10-Q 1 a20143q10-q.htm 10-Q 2014.3Q.10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File No. 000-51401

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
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 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  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company   o

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


As of October 31, 2014, including mandatorily redeemable capital stock, registrant had 18,089,639 total outstanding shares of Class B Capital Stock.


1


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
 64
Item 1A.
 64
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 
 
 
 




2

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements.
Statements of Condition (unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except capital stock par value)
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
8,413

 
$
971

Interest bearing deposits
560

 

Federal Funds sold
1,783

 
500

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 
4,550

Investment securities -
 
 
 
Trading, $58 and $32 pledged
822

 
1,899

Available-for-sale
20,379

 
21,536

Held-to-maturity, $7,403 and $8,618 fair value
6,685

 
7,917

Total investment securities
27,886

 
31,352

Advances, $73 and $30 carried at fair value
26,766

 
23,489

MPF Loans held in portfolio, net of allowance for credit losses of $(16) and $(29)
6,422

 
7,695

Accrued interest receivable
81

 
93

Derivative assets
30

 
35

Software and equipment, net of accumulated amortization/depreciation of $(165) and $(157)
33

 
33

Other assets
57

 
79

Total assets
$
72,031

 
$
68,797

Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits
$
530

 
$
544

Consolidated obligations, net -
 
 
 
Discount notes, $1,531 and $75 carried at fair value
30,507

 
31,089

Bonds, $3,213 and $1,021 carried at fair value
35,239

 
31,987

Total consolidated obligations, net
65,746

 
63,076

Accrued interest payable
200

 
137

Mandatorily redeemable capital stock
5

 
5

Derivative liabilities
54

 
108

Affordable Housing Program assessment payable
83

 
78

Other liabilities
125

 
140

Subordinated notes
944

 
944

Total liabilities
67,687

 
65,032

Commitments and contingencies - see notes to the financial statements


 


Capital
 
 
 
Class B1 - putable $100 par value - 7 million and 7 million shares issued and outstanding
703

 
629

Class B2 - putable $100 par value - 11 million and 10 million shares issued and outstanding
1,098

 
1,041

Total Capital stock
1,801

 
1,670

Retained earnings - unrestricted
2,072

 
1,853

Retained earnings - restricted
232

 
175

Total retained earnings
2,304

 
2,028

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI)
239

 
67

Total capital
4,344

 
3,765

Total liabilities and capital
$
72,031

 
$
68,797


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

3

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Statements of Income (unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income
 
$
333

 
$
373

 
$
1,033

 
$
1,156

Interest expense
 
195

 
254

 
649

 
826

Net interest income before provision for credit losses
 
138

 
119

 
384

 
330

Reversal of allowance for credit losses
 
(2
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(2
)
Net interest income
 
140

 
119

 
392

 
332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest gain (loss) on -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(18
)
 
(11
)
Derivatives and hedging activities
 
1

 
(11
)
 
(11
)
 
19

Instruments held under fair value option
 
10

 
(2
)
 
11

 
1

Early extinguishment of debt
 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Litigation settlement awards
 
1

 

 
18

 
2

Other, net
 
4

 
4

 
13

 
14

Total non-interest gain (loss)
 
11

 
(10
)
 
14

 
26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-interest expense -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
17

 
16

 
49

 
44

Other operating expenses
 
12

 
8

 
34

 
28

Federal Housing Finance Agency
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Office of Finance
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Other community investment
 

 

 

 
(50
)
Other
 
(3
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Total non-interest expense
 
28

 
26

 
89

 
26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before assessments
 
123

 
83

 
317

 
332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Affordable Housing Program assessment
 
13

 
8

 
32

 
28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
110

 
$
75

 
$
285

 
$
304



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



4

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
 
$
110

 
$
75

 
$
285

 
$
304

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) -
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
 
(99
)
 
(13
)
 
37

 
(450
)
Non-credit OTTI on available-for-sale securities
 

 

 

 
8

Net unrealized gain (loss) on held-to-maturity securities transferred from available-for-sale
 

 
1

 

 
2

Non-credit OTTI on held-to-maturity securities
 
15

 
15

 
43

 
46

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
 
85

 
19

 
91

 
339

Post retirement plans
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(1
)
 
21

 
172

 
(55
)
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
109

 
$
96

 
$
457

 
$
249



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



5

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Statements of Capital (unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in millions)
 
Capital Stock - Putable - B1
 
Capital Stock - Putable - B2
 
Total
Capital Stock
 
Retained Earnings
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Value
 
Shares
 
Value
 
Shares
 
Value
 
Unrestricted
 
Restricted
 
Total
 
AOCI
 
Total
December 31, 2012
1

 
$
122

 
15

 
$
1,528

 
16

 
$
1,650

 
$
1,584

 
$
107

 
$
1,691

 
$
107

 
$
3,448

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
244

 
60

 
304

 
(55
)
 
249

Proceeds from issuance of capital stock
2

 
164

 

 
60

 
2

 
224

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
224

Repurchases of capital stock

 
(42
)
 
(1
)
 
(211
)
 
(1
)
 
(253
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(253
)
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock
(1
)
 
(56
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(58
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(58
)
Transfers between B1 and B2 capital stock
3

 
303

 
(3
)
 
(303
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends - class B1
(0.30% annualized rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*
 
 

 
 
 

Cash dividends - class B2
(0.30% annualized rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(4
)
September 30, 2013
5

