Join Tim Rood as he leads an insightful conversation with Ryan Donovan, President of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, and his knowledgeable colleagues, Alfred Pollard and Eric Blankenstein. In this episode, the panel delves into the evolving dynamics of the Federal Home Loan Bank System amidst ongoing housing market reforms and challenges. Donovan provides a deep dive into the core mission of the Home Loan Banks - furnishing liquidity to community lenders and fueling affordable housing and community development across the United States.

Amidst the backdrop of housing finance reforms, the episode explores the Home Loan Bank System's vital role in providing stability during economic uncertainties. The discussion navigates through the system's structure as a cooperative of member-owned banks, highlighting its resilience and adaptability without succumbing to excessive risk-taking. With the recent change of leadership at the FHFA, opportunities to reset regulatory relationships and amplify efforts in affordable housing are examined. Donovan emphasizes the unique regional nature of the system and how it tailors its support to meet the specific needs of local communities, reinforcing its position as the leading private capital source for affordable housing in the U.S.

Ryan Donovan
Ryan Donovan is the President of the Council of Federal Home Loan Banks, where he oversees the organization's efforts to serve the 11 regional Federal Home Loan banks. His work focuses on providing community lenders with liquidity, supporting housing affordability, and the community development mission. Before joining the Council, Donovan held roles in financial services advocacy, leveraging his expertise to inform on housing finance reform and other key industry issues.

Tim Rood
Tim Rood is the host of the Real Talk podcast and a professional with Impact Capital. His expertise lies in housing finance and policy, offering critical insights into the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and their roles in the mortgage market.

Alfred Pollard
A former General Counsel at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Alfred Pollard brings a wealth of experience from his time spent overseeing regulatory frameworks affecting the housing finance sector.

Eric Blankenstein
Eric Blankenstein has held significant positions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Ginnie Mae. His background in supervision and enforcement provides a rigorous perspective on mortgage market regulation.

• Regional Impact: The Federal Home Loan Bank System's regional structure allows for tailored support, addressing specific community needs across diverse markets.
• Resilient Framework: The cooperative framework of the Home Loan Banks discourages excessive risk-taking, ensuring stability and reliability even during financial crises.
• Affordable Housing Commitment: With a commitment to affordable housing, each bank contributes a significant portion of net earnings to housing and community development initiatives.
• Regulatory Relationships: New administrative leadership brings opportunities to strengthen and optimize regulatory collaboration for enhanced housing finance support.
• Liquidity Provision: The Home Loan Banks serve as a critical liquidity source for its members, essential for maintaining economic stability and supporting housing finance.