a consolidated obligation. In such cases, we carry the consolidated obligation at fair value in our statements of condition with any changes in fair value immediately recognized as non-interest gain (loss) in our statements of income. See Note 16 - Fair Value to the financial statements for further discussion. Cumulative basis adjustments related to ongoing (open) and/or discontinued (closed) cash flow hedges (cash flow hedging adjustments) are classified in AOCI. We amortize the items below into interest expense for consolidated obligations carried on an amortized cost basis usinguse the interest method.

Premiums, method to amortize/accrete premiums/discounts, concession fees, and closed cash flow hedging adjustments on callable consolidated obligations are amortized over the estimated lifeinto interest expense in our statements of the consolidated obligations. Closed fair value hedge adjustments related toincome. The amortization/accretion period for a callable consolidated obligation also is amortized over its estimated life aslife. The amortization/accretion period for a yield adjustment unless that callable consolidated obligation that is extinguished. In such cases, the related fair value hedging adjustment, ifnoncallable or that has a zero-coupon rate is over its contractual life. We immediately recognize any is included as the determination of the gain or loss on debt extinguishment.

Premiums, remaining premiums/discounts, concession fees, and closedfair value hedging adjustments attributable to a consolidated obligation that is called into interest expense in our statements of income. Any remaining cash flow hedging adjustments on non-callable and zero-coupon consolidated obligations are amortized over the contractual life ofadjustment in AOCI attributable to the consolidated obligations. Closed fair value hedge adjustments related to non-callableobligation that was called is immediately recognized into noninterest income on derivatives and zero-coupon consolidated obligations also are amortized over their contractual life as a yield adjustment unless such consolidated obligations are extinguished. In such cases, the related fair value hedging adjustment, if any, is included as the determinationactivities in our statements of the gain or loss on debt extinguishment.income.

We de-recognize a consolidated obligation only if it has been extinguished in the open market or transferred to another FHLB. We record a transfer of our consolidated obligations to another FHLB as an extinguishment of debt because we have been legally released from being the primary obligor. An extinguishment gain or loss is recognized in noninterest income on early extinguishment of debt, if any. The amount recognized equals the difference between the debt's reacquisition price and its net carrying amount, which includes the remaining premiums/discounts, concession fees, and cumulative fair value hedging adjustments, attributable to the extinguished consolidated obligation. Any remaining cash flow hedging adjustment in AOCI attributable to the extinguished consolidated obligation is immediately recognized into noninterest income on derivatives and

F-18

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


hedging activities in our statements of income.

Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS)

Capital stock is issued and recorded at par. We record the repurchase of our capital stock from our members at par. The capital stock repurchased is retired. Dividends related toWe recognize dividends on our capital stock on the date they are declared by our Board of Directors. Specifically, upon being declared, we recognize a reduction to our retained earnings with an offsetting entry to other liabilities (i.e., accrued dividends payable) in our statements of condition based on the number of shares outstanding of our Class B1 activity stock and its dividend rate and the number of shares outstanding of our Class B2 membership stock and its dividend rate.

We reclassify capital stock from equity to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS), a liability on our statements of condition, once we become unconditionally obligated to redeem capital stock by transferring cash at a specified or determinable date (or dates) or upon an event certain to occur. Capital stock is reclassified to MRCS at fair value. The fair value of capital stock subject to mandatory redemption is its par value (as indicated by contemporaneous member purchases and sales at par value) plus any dividends related to the capital stock which are also reclassified as a liability, accrued at the expected dividend rate, and reported as a reductioncomponent of retained earnings ininterest expense. Our stock can only be acquired and redeemed or repurchased at par value. It is not publicly traded and no market mechanism exists for the exchange of stock outside our statements of condition with the offsetting entrycooperative structure.

Refer to accrued dividend payable upon the date the dividends are declared.Note 13 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS) for further details.

Joint and Several Liability

We consider our joint and several liability for consolidated obligations as a related party guarantee. GAAP guidance pertaining to the initial recognition and measurement of guarantees does not apply to related party guarantees. As a result, we did not recognize an initial liability for our joint and several liability at fair value. We would accrue a liability if subsequently we expect to pay any additional amounts on behalf of other FHLBs under the joint and several liability.

Litigation Settlement Awards and related Litigation Settlement Legal Expense

On October 15, 2010, we instituted litigation relating to sixty-four private label MBS bonds purchased by us in an aggregate original principal amount of approximately $4.29 billion. While we continue to pursue litigation related to these matters, we have recognized partial settlements and related contingent legal fees as noted in our statements of income starting in 2013.

We recognize litigation settlement awards into other non-interest gain (loss)noninterest income on litigation settlement awards when realized. A litigation settlement award is considered realized when we receive cash or assets that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash or claims to cash. Prior to being recognized, we consider the potential litigation settlement awards to be gain contingencies.


F-18

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Legal expenses related to litigation settlement awards are contingent based fees for the attorneys representing the Bank. We incur and recognize these contingent based legal fees only if we receive a litigation settlement award. We classify litigation related legal fees in other non-interestnoninterest expense - litigation settlement legal expenseother in our statements of income.

Pentegra Defined Benefit (DB) Plan for Financial Institutions (the Pension Plan)

We participate in the Pentegra Defined Benefit (DB) Plan for Financial Institutions (the Pension Plan), a tax-qualified defined-benefit pension plan. The Pension Plan is considered a multiemployer plan since contributions made by us may be used to provide benefits to participants of other participating employers. We recognize as a net periodic pension cost equal to our minimum required contribution for the reporting period. We also either recognize aA prepaid pension asset is recognized when we have contributedour contributions are in excess of 100% of our minimum required contribution orwhile a liability is recognized for anycontributions due and unpaid contributions required forat the end of the reporting period. The Pension Plan is also considered a multiple employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, certain multiemployer plan disclosures, such as the certified zone status, are not applicable to the Pension Plan. Refer to Note 15 - Employee Retirement Plans for further details.

Segment Reporting

We manage our business activities as a single operating segment. Specifically, management defines our business, assesses our financial performance, and allocates our resources on an entity-wide basis. As a result, we disclose information on an entity-wide basis.


F-19

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 3 – Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments in the Statement of Cash Flows

In August of 2016, the FASB issued statement of cash flows classification guidance governing certain cash receipts and cash payments. The new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2018, with earlier adoption permitted. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively to each period our statements of cash flows are presented at the time of adoption. Our existing practice is consistent with the requirements outlined below:

We classify cash payments related to prepaying or extinguishing our consolidated obligations as financing activities in our statements of cash flows.

We classify the cash payments attributable to interest expense paid at the maturity of our discount notes, which have a zero coupon rate, as operating activities in our statements of cash flows and in our supplemental disclosure of interest expense paid.

We are in the process of reviewing the expected effect of the remaining provisions of the guidance on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June of 2016, the FASB amended existing GAAP guidance applicable to measuring credit losses on financial instruments. The amendments are expected to result in recognizing credit losses in the financial statements on a timelier basis by utilizing forward looking information. Key provisions of the amendments relevant to us are outlined below.
Replaces the “incurred loss” impairment methodology applied under current GAAP with an “expected credit losses” methodology.

The expected credit losses methodology requires us to estimate all credit losses on financial instruments carried on an amortized cost basis and off-balance-sheet credit exposures over their contractual term. On balance sheet financial instruments include, but are not limited to, advances, MPF Loans held in portfolio, and Held-to-maturity (HTM) securities. Off-balance-sheet credit exposure refers to unfunded credit exposures, such as standby letters of credit.

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 financial instrument’s reported amount.

Aligns the income statement recognition of credit losses for securities with the reporting period in which changes in collectability occur by recording credit losses (and subsequent reversals) through an allowance rather than a write-down as currently required under GAAP.

Requires recognition of a credit loss on available-for-sale (AFS) securities into the income statement if the present value of cash flows expected to be collected on the security is less than its amortized cost basis. Additionally, the allowance on AFS debt securities will be limited to the amount by which fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.

Expands upon the current credit quality disclosures by requiring further disaggregation of financial instruments by their year of origination. This disclosure is expected to help financial statement users better understand credit quality trends of asset portfolios.

The amendments become effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted effective January 1, 2019. We plan to implement the expected credit loss methodology through a cumulative-effect adjustment to our beginning retained earnings as of the first reporting period in which the new guidance becomes effective for us. The cumulative effect adjustment will equal the amount required to adjust our existing allowance for credit losses for our on balance-sheet financial instruments and other liabilities for our off-balance sheet financial instruments to the amounts determined under the expected credit losses methodology. A prospective transition approach is required for debt securities in which an OTTI impairment had been recognized before our effective date. The accounting implications of such an approach is outlined below:

Write-downs recognized prior to our effective date on securities may not be reversed at the time of our adoption.


F-20

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Improvements in expected cash flows subsequent to adoption for such securities will continue to be accounted for as yield adjustments over their remaining life.

Recoveries of amounts previously written off prior to the date of adoption will be recorded in earnings when received.

We are in the process of reviewing the expected effect of this guidance on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments

In March of 2016, the FASB issued new guidance clarifying that entities no longer will be required to assess whether the event triggering the acceleration of an embedded contingent call (put) option within a debt instrument is clearly and closely related to its host contract. We adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach on January 1, 2017. The new guidance did not have any effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows at the time of adoption.

Leases

In February of 2016, the FASB issued new guidance pertaining to lease accounting. Except for short-term leases, we would be requiredThe primary change to applyour existing accounting practice resulting from the new guidance is the requirement to all our leases. The key provisions relevant to us our as follows:

Our obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and

A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents our right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

Currently, we recordrecognize operating leases off-balance sheetand right-to-use assets with a term exceeding 12 months in our statements of condition rather than on-balance sheet as a liability.to recognize them off-balance sheet. The new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required to be applied to leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.

The We do not expect the new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2019. We are in the process of reviewing itsto have a significant effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.flows since our existing off-balance sheet operating leases are not material.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January of 2016, the FASB issued new guidance pertaining to thegoverning recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2018. The key provisions applicable to us include, but are not limited to, the following:

The ability to elect the fair value option will continue to be permitted.

Requires recognizing the portion of the total change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income when we elect to carry that liability at fair value under the fair value option. We do not expect the instrument-specific credit risk attributable to our consolidated obligations carried at fair value to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows; however, we will continue to monitor its potential effect. This is primarily because of the historically stable high agency debt ratings for our consolidated obligation and the fact that all FHLBs are joint and severally liable for consolidated obligation debt.

Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category, such as amortized cost, and form, such as securities or loans, on our statements of condition or the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

Eliminates the requirement to disclose the method(s) and assumptions used to estimate fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on our statements of condition.

The new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2018. We are in the process of reviewing its effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost (i.e., Concession Fees)

In April of 2015, the FASB issued new guidance requiring any concession fee to be presented as a direct deduction from the debt it relates to rather than separately presented as a deferred cost in Other Assets. We adopted the new guidance January 1, 2016.

F-19

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The new guidance did not have a material retrospective effect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or percentage net interest yield on our consolidated obligations at the time of adoption.

Amendments to Consolidation Analysis
In February of 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning consolidation analysis. The new guidance is intended to enhance consolidation guidance for legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2016. The new guidance did not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows at the time of adoption.

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

In August of 2014, the FASB issued guidance that requires an entity's management to assess the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. Specifically, for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity’s management should evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise “substantial doubt” about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern exists when relevant conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate that it is probable that the entity is unable to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The guidance becomes effective for the interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and early application is permitted. The new guidance is not expected to have any effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows at the time of adoption.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May of 2014, the FASB issued new guidance governing revenue recognition from contracts with customers. In August of 2015,Subsequently, the FASB deferred the effective date forof the new guidance until January 1, 2018 and issued several pronouncements that provide additional revenue recognition guidance and clarifications to new guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance until January 1, 2018. Financial instruments and other contractual rights within the scope of other GAAP guidance are excluded from the scope of this new revenue recognition guidance. We have completed our review of the new guidance. We concluded that since the majority of contracts with our members are excluded from the scope of this new guidance, the new guidance willis not expected to have a material effect, if any, on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows at the time of adoption. This is because the majority of our financial instruments and other contractual rights that generate revenue are covered by other GAAP, and therefore, the revenue recognition guidance is not applicable to these financial instruments and other contractual rights.


F-20F-21

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 4 – Interest Income and Interest Expense


The following table presents interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated:
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Interest income -            
��           
Interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell $10
 $7
 $9
Trading $10
 $4
 $23
            
Investment securities -      
Trading 4
 23
 13
Available-for-sale interest income 440
 471
 536
Available-for-sale prepayment fees 45
 60
 17
Available-for-sale 531
 553
 586
 485
 531
 553
      
Held-to-maturity interest income 222
 255
 294
Held-to-maturity prepayment fees 2
 15
 
Held-to-maturity 270
 294
 329
 224
 270
 294
Total investment securities 805
 870
 928
            
Advances -      
Investment securities 719
 805
 870
      
Advance interest income 171
 146
 143
 280
 171
 146
Advance prepayment fees, including related hedge adjustment gains (losses) of $0, $(1), and $9 10
 12
 32
Total Advances 181
 158
 175
Advance prepayment fees 10
 10
 12
Advances 290
 181
 158
            
MPF Loans held in portfolio 256
 327
 399
 218
 256
 327
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell 25
 8
 5
Other interest bearing assets 7
 2
 2
            
Total interest income 1,252
 1,362
 1,511
Interest income 1,259
 1,252
 1,362
            
Interest expense -            
            
Consolidated obligations -      
Discount notes 294
 269
 288
 359
 294
 269
Bonds 396
 518
 716
 411
 396
 518
Total consolidated obligations 690
 787
 1,004
Consolidated obligations 770
 690
 787
            
Subordinated notes 54
 54
 57
 24
 54
 54
Other interest bearing liabilities 9
 
 
            
Total interest expense 744
 841
 1,061
Interest expense 803
 744
 841
            
Net interest income 508
 521
 450
 456
 508
 521
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 5
 (7) (2) 1
 5
 (7)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses $503
 $528
 $452
 $455
 $503
 $528



F-21F-22

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 5 – Investment Securities

We classify securities as either trading, held-to-maturity (HTM), or available-for-sale (AFS). Our security disclosures within these classifications are disaggregated by major security types as shown below. Our major security types are based on the nature and risks of the security.

U.S. Government & other government related may consist of the sovereign debt of the United States; debt issued by government sponsored enterprises (GSE); and non-mortgage-backed securities of the Small Business Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority.
Federal Family Education Loan Program - asset backed securities (FFELP ABS).
GSE residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Government-guaranteed MBS.
Private-label residential MBS.
State or local housing agency obligations.