 
$
491

 
11

 
$
1,072

 
16

 
$
1,563

 
$
1,824

 
$
167

 
$
1,991

 
$
52

 
$
3,606

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
7

 
$
629

 
10

 
$
1,041

 
17

 
$
1,670

 
$
1,853

 
$
175

 
$
2,028

 
$
67

 
$
3,765

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
228

 
57

 
285

 
172

 
457

Proceeds from issuance of capital stock
2

 
234

 
1

 
43

 
3

 
277

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
277

Repurchases of capital stock
(1
)
 
(45
)
 
(1
)
 
(101
)
 
(2
)
 
(146
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(146
)
Transfers between B1 and B2 capital stock
(1
)
 
(115
)
 
1

 
115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends - class B1
(1.43% annualized rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5
)
 


 
(5
)
 
 
 
(5
)
Cash dividends - class B2
(0.43% annualized rate)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(4
)
 
 
 
(4
)
September 30, 2014
7

 
$
703

 
11

 
$
1,098

 
18

 
$
1,801

 
$
2,072

 
$
232

 
$
2,304

 
$
239

 
$
4,344

*
Less than $1 million.


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

6

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)

 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Operating-
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
592

 
$
702

 
Investing-
Net change Federal Funds sold
 
(1,283
)
 
(689
)
 
 
Net change securities purchased under agreements to resell
 
4,550

 
4,450

 
 
Net change interest bearing deposits
 
(560
)
 

 
 
Advances-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal collected
 
188,332

 
203,141

 
 
Issued
 
(191,556
)
 
(203,545
)
 
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal collected
 
1,353

 
2,303

 
 
Purchases
 
(64
)
 
(61
)
 
 
Trading securities-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
2,002

 
50

 
 
Proceeds from maturities and paydowns
 
867

 
2,136

 
 
Purchases
 
(1,812
)
 
(1,364
)
 
 
Held-to-maturity securities-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term held-to-maturity securities, net
 
503

a 
630

a 
 
Proceeds from maturities
 
833

 
1,364

 
 
Purchases
 
(22
)
 
(11
)
 
 
Available-for-sale securities-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities
 
1,157

 
843

 
 
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
 
76

 
75

 
 
Capital expenditures for software and equipment
 
(8
)
 
(9
)
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
4,368

 
9,313

 
Financing-
Net change deposits
 
(14
)
 
(218
)
 
 
Net proceeds from issuance of consolidated obligations-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount notes
 
924,591

 
526,897

 
 
Bonds
 
16,891

 
14,397

 
 
Payments for maturing and retiring consolidated obligations-
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount notes
 
(925,174
)
 
(538,635
)
 
 
Bonds
 
(13,888
)
 
(10,760
)
 
 
Net proceeds (payments) on derivative contracts with financing element
 
(46
)
 
(53
)
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock
 
277

 
224

 
 
Repurchase or redemption of capital stock
 
(146
)
 
(253
)
 
 
Redemptions of mandatorily redeemable capital stock
 

 
(59
)
 
 
Cash dividends paid
 
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
2,482

 
(8,464
)
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks
 
7,442

 
1,551

 
 
Cash and due from banks at beginning of year
 
971

 
3,564

 
 
Cash and due from banks at end of period
 
$
8,413

 
$
5,115

 
Supplemental-
Capital stock reclassified to mandatorily redeemable capital stock
 
$

 
$
58

 
 
Transfer of MPF Loans to real estate owned
 
51

 
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 (unaudited).

7

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago a is a federally chartered corporation and one of 12 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.  The FHLBs are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an independent federal agency. We provide credit to members 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 b.

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.

In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments have been included for a fair statement of this interim financial information. These unaudited financial statements and the following footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (2013 Form 10-K) starting on page F-1, as filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of 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. The most significant of these assumptions and estimates apply to the following:

Determination of other-than-temporary impairments of securities;
Allowance for credit losses; and
Fair value measurements. See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 13 - Fair Value Accounting for more information.

Actual results could differ from these assumptions and estimates.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

We do not consolidate any of our investments in variable interest entities. Our investments in variable interest entities include, but are not limited to, senior interests in private label mortgage backed securities (MBS), and Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP) asset backed securities (ABS). We determined that we are not the primary beneficiary in any of these investments in variable interest entities as of the periods presented.  Refer to our 2013 Form 10-K Note 1 - Background and Basis of Presentation to the financial statements for further details.

Statements of Cash Flows

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, we consider only cash and due from banks as cash and cash equivalents.

Gross versus Net Presentation of Financial Instruments

We present our derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis in our statements of condition. We net cash collateral, including initial and variation margin, and accrued interest received from or pledged to clearing agents and/or our counterparties. The fair values of derivatives are netted by clearing agent and/or counterparty 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. Our right of setoff is enforceable at law. We have analyzed the enforceability of offsetting rights incorporated in our cleared derivative transactions and determined that the exercise of those offsetting rights by a non-defaulting party under these transactions should be upheld under applicable law upon an event of default including a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding involving the clearinghouse or our clearing agent, or both. Based on this analysis, we present a net derivative asset or liability for all of our transactions through a particular clearing agent with a particular clearinghouse.

                                                                        
a 
Unless otherwise specified, references to we, us, our, and the Bank are to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
b 
“Mortgage Partnership Finance”, “MPF”, and “MPF Xtra” are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. “Community First” is a trademark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.


8

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Our net exposure for derivative transactions may change on a daily basis, which may result in a delay between the time the change in our net exposure is identified and additional collateral is requested, and the time such collateral is received or pledged. Our net exposure also may be affected by a delay in the return of excess collateral. For derivative instruments that meet the requirements for netting, any excess cash collateral received or pledged relative to our position with a counterparty is recognized as a derivative liability or derivative asset.

We present our securities purchased under agreements to resell, if any, on a gross basis in our statements of condition. Our securities purchased under agreements to resell were fully collateralized for the periods presented based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Separately, we do not have any securities sold under agreements to repurchase or securities borrowing or lending transactions for the periods presented.


Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Our Summary of Significant Accounting Policies can be found in our 2013 Form 10-K starting on page F-11.

Joint and Several Liability Arrangements
We adopted new GAAP guidance applicable to joint and several liability arrangements effective January 1, 2014. Under the new guidance, joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date and any additional estimated amount we expect to pay on behalf of other FHLBs is measured and recognized at the reporting date. Transition to the new guidance was done on a retrospective basis. The new guidance did not have an effect on either our current or prior operating activities or financial statements. For further discussion of our joint and several liability see Note 10 - Consolidated Obligations to the financial statements.

Litigation Settlement Awards and related Litigation Settlement Legal Expenses
In the third quarter of 2014 we recognized $1 million in litigation settlement awards, slightly offset by litigation settlement legal expenses. Litigation settlement awards received for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is $18 million. The awards were recorded in "Non-interest gain (loss) on - Litigation settlement awards". The expenses were recorded in "Non-interest expense - Other". These awards and expenses were recognized when realized. See page F-17 in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K for further details.


Note 3 – Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards

Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure

In August of 2014, the FASB issued new guidance with respect to how to reclassify certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure for accounting purposes. The new guidance requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure provided the conditions shown below are met.

The loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure.
At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim.
At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate value is fixed.

Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. Our foreclosed government MPF Loans are now classified in Real Estate Owned (REO) in Other Assets. Under the new guidance, we would reclassify our government MPF Loans to a receivable account in Other Assets upon foreclosure regardless of whether or not the Bank has received legal title or a deed in lieu. We do not expect any effect on our statements of income since our credit risk on government MPF Loans is limited to whether or not the servicing PFI fails to pay for losses not covered by FHA or HUD insurance, or VA or RHS guarantees. We expect to adopt this new guidance on a prospective basis for government MPF Loans. Specifically, government MPF Loans foreclosed on or after January 1, 2015, will be classified as a receivable rather than REO. We do not expect the new guidance to have a material effect on our operating activities or our financial statements.


9

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures

In June of 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that changes the accounting treatment for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase financing transactions. The key provisions include, but are not limited to: requiring repurchase-to-maturity provisions to be accounted for as secured borrowings rather than as sales, requiring the initial transfer and repurchase agreement in repurchase financing transactions to be accounted for as separate rather than linked transactions, and new disclosure requirements. The new accounting guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2015. An entity is required to present changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015. We are in the process of determining what, if any, impact this may have on our operating activities and financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May of 2014, the FASB issued new guidance governing revenue recognition from contracts with customers. Financial instruments and other contractual rights within the scope of other GAAP guidance are excluded from the scope of this new revenue recognition guidance. In this regard, it is expected that a majority of our contracts with members would be excluded from the scope of this new guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled, in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The new revenue recognition guidance becomes effective for annual interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017. We are in the process of reviewing our contracts with members to determine the effect, if any, on our operating activities and financial statements.

Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure
In January of 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance clarifying when consumer mortgage loans collateralized by real estate should be reclassified to Real Estate Owned (REO). Specifically, such collateralized mortgage loans should be reclassified to REO when either the creditor obtains legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or the borrower conveys all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The new guidance becomes effective January 1, 2015 for interim and annual periods of the Bank. Our existing practice of reclassifying MPF Loans is consistent with this new guidance. As a result, we do not need to select a transition method and we do not believe the new guidance will have any effect on our operating activities and financial statements.
Asset Classification and Charge-off Provisions
On April 9, 2012, the FHFA issued Advisory Bulletin 2012-02, Framework for Adversely Classifying Loans, Other Real Estate Owned, and Other Assets and Listing Assets for Special Mention (AB 2012-02). The guidance in AB 2012-02 is generally consistent with the Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy issued by the federal banking regulators in June 2000. AB 2012-02 mandates a standard and uniform methodology for classifying assets, prescribes the timing of asset charge-offs (excluding investment securities), provides measurement guidance with respect to determining our allowance for credit losses, and fair value measurement guidance for REO (e.g., use of appraisals). Subsequent to the issuance of AB 2012-02, the FHFA issued interpretative guidance clarifying that implementation of the asset classification framework may occur in two phases. We implemented the asset classification provisions effective January 1, 2014. As permitted under AB 2012-02, we will implement the charge-off provisions effective January 1, 2015 on a prospective basis. We do not anticipate the timing of our credit loss recognition to be affected by implementing AB 2012-02 given that the timing of our current credit loss recognition is based on the Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy issued by the federal banking regulators in June 2000, and the guidance in AB 2012-02 considers and is generally consistent with the Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. We are in the process of determining the financial statement effects, if any, of implementing AB 2012-02 charge-off provisions on our operating activities and financial statements.