Pledged Collateral

We disclose the amount of investment securities pledged as collateral pertaining to our derivatives activity parenthetically on our statements of condition. See Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further details.

Trading Securities

The following table presents the fair value of our trading securities. We did not hold any securities we issued through our MPF Government MBS product as of December 31, 2015. We had no material unrealized gains or losses realized from the sales ofon trading securities.
As of December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
U.S. Government & other government related $1,005
 $1,108
Residential MBS    
GSE 39
 50
Government-guaranteed 1
 2
Residential MBS 40
 52
Trading securities $1,045
 $1,160


As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
U.S. Government & other government related $1,108
 $102
Residential MBS -    
GSE 50
 63
Government-guaranteed 2
 2
Residential MBS 52
 65
Trading securities $1,160
 $167


F-22F-23

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Amortized Cost Basis and Fair Value – Available-for-Sale Securities (AFS)

Amortized Cost Basis Gross Unrealized Gains in AOCI Gross Unrealized (Losses) in AOCI 
Carrying Amount and Fair
Value
As of December 31, 2016       
U.S. Government & other government related$322
 $15
 $(1) $336
State or local housing agency19
 
 
 19
FFELP ABS4,431
 165
 (24) 4,572
       
Residential MBS:       
GSE8,291
 266
 (2) 8,555
Government-guaranteed1,346
 34
 
 1,380
Private-label50
 6
 
 56
Residential MBS9,687
 306
 (2) 9,991
Available-for-sale securities$14,459
 $486
 $(27) $14,918
Amortized Cost Basis Gross Unrealized Gains in AOCI Gross Unrealized Losses in AOCI 
Carrying Amount and Fair
Value
       
As of December 31, 2015              
U.S. Government & other government related$405
 $21
 $(4) $422
$405
 $21
 $(4) $422
State or local housing agency18
 
 
 18
18
 
 
 18
FFELP ABS5,090
 233
 (24) 5,299
5,090
 233
 (24) 5,299
             
Residential MBS:             
GSE9,427
 383
 (12) 9,798
9,427
 383
 (12) 9,798
Government-guaranteed1,811
 57
 
 1,868
1,811
 57
 
 1,868
Private-label61
 4
 
 65
61
 4
 
 65
Total Residential MBS11,299
 444
 (12) 11,731
Total$16,812
 $698
 $(40) $17,470
       
As of December 31, 2014       
U.S. Government & other government related$479
 $29
 $
 $508
State or local housing agency3
 
 
 3
FFELP ABS5,824
 408
 (11) 6,221
       
Residential MBS:       
GSE10,285
 550
 (8) 10,827
Government-guaranteed2,258
 87
 
 2,345
Private-label66
 5
 
 71
Total Residential MBS12,609
 642
 (8) 13,243
Total$18,915
 $1,079
 $(19) $19,975
Residential MBS11,299

444

(12)
11,731
Available-for-sale securities$16,812

$698

$(40)
$17,470

We had no sales of AFS securities for the periods presented.

F-23F-24

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Amortized Cost Basis, Carrying Amount, and Fair Value - Held-to-Maturity Securities (HTM)

Amortized Cost Basis Noncredit OTTI Recognized in AOCI Carrying Amount Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains Gross Unrecognized Holding (Losses) Fair Value
As of December 31, 2016           
U.S. Government & other government related$1,733
 $
 $1,733
 $42
 $(1) $1,774
State or local housing agency13
 
 13
 
 
 13
           
Residential MBS:           
GSE1,856
 
 1,856
 100
 
 1,956
Government-guaranteed791
 
 791
 10
 
 801
Private-label856
 (177) 679
 294
 (1) 972
Residential MBS3,503
 (177) 3,326
 404
 (1) 3,729
Held-to-maturity securities$5,249
 $(177) $5,072
 $446
 $(2) $5,516
Amortized
Cost Basis
 Non-credit OTTI Recognized in AOCI (Loss) 
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Unrecognized
Holding 
Gains
 
Gross
Unrecognized
Holding 
Losses
 Fair Value           
As of December 31, 2015                      
U.S. Government & other government related$1,932
 $
 $1,932
 $64
 $(1) $1,995
$1,932
 $
 $1,932
 $64
 $(1) $1,995
State or local housing agency16
 
 16
 
 
 16
16
 
 16
 
 
 16
               
     
Residential MBS:               
     
GSE2,163
 
 2,163
 134
 
 2,297
2,163
 
 2,163
 134
 
 2,297
Government-guaranteed969
 
 969
 16
 
 985
969
 
 969
 16
 
 985
Private-label1,104
 (217) 887
 334
 (1) 1,220
1,104
 (217) 887
 334
 (1) 1,220
Total Residential MBS4,236
 (217) 4,019
 484
 (1) 4,502
Total$6,184
 $(217) $5,967
 $548
 $(2) $6,513
           
As of December 31, 2014           
U.S. Government & other government related$2,222
 $
 $2,222
 $76
 $(1) $2,297
State or local housing agency18
 
 18
 
 
 18
           
Residential MBS:           
GSE2,695
 
 2,695
 189
 
 2,884
Government-guaranteed1,129
 
 1,129
 28
 
 1,157
Private-label1,318
 (264) 1,054
 415
 (1) 1,468
Total Residential MBS5,142
 (264) 4,878
 632
 (1) 5,509
Total$7,382
 $(264) $7,118
 $708
 $(2) $7,824
Residential MBS4,236

(217)
4,019

484

(1)
4,502
Held-to-maturity securities$6,184

$(217)
$5,967

$548

$(2)
$6,513

We had no sales of HTM securities for the periods presented.
 





F-24F-25

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Contractual Maturity and Interest Rate Payment Terms

The following table presents the aging of our investments for the current year, as well as the carrying amounts for the previous two years. It also discloses the yields by aging categories for the current year.

  2016 2015 2014
As of December 31, Due in one year or lessDue one through five yearsDue five through ten yearsDue after ten yearsCarrying Amount Carrying Amount Carrying Amount
Trading securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related $1,005
$
$
$
$1,005
 $1,108
 $102
MBS:          
GSE residential 


39
39
 50
 63
Government guaranteed residential 

1

1
 2
 2
Trading securities 1,005

1
39
1,045
 1,160
 167
Yield on trading securities 1.00%%2.26%4.42%1.13% 0.93% 2.80%
           
AFS securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related 11
38
18
269
336
 422
 508
State or local housing agency 
6
11
2
19
 18
 3
FFELP ABS 
3

4,569
4,572
 5,299
 6,221
MBS:          
GSE residential 47
8,406
5
97
8,555
 9,798
 10,827
Government-guaranteed residential 


1,380
1,380
 1,868
 2,345
Private-label residential 


56
56
 65
 71
AFS securities 58
8,453
34
6,373
14,918
 17,470
 19,975
Yield on AFS securities 3.99%4.45%4.19%3.50%4.04% 4.14% 4.20%
           
HTM securities-          
U.S. Government & other governmental related 669
277
90
697
1,733
 1,932
 2,222
State or local housing agency obligations 
8
4
1
13
 16
 18
Residential MBS:          
GSE 75
996
96
689
1,856
 2,163
 2,695
Government-guaranteed 
117
4
670
791
 969
 1,129
Private-label 

1
678
679
 887
 1,054
HTM securities 744
1,398
195
2,735
5,072
 5,967
 7,118
Yield on HTM securities 1.59%3.36%4.17%3.45%3.18% 3.12% 3.15%
           
Investment securities 1,807
9,851
230
9,147
21,035
 24,597
 27,260
Interest bearing deposits 650
   650
 650
 560
Federal Funds sold 4,075
   4,075
 1,702
 1,525
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 2,300
   2,300
 1,375
 3,400
Investments $8,832
$9,851
$230
$9,147
$28,060
 $28,324
 $32,745


F-26

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



The following table presents the interest rate payment terms of AFS and HTM securities at amortized cost basis for the reporting periods indicated.

  Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity
As of December 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015
Non-MBS:        
Fixed-rate $336
 $415
 $1,732
 $1,932
Variable-rate 4,436
 5,098
 14
 16
Non-MBS 4,772
 5,513
 1,746
 1,948
Residential MBS:        
Fixed-rate 8,955
 10,475
 2,034
 2,373
Variable-rate 732
 824
 1,469
 1,863
Residential MBS 9,687
 11,299
 3,503
 4,236
Total $14,459
 $16,812
 $5,249
 $6,184



F-27

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Aging of Unrealized Temporary Losses

The following tables present unrealized temporary losses on our AFS and HTM portfolio for periods less than 12 months and for 12 months or more. Securities for which OTTI have been recognized in earnings are excluded from the following tables. Gross unrealized losses for an investment category are not reported in the tables below when such losses are less than $1 million.

Available-for-Sale Securities

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
  Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses) Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses) Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses)
As of December 31, 2016            
U.S. Government & other government related $
 $
 $47
 $(1) $47
 $(1)
State or local housing agency 7
 
 
 
 7
 
FFELP ABS 
 
 753
 (24) 753
 (24)
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 
 
 991
 (2) 991
 (2)
Government-guaranteed 
 
 23
 
 23
 
Private-label 
 
 8
 
 8
 
Residential MBS 
 
 1,022
 (2) 1,022
 (2)
Available-for-sale securities $7
 $
 $1,822
 $(27) $1,829
 $(27)
             
As of December 31, 2015            
U.S. Government & other government related $30
 $(1) $45
 $(3) $75
 $(4)
State or local housing agency 4
 
 
 
 4
 
FFELP ABS 64
 (1) 787
 (23) 851
 (24)
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 1,081
 (3) 1,006
 (9) 2,087
 (12)
Government-guaranteed 90
 
 
 
 90
 
Private-label 
 
 8
 
 8
 
Residential MBS 1,171
 (3) 1,014
 (9) 2,185
 (12)
Available-for-sale securities $1,269
 $(5) $1,846
 $(35) $3,115
 $(40)



F-28

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Held-to-Maturity Securities

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
  Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses) Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses) Fair Value Gross Unrealized (Losses)
As of December 31, 2016            
U.S. Government & other government related $26
 $
 $17
 $(1) $43
 $(1)
State or local housing agency 
 
 1
 
 1
 
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 
 
 4
 
 4
 
Government-guaranteed 117
 
 
 
 117
 
Private-label 
 
 934
 (178) 934
 (178)
Residential MBS 117
 
 938
 (178) 1,055
 (178)
Held-to-maturity securities $143
 $
 $956
 $(179) $1,099
 $(179)
             
As of December 31, 2015            
U.S. Government & other government related $606
 $
 $16
 $(1) $622
 $(1)
State or local housing agency 1
 
 10
 
 11
 
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 4
 
 
 
 4
 
Private-label 
 
 1,167
 (218) 1,167
 (218)
Residential MBS 4
 
 1,167
 (218) 1,171
 (218)
Held-to-maturity securities $611
 $
 $1,193
 $(219) $1,804
 $(219)


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

We recognized no OTTI charges on these unrealized loss positionsHTM or AFS securities for the year ending December 31, 2016. This is because we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, we do not intend to sell these securities, and we believe it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell them prior to recovering their amortized cost basis. Inbasis, and we expect to recover the tables below, in cases where the gross unrealized losses for an investment category are less than $1 million, the losses are not reported.


Available-for-Sale Securities

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
  Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
As of December 31, 2015            
U.S. Government & other government related $30
 $(1) $45
 $(3) $75
 $(4)
State or local housing agency 4
 
 
 
 4
 
FFELP ABS 64
 (1) 787
 (23) 851
 (24)
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 1,081
 (3) 1,006
 (9) 2,087
 (12)
Government-guaranteed 90
 
 
 
 90
 
Private-label 
 
 8
 
 8
 
Total Residential MBS 1,171
 (3) 1,014
 (9) 2,185
 (12)
Total $1,269
 $(5) $1,846
 $(35) $3,115
 $(40)
             
As of December 31, 2014            
U.S. Government & other government related $48
 $
 $
 $
 $48
 $
State or local housing agency 3
 
 
 
 3
 
FFELP ABS 14
 
 877
 (11) 891
 (11)
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 
 
 1,996
 (8) 1,996
 (8)
Private-label 
 
 16
 
 16
 
Total Residential MBS 
 
 2,012
 (8) 2,012
 (8)
Total $65
 $
 $2,889
 $(19) $2,954
 $(19)



F-25

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Held-to-Maturity Securities

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
  Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses
As of December 31, 2015            
U.S. Government & other government related $606
 $
 $16
 $(1) $622
 $(1)
State or local housing agency 1
 
 10
 
 11
 
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 4
 
 
 
 4
 
Private-label 
 
 1,167
 (218) 1,167
 (218)
Total Residential MBS 4
 
 1,167
 (218) 1,171
 (218)
Total $611
 $
 $1,193
 $(219) $1,804
 $(219)
             
As of December 31, 2014            
U.S. Government & other government related $13
 $
 $5
 $(1) $18
 $(1)
State or local housing agency 10
 
 
 
 10
 
             
Residential MBS:            
GSE 
 
 5
 
 5
 
Private-label 12
 
 1,384
 (265) 1,396
 (265)
Total Residential MBS 12
 
 1,389
 (265) 1,401
 (265)
Total $35
 $
 $1,394
 $(266) $1,429
 $(266)


Contractual Maturity Terms

The following table presents theentire amortized cost basis and fair value ofbasis. We also recognized no OTTI charges on HTM or AFS and HTM securities by contractual maturity, excluding ABS and MBS securities. These securities are excluded because their expected maturities may differ from their contractual maturities if borrowers of the underlying loans elect to prepay their loans.

  Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity
As of December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Basis Carrying Amount and Fair Value Carrying Amount 
Fair 
Value
Year of Maturity -        
Due in one year or less $
 $
 $698
 $698
Due after one year through five years 76
 79
 199
 204
Due after five years through ten years 25
 26
 212
 222
Due after ten years 322
 335
 839
 887
ABS and MBS without a single maturity date 16,389
 17,030
 4,019
 4,502
Total securities $16,812
 $17,470
 $5,967
 $6,513



F-26

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Interest Rate Payment Terms

The following table presents the interest rate payment terms of AFS and HTM securities at amortized cost basis for the reporting periods indicated.