10

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars 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:

 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and interest bearing deposits
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
7

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities -

 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading
6

 
2

 
21

 
11

Available-for-sale
136

 
145

 
415

 
442

Held-to-maturity
72

 
79

 
223

 
251

Total investment securities
214

 
226

 
659

 
704

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advance interest income
35

 
37

 
108

 
107

Advance prepayment fees, including related hedge adjustment gains (losses) of $0, $10, $0, and $10
4

 
17

 
8

 
30

Total Advances
39

 
54

 
116

 
137

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net
78

 
92

 
252

 
308

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Total interest income
333

 
373

 
1,033

 
1,156

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense -

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated obligations -

 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount notes
68

 
71

 
201

 
222

Bonds
114

 
170

 
408

 
562

Total consolidated obligations
182

 
241

 
609

 
784

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinated notes
13

 
13

 
40

 
42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total interest expense
195

 
254

 
649

 
826

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income before provision for credit losses
138

 
119

 
384

 
330

Reversal of allowance for credit losses
(2
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(2
)
Net interest income
$
140

 
$
119

 
$
392

 
$
332





11

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 5 – Investment Securities

Our major security types presented in the tables below are defined as follows:

U.S. Government & other government related may consist of the sovereign debt of the United States; debt issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation; and non-mortgage-backed securities of the Small Business Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Tennessee Valley Authority.
Federal Family Education Loan Program - asset backed securities (FFELP ABS).
Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE) residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS) issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Government-guaranteed residential MBS.
Private-label residential MBS.
State or local housing agency obligations.

Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method and are included in non-interest gain (loss) on the statements of income.


Pledged Collateral

We transact most of our derivatives with large banks and major broker-dealers. Derivative transactions may be entered into either through an over-the-counter bilateral agreement with an individual counterparty or through a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM or clearing member) with a derivatives clearing organization (clearinghouse). We may pledge investment securities as collateral under these agreements, and in such cases, the amount pledged will be noted on the face of the statements of condition. We pledged $58 million of investment securities as collateral for our initial margin with derivative clearing organizations as of September 30, 2014, and $32 million as of December 31, 2013. See Note 9 - Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further details.

Trading Securities

The following table presents the fair value of our trading securities. We had no material gains or losses realized from the sales of trading securities.

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
U.S. Government & other government related
 
$
754

 
$
1,823

Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
GSE
 
66

 
74

Government-guaranteed
 
2

 
2

Total Residential MBS
 
68

 
76

Trading securities
 
$
822

 
$
1,899



At September 30, 2014, and 2013, we had net year-to-date unrealized gains (losses) of $(4) million and $(11) million on trading securities still held at period end.


12

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars 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 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
481

 
$
30

 
$

 
$
511

FFELP ABS
6,019

 
435

 
(10
)
 
6,444

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE
10,371

 
531

 
(6
)
 
10,896

Government-guaranteed
2,352

 
102

 

 
2,454

Private-label
67

 
7

 

 
74

Total Residential MBS
12,790

 
640

 
(6
)
 
13,424

Total
$
19,290

 
$
1,105

 
$
(16
)
 
$
20,379

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
560

 
$
29

 
$
(1
)
 
$
588

FFELP ABS
6,395

 
425

 
(17
)
 
6,803

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE
10,888

 
518

 
(24
)
 
11,382

Government-guaranteed
2,572

 
119

 

 
2,691

Private-label
69

 
3

 

 
72

Total Residential MBS
13,529

 
640

 
(24
)
 
14,145

Total
$
20,484

 
$
1,094

 
$
(42
)
 
$
21,536



We had no proceeds or gains (losses) on the sale of AFS securities for the periods presented.


13

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars 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
 
Non-credit OTTI Recognized in AOCI (Loss)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Unrecognized
Holding 
Gains
 
Gross
Unrecognized
Holding 
Losses
 
Fair Value
As of September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
1,618

 
$

 
$
1,618

 
$
66

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,683

State or local housing agency
18

 

 
18

 

 

 
18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE
2,793

 

 
2,793

 
186

 

 
2,979

Government-guaranteed
1,165

 

 
1,165

 
30

 

 
1,195

Private-label
1,368

 
(277
)
 
1,091

 
438

 
(1
)
 
1,528

Total Residential MBS
5,326

 
(277
)
 
5,049

 
654

 
(1
)
 
5,702

Total
$
6,962

 
$
(277
)
 
$
6,685

 
$
720

 
$
(2
)
 
$
7,403

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
2,259

 
$

 
$
2,259

 
$
42

 
$
(1
)
 
$
2,300

State or local housing agency
22

 

 
22

 

 

 
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE
3,193

 

 
3,193

 
186

 

 
3,379

Government-guaranteed
1,248

 

 
1,248

 
32

 

 
1,280

Private-label
1,515

 
(320
)
 
1,195

 
444

 
(2
)
 
1,637

Total Residential MBS
5,956

 
(320
)
 
5,636

 
662

 
(2
)
 
6,296

Total
$
8,237

 
$
(320
)
 
$
7,917

 
$
704

 
$
(3
)
 
$
8,618



We had no proceeds or gains (losses) on the sale of HTM securities for the periods presented.


14

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars 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. We recognized no OTTI charges on these unrealized loss positions 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. In 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 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FFELP ABS
$
3

 
$

 
$
921

 
$
(10
)
 
$
924

 
$
(10
)
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE

 

 
2,033

 
(6
)
 
2,033

 
(6
)
Private-label

 

 
1

 

 
1

 

Total Residential MBS

 

 
2,034

 
(6
)
 
2,034

 
(6
)
Total
$
3

 
$

 
$
2,955

 
$
(16
)
 
$
2,958

 
$
(16
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
40

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
40

 
$
(1
)
FFELP ABS
22

 

 
969

 
(17
)
 
991

 
(17
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE

 

 
3,293

 
(24
)
 
3,293

 
(24
)
Private-label

 

 
9

 

 
9

 

Total Residential MBS

 

 
3,302

 
(24
)
 
3,302

 
(24
)
Total
$
62

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4,271

 
$
(41
)
 
$
4,333

 
$
(42
)




15

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(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 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
14

 
$

 
$
4

 
$
(1
)
 
$
18

 
$
(1
)
State or local housing agency
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE

 

 
5

 

 
5

 

Private-label
15

 

 
1,435

 
(278
)
 
1,450

 
(278
)
Total Residential MBS
15

 

 
1,440

 
(278
)
 
1,455

 
(278
)
Total
$
39

 
$

 
$
1,444

 
$
(279
)
 
$
1,483

 
$
(279
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
$
85

 
$
(1
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
85

 
$
(1
)
State or local housing agency
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

Residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE
10

 

 

 

 
10

 

Private-label

 

 
1,532

 
(322
)
 
1,532

 
(322
)
Total Residential MBS
10

 

 
1,532

 
(322
)
 
1,542

 
(322
)
Total
$
105

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,532

 
$
(322
)
 
$
1,637

 
$
(323
)



Contractual Maturity Terms

The table below presents the amortized cost basis and fair value of 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 September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Carrying Amount and Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair 
Value
Year of Maturity -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$

 
$

 
$
175

 
$
175

Due after one year through five years
 
96

 
101

 
54

 
54

Due after five years through ten years
 
2

 
2

 
395

 
410

Due after ten years
 
383

 
408

 
1,012

 
1,062

ABS and MBS without a single maturity date
 
18,809

 
19,868

 
5,049

 
5,702

Total securities
 
$
19,290

 
$
20,379

 
$
6,685

 
$
7,403





16

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

We recognize credit losses into earnings on securities in an unrealized loss position for which we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis. Non-credit losses are recognized in AOCI since 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 any investment security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. The non-credit loss in AOCI on HTM securities are accreted back into the HTM securities over their remaining lives as an increase to the carrying amount, since we ultimately expect to collect these amounts. See Statements of Comprehensive Income on page 5.

Significant Inputs Used to Determine OTTI

Our analysis for OTTI on our private-label MBS includes key modeling assumptions, significant inputs, and methodologies provided by an FHLB System OTTI Governance Committee, formed to achieve consistency among the FHLBs in their analyses of OTTI. We use the information provided to generate cash flow projections used in analyzing credit losses and determining OTTI. We are responsible for making our own determination of impairment, 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. Previously, long-term home price projections following the short-term period were projected to recover using one of five different recovery paths. Starting with the second quarter of 2014, a unique path was projected for each geographic area based on an internally developed framework derived from historical data. Based on these inputs and assumptions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013, we had no OTTI charges.

Unpaid Principal Balance, Amortized Cost, Carrying Amount, and Fair Value - OTTI Private-Label MBS

The table below 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 September 30, 2014
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Amortized Cost Basis
 
Non-Credit OTTI
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
OTTI AFS Securities-
Private-label residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Alt-A
 
$
98

 
$
65

 
$

 
$
7

 
$
72

 
$
72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTTI HTM Securities-
Private-label residential MBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Prime
 
$
1,051

 
$
828

 
$
(203
)
 
$

 
$
625

 
$
895

     Subprime
 
652

 
407

 
(74
)
 

 
333

 
500

Total OTTI HTM securities
 
$
1,703

 
$
1,235

 
$
(277
)
 
$

 
$
958

 
$
1,395



The following table presents the changes in the cumulative amount of credit losses (recognized into earnings) on OTTI investment securities for the periods stated.

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning Balance
 
$
649

 
$
701

 
$
677

 
$
717

Reductions:
 

3


 
 
 
 
Increases in cash flows expected to be collected that have been recognized as accretion into net interest income
 
(15
)
5

(11
)
 
(43
)
 
(27
)
Ending Balance
 
$
634

 
$
690

 
$
634

 
$
690



17

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars 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. We did not have any advances with embedded features that met the requirements to separate the embedded feature from the host contract and designate the embedded feature as a stand-alone derivative at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013. The following table presents our advances by callable/putable features:

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Noncallable/nonputable
 
$
23,985

 
$
20,259

Callable
 
964

 
1,440

Putable
 
1,699

 
1,726

Total par value
 
26,648

 
23,425

Hedging adjustments
 
98

 
39

Other adjustments
 
20

 
25

Total advances
 
$
26,766

 
$
23,489



The following table presents our advances by redemption terms:

As of September 30, 2014
 
Amount  
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
Next Maturity or Call Date  
 
Next Maturity or Put Date  
Due in one year or less
 
$
5,571

 
0.36
%
 
$
6,533

 
$
7,269

One to two years
 
2,818

 
1.80
%
 
2,668

 
2,089

Two to three years
 
1,518

 
2.74
%
 
1,360

 
1,102

Three to four years
 
4,377

 
1.03
%
a 
3,900

 
3,859

Four to five years
 
10,776

 
0.20
%
a 
10,604

 
10,766

More than five years
 
1,588

 
3.05
%
 
1,583

 
1,563

Total par value
 
$
26,648

 
0.85
%
 
$
26,648

 
$
26,648

a 
Low 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 are at low current market rates of interest.