  Available-for-Sale Held-to-Maturity
As of December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014
Non-MBS:        
Fixed-rate $415
 $472
 $1,932
 $2,222
Variable-rate 5,098
 5,834
 16
 18
Non-MBS 5,513
 6,306
 1,948
 2,240
Residential MBS:        
Fixed-rate 10,475
 11,689
 2,373
 2,917
Variable-rate 824
 920
 1,863
 2,225
Residential MBS 11,299
 12,609
 4,236
 5,142
Total $16,812
 $18,915
 $6,184
 $7,382


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Analysis

Significant Inputs Used to Determine OTTIyears ending December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

We assess an HTM or AFS private-label MBS security for OTTI whenever its fair value is less than its amortized cost basis as of the reporting date. Specifically, we generateOur assessment entails generating cash flow projections utilizingto determine OTTI, if any, on our private-label MBS. Our initial cash flow projections are based on key modeling assumptions, significant inputs, and methodologies provided by an FHLB System OTTI Committee, which was formed by the FHLBs to achieve consistency among the FHLBs in their OTTI analyses for private-label MBS. We then utilize thesedetermine the final cash flow projections to determine OTTI on our private-label MBS; however, we are still responsible for making our own OTTI determination, which includes determiningafter assessing the reasonableness of, and if necessary, modifying those assumptions, significant inputs, and methodologies used, and performing the requiredused. We also perform present value calculations using appropriate historical cost bases and yields. 

Cash Flow Analysis

We perform ayields to crosscheck the reasonableness of the final cash flow analysis for substantially all of these private-label securities utilizing two models provided by independent third parties as described below,

First model. This model considers borrower characteristics and the particular attributes of the loans underlying the securities, in conjunction with assumptions about future changes in home prices and interest rates, prepayment rates, default rates, and loss severities. A significant inputprojections. OTTI exists when a security's cash flow projection is not expected to the first model is the forecast of future housing price changes for the relevant states and core based statistical areas (CBSAs), which are based upon an assessment of the individual housing markets.

Second model. This model uses the month-by-month projections of future loan performance derived from the first model and allocates the projected loan level cash flows and losses to the various security classesresult in the securitization structure in accordance withrecovery of its prescribed cash flow and loss allocation rules.entire amortized cost basis.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, we had a short-term housing price forecast with projected changes ranging from -3.0% to +8.0%+10.0% over the twelve month period beginning October 1, 20152016 over all markets. For the vast majority of markets, the short-term forecast has changes ranging from +2.0% to +5.0%+6.0%

Based on these inputs and assumptions, we had no OTTI charge for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.


F-27F-29

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Ongoing Litigation

On October 15, 2010, we instituted litigation relating to sixty-four private label MBS bonds purchased by us in an aggregate original principal amount of approximately $4.29 billion. Our complaints assert claims for untrue or misleading statements in the sale of securities, and it is possible that the classifications of private-label MBS, as well as other statements made about the securities by the issuer, are inaccurate. 

Unpaid Principal Balance, Amortized Cost, Carrying Amount, and Fair Value - OTTI Private-Label MBS

The following table presents private-label MBS that have incurred OTTI at some point in time since we acquired the security. Each private-label MBS presented below is classified as prime, subprime, or Alt-A. Such classification depends upon the nature of the majority of underlying mortgages collateralizing each private-label MBS based on the issuer's classification, or as published by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), at the time of issuance of the MBS. 

As of December 31, 2015 Unpaid Principal Balance Amortized Cost Basis Non-Credit OTTI Gross Unrealized Gains Carrying Amount Fair Value
As of December 31, 2016��Unpaid Principal Balance Amortized Cost Basis Noncredit OTTI in AOCI Gross Unrealized Gains Carrying Amount Fair Value
OTTI AFS Securities-
Private-label residential MBS:
                        
Alt-A $85
 $60
 $
 $4
 $64
 $64
 $74
 $49
 $
 $6
 $55
 $55
OTTI AFS securities $74
 $49
 $
 $6
 $55
 $55
                        
OTTI HTM Securities-
Private-label residential MBS:
                        
Prime 862
 691
 (161) 
 530
 733
 $690
 $557
 $(131) $
 $426
 $595
Subprime 550
 335
 (56) 
 279
 409
 441
 246
 (46) 
 200
 323
Total OTTI HTM securities $1,412
 $1,026
 $(217) $
 $809
 $1,142
OTTI HTM securities $1,131
 $803
 $(177) $
 $626
 $918


The following table presents the changes in the cumulative amount of OTTI credit losses (recognizedpreviously recognized into earnings)earnings on OTTI investment securities for the reporting periods indicated.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Beginning Balance $620
 $677
 $717
 $568
 $620
 $677
Reductions:            
Increases in expected future cash flows recorded as credit-related accretion into interest income (52) (57) (40) (48) (52) (57)
Ending Balance $568
 $620
 $677
 $520
 $568

$620

Ongoing Litigation

On October 15, 2010, we instituted litigation relating to 64 private label MBS bonds purchased by us in an aggregate original principal amount of $4.29 billion. In April 2016, we received a payment of $37.5 million (partially offset by $5.0 million of related legal fees and other expenses) resulting from a settlement with some of the defendants. As of December 31, 2016, the remaining litigation covers three private-label MBS bonds in the aggregate original principal amount of $65.0 million. 


F-28F-30

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 6 – Advances

We offer a wide range of fixed- and variable-rate advance products with different maturities, interest rates, payment characteristics and optionality.

The following table presents our advances by redemption terms.terms of maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers have the right to call or prepay advances with or without penalties.
As of December 31, 2015 Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount
Due in one year or less 0.66% $9,721
Due one to two years 0.95% 6,708
Due two to three years 0.68%
a 
5,995
Due three to four years 0.46%
a 
5,231
Due four to five years 0.53%
a 
6,016
Due more than five years 1.95% 2,934
Par value 0.77% $36,605
As of December 31, 2016 Weighted Average Interest Rate Amount
Due in one year or less 0.76% $20,433
One to two years 0.90% 5,082
Two to three years 1.35% 1,612
Three to four years 1.69% 1,070
Four to five years 1.39% 1,576
More than five years 0.87%
a 
15,192
Par value 0.88% $44,965
a 
The weighted average interest rate is relatively lower when compared to other categories due to a majority of advances in this category consisting of variable rate advances which reset periodically at current interest rates.

See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for information related to our accounting for advances.
See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for information related to our credit risk on advances and allowance methodology for credit losses.

The following table presents our advances by payment terms as of the dates indicated.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Fixed-rate due in one year or less $5,020
 $4,078
 $9,473
 $5,020
Fixed-rate due after one year 5,496
 6,086
 5,704
 5,496
Total fixed-rate 10,516
 10,164
 15,177
 10,516
Variable-rate due in one year or less 4,701
 3,002
 10,960
 4,701
Variable-rate due after one year 21,388
 19,137
 18,828
 21,388
Total variable-rate 26,089
 22,139
 29,788
 26,089
Par value $36,605
 $32,303
 44,965
 36,605
Hedging adjustments 159
 166
Fair value hedging adjustments 98
 159
Other adjustments 14
 16
 4
 14
Total advances $36,778
 $32,485
Advances $45,067
 $36,778


The following advance borrowers exceeded 10% of our total advances outstanding:

As of December 31, 2015 Par Value % of Total Outstanding
As of December 31, 2016 Par Value % of Total Outstanding
One Mortgage Partners Corp. $11,000
a 
30% $11,000
a 
24.5%
The Northern Trust Company 4,000
 11% 5,000
 11.1%
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.

F-29

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 7 – MPF Loans Held in Portfolio


TheWe acquire MPF Program is a secondary mortgage market structure under which we acquire mortgage loansLoans from PFIs to hold in our portfolio, and in some cases we purchased participations in pools of eligible mortgage loans from other FHLBs (MPF Banks). MPF Loans that are defined asheld in portfolio are fixed-rate conventional and government mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties with maturities ranging from 5 years to 30 years or participations in pools of similar eligible mortgage loans from other MPF Banks.

The following table presents information on MPF Loans held in portfolio by contractual maturity at the time of purchase.


As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Medium term (15 years or less) $662
 $1,094
 $417
 $662
Long term (greater than 15 years) 4,112
 4,905
 4,489
 4,112
Total unpaid principal balance 4,774
 5,999
Unpaid principal balance 4,906
 4,774
Net premiums, credit enhancement and deferred loan fees 20
 23
 38
 20
Hedging adjustments 37
 50
Total before allowance for credit losses 4,831
 6,072
Fair value hedging adjustments 26
 37
MPF Loans held in portfolio, before allowance for credit losses 4,970
 4,831
Allowance for credit losses on MPF Loans (3) (15) (3) (3)
Total MPF Loans held in portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses $4,828
 $6,057
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net $4,967
 $4,828
        
Conventional mortgage loans $3,568
 $4,619
 $3,818
 $3,568
Government Loans 1,206
 1,380
 1,088
 1,206
Total unpaid principal balance $4,774
 $5,999
Unpaid principal balance $4,906
 $4,774


See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for information related to our credit losses on MPF Loans held in portfolioportfolio.


In addition to our portfolio MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Xtra product, MPF Direct product, and MPF Government MBS product are classified as MPF Loans held for sale (HFS). For these MPF Loan products, PFIs sell eligible MPF Loans to us through the MPF Program infrastructure and we either concurrently sell them to Fannie Mae under the MPF Xtra product and to third party investors under the MPF Direct product. Under our MPF Government MBS product, PFIs sell us Government Loans that we intend toor hold them in our MPF Loans held for saleLoan HFS portfolio for a short time period of time until such loans are pooled into Ginnie Mae MBS. Other MPF Banks that offer these products allow their PFIs to sell MPF Loans directly to us. securitized.See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for information related to our accounting for MPF Loans held for sale.HFS.



F-30F-31

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 8 – Allowance for Credit Losses

See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements for further details pertaining to the methodologies and factors we consider when determining the amount to recognize as anregarding our allowance for credit losses if any,methodology for each portfolio segment identified below.

We have identifiedof our portfolio segments as showndiscussed below.

Member credit products (advances, letters of credit and other extensions of credit to borrowers);
Conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio;
Government Loans held in portfolio; and
Federal Funds Soldsold and Securities Purchased Under Agreementssecurities purchased under agreements to Resell.resell.

Member Credit Products

We have not recorded any allowance for credit losses for our member credit products portfolio segment based upon our credit analysis and the repayment history on member credit products. We had no member credit products that were past due, on nonaccrual status, involved in a troubled debt restructuring or otherwise considered impaired. We have not recorded a separate liability to reflect an allowance for credit losses foron our member credit products with off-balance sheet credit exposures.exposure.

Conventional MPF Loans Held in Portfolio

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for credit losses attributable to our portfolio segment for conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for information related to Advisory Bulletin 2012-02 on page F-16, whichFHFA regulatory guidance that became effective January 1, 2015, resulted in higher charge-offsthe increased amount of losses charged to the allowance during 2015.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Balance, beginning of period $15
 $29
 $42
 $3
 $15
 $29
Losses charged to the allowance (17) (7) (11) (1) (17) (7)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 5
 (7) (2) 1
 5
 (7)
Balance, end of period $3
 $15
 $29
 $3
 $3
 $15

The following table presents the recorded investment and the allowance for credit losses in conventional MPF Loans by impairment methodology. RecordedThe recorded investment in a conventional MPF Loan isincludes its amortized cost basis plusand related accrued interest receivable, if any. RecordedThe recorded investment is not net of itsin a conventional MPF Loan excludes our allowance for credit losses but is net of any direct charge-off on the conventional MPF Loan.losses.
As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Specifically identified and individually evaluated for impairment $
 $12
Homogeneous pools of loans collectively evaluated for impairment 3
 3
Allowance for credit losses on conventional MPF Loans $3
 $15
     
Individually evaluated for impairment $107
 $160
Collectively evaluated for impairment 3,519
 4,538
Total recorded investment $3,626
 $4,698
As of December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Recorded investment in conventional MPF Loans -    
Individually evaluated for impairment $74
 $107
Collectively evaluated for impairment 3,812
 3,519
Recorded investment $3,886
 $3,626
     
Allowance for credit losses on conventional MPF Loans -    
Collectively evaluated for impairment $3
 $3
 
Government Loans Held in Portfolio

Servicers are responsible for absorbing any losses incurred on Government Loans held in portfolio that are not recovered from the government insurer or guarantor. We did not establish an allowance for credit losses ofon our portfolio segment for Government Loans included in our MPF Loan held in portfolio for the reporting periods presented based on our assessment ofthat our servicing PFIs'servicers have the ability to absorb losses not covered by the applicable government guarantee or insurance.such losses. Further, Government Loans were not placed on nonaccrual status or disclosed as troubled debt restructurings for the same reason.



F-31F-32

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Credit Quality Indicators - MPF Loans Held in Portfolio

The following table summarizes our recorded investment in MPF Loans by our key credit quality indicators, which include:

"Serious delinquency rate" consists of MPF Loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure, as a percentage of the total recorded investment. MPF Loans that are both 90 days or more past due and in the process of foreclosure are only included once in our serious delinquency rate calculation.

"Past due 90 days or more still accruing interest" consists of MPF Loans that are either insured or guaranteed by the government guaranteed or conventional mortgage loans that are well secured (by collateral that have a realizable value sufficient to discharge the debt or by the guarantee or insurance, such as PMI,primary mortgage insurance, of a financially responsible party) and in the process of collection.

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 
As of Conventional Government Total Conventional Government Total Conventional Government Total Conventional Government Total 
Past due 30-59 days $99
 $63
 $162
 $138
 $92
 $230
 $83
 $57
 $140
 $99
 $63
 $162
 
Past due 60-89 days 32
 21
 53
 43
 23
 66
 26
 17
 43
 32
 21
 53
 
Past due 90 days or more 100
 15
 115
 153
 44
 197
 69
 23
 92
 100
 15
 115
 
Total past due 231
 99
 330
 334
 159
 493
Total current 3,395
 1,130
 4,525
 4,364
 1,246
 5,610
Total recorded investment $3,626
 $1,229
 $4,855
 $4,698
 $1,405
 $6,103
Also in process of foreclosure $51
 $3
 $54
 $77
 $11
 $88
Past due 178
 97
 275
 231
 99
 330
 
Current 3,708
 1,013
 4,721
 3,395
 1,130
 4,525
 
Recorded investment $3,886
 $1,110
 $4,996
 $3,626
 $1,229
 $4,855
 
In process of foreclosure $35
 $7
 $42
 $51
 $3
 $54
 
Serious delinquency rate 2.77% 1.23% 2.38% 3.28% 3.15% 3.25% 1.82% 2.07% 1.88% 2.77% 1.23% 2.38% 
Past due 90 days or more still accruing interest $10
 $15
 $25
 $25
 $44
 $69
Past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest $8
 $23
 $31
 $10
 $15
 $25
 
On nonaccrual status $107
 $
 $107
 $163
 $
 $163
 $74
 $
 $74
 $107
 $
 $107
 


Troubled Debt Restructurings

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, our recorded investment balances of conventional MPF Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings were $65 million and $73 million, respectively. The financial amounts related to troubled debt restructurings are not material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.


F-32

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Individually Evaluated Impaired Conventional MPF Loans

The following table summarizes the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance, and related allowance for credit losses attributable to individually evaluated impaired conventional MPF Loans. Conventional MPF Loans are individually evaluated for impairment when they are adversely classified. There is no allowance for credit losses attributable to conventional MPF Loans that are individually evaluated for impairment, as of December 31, 2015, since the related allowance for credit losses have been charged off. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements for further details.off per FHFA regulation.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Recorded investment without an allowance for credit losses $107
 $
 $74
 $107
Recorded investment with an allowance for credit losses 
 160
Unpaid principal balance without an allowance for credit losses 117
 
 80
 117
Unpaid principal balance with an allowance for credit losses 
 158
Related allowance for credit losses 
 12


The following table summarizes the average recorded investment of impaired conventional MPF Loans. We do not recognize interest income on impaired loans.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013
Average recorded investment without an allowance for credit losses $127
 $
 $
Average recorded investment with an allowance for credit losses 
 184
 218
conventional MPF Loans.


Federal Funds Sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell

We only had credit risk exposure to overnight Federal Funds sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreementssecurities purchased under agreements to Resellresell as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. We did not have any term Federal Funds sold and Securities Purchased Under Agreementssecurities purchased under agreements to Resellresell arrangements. We did not establish an allowance for credit losses for our overnight Federal Funds sold since all Federal Funds sold were repaid according to theirpayments due under the contractual terms.terms have been received. We also did not establish an allowance for credit losses for overnight Securities Purchased Under Agreementssecurities purchased under agreements to Resellresell since all payments due under the contractual terms have been received and we hold sufficient underlying collateral.

F-33

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 9 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities


Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for our accounting policies for derivatives.

We transact most of our 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 entered into through an over-the-counter bilateral agreement with an individual counterparty. Additionally, we clear some derivatives transactions with clearinghouses classified as a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) through a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM)., a clearing member of the DCO. We are not a derivatives dealer and do not trade derivatives for speculative purposes.

Managing Interest Rate Risk

We use fair value hedges to offset changes in the fair value or a benchmark interest rate (e.g., LIBOR) related to (1) a recognized asset or liability or (2) an unrecognized firm commitment. We use cash flow hedges to offset an exposure to variability in expected future cash flows associated with an existing recognized asset or liability or a forecasted transaction. We use economic hedges in cases where hedge accounting treatment is not permitted or achievable; for example, hedges of portfolio interest rate risk or financial instruments carried at fair value under the fair value option.

Managing Credit Risk on Derivative Agreements

We are subject to credit risk due to the risk of nonperformance by counterparties to our derivative agreements. For bilateral derivative agreements, the degree of counterparty risk depends on the extent to which master netting arrangements, collateral requirements and other credit enhancements are included in such contracts to mitigate the risk. We manage counterparty credit risk through credit analysis, collateral requirements and adherence to the requirements set forth in our policies and FHFA regulations. We require collateral agreements on all derivatives that establish collateral delivery thresholds. Additionally, collateral related to derivatives with member institutions includes collateral assigned to us, as evidenced by a written security agreement, and held by the member institution for our benefit. Based on credit analyses and collateral requirements, we do not anticipate any credit losses on our derivative agreements. See Note 16 - Fair Value for discussion regarding our fair value methodology for derivative assets and liabilities, including an evaluation of the potential for the fair value of these instruments to be affected by counterparty credit risk.

Our over-the-counter bilateral derivative agreements may contain provisions that require us to post additional collateral with our counterparties if there is deterioration in our credit rating, except for those derivative agreements with a zero unsecured collateral threshold for both parties, in which case positions are required to be fully collateralized regardless of credit rating. If our credit rating is lowered by a major credit rating agency, such as Standard and Poor's or Moody’s, we would be required to deliver additional collateral on derivatives in net liability positions. If our credit rating had been lowered from its current rating to the next lower rating, we would have been required to deliver up to an additional $39$29 million of collateral at fair value to our derivatives counterparties at December 31, 2015.2016.

Cleared swaps are subject to initialvariation and variationinitial margin requirements established by the DCO and its clearing members. We post initialvariation and variationinitial margin through the clearing member,FCM, on behalf of the DCO, which could expose us to institutional credit risk in the event that a clearing memberan FCM or the DCO fail to meet their obligations. Clearing derivatives through a DCO mitigates counterparty credit risk exposure because a centralthe DCO counterparty is substituted for individual counterparties and collateral is posted daily for changes in the value of cleared derivatives through an FCM. The DCO determines initial margin requirements for cleared derivatives. In this regard, clearing agentsan FCM may require additional initial margin to be posted based on credit considerations, including but not limited to, credit rating downgrades.  We had no requirement to post additional initial margin by our clearing agentsFCMs at December 31, 2015.2016.

We present our derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis in our statements of condition. Refer to Note 1 - Background and Basis of Presentation for further discussion. In addition to the cash collateral as noted in the following table, we also pledged $62$97 million of investment securities that can be sold or repledged, as part of our initial margin related to cleared derivative transactions at December 31, 2015.2016.

F-34

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



The following table presents the fair values of our gross and net derivative assets and liabilities by contract type and amount for our derivative agreements.
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014  December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 
As of Notional Amount Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Notional Amount Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities  Notional Amount Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Notional Amount Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities 
Derivatives in hedge accounting relationships-                          
Interest rate swaps $25,140
 $30
 $1,082
 $30,940
 $53
 $1,348
  $25,999
 $40
 $898
 $25,140
 $30
 $1,082
 
Derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships-                          
Interest rate swaps 28,866
 456
 341
 19,159
 487
 329
  27,769
 353
 260
 28,866
 456
 341
 
Interest rate swaptions 1,270
 40
 
 1,850
 56
 
  415
 41
 
 1,270
 40
 
 
Interest rate caps or floors 1,131
 76
 
 1,164
 105
 
  1,129
 38
 
 1,131
 76
 
 
Interest rate futures 7
 
 
 3
 
 
 
Mortgage delivery commitments 479
 1
 1
 284
 3
 3
  760
 2
 2
 479
 1
 1
 
TBAs Ginnie Mae securitizations 114
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other 132
 
 1
 121
 
 
 
Derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships 31,867
 573
 342
 22,460
 651
 332
  30,205
 434
 263
 31,867
 573
 342
 
Gross derivative amount before adjustments $57,007
 603
 1,424
 $53,400
 704
 1,680
  $56,204
 474
 1,161
 $57,007
 603
 1,424
 
Netting adjustments and cash collateral   (601)
a 
(1,369)
a 


(675)
a 
(1,625)
a 
   (468)
a 
(1,118)
a 
  (601)
a 
(1,369)
a 
Derivatives on statements of condition   $2
 $55
   $29
 $55
    $6
 $43
   $2
 $55
 
a 
Amounts represent the application of the netting requirements that allow us to settle positive and negative positions and also cash collateral and related accrued interest held or placed by us with the same clearing agentFCM and/or counterparty. Cash collateral posted by us was $793$689 million and $978$793 million at December 31, 2016, and 2015, and 2014. Cashcash collateral received was $25$40 million and $29$25 million at December 31, 2015,2016, and 2014.2015.


The following table presents the fair values of our gross recognized amount of offsetting derivative assets and liabilities netted against positions due to our FCMs and/or our counterparties for derivatives with legalwhich our right of offset is enforceable at law as well as derivatives without the legal right of offset.
 Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities 
As of December 31, 2016 Bilateral Cleared Total Bilateral Cleared Total 
Derivatives with legal right of offset -             
Gross recognized amount $339
 $133
 $472
 $820
 $339
 $1,159
 
Netting adjustments and cash collateral (335) (133) (468) (788) (330) (1,118) 
Derivatives with legal right of offset - net 4
 
 4
 32
 9
 41
 
Derivatives without legal right of offset 2
 
 2
 2
 
 2
 
Derivatives on statements of condition 6
 
 6
 34
 9
 43
 
Cash collateral for initial margin 
 (1) (1)       
Noncash collateral received (pledged) and cannot be sold or repledged 
 (2)
a 
(2) 
 9
 9
 
Net amount $6
 $3
 $9
 $34
 $
 $34
 
 Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities             
As of December 31, 2015 Bilateral Cleared Total Bilateral Cleared Total             
Derivatives with legal right of offset -              ��          
Gross recognized amount $509
 $93
 $602
 $1,182
 $241
 $1,423
 $509
 $93
 $602
 $1,182
 $241
 $1,423
 
Netting adjustments and cash collateral (508) (93) (601) (1,140) (229) (1,369) (508) (93) (601) (1,140) (229) (1,369) 
Derivatives with legal right of offset - net 1
 
 1
 42
 12
 54
 1
 
 1
 42
 12
 54
 
Derivatives without legal right of offset 1
 
 1
 1
 
 1
 1
 
 1
 1
 
 1
 
Derivatives on statements of condition 2
 
 2
 43
 12
 55
 2
 
 2
 43
 12
 55
 
Noncash collateral received (pledged) and cannot be sold or repledged 
 
 
 
 12
 12
 
 
 
 
 12
 12
 
Net amount $2
 $
 $2
 $43
 $
 $43
 $2
 $
 $2
 $43
 $
 $43
 
            
As of December 31, 2014            
Derivatives with legal right of offset -            
Gross recognized amount $656
 $45
 $701
 $1,466
 $211
 $1,677
Netting adjustments and cash collateral (632) (43) (675) (1,414) (211) (1,625)
Derivatives with legal right of offset - net 24
 2
 26
 52
 
 52
Derivatives without legal right of offset 3
 
 3
 3
 
 3
Derivatives on statements of condition 27
 2
 29
 55
 
 55
Noncash collateral received (pledged) and cannot be sold or repledged 23
 
 23
 
 
 
Net amount $4
 $2
 $6
 $55
 $
 $55
a
Represents noncash collateral pledged for initial margin for cleared derivatives.



F-35

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



At December 31, 2015,2016, we had $50$86 million of additional net credit exposure on cleared derivatives due to our pledging of non-cash collateral to an FCM, on behalf of a DCO, for initial margin, which exceeded our net derivative liability position. We had $4$50 million comparable exposure at December 31, 2014.2015.

The following table presents the gains (losses) ofnoninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities as presented in the statements of income.

For the years ending December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Fair value hedges -            
Interest rate swaps $(35) $(22) $13
 $7
 $(35) $(22)
Fair value hedges 7
 (35) (22)
Cash flow hedges 3
 2
 4
 5
 3
 2
Economic hedges -            
Interest rate swaps (37) (17) 60
 (36) (37) (17)
Interest rate swaptions 4
 (11) (47) 
 4
 (11)
Interest rate caps or floors (29) (37) (76) (38) (29) (37)
Interest rate future forwards 
 (1) 
Net interest settlements 77
 77
 56
 59
 77
 77
Mortgage delivery commitments 1
 2
 2
Other 4
 1
 1
Economic hedges 16
 13
 (5) (11) 16
 13
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities $(16) $(7) $12
Noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities $1
 $(16) $(7)



F-36

fhlbchicagologo2a16.jpg
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Fair Value Hedges

The following table presents our fair value hedging results by the type of hedged item,item. We had no gain (loss) for hedges that no longer qualified as a fair value hedge. Additionally, the gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items intable indicates where fair value hedging relationships andresults are classified in our statements of income. In this regard, the effect of those derivatives on our net interest income. Net Interest Settlements Amount Recorded in Net Interest Income representscolumn includes the effectfollowing:

The amortization of net interest settlements attributable to open derivativeclosed fair value hedging instruments on net interest income. The effect of derivatives on net interest income isadjustments, which are included in the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.Closed Hedge Adjustments Amortized into Net Interest Income represents the amortization

The effect of hedge adjustments included innet interest settlements attributable to open derivative hedging instruments, which are recorded directly to the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.We had no gain (loss) for hedged firm commitments on forward-starting advances that no longer qualified as a fair value hedge.

For the years ending December 31, On Derivative On Hedged Item Total Ineffectiveness Recognized in Derivatives and Hedging Activities Net Interest Settlements Recorded in Net Interest Income Closed Hedge Adjustments Amortized into Net Interest Income On Derivative On Hedged Item Total Ineffectiveness Recognized in Noninterest Income on Derivatives and Hedging Activities Amount Recorded in Net Interest Income
2015          
Hedged item type -          
2016        
Available-for-sale securities $43
 $(56) $(13) $(133) $(13) $86
 $(85) $1
 $(122)
Advances 6
 (5) 1
 (83) (1) 66
 (59) 7
 (70)
MPF Loans held in portfolio 
 
 
 
 (13) 
 
 
 (9)
Consolidated obligation bonds 46
 (69) (23) 212
 (7) (140) 139
 (1) 62
Total $95
 $(130) $(35) $(4) $(34) $12
 $(5) $7
 $(139)
2014          
Hedged item type -          
        
2015       
Available-for-sale securities $(4) $
 $(4) $(140) $
 $43
 $(56) $(13) $(146)
Advances (123) 132
 9
 (81) (5) 6
 (5) 1
 (84)
MPF Loans held in portfolio 
 
 
 
 (17) 
 
 
 (13)
Consolidated obligation bonds 310
 (337) (27) 253
 (12) 46
 (69) (23) 205
Total $183
 $(205) $(22) $32
 $(34) $95
 $(130) $(35) $(38)
2013          
Hedged item type -          
        
2014       
Available-for-sale securities $293
 $(284) $9
 $(139) $
 $(4) $
 $(4) $(140)
Advances 142
 (132) 10
 (68) 5
 (123) 132
 9
 (86)
MPF Loans held in portfolio 
 
 
 
 (32) 
 
 
 (17)
Consolidated obligation bonds (458) 452
 (6) 224
 (23) 310
 (337) (27) 241
Total $(23) $36
 $13
 $17
 $(50) $183
 $(205) $(22) $(2)



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Cash Flow Hedges

The following table presentsWe reclassify amounts in AOCI into our gains (losses) on our cash-flow hedging relationships recorded instatements of income and other comprehensive income (loss). In cases where amounts are insignificant in the aggregate, we do not report a balance. Net Interest Settlements Recorded in Net Interest Income representssame periods during which the effect of net interest settlements attributable to open derivative hedging instruments on net interest income. The effect of derivatives on net interest income is included in the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.

For the years ending
December 31,
 Amortization of Effective Portion Reclassified From AOCI to Interest Ineffective Portion Reclassified From AOCI to Derivatives and Hedging Activities Total Reclassified From AOCI to Statements of Income Net Change in Other Comprehensive Income Effective Portion Recorded in AOCI Net Interest Settlements Recorded in Net Interest Income
2015            
Advances -
interest rate floors
 $10
 $

$10
 $(10) $
 $
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 (2) 3
 1
 124
 125
 (240)
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 (3) 
 (3) 3
 
 
Total $5
 $3
 $8

$117
 $125
 $(240)
2014            
Advances -
interest rate floors
 $10
 $
 $10
 $(10) $
 $
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 (2) 2
 
 93
 93
 (246)
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 (2) 
 (2) 2
 
 
Total $6
 $2
 $8
 $85
 $93
 $(246)
2013            
Advances -
interest rate floors
 $12
 $
 $12
 $(12) $
 $
Discount notes -
interest rate caps
 (1) 
 (1) 1
 
 
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 (2) 6
 4
 420
 424
 (262)
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 (2) (2) (4) 4
 
 
Total $7
 $4
 $11
 $413
 $424
 $(262)


There wereforecasted transaction affects our earnings. We had no amounts reclassified from AOCI into earningsdiscontinued hedges for the periods presented as a result of the discontinuance of cash-flow hedges because the original forecasted transactions failed to occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within a two-month period thereafter.presented. The deferred net gains (losses) on derivative instruments in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months were $(3)$(8) million as of December 31, 2015.2016. The maximum length of time over which we are hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions is 54 years.

The following table presents our cash flow hedging results by type of hedged item. Additionally, the table indicates where cash flow hedging results are classified in our statements of income. In this regard, the Amount Recorded in Net Interest Income column includes the following:

The amortization of closed cash flow hedging adjustments, which are reclassified from AOCI into the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.

The effect of net interest settlements attributable to open derivative hedging instruments, which are recorded directly to the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.


For the years ending December 31, Ineffective Portion Recorded in Noninterest Income on Derivatives and Hedging Activities Effective Portion Recorded in AOCI Amount Recorded in Net Interest Income
2016       
AdvancesInterest rate floors $

$
 $10
Discount notesInterest rate swaps 5
 161
 (195)
BondsInterest rate swaps 
 
 (3)
Total  $5
 $161
 (188)
        
2015      
AdvancesInterest rate floors $
 $
 $10
Discount notesInterest rate swaps 3
 125
 (242)
BondsInterest rate swaps 
 
 (3)
Total  $3
 $125
 (235)
        
2014      
AdvancesInterest rate floors $
 $
 $10
Discount notesInterest rate swaps 2
 93
 (248)
BondsInterest rate swaps 
 
 (2)
TotalTotal $2
 $93
 (240)



F-38

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 10 – Consolidated Obligations

The FHLBs issue consolidated obligations through the Office of Finance as their agent. Consolidated obligations consist of discount notes and consolidated obligation bonds. Consolidated discount notes are issued primarily to raise short-term funds. Discount notesfunds, are issued at less than their face amount and redeemed at par value when they mature. The maturity of consolidated obligation bonds may range from less than one year to over 20 years, but they are not subject to any statutory or regulatory limits on maturity.

The following table presents our consolidated obligation discount notes for which we are the primary obligor. All are due in one year or less.

As of December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Carrying Amount $35,949
 $41,564
Weighted Average Interest Rate 0.46% 0.22%


The following table presents our consolidated obligation bonds, for which we are the primary obligor, including callable bonds that are redeemable in whole, or in part, at our discretion on predetermined call dates.

As of December 31, 2015 Contractual Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rate By Next Maturity or Call Date
Due in one year or less $3,028
 3.22% $14,990
One to two years 4,235
 2.32% 3,390
Two to three years 4,197
 1.33% 1,234
Three to four years 4,267
 1.50% 1,793
Four to five years 2,841
 1.66% 126
Thereafter 4,116
 3.26% 1,151
Total par value $22,684
 2.19% $22,684


The following table presents our consolidated obligation discount notes for which we are the primary obligor. All are due in one year or less.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Carrying Amount $41,565
 $31,054
Par Value 41,584
 31,060
Weighted Average Interest Rate 0.22% 0.09%
As of December 31, 2016 Contractual Maturity Weighted Average Interest Rate By Maturity or Next Call Date
Due in one year or less $14,188
 1.10% $28,391
One to two years 7,171
 1.08% 3,375
Two to three years 4,707
 1.26% 3,307
Three to four years 1,914
 1.26% 904
Four to five years 4,098
 1.93% 308
Thereafter 5,056
 2.73% 849
Total par value $37,134
 1.44% $37,134


The following table presents consolidated obligation bonds outstanding by call feature:

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Noncallable $10,148
 $11,046
 $22,356
 $10,148
Callable 12,536
 23,355
 14,778
 12,536
Par value 22,684
 34,401
 37,134
 22,684
Bond premiums (discounts), net 4
 17
Hedging adjustments (101) (177)
Fair value option adjustments (1) 10
Total consolidated obligation bonds $22,586
 $34,251
Fair value hedging adjustments (229) (101)
Other adjustments (2) (1)
Consolidated obligation bonds $36,903
 $22,582



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Consolidated obligations are issued with either fixed- or floating-rate payment terms that may use a variety of indices for interest rate resets including the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Additionally, both fixed-rate bonds and floating-rate bonds may contain an embedded derivative, such as a call feature or complex coupon payment terms, if requested by investors. When such consolidated obligations are issued, we may concurrently enter into an interest rate swap containing offsetting features that effectively convert the terms of the bond to a variable-rate bond tied to an index or a fixed-rate bond.

Consolidated obligation bonds, beyond having fixed-rate or floating-rate payment terms, may also have the following broad terms regarding either principal repayment or coupon payment terms:

Step-Up Bonds and Step-Down Bonds - Bonds that pay interest at increasing or decreasing fixed rates for specified intervals over their life. These bonds are callable at our option on the step-up or step-down dates.

Inverse Floating Bonds - The coupon rate on these bonds increases as an index declines and decreases as an index rises.

The following table presents interest rate payment terms for consolidated obligation bonds for which we are primary obligor at the dates indicated:

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Fixed-rate $18,917
 $24,081
 $22,389
 $18,917
Variable-rate 
 500
 11,615
 
Step-up 3,037
 9,040
 2,650
 3,037
Step-down 680
 730
 480
 680
Inverse floating 50
 50
 
 50
Total par value $22,684
 $34,401
Par value $37,134
 $22,684


Total concession fees on consolidated obligations recognized in interest expense were $7 million, $7 million, and $5 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

The following table summarizes the consolidated obligations of the FHLBs and those for which we are the primary obligor. We did not accrue a liability for our joint and several liability related to the other FHLBs’ share of the consolidated obligations as of December 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014.2015. Refer to Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies for further details.
 
 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Par values as of Bonds Discount Notes Total Bonds Discount Notes Total Bonds Discount Notes Total Bonds Discount Notes Total
FHLB System total consolidated obligations $410,859
 $494,343
 $905,202
 $484,812
 $362,363
 $847,175
 $579,189
 $410,122
 $989,311
 $410,859
 $494,343
 $905,202
FHLB Chicago as primary obligor 22,684
 41,584
 64,268
 34,401
 31,060
 65,461
 37,134
 35,969
 73,103
 22,684
 41,584
 64,268
As a percent of the FHLB System 6% 8% 7% 7% 9% 8% 6% 9% 7% 6% 8% 7%


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 11 - Affordable Housing Program


The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) contains provisions for the establishment of an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) by each FHLB. We provide subsidies in the form of direct grants for members that use the funds for qualifying affordable housing projects. Annually, the FHLBsFHLB System must set aside for their AHPs, in the aggregate, the greater of $100 million or 10% of the current year's income before assessments excluding any interest expense related to mandatorily redeemable capital stock.stock (MRCS). The exclusion of interest expense related to mandatorily redeemable capital stockMRCS is a regulatory calculation that was established by the FHFA. Interest expense related to MRCS for 2016 was $6 million. We accrue AHP expense monthly based on our regulatory income and recognize an AHP liability. As subsidies are provided, the AHP liability is reduced.

In 2013, we received approval from the FHFA and our Board of Directors to implement the Community First Fund, which is structured as an on-balance sheet revolving pool of funds, with a mission to provide access to capital that supports economic development and affordable housing needs in the communities that our members serve in Illinois and Wisconsin. As a result, in 2013, we reversed the $50 million charge recognized in 2011 through "Non-interest expense - Other community investment” in our statements of income. Since we already have paid our AHP assessment attributable to the $50 million charge in 2011, our AHP assessment for 2013 was calculated on 10% of that year's net earnings (income before assessments) excluding the reversal.

The following table summarizes the changes in the AHP payable for the periods indicated:

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
AHP balance at beginning of year $90
 $78
 $78
 $89
 $90
 $78
AHP expense accrual 39
 44
 33
 37
 39
 44
Cash disbursements for AHP (40) (32) (33) (40) (40) (32)
AHP balance at end of year $89
 $90
 $78
 $86
 $89
 $90


Note 12 – Subordinated Notes


Subordinated Notes Payoff
As approved by the Finance Board (predecessor to the FHFA), we issued $1 billion of December 31, 2015, we have $944 million of10-year subordinated notes outstanding thatmature on June 13, 2016. Duringin 2006, and during 2013, we repurchasedpurchased $56 million of these notes in the open market. On June 13, 2016, our outstandingremaining $944 million subordinated notes through open market purchases. The subordinated notes are not obligations of,matured and are not guaranteed by,we paid the U.S. government or any FHLBs other than us. The subordinated notes are unsecured obligations and rank junior in priority of payment to our senior liabilities. Senior liabilities include all of our existing and future liabilities, such as deposits, consolidated obligations for which we are the primary obligor and consolidated obligations of the other FHLBs for which we are jointly and severally liable.

Senior liabilities do not include our existing and future liabilities related to payments of junior equity claims (all such payments to, and redemptions of shares from, holders of our capital stock being referred to as junior equity claims) and payments to, or redemption of shares from, any holder of our capital stock that is barred or required to be deferred for any reason, such as noncompliance with any minimum regulatory capital requirement applicable to us. Also, senior liabilities do not include any liability that, by its terms, expressly ranks equal with or junior to the subordinated notes. Our regulatory approval to issue subordinated debt prohibits us from making any payment to, or redeeming shares from, any holder of capital stock which we are obligated to make, on or after any applicable interest payment date or the maturity date of the subordinated notes unless we have paid, in full, all interest and principal due in respect of the subordinated notes on a particular date. Also pursuant to the regulatory order approving the issuance of subordinated notes in full in accordance with the eventterms of our liquidation or reorganization, the FHFA shall cause us, our receiver, conservator, or other successor, as applicable, to pay or make provision for the payment of all of our liabilities, including those evidenced by the subordinated notes, before making payment to, or redeeming any shares of, capital stock issued by us, including shares as to which a claim for mandatory redemption has arisen.their notes.

The subordinated notes may not be redeemed, in whole or in part, prior to maturity. These notes do not contain any provisions permitting holders to accelerate the maturity thereof on the occurrence of any default or other event. The subordinated notes were issued at par and accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 13 and December 13. We will defer interest payments if five business days prior to any interest payment date we do not satisfy any minimum regulatory leverage ratio then applicable to us. As of December 31, 2015, we satisfied the minimum regulatory leverage ratios applicable to us, and we have not deferred any interest payments. We may not defer interest on the subordinated notes beyond their maturity date, which is June 13, 2016.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 13 – Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS)


Under our Capital Plan our stock consists of two sub-classes of stock, Class B1 activity stock and Class B2 membership stock (together, Class B stock), both with a par value of $100 and redeemable on five years' written notice, subject to certain conditions. Under the Capital Plan, each member is required to own capital stock in an amount equal to the greater of a membership stock requirement or an activity stock requirement. Class B1 activity stock is available for purchase only to support a member'smember's activity stock requirement. Class B2 membership stock is available to be purchased to support a member'smember's membership stock requirement and any activity stock requirement.

Members that withdraw from membership must wait at least five years after their membership was terminated and all of their capital stock was redeemed or repurchased before being readmitted to membership in any FHLB.

Under our Capital Plan, any dividend declared on Class B1 shares must be greater than or equal to the dividend declared on Class B2 shares for the same period. We have paid an enhanced dividend on Class B1 activity stock since the fourth quarter of 2013. Future dividend determination remains at our Board's sole discretion and subject to future operating results, our Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy and any other factors the Board determines to be relevant.


Minimum Capital Requirements

We are subject by regulation to the following three capital requirements:

total regulatory capital ratio;
leverage capital ratio; and
risk-based capital.
 
For purposes of calculating our compliance with these minimum capital requirements:

“Permanent capital” includes our retained earnings plus the amount paid in for our Class B stock, including Class B stock classified as mandatorily redeemable.
“Total capital” means the sum of (1) our permanent capital plus (2) any general allowance for losses.
“Total assets” are the total assets determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
Permanent capital and total capital do not include accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).


Total Regulatory Capital Ratio. We must maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to total assets of 4.00%. For safety and soundness reasons, this ratio may be increased by the FHFA with respect to an individual FHLB.


Leverage Capital Ratio. We must also maintain a leverage ratio of total capital to total assets of at least 5.00%. For purposes of determining this leverage ratio, total capital is modified by multiplying our permanent capital by 1.5 and adding to this product all other components of total capital. This ratio also may be increased by the FHFA with respect to an individual FHLB.


Risk-Based Capital. Under the risk-based capital requirement, we must maintain permanent capital in an amount at least equal to the sum of our: (i) credit risk capital requirement, (ii) market risk capital requirement, and (iii) operations risk capital requirement; all of which are calculated in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FHFA.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table details our minimum capital requirements:

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
As of Requirement Actual Requirement Actual Requirement Actual Requirement Actual
Risk-based capital $1,027
 $4,688
 $1,127
 $4,317
 $1,088
 $5,032
 $1,027
 $4,688
Total regulatory capital $2,827
 $4,688
 $2,874
 $4,317
 $3,148
 $5,032
 $2,827
 $4,688
Total regulatory capital ratio 4.00% 6.63% 4.00% 6.01% 4.00% 6.40% 4.00% 6.63%
Leverage capital $3,534
 $7,032
 $3,592
 $6,475
 $3,935
 $7,549
 $3,534
 $7,032
Leverage capital ratio 5.00% 9.95% 5.00% 9.01% 5.00% 9.59% 5.00% 9.95%

Regulatory capital and leverage capital do not include accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Under the FHFA regulations on capital classifications and critical capital levels for FHLBs, we are adequately capitalized.


Capital Concentration

The following members'member had regulatory capital stock exceededexceeding 10% of our total regulatory capital stock outstanding:outstanding; however, their total voting interests is less than 10% due to limits on member voting rights under the FHLB Act and FHFA regulations:

As of December 31, 2015 Capital Stock Outstanding % of Total Outstanding
One Mortgage Partners Corp. $250
a 
13%
The Northern Trust Company 200
 10%
As of December 31, 2016 Regulatory Capital Stock Outstanding % of Total Outstanding Amount of Which is Classified as a Liability (MRCS)
One Mortgage Partners Corp. $245
a 
12.2% $245
a 
One Mortgage Partners Corp. is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank NA.


Repurchase of Excess Capital Stock

Currently our practice isBeginning on January 26, 2017, we began repurchasing all excess Class B2 stock on a weekly basis at par value, i.e., at $100 per share. Members may continue to request repurchase of excess capital stock held by members within threeon any business daysday in addition to the weekly repurchase. All repurchases of receiving a repurchase request,excess stock, including automatic weekly repurchases, will continue until otherwise announced, but remain subject to our regulatory requirements, certain financial and capital thresholds, and prudent business practices.

As of February 28, 2017, our regulatory capital stock outstanding was $1.685 billion, a net decrease of $327 million from year-end.

Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement

The FHLBs, including us, entered into a Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement, as later amended (JCE Agreement) and implemented in the FHLBs' capital plans. The intent of the JCE Agreement is to enhance the capital position of each FHLB by allocating that portion of each FHLB's earnings to a separate restricted retained earnings account at that FHLB.

The JCE Agreement provides that each FHLB is required to contribute 20% of its net income each quarter to a restricted retained earnings account until the balance of that account equals at least 1% of that FHLB's average balance of outstanding consolidated obligations for the previous quarter. These restricted retained earnings will not be available to pay dividends.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Transfer of Capital Stock to Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock (MRCS)

During the first quarter of 2016, we transferred $294 million of our captive insurance company members' capital stock from equity to MRCS in liabilities on our statement of condition. The transfer was triggered by the issuance of the final FHFA rule on FHLB membership making captive insurance companies ineligible for FHLB membership, which was issued on January 20, 2016 and became effective February 19, 2016. Under this rule, our three captive insurance company members will have their memberships terminated by February 2021. The transfer from equity to MRCS in liabilities was required because the new rule creates an unconditional obligation requiring us to redeem our capital stock from our captive insurance company members after their membership terminates. In addition to our captive insurers, we have other members or former members who hold MRCS.

The following table summarizes the income (loss) in AOCI for the reporting periods indicated.shows our MRCS redemption terms by year payable.

  Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) 

Non-credit OTTI
 Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) Cash Flow Hedges    
For the years ended December 31, Available-for-sale Securities Held-to-maturity Securities  Post-Retirement Plans Total AOCI
2015          
Beginning balance $1,060

$(264)
$(580)
$1

$217
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income (402) 47
 125
 (7) (237)
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:       

 

Net interest income 
 
 (5) 
 (5)
Non-interest gain (loss) 
 
 (3) 
 (3)
Total other comprehensive income in the period (402) 47
 117

(7) (245)
Ending balance $658
 $(217) $(463) $(6) $(28)
        

  
2014       

  
Beginning balance $1,052
 $(320) $(665) $
 $67
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income 8
 56
 93
 
 157
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:       

  
Net interest income 
 
 (6) 
 (6)
Non-interest gain (loss) 
 
 (2) 
 (2)
Non-interest expense 
 
 
 1
 1
Total other comprehensive income in the period 8
 56
 85
 1
 150
Ending balance $1,060
 $(264) $(580) $1
 $217
        

  
2013       

 

Beginning balance $1,576
 $(381) $(1,078) $(10) $107
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income (524) 61
 424
 8
 (31)
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:          
Net interest income 
 
 (7) 2
 (5)
Non-interest gain (loss) 
 
 (4) 
 (4)
Total other comprehensive income in the period (524) 61
 413
 10
 (40)
Ending balance $1,052
 $(320) $(665) $
 $67
As of December 31, 2016 Amount
Due in one year or less $1
One to two years 2
Two to three years 2
Three to four years 2
Four to five years 6
Captive insurer MRCS not included above - after five years 288
MRCS $301




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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the gains (losses) in AOCI for the reporting periods indicated.

  Net Unrealized - 

Noncredit OTTI -
 Net Unrealized - Cash Flow Hedges    
For the years ended December 31, Available-for-sale Securities Held-to-maturity Securities  Post-retirement Plans AOCI
2016          
Beginning balance $658

$(217)
$(463)
$(6)
$(28)
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income (199) 40
 161
 
 2
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:       

 

Net interest income 
 
 (5) 
 (5)
Noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities 
 
 (5) 
 (5)
Other comprehensive income in the period (199) 40
 151


 (8)
Ending balance $459
 $(177) $(312) $(6) $(36)
        

  
2015       

  
Beginning balance $1,060
 $(264) $(580) $1
 $217
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income (402) 47
 125
 (7) (237)
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:       

  
Net interest income 
 
 (5) 
 (5)
Noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities 
 
 (3) 
 (3)
Other comprehensive income in the period (402) 47
 117
 (7) (245)
Ending balance $658
 $(217) $(463) $(6) $(28)
        

  
2014       

 

Beginning balance $1,052
 $(320) $(665) $
 $67
Change in the period recorded to the statements of condition, before reclassifications to statements of income 8
 56
 93
 
 157
Amounts reclassified in period to statements of income:          
Net interest income 
 
 (6) 
 (6)
Noninterest income on derivatives and hedging activities 
 
 (2) 
 (2)
Noninterest expense - compensation and benefits 
 
 
 1
 1
Other comprehensive income in the period 8
 56
 85
 1
 150
Ending balance $1,060
 $(264) $(580) $1
 $217



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 15 - Employee Retirement Plans

We participate in the Pentegra Defined Benefit (DB) Plan for Financial Institutions (the Pension Plan), a tax-qualified defined-benefit pension plan. The Pension Plan year runs from July 1 to June 30. Substantially all of our officers and employees are covered by the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan is considered a multiemployer plan under GAAP since assets contributed by an employer are not restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer. The Pension Plan is also considered a multiple employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, certain multiemployer plan disclosures, such as the certified zone status, are not applicable to the Pension Plan. Our risks in participating in the Pension Plan are as follows:

The Pension Plan is a single plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 413(c) and, as a result, all of the assets stand behind all of the liabilities. Accordingly, under the Pension Plan contributions made by us may be used to provide benefits to participants of other participating employers.

If a participating employer withdraws from the Pension Plan, the unfunded obligations of the Pension Plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, which would include us.

If we choose to withdraw from the Pension Plan, we may be required to pay the Pension Plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the Pension Plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

Relevant information concerning the Pension Plan is outlined below:

The Pension Plan's Employer Identification Number is 135645888 and the Plan Number is 333.
A single Form 5500 is filed on behalf of all employers who participate in the Pension Plan. A Form 5500 was not available for the Pension Plan year ended June 30, 20152016 as of the date of this Form 10-K filing.
Our contributions for the years presented were not more than 5% of the total contributions to the Pension Plan.
The Pension Plan is not a collective bargaining agreement.
We did not pay any surcharges to the Pension Plan.
There was no funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan implemented, nor is any such plan pending.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) was enacted in July 2012 and amended by the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014. In October of 2015 Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 which further extended the adjustment of interest rates used to calculate the funding of the pension plan. MAP-21, as amended, contains provisions that stabilizestabilized the interest rates used to calculate our required contributions to the Pension Plan. There is an inverse relationship between interest rates and our required contributions to the Pension Plan; the lower the interest rate, the higher our required contribution to the Pension Plan. Current interestInterest rates havein 2014 and 2015 had been historically low such that our required contributions to the Pension Plan were less than what would have been higherrequired had MAP-21 not been enacted.

Though MAP-21 increased our funded status during 2013For 2014, we only recognized the annual administrative fees into net pension cost in compensation and 2014, duringbenefits expense. During 2015 and 2016 we were required to recognize $3 millionincreases in net pension expenses, which we recorded as a reduction in prepaid pension assets that resulted from prior period voluntary excess contributions. Net pension expense also includes a small amount attributable to administrative fees that we pay on an annual basis. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we only recognized the annual administrative fees into net pension cost in compensation and benefits expense.

The following table provides details on our multiemployer Pension Plan. The funded status is calculated as the market value of plan assets divided by the funding target and reflects contributions received through the plan year ended June 30.
Pension Plan 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Net pension cost including administrative fees charged to compensation and benefits expense for the year end December 31, $3
 $1
 $1
 $7
 $3
 $1
Our contributions including administrative fees for calendar year ended December 31, 8
 5
 5
Total voluntary prepaid pension contributions, in other assets, as of December 31, 17
 15
 14
Plan funded status as of the plan year end June 30, 107% 111% 101% 104% 107% 111%
Our portion of plan funded status as of the plan year end June 30, 121% 128% 113% 112% 121% 128%
Our contributions including administrative fees for calendar year ended December 31, $5
 $5
 $5
Total voluntary prepaid pension contributions, in other assets, as of December 31, $15
 $14
 $10

In addition to the Pension Plan we have a tax-qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan, an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan and a postretirement health and life insurance benefit plan. The financial amounts related to these plans are immaterial.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 16 - Fair Value


Fair value represents the exit price that we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for our fair value measurement policies.


Valuation Techniques and Significant Inputs

We believe our estimated fair value amounts determined from a valuation technique are reasonable; however, as outlined below, there are inherent limitations in any valuation technique.

Our estimated fair value amounts are highly subjective in nature. We select assumptions and inputs from a market participant's perspective to use with any of our valuation techniques. Such assumptions and inputs include, but are not limited to, the amount and timing of future cash flows, prepayment speed, expected interest rate volatility, possible distributions of future interest rates used to value options, and the selection of discount rates that appropriately reflect market and credit risks. Significant judgment is required when selecting such assumptions and inputs. Using different assumptions and inputs could have a material effect on our estimated fair value amounts. Further, the estimated fair value amounts presented in our statements of condition and disclosed in our notes to financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions.

Our estimated fair value amounts are made as of the statement of condition date; and accordingly, such estimated fair value amounts are susceptible to material changes thereafter.

Outlined below is a description of our valuation techniques and significant assumptions.

Assets for which fair value approximates carrying amount. Due to the short-term nature and negligible credit risk, we use the carrying amount to estimate fair value of cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and accrued interest receivable.

Investment securities—non-MBS and MBS. We use one of the valuation techniquesapproaches outlined below to determine fair value.

Prices received from third party pricing vendors provided we believe their pricing models are consistent with what other market participants would use; or

An income approach based on a market-observable interest rate curve adjusted for a spread.

The significant inputs and assumptions utilized by third party pricing vendors in their proprietary pricing models are derived as outlined below for these securities.

Market observable sources (Level 1), which include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and other market related data, for securities that are actively traded.

Available market observable inputs (Level 2) rather than quoted market prices when valuing securities primarily comprised of our portfolio of government, mortgage and asset-backed securities.

Available market information (Level 2), such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing, for fixed income securities that do not trade on a daily basis.

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for securities, such as private-label MBS.

We annually review the four third party pricing vendors we utilize to measure the fair value of our agency and private-label MBS. Our annual review includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Confirming and further augmenting our understanding of the vendors' pricing processes, methodologies and control procedures.

Reviewing, if available, the vendors' independent auditors' reports to assess the vendors' internal controls over their valuation processes.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Assessing our third party vendors' proprietary pricing models for reasonableness, including the underlying inputs and assumptions utilized. This is achieved by sampling securities across different asset classes and utilizing durationdeep dive analysis since we do not have direct access to their propriety pricing models.

Using our third party vendor's pricing challenge process, which is in place for all security valuations. The pricing challenge process facilitates identification and resolution of potentially erroneous prices.

Private-label MBS and agency MBS. We determine our fair value measurement for private-label MBS and for agency MBS using the inputs received from our third party pricing vendors using a pricing process that is completed on at least a quarterly basis. Outlined below are the steps we follow to measure fair value for these securities.

We establish a median price for each security from the prices we receive from our third party pricing vendors. 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. We determine the final price of the security based on the cluster average and an evaluation of any outlier prices as outlined below.

If all prices fall within the tolerance threshold level of the median price, the final price is simply the cluster average.

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. A revised price may be assigned to an MBS in situations where strong contrary evidence supports a price different than the price derived from the "default" price or the outlier price. In either case, justification of the price selected is documented and presented to our Risk Management Group for their review and approval.

If some prices fall within the tolerance threshold level and some prices are outside the tolerance threshold level of the median price, additional analysis is required. The price or prices falling outside of the tolerance threshold level of the median price would be evaluated by us and a determination made to exclude that price or prices in the final price. If the price or prices that fall outside the tolerance threshold level of the median price are evaluated to be a better estimate of the fair value, then the selected outlier price will be the final price instead of the average of prices that fit within the tolerance level threshold of the median price. Possible factors that may be used to determine the quality of the outlier price or prices include:

Comparison to bonds with similar characteristics, such as collateral type, credit quality, deal structure, or expected weighted-average life or maturity;
Comparison to bonds with similar characteristics, such as collateral type, credit quality, deal structure, or expected weighted-average life or maturity;

Comparing option-adjusted spread or projected yield to similar bonds;
Comparing option-adjusted spread or projected yield to similar bonds;

Consideration of expected weighted-average life or maturity;
Consideration of expected weighted-average life or maturity;

Consideration of expected default, loss, and credit support;
Consideration of expected default, loss, and credit support;

Recent data on transactions with the security or similar securities; and
Consideration of the remaining principal versus the original principal of a security;

Recent data on transactions with the security or similar securities; and
Implied yields calculated with our OTTI projected cash flows at quarter ends compared to industry benchmarks. Specifically, we calculated an implied yield for our private-label MBS using the estimated fair value derived from the process described above and the security's projected cash flows from our OTTI process and compared such yield to the market yield data for comparable securities according to dealers and other third party sources to the extent comparable market yield data was available. Significant variances were evaluated in conjunction with all of the other available pricing information to determine whether an adjustment to the fair value estimate was appropriate.
Implied yields calculated with our OTTI projected cash flows at quarter ends compared to industry benchmarks. Specifically, we calculated an implied yield for our private-label MBS using the estimated fair value derived from the process described above and the security's projected cash flows from our OTTI process and compared such yield to the market yield data for comparable securities according to dealers and other third party sources to the extent comparable market yield data was available. Significant variances were evaluated in conjunction with all of the other available pricing information to determine whether an adjustment to the fair value estimate was appropriate.

As of December 31, 2015,2016, four vendor prices were received for substantially all of our MBS holdings. We computed the final prices by taking the median of the four prices, excluding any outlier price deemed as unreasonable. We believe our final prices are representative of the exit price that we would receive to sell these securities in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date.
Non-MBS securities - SBA, agency bonds and housing development bonds. We use one third party pricing vendor to measure the fair value of these securities. If available, we compare the prices received from that service to two other third party pricing vendors to determine if the price is reasonable. If no other third party prices are available we validate against internal models.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



FFELP ABS. We use the fair value provided by a third party pricing vendor or average of pricing services or our internal model price in cases where a fair value is not provided by theany third party pricing vendor to measure the fair value of our FFELP ABS. We assess these fair value measurements for reasonableness as outlined below.

Third party pricing vendor. The third party pricing vendor is compared to three other third party pricing vendors to test for reasonableness. We use the fair value of the third party pricing vendor provided it is within one point of other pricing vendors. We use the average fair value of four third party pricing vendors if their prices are available and present more than one point of difference in pricing.

Our internal pricing model. We compare prices for comparable FFELP security pricessecurities provided by third party pricing vendors. The internal model price also is compared to three other third party pricing vendors to test for reasonableness. If only one pricing vendor is providing prices, our internal pricing model will be averaged with the vendor price.

Private-label residential MBS. The significant unobservable inputs used by third party pricing vendors in the fair value measurement of our private-label residential MBS are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. A change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.

The following table shows the range of values for our investment securities that are carried at fair value on our Statementsstatements of Conditioncondition using Level 3 significant inputs provided to us by third party pricing vendors.

     Range of Values
As of December 31, 2015 Fair Value Minimum Maximum
Available-For-Sale SecuritiesPrivate-Label MBS $65
 $63
 $68

     Range of Values
As of December 31, 2016 Fair Value Minimum Maximum
Available-for-sale securitiesPrivate-label residential MBS $56
 $53
 $60

Advances.  We determine the fair value of advances by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows. ExpectedThe expected future cash flows foron advances carried aton an amortized cost exclude the amount of thebasis do not include accrued interest receivable. This is because such accrued interest receivable is presented in other assets in our statements of condition. Expected future cash flows for advances carried at fair value under the fair value option does include the amount of the accrued interest receivable. This is because such accrued interest receivable is presented in advances in our statements of condition. We do not include prepayment risk when measuring the fair value of an advance product in cases where we charge a prepayment fee which makes us financially indifferent to the borrower’s decision to repay the advance prior to its maturity date.
The significant inputs used to determine fair value for advances carried under the fair value option in our statements of condition are shown below.
 
Consolidated Obligation curve (CO Curve). The Office of Finance constructs a market-observable curve referred to as the CO Curve. This curve is constructed using the U.S. Treasury Curve as a base curve which is then adjusted by adding indicative spreads obtained largely from market observable sources. These market indications are derived from pricing indications from dealers, historical pricing relationships, market activity such as recent GSE trades, and other secondary market activity. The CO Curve best represents our cost of funds and is an integral factor with respect to pricing our advance products. Accordingly, we utilize the CO Curve to measure an advance's fair value.
 
Volatility assumption. Market-based expectations of future interest rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options.

Target spread assumption. The target spread relative to our cost of funds that we expect to earn for a given advance.

MPF Loans held in portfolio.  We measure the fair value of our entire mortgage loan portfolio based on to-be-announced (TBA) securities, which represent quoted market prices for new mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, and adjust that fair value amount for impaired MPF Loans held in portfolio. ImpairedWe use a third party Automated Valuation Methodology (AVM) model based on market inputs to determine the fair value of our impaired conventional MPF Loans are adjusted to par value less our allowance for credit losses. Impaired Government Loans are adjusted to par value since that is the amount we ultimately expect to realize.held in portfolio, including troubled debt restructurings. The prices of the referenced mortgage-backed securities and the MPF Loans are highly dependent upon the underlying prepayment assumptions priced in the secondary market. Prices are then adjusted for
differences in coupon, average loan rate, seasoning, settlements, purchase market spread, and cash flow remittance between our MPF Loans and the referenced mortgage-backed securities. Changes in the prepayment rates often have a material effect on the fair value estimates. These underlying prepayment assumptions are susceptible to material changes in the near term because they are made at a specific point in time.

MPF Loans held for sale (included in Other Assets). We measure the fair value of our MPF Loans held for saleHFS portfolio based on to-be-announced (TBA) securities, which represent quoted market prices for new mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Accrued interest receivable and payable. The fair value approximates the recorded carrying amount.government-sponsored enterprises.

Derivative assets/liabilities. Derivative instruments are primarily transacted in the institutional dealer market and priced with observable market assumptions at a mid-market valuation point. We estimate the fair value of a derivative that is not transacted in such an active market using standard valuation techniques, such as discounted cash-flow analysis and comparisons to similar instruments. We are subject to creditnonperformance risk in derivative transactions due to the potential default by our derivative counterparties or a Derivative Clearing Organization (DCO). To mitigate this risk, we have entered into master netting agreements and credit support agreements with our derivative counterparties for our bilaterally executed derivative contracts that provide for the delivery of collateral at specified levels at least weekly. We apply the “portfolio exception” for purposes of determining the nonperformance by the derivative counterparties. As a result, we assess whetherrisk adjustment, if any, to provide a credit valuation adjustment based on aggregate exposure by derivative counterparty when measuring the fair value of our derivatives. Accordingly,derivative instruments. As a result, we measure the credit valuationnonperformance risk adjustment assessment takeson our derivative instruments by taking into consideration the mitigating effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow us to settle positive and negative positions and offset cash collateral with the same counterparty on a net basis. For derivative transactions executed as a cleared derivative, the transactions are fully collateralized in cash and exchanged daily with the DCO. We also have established the enforceability of offsetting rights incorporated in the agreements for the cleared derivative transactions. Our net counterparty position equals the amount attributable to a particular credit exposure that we would receive to sell a net long position or that we would pay to transfer a net short position. Based on our risk management practices described above and the our assessment of any change in our own credit spread, we concluded that the effect of the credit differential between us and our derivative counterparties and DCO was sufficiently mitigated to an immaterial level that no nonperformance risk management. Referadjustments were deemed necessary to the recorded fair value of our derivative assets/liabilities in our statements of condition at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. See Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further discussion. As a resultdiscussion of our credit risk management practices, we believe that no credit valuation adjustment to the fair value of our derivative assets/liabilities is required.practices.

We include the carrying amount of a derivatives accrued net interest receivable/payablesettlements and cash collateral remitted to/received from counterparties in its fair value. We use the carrying amount as a proxy for fair value due to the short-term nature a derivatives accrued interest receivable/payable and cash collateral remitted to/received from counterparties.

A discounted cash flow analysis utilizes market-observable inputs (inputs that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources). Inputs by class of derivative are shown below.
Interest-rate related:
 
We began usinguse the Overnight Indexed Swap (OIS) curve rather than the LIBOR curve to determine the fair value of our derivative contracts during the first quarter of 2015. The initial effect of using the OIS curve was not material to our operating activities or financial statements.contracts.
 
Volatility assumption market-based expectations of future interest rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options.
 
Prepayment assumption, if applicable.
 
In limited instances, fair value estimates for interest-rate related derivatives are obtained from dealers and are corroborated by us using a pricing model and observable market data.

Mortgage delivery commitments and to be announced mortgage-backed securities:
 
TBA price. Market-based prices of TBAs are determined by coupon class and expected term until settlement.
Deposits.  We determine the fair values of deposits 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 costs of deposits with similar terms.

Consolidated obligations. We estimate fair values based on: the cost of raising comparable term debt independent market-based prices received from third party pricing vendors, orusing internal valuation models. Our internal valuation models use standard valuation techniques and estimate fair values based on the following significant inputs for those consolidated obligations carried at fair value:
 
CO Curve for fixed-rate, non-callablenoncallable (bullet) consolidated obligations and a spread to the LIBOR swap curve for callable consolidated obligations based on price indications for callable consolidated obligations from the Office of Finance.
 
Volatility assumption. Market-based expectations of future interest rate volatility implied from current market prices for similar options.
 
Spread assumption. There was noa spread adjustment to the COLIBOR Curve used to value callable consolidated obligations carried at fair value.

Subordinated notes. We estimate fair values based on the cost of raising comparable term debt.

Impaired MPF Loans and real estate owned. See page F-52.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Fair Value Estimates for Financial Instruments

The following tables are a summary of the fair value estimates and related levels in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts are as recorded in the statements of condition. These tables do not represent an estimate of our overall market value as a going concern; as they do not take into account future business opportunities and future net profitability of assets and liabilities. We had no transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy for the reporting periods shown.

The following table shows the fair values of financial instruments that are measured at amortized cost on our statements of condition, except whereunless we electedelect the fair value option.option for such instruments, in which case, such instruments are measured at fair value on our statements of condition. Financial instruments for which we elected the fair value option are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are shown on our statements of condition and are parenthetically shownalso included in the table on the following table.page, which details instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis.

    Fair Value Hierarchy     Fair Value Hierarchy 
Carrying Amount Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
As of December 31, 2016          
Financial Assets -          
Cash and due from banks$351
 $351
 $351
 $
 $
 
Interest bearing deposits650
 650
 650
 
 
 
Federal Funds sold4,075
 4,075
 
 4,075
 
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell2,300
 2,300
 
 2,300
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities5,072
 5,516
 
 4,544
 972
 
Advances45,067
 45,065
 
 45,065
 
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net4,967
 5,162
 
 5,136
 26
 
Financial Liabilities -      
   
Deposits(496) (496) 
 (496) 
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes(35,949) (35,949) 
 (35,949) 
 
Consolidated obligation bonds(36,903) (37,149) 
 (37,149) 
 
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock(301) (301) (301) 
 
 
Carrying Amount Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3           
As of December 31, 2015                    
Financial Assets -                    
Cash and due from banks$499
 $499
 $499
 $
 $
 $499
 $499
 $499
 $
 $
 
Interest bearing deposits650
 650
 650
 
 
 650
 650
 650
 
 
 
Federal Funds sold1,702
 1,702
 
 1,702
 
 1,702
 1,702
 
 1,702
 
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell1,375
 1,375
 
 1,375
 
 1,375
 1,375
 
 1,375
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities5,967
 6,513
 
 5,293
 1,220
 5,967
 6,513
 
 5,293
 1,220
 
Advances, $511 carried at fair value36,778
 36,736
 
 36,736
 
 
Advances36,778
 36,736
 
 36,736
 
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net4,828
 5,190
 
 5,155
 35
 4,828
 5,190
 
 5,155
 35
 
Financial Liabilities -      
             
Deposits$(538) $(538) $
 $(538) $
 (538) (538) 
 (538) 
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes, $9,006 carried at fair value(41,565) (41,563) 
 (41,563) 
 
Consolidated obligation bonds, $952 carried at fair value(22,586) (22,986) 
 (22,931) (55)
a 
Consolidated obligation discount notes(41,564) (41,563) 
 (41,563) 
 
Consolidated obligation bonds(22,582) (22,986) 
 (22,931) (55)
a 
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock(8) (8) (8) 
 
 
Subordinated notes(944) (966) 
 (966) 
 (944) (966) 
 (966) 
 
          
As of December 31, 2014          
Financial Assets -          
Cash and due from banks$342
 $342
 $342
 $
 $
 
Interest bearing deposits560
 560
 560
 
 
 
Federal Funds sold1,525
 1,525
 
 1,525
 
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell3,400
 3,400
 
 3,400
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities7,118
 7,824
 
 6,356
 1,468
 
Advances, $83 carried at fair value32,485
 32,546
 
 32,546
 
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net6,057
 6,585
 
 6,435
 150
 
Financial Liabilities -          
Deposits$(666) $(666) $
 $(666) $
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes, $1,799 carried at fair value(31,054) (31,055) 
 (31,055) 
 
Consolidated obligation bonds, $2,785 carried at fair value(34,251) (34,831) 
 (34,768) (63)
a 
Subordinated notes(944) (1,013) 
 (1,013) 
 
a 
Amount represents debt carried at fair value under a full fair value hedge strategy, not at fair value under the fair value option.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table presents financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis on our statements of condition. The Netting adjustment shown in the table reflects our policy of presenting derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis in our statements of condition. See Note 1 - Background and Basis of Presentation and Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further details. Advances, consolidated obligation discount notes and bonds, and mortgage loans held for sale resulted from our electing the fair value option.

As of December 31, 2015 Level 2 Level 3 Netting Total
U.S. Government & other government related $1,108
 $
   $1,108
As of December 31, 2016 Level 2 Level 3 Netting Total
U.S. Government & other government related non-MBS $1,005
 $
   $1,005
GSE residential MBS 50
 
   50
 39
 
   39
Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS 2
 
   2
U.S. Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS 1
 
   1
Trading securities 1,160
 
   1,160
 1,045
 
   1,045
U.S. Government & other government related 422
 
   422
State or local housing agency 18
 
   18
U.S. Government & other government related non-MBS 336
 
   336
State or local housing agency non-MBS 19
 
   19
FFELP ABS 5,299
 
   5,299
 4,572
 
   4,572
GSE residential MBS 9,798
 
   9,798
 8,555
 
   8,555
Government-guaranteed residential MBS 1,868
 
   1,868
U.S. Government-guaranteed residential MBS 1,380
 
   1,380
Private-label residential MBS 
 65
   65
 
 56
   56
Available-for-sale securities 17,405
 65
   17,470
 14,862
 56
   14,918
Advances 511
 
   511
 672
 
   672
Derivative assets 598
 5
 $(601)
a 
2
 474
 
 $(468)
a 
6
Other assets - Mortgage loans held for sale 54
 
   54
Total financial assets at fair value $19,728
 $70
 $(601) $19,197
Level 3 as a percent of total assets at fair value   0.4%    
Other assets 44
 
   44
Financial assets at fair value $17,097
 $56
 $(468) $16,685
Consolidated obligation discount notes $(9,006) $
   $(9,006) $(6,368) $
   $(6,368)
Consolidated obligation bonds (952) (55)
b 
  (1,007) (5,443) 
   (5,443)
Derivative liabilities (1,424) 
 $1,369
a 
(55) (1,161) 
 $1,118
a 
(43)
Total financial liabilities at fair value $(11,382) $(55) $1,369
 $(10,068)
Level 3 as a percent of total liabilities at fair value   0.5%    
Financial liabilities at fair value $(12,972) $
 $1,118
 $(11,854)
                
As of December 31, 2014        
U.S. Government & other government related $102
 $
   $102
As of December 31, 2015        
U.S. Government & other government related non-MBS $1,108
 $
   $1,108
GSE residential MBS 63
 
   63
 50
 
   50
Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS 2
 
   2
U.S. Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS 2
 
   2
Trading securities 167
 
   167
 1,160
 
   1,160
U.S. Government & other government related 508
 
   508
State or local housing agency 3
 
   3
U.S. Government & other government related non-MBS 422
 
   422
State or local housing agency non-MBS 18
 
   18
FFELP ABS 6,221
 
   6,221
 5,299
 
   5,299
GSE residential MBS 10,827
 
   10,827
 9,798
 
   9,798
Government-guaranteed residential MBS 2,345
 
   2,345
U.S. Government-guaranteed residential MBS 1,868
 
   1,868
Private-label residential MBS 
 71
   71
 
 65
   65
Available-for-sale securities 19,904
 71
   19,975
 17,405
 65
   17,470
Advances 83
 
   83
 511
 
   511
Derivative assets 691
 13
 $(675)
a 
29
 598
 5
 $(601)
a 
2
Total financial assets at fair value $20,845
 $84
 $(675) $20,254
Level 3 as a percent of total assets at fair value   0.4%    
Other assets 54
 
   54
Financial assets at fair value $19,728
 $70
 $(601) $19,197
Consolidated obligation discount notes (1,799) 
   (1,799) $(9,006) $
   $(9,006)
Consolidated obligation bonds (2,785) (63)
b 
  (2,848) (952) (55)
b 
  (1,007)
Derivative liabilities (1,680) 
 $1,625
a 
(55) (1,424) 
 $1,369
a 
(55)
Total financial liabilities at fair value $(6,264) $(63) $1,625
 $(4,702)
Level 3 as a percent of total liabilities at fair value   1.3%    
Financial liabilities at fair value $(11,382) $(55) $1,369
 $(10,068)
a 
The netting adjustment amount includes cash collateral (either received or paid by us) and related accrued interest in cases where we have a legal right of setoff, by contract (e.g., master netting agreement) or otherwise, to discharge all or a portion of the debt owed to our counterparty by applying against the debt an amount that our counterparty owes to us. See Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities.
b 
Amount represents debt carried at fair value under a full fair value hedge strategy, not at fair value under the fair value option.


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


The following table presents assets that are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014. We measure mortgage loans at fair value on a non-recurring basis due to the recognition of a credit loss. Real estate owned is measured using fair value when the asset's fair value less costs to sell is lower than its carrying amount. ��The fair value information presented is not as of the period-end; rather the information is as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014. Effective January 1, 2015, we began using an Automated Valuation Methodology (AVM) to determine the fair value of our impaired conventional MPF Loans and REO pursuant to the guidance provided by AB 2012-02. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further details.

  Level 3
As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
Impaired conventional MPF Loans held in portfolio $35
 $150
REO (recorded in other assets) 12
 9


Level 3 ReconciliationRollforward

The following table presents a reconciliationrollforward of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the statements of condition using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). We had no transfers to/from Level 3 for the periods presented.

 
Available-For-Sale
Private-Label MBS
 Derivative Assets Interest-Rate Related Consolidated Obligation Bonds 
Available-For-Sale
Private-Label MBS
 Derivative Assets Interest-Rate Related Consolidated Obligation Bonds
For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
Balance at beginning of period $71
 $72
 $69
 $13
 $19
 $32
 $(63) $(69) $(82) $65
 $71
 $72
 $5
 $13
 $19
 $(55) $(63) $(69)
Gains (losses) recorded in earnings -                  
                  
Gain (loss) included in earnings -                  
Interest income 4
 4
 3
             5
 4
 4
            
Derivatives and hedging activities       (8) (6) (13) 8
 6
 13
       (5) (8) (6) 55
 8
 6
Gains (losses) recorded in earnings 4
 4
 3
 (8) (6) (13) 8
 6
 13
Gains (losses) recorded in OCI -                  
Gain (loss) included in earnings 5
 4
 4
 (5) (8) (6) 55
 8
 6
                  
Gain (loss) included in OCI -                  
Net unrealized on AFS securities (1) 2
 3
             2
 (1) 2
            
Non-credit OTTI on AFS securities 
 
 8
            
Gains (losses) recorded in OCI (1) 2
 11
            
Gain (loss) included in OCI 2
 (1) 2
            
                  
Paydowns and settlements (9) (7) (11) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (16) (9) (7) 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at end of period $65
 $71
 $72
 $5
 $13
 $19
 $(55) $(63) $(69) $56
 $65
 $71
 $
 $5
 $13
 $
 $(55) $(63)
Total unrealized gains (losses) recorded in earnings and attributable to instruments still held at period end $4
 $4
 $3
 $
 $
 $
 $8
 $6
 $
Unrealized gains (losses) recorded in earnings and attributable to instruments still held at period end $4
 $4
 $4
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $8
 $6


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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Fair Value Option
We may elect the fair value option for financial instruments, such as advances, MPF Loans held for sale, consolidated obligation discount notes and consolidated obligation bonds, in cases where hedge accounting treatment may not be achieved. Specifically,achieved due to the inability to meet the hedge accounting may not be achieved in cases where it may be difficult to pass prospective or retrospective effectiveness testing under derivative hedge accounting guidance even though the derivatives usedcriterion. Refer to hedge these financial instruments have matching terms. Accordingly, electing the fair value option allows us to better match the change in fair valueNote 2 - Summary of these financial instruments with the derivative economically hedging them. We made no adjustments to the fair values of these financial instrumentsSignificant Accounting Policies for credit risk as of the reporting periods presented.further details.

The following table summarizespresents the net gain (loss) related tochanges in fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which we electedcarried at fair value under the fair value option.option that were recognized in noninterest income - instruments held under the fair value option in our statements of income.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2016 2015 2014
Advances $(2) $2
 $
 $(7) $(2) $2
Mortgage loans held for sale (in other assets) (1) 
 
 (4) (1) 
Discount notes 2
 1
 
 (2) 2
 1
Bonds 9
 10
 
 18
 9
 10
Total $8
 $13
 $
Noninterest income - Instruments held under fair value option $5
 $8
 $13
 
The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate unpaid principal balance (UPB) outstanding and the aggregate fair value for our long term financial instruments for which the fair value option has been elected. None of the advances were 90 days or more past due and none were on nonaccrual status.

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
As of Advances Bonds Advances Bonds Advances Consolidated Obligation Bonds Advances Consolidated Obligation Bonds
Unpaid principal balance $509

$953

$80

$2,775
 $677

$5,447

$509

$953
Fair value over (under) UPB 2
 (1) 3
 10
 (5) (4) 2
 (1)
Fair value 511
 952
 83
 2,785
 672
 5,443
 511
 952



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies

The following table shows our commitments outstanding, which represent off-balance sheet obligations.

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
As of Expire within one year Expire after one year Total Expire within one year Expire after one year Total Expire within one year Expire after one year Total Expire within one year Expire after one year Total
Unsettled consolidated obligation bonds $105
 $
 $105
 $91
 $
 $91
 $10
 $
 $10
 $105
 $
 $105
Member standby letters of credit 5,063
 1,615
a 
6,678
 2,410
 1,207
a 
3,617
 8,459
 2,369
a 
10,828
 5,063
 1,615
a 
6,678
Housing authority standby bond purchase agreements 49
 362
 411
 155
 262
 417
 25
 281
 306
 49
 362
 411
Committed unused member lines of credit 
 
 
 4,000
 
 4,000
Advance commitments 163
 5
 168
 158
 104
 262
 15
 1
 16
 163
 5
 168
MPF delivery commitments 279
 
 279
 143
 
 143
 417
 
 417
 279
 
 279
Other commitments 48
 3
 51
 68
 
 68
Other 24
 
 24
 48
 3
 51
Commitments $5,707

$1,985

$7,692

$7,025

$1,573

$8,598
 $8,950

$2,651

$11,601

$5,707

$1,985

$7,692
a 
Contains $637$486 million and $974$637 million of member standby letters of credit at December 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, which were renewable annually.


Commitments

Member standby letters of credit. A member standby letter of credit is a financing arrangement between us and our member. We execute a letter of credit with a member for a fee and require that member to fully collateralize the letter of credit at the time of issuance. If we are required to make payment for a beneficiary's draw, the payment amount is converted into a collateralized advance to the member if not reimbursed by the member. We monitor the creditworthiness of our members that have letters of credit. See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for information related to our credit risk for member standby letters of credit and our assessment of whether a liability should be recognized for our off-balance sheet credit risk.credit.

Housing authority standby bond purchase agreements. We enter into agreements with state housing authorities within our district to provide them liquidity for a fee. Specifically, if required under the terms of the agreement, we purchase and hold a state housing authority's bonds until their designated marketing agent can find a suitable investor or the state housing authority repurchases the bond. These standby bond purchase commitments have original expiration periods of up to 5 years, expiring no later than 2020,2021, although some may be renewable at our option. We purchased no bonds under these agreements during the periods presented above.

Committed unused member lines of credit. A committed unused member line of credit is an agreement that provides our members with the option to take multiple advances up to a specified maximum amount, subject to certain conditions. Amounts repaid may be reborrowed under the same arrangement.

Advance commitments. We enter into forward-starting advances, which lock in a predetermined interest rate for an advance that will be funded at a future date.date subject to certain conditions.

MPF delivery commitments. Includes on- and off-balance sheet delivery commitments to purchase mortgage loans. Off-balance sheet commitments are either resold to third party investors or are securitized into MBS.

Other.Consists of outstanding repurchase and indemnifications requests related to MPF Loans acquired under the MPF Xtra product and Community First Fund loans we have committed to fund but have not yet distributed.

Contingencies

Joint and Several Liability on Behalf of Another FHLB. We have a contingent obligation for the payment of principal and interest on consolidated obligations of all the FHLBs resulting from our joint and several liability. We did not expect to pay any additional amounts under our joint and several liability as of December 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

Legal Proceedings. We may be subject to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. After consultation with legal counsel, management is not aware of any such proceedings that might result in our ultimate liability in an amount that would have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in tables in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Note 18 – Transactions with Related Parties and Other FHLBs


We define related parties as members that own 10% or more of our capital stock oreither members whose officers or directors also serve on our Board of Directors. Capital stock ownership is a prerequisite to transacting any member business with us. Members and formerDirectors, or members own allthat control more than 10% of our capital stock.total voting interests. We do not currently have any members that control more than 10% of our total voting interests.

In the normal course of business, we may extend credit to or enter into other transactions with thesea related parties.party. All transactions are done at market terms that are no more favorable than the terms of comparable transactions with other members who are not considered related parties.


Members

The following table summarizes balances we had with our members who are related parties as defined above as related parties (including their affiliates). Members represented in these tables may change between as of the periods presented, to the extent that our related parties change, based on changes in the composition of our Board membership or percentage of capital stock ownership over 10% as noted in Note 13 - Capital.

presented.

As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Assets - Interest bearing deposits $650
 $560
Assets - Advances 15,168
 11,159
 $107
 $168
Liabilities - Deposits 20
 26
 8
 18
Equity - Capital Stock 467
 267
 18
 17

Other FHLBs

From time to time, we may loan to, or borrow from, other FHLBs. All transactions are done at market terms that are no more favorable than the terms of comparable transactions with other counterparties. These transactions are overnight, maturing the following business day.  These transactions with other FHLBs, if any, are identified on the face of our Financial Statements.



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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

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.
 
     
  FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF CHICAGO
     
  /s/    Matthew R. Feldman
  By: Matthew R. Feldman
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:March 9, 20162017(Principal Executive Officer)
     
  /s/   Roger D. Lundstrom
  By: Roger D. Lundstrom
  Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:March 9, 20162017(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 


Power of Attorney
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Peter E. Gutzmer,Laura M. Turnquest, Executive Vice President, and Roger D. Lundstrom, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, or either of them, his or her attorneys-in-fact, for such person in any and all capacities, to execute, deliver and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in his and her name and on his and her behalf, and in each of the undersigned director's capacity as shown below, an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2016, and all exhibits thereto and all documents in support thereof or supplemental thereto, and any and all amendments or supplements to the foregoing, hereby ratifying and confirming all that either of said attorneys-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
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 and on the dates indicated.

S-1

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Signature Title Date
   
     
/s/    Matthew R. Feldman 
 President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) March 9, 20162017
Matthew R. Feldman   
   
/s/    Roger D. Lundstrom 
 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) March 9, 20162017
Roger D. Lundstrom   
   
*/s/    William W. Sennholz Chairman of the Board of Directors March 9, 20162017
William W. Sennholz    
   
*/s/    Michael G. Steelman Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors March 9, 20162017
Michael G. Steelman    
   
*/s/ James T. Ashworth Director March 9, 20162017
James T. Ashworth    
     
*/s/    Owen E. Beacom Director March 9, 20162017
Owen E. Beacom   
   
*/s/    Edward P. Brady Director March 9, 20162017
Edward P. Brady 

S-2

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

SignatureTitleDate
   
     
*/s/    Mary J. Cahillane Director  March 9, 20162017
Mary J. Cahillane    
   
*/s/    Mark J. Eppli Director  March 9, 20162017
Mark J. Eppli
*/s/    Joseph Fazio IIIDirectorMarch 9, 2017
Joseph Fazio III    
   
*/s/    Michelle L. Gross Director  March 9, 20162017
Michelle L. Gross
*/s/    Thomas L. HerlacheDirectorMarch 9, 2016
Thomas L. Herlache    
   
*/s/    E. David Locke Director  March 9, 20162017
E. David Locke    
   
*/s/ Phyllis Lockett Director March 9, 20162017
Phyllis Lockett    
     
*/s/ David R. Pirsein Director March 9, 20162017
David R. Pirsein    

S-2

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Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

SignatureTitleDate
     
*/s/    John K. Reinke Director  March 9, 20162017
John K. Reinke    
   
*/s/    Leo J. Ries Director  March 9, 20162017
Leo J. Ries    
   
*/s/    Steven F. Rosenbaum Director  March 9, 20162017
Steven F. Rosenbaum
/s/ Lois A. ScottDirectorMarch 9, 2017
Lois A. Scott    
   
*/s/    Gregory A. White Director  March 9, 20162017
Gregory A. White    
   
*/s/    Charles D. Young Director  March 9, 20162017
Charles D. Young    
     
     
     
* By: /s/    Peter E. Gutzmer
Laura M. Turnquest
    March 9, 20162017
Peter E. Gutzmer,Laura M. Turnquest, Attorney-in-fact    
   
     
     



S-3