We lend to members within our district according to Federal statutes, including the FHLB Act. The FHLB Act requires us to hold, or have access to, collateral to secure our advances, and we do not expect to incur any credit losses on advances. We have policies and procedures in place that are designed to manage our credit risk, including requirements for physical possession or control of pledged collateral, restrictions on borrowing, verifications of collateral and continuous monitoring of borrowings and the member's financial condition. We continue to monitor the collateral and creditworthiness of our borrowers. Based on the collateral pledged as security for advances and our credit analyses of our members' financial condition and our credit extension and collateral policies, we expect to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of our advances. See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for information related to our credit risk on advances and allowance methodology for credit losses.

18

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 7 – MPF Loans

The following table presents information on MPF Loans held in our portfolio by contractual maturity at the time of purchase. All are fixed-rate. Government is comprised of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and loans guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service (RHS).

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Medium term (15 years or less)
 
$
1,222

 
$
1,672

Long term (greater than 15 years)
 
5,138

 
5,959

Total unpaid principal balance
 
6,360

 
7,631

Net premiums, credit enhancement and deferred loan fees
 
24

 
27

Hedging adjustments
 
54

 
66

Total before allowance for credit losses
 
6,438

 
7,724

Allowance for credit losses on MPF Loans
 
(16
)
 
(29
)
Total MPF Loans held in portfolio, net
 
$
6,422

 
$
7,695

 
 
 
 
 
Conventional mortgage loans
 
$
4,941

 
$
5,969

Government insured mortgage loans
 
1,419

 
1,662

Total unpaid principal balance
 
$
6,360

 
$
7,631



See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for information related to our credit risk on MPF Loans and allowance for credit losses methodology.


19

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 8 – Allowance for Credit Losses

We have established an allowance methodology for each of our portfolio segments:

credit products (advances, letters of credit and other extensions of credit to borrowers);
conventional MPF Loans held for portfolio;
government MPF Loans held for portfolio; and
term Federal Funds sold and term securities purchased under agreements to resell.

For detailed information on these methodologies and our accounting policies please see Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K. Any updates to these accounting policies are noted below.

Credit Products

For the periods presented, we had no credit products that were past due, on nonaccrual status, or considered impaired. In addition, there have been no troubled debt restructurings related to our credit products during the periods then ended. Based upon the collateral we held as security, our credit extension and collateral policies, our credit analysis and the repayment history on credit products, we do not believe that any credit losses have been incurred on our credit products; accordingly, we have not recorded any allowance for credit losses for our credit products. Additionally, no liability was recorded to reflect an allowance for credit losses for our credit products with off-balance sheet credit exposures.

Conventional MPF Loans
MPF Risk Sharing Structure

For a definition of MPF Risk Sharing Structure see page F-29 in our 2013 Form 10-K. We share the risk of credit losses on conventional MPF Loan products with our PFIs (excluding the MPF Xtra product) by structuring potential losses on conventional MPF Loans into layers with respect to each master commitment (MC). We require that conventional MPF Loans held in our portfolio be credit enhanced at inception so that our risk of loss is limited to be equivalent to the losses of an investor in an AA rated mortgage backed security. As a part of our methodology to determine the amount of credit enhancement necessary, we analyze the risk characteristics of each MPF Loan using a model licensed from an NRSRO. We use the model to evaluate loan data provided by the PFI as well as other relevant information.

The table below presents the impact of the MPF Risk Sharing Structure and severity rates on our allowance for credit losses. For detailed definitions of how Total Severity Rate and Credit Loss Severity Rate are calculated, see Loss Severity on page F-31 in our 2013 Form 10-K.
  
As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Total Severity Rate
 
27
%
 
35
%
 
Credit Loss Severity Rate
 
13
%
 
19
%
 
Total estimated losses outstanding
 
$
51

 
$
65

 
Less: losses expected to be absorbed by MPF Risk Sharing Structure
 
(20
)
a 
(18
)
a 
Our share of total losses
 
31

 
47

 
Less: non-credit losses
 
(16
)
 
(21
)
 
Credit losses
 
15

 
26

 
Plus: other estimated credit losses in the remaining portfolio
 
1

 
3

 
Allowance for credit losses on conventional MPF Loans
 
$
16

 
$
29

 
a 
Represents aggregate of credit enhancements across all master commitments expected to be recovered. Credit enhancement from one master commitment may not be used to offset credit losses incurred by another master commitment.



20

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for credit losses on conventional MPF Loans.

 
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
19

 
$
34

 
$
29

 
$
42

Losses charged to the allowance
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(5
)
 
(8
)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses
 
(2
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(2
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
16

 
$
32

 
$
16

 
$
32



The following table presents the recorded investment by impairment methodology on conventional MPF Loans.

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Specifically identified and individually evaluated for impairment
 
$
12

 
$
22

Homogeneous pools of loans and collectively evaluated for impairment
 
4

 
7

Allowance for credit losses on conventional MPF Loans
 
$
16

 
$
29

 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment - with an allowance
 
$
172

 
$
215

Collectively evaluated for impairment
 
4,855

 
5,861

Total recorded investment
 
$
5,027

 
$
6,076



Government MPF Loans Held for Portfolio

The PFI provides and maintains insurance or a guaranty from governmental agencies, which includes ensuring compliance with all of their requirements, and obtaining the benefit of the applicable insurance or guaranty with respect to defaulted government MPF Loans. Any losses incurred on government MPF Loans that are not recovered from the government insurer or guarantor are absorbed by the servicing PFI. Accordingly, our credit risk on government MPF Loans is limited to whether or not the servicing PFI fails to pay for losses not covered by FHA or HUD insurance, or VA or RHS guarantees. In this regard, based on our assessment of the servicing PFIs, we did not establish an allowance for credit losses for our government MPF Loan portfolio as of the periods presented. Further, due to the government guarantee or insurance and the servicing PFIs ability to absorb losses, government MPF Loans are not placed on nonaccrual status or disclosed as troubled debt restructurings.


21

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Credit Quality Indicators - MPF Loans

The table below summarizes our recorded investment in MPF Loans by our key credit quality indicators.

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
As of
 
Conventional
 
Government
 
Total
 
Conventional
 
Government
 
Total
 
Past due 30-59 days
 
$
141

 
$
88

 
$
229

 
$
165

 
$
104

 
$
269

 
Past due 60-89 days
 
38

 
24

 
62

 
50

 
31

 
81

 
Past due 90 days or more
 
165

 
40

a 
205

 
202

 
151

 
353

 
Total past due
 
344

 
152

 
496

 
417

 
286

 
703

 
Total current
 
4,683

 
1,291

 
5,974

 
5,659

 
1,401

 
7,060

 
Total recorded investment
 
$
5,027

 
$
1,443

 
$
6,470

 
$
6,076

 
$
1,687

 
$
7,763

 
Also in process of foreclosure
 
$
85

 
$
12

a 
$
97

 
$
108

 
$
51

 
$
159

 
Serious delinquency rate
b 
3.30
%
 
2.77
%
a 
3.18
%
 
3.37
%
c 
8.94
%
c 
4.58
%
c 
Past due 90 days or more still accruing interest
d 
$
25

 
$
40

 
$
65

 
$
27

 
$
151

 
$
178

 
On nonaccrual status
 
$
176

 
$

 
$
176

 
$
221

 
$

 
$
221

 
a 
During the third quarter of 2014, as permitted under our MPF Program Guides for Government MPF Loans, one of our servicers elected at their option to repurchase $109 million of their delinquent loans from us at their outstanding unpaid principal balance, rather than continue to advance to us payments of principal and interest when they are not collecting these amounts from the borrower.
b 
MPF Loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure as a percentage of the total recorded investment.
c 
We corrected an error to adjust the serious delinquency rate of MPF Loans disclosed above as of December 31, 2013, as previously reported in our 2013 Form 10-K and in our Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2014.  The error had no effect on our allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2013, because this rate was not used when determining our allowance for credit losses.  After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these adjustments, we concluded that prior period financial statements were not materially misstated. Further, the error had no effect on our 2014 financial statements.
d 
Consists of MPF Loans that are either 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, of a financially responsible party) and in the process of collection.


Troubled Debt Restructurings

The table below presents our recorded investment balance in Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDR) as of the dates presented.

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Performing
 
$
44

 
$
16

Nonperforming
 
26

 
43

Total
 
$
70

 
$
59



The following table shows the troubled debt restructurings we made on our conventional MPF Loans for the periods presented. The amounts were the same pre- and post-modification as we did not record any write-offs of principal.

 
 
For the three months ended September 30,
 
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
TDRs made during the periods
 
$
10

 
$
8

 
$
25

 
$
27




22

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

The following table shows the troubled debt restructurings from the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the periods presented. A borrower is considered to have defaulted on a TDR if a contractually due principal or interest payment is sixty days past due at any time during the past 12 months.

 
 
For the three months ended September 30,
 
For the nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
TDRs from the previous 12 months that subsequently defaulted during the periods
 
$
17

 
$
15

 
$
19

 
$
17



Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans

The following table summarizes the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance, and related allowance of impaired MPF Loans individually assessed for impairment, which includes impaired collateral dependent MPF Loans and TDRs. We had no impaired MPF Loans without an allowance for either date.

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Recorded Investment
 
$
172

 
$
215

Unpaid Principal Balance
 
170

 
210

Related Allowance
 
12

 
22



The following table summarizes the average recorded investment of impaired conventional MPF Loans. No interest income was recognized on impaired loans.

 
 
For the three months ended
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
Average Recorded Investment
 
$
176

 
$
219

 
$
190

 
$
218



Term Federal Funds Sold

We evaluate Federal Funds Sold for purposes of determining whether or not an allowance for credit losses should be recorded only if repayment of the contractual amount is past due. All Federal Funds sold were repaid according to the contractual terms, and accordingly, we have not recorded any allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2014.



23

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 9 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities


Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Polices to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K 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 derivatives transactions through an FCM with a derivatives clearing organization (clearinghouse). We are not a derivatives dealer and do not trade derivatives for speculative purposes.

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 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 17 - Fair Value Accounting to the financial statements in our 2013 10-K 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 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 $48 million of collateral at fair value to our derivatives counterparties at September 30, 2014.

Cleared swaps are subject to initial and variation margin requirements established by the clearinghouse and its clearing members. We post initial and variation margin through the clearing member, on behalf of the clearinghouse, which could expose us to institutional credit risk in the event that a clearing member or the clearinghouse fail to meet their obligations. Clearing derivatives through a clearinghouse mitigates counterparty credit risk exposure because a central clearinghouse counterparty is substituted for individual counterparties and collateral is posted daily for changes in the value of cleared derivatives through an FCM. The clearinghouse determines initial margin requirements for cleared derivatives. In this regard, clearing agents may require additional initial margin to be posted based on credit considerations, including but not limited to, credit rating downgrades.  We were not required to post additional initial margin by our clearing agents at September 30, 2014.

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 $58 million of investment securities, of which $4 million can be sold or repledged, as part of our initial margin related to cleared derivative transactions at September 30, 2014.


24

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

The following table presents our gross and net derivative assets and liabilities by contract type and amount for our derivative agreements.

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
As of
 
Notional Amount  
 
Derivative Assets  
 
Derivative Liabilities  
 
Notional Amount  
 
Derivative Assets  
 
Derivative Liabilities  
 
Derivatives in hedge accounting relationships-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
31,386

 
$
53

 
$
1,323

 
$
28,346

 
$
85

 
$
1,670

 
Derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
19,243

 
455

 
276

 
14,199

 
440

 
286

 
Interest rate swaptions
 
2,315

 
48

 

 
4,465

 
60

 

 
Interest rate caps or floors
 
1,164

 
110

 

 
1,164

 
143

 

 
Interest rate futures
 
41

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mortgage delivery commitments
 
304

 
3

 
3

 
203

 
3

 
3

 
Derivatives not in hedge accounting relationships
 
23,067

 
616

 
279

 
20,031

 
646

 
289

 
Derivative amount before adjustments
 
$
54,453

 
669

 
1,602

 
$
48,377

 
731

 
1,959

 
Netting adjustments (excluding cash collateral)
 
 
 
(617
)
 
(617
)
 
 
 
(677
)
 
(677
)
 
Exposure at fair value
 
 
 
52

 
985

 
 
 
54

 
1,282

 
Cash collateral (and related accrued interest)
 
 
 
(22
)
 
(931
)
 
 
 
(19
)
 
(1,174
)
 
Total derivatives on statements of condition
 
 
 
$
30

 
$
54

 
 
 
$
35

 
$
108

 



25

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

The following table presents our gross recognized amount of offsetting derivative assets and liabilities for derivatives with legal right of offset as well as derivatives (i.e., mortgage delivery commitments) without the legal right of offset. At September 30, 2014, we had $4 million of additional net credit exposure on cleared derivatives due to instances where our pledged non-cash collateral to a counterparty exceeded our net derivative liability position. We had no comparable exposure at December 31, 2013.

 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
As of September 30, 2014
 
Bilateral
 
Cleared
 
Total
 
Bilateral
 
Cleared
 
Total
 
Derivatives with legal right of offset -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross recognized amount
 
$
637

 
$
29

 
$
666

 
$
1,460

 
$
139

 
$
1,599

 
Netting adjustments and cash collateral
 
(611
)
 
(28
)
 
(639
)
 
(1,409
)
 
(139
)
 
(1,548
)
 
Derivatives with legal right of offset - net
 
26

 
1

 
27

 
51

 

 
51

 
Derivatives without legal right of offset
 
3

 

 
3

 
3

 

 
3

 
Total derivatives on statements of condition
 
29

 
1

 
30

 
54

 

 
54

 
Cash collateral for initial margin
 

 
1

 
1

 

 
 
 


 
Noncash collateral pledged (received)
 
(25
)
 
54

 
29

 

 

 

 
Net amount
 
$
4

 
$
56

 
$
60

a 
$
54

 
$

 
$
54

a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives with legal right of offset -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross recognized amount
 
$
707

 
$
21

 
$
728

 
$
1,949

 
$
7

 
$
1,956

 
Netting adjustments and cash collateral
 
(676
)
 
(20
)
 
(696
)
 
(1,845
)
 
(6
)
 
(1,851
)
 
Derivatives with legal right of offset - net
 
31


1


32


104


1


105

 
Derivatives without legal right of offset
 
3

 

 
3

 
3

 

 
3

 
Total derivatives on statements of condition
 
34


1


35


107


1


108

 
Noncash collateral pledged (received)
 
(31
)
 

 
(31
)
 

 

 

 
Net amount
 
$
3


$
1


$
4

a 
$
107


$
1


$
108

a 
a 
Any over-collateralization received by or paid from us to an individual clearing member and/or at a counterparty arrangement level is not included in the determination of the net amount.  Specifically, any such over-collateralization amount received by us is not offset against another derivative asset counterparty exposure for which there is no legal right of offset, while any over-collateralization delivered by us is not offset against another derivative liability counterparty exposure for which there is no legal right of offset.


The tables below present the gain (loss) components of derivatives and hedging activities as presented in the statements of income.

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
For the periods ending
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
Fair value hedges -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(3
)
 
$
2

 
$
(15
)
 
$
13

 
Fair value hedges
 
(3
)
 
2

 
(15
)
 
13

 
Cash flow hedges
 

 
1

 
1

 
4

 
Economic hedges -
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
1

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
62

 
Interest rate swaptions
 
(4
)
 
(20
)
 
(20
)
 
(37
)
 
Interest rate caps or floors
 
(17
)
 
(7
)
 
(32
)
 
(65
)
 
Mortgage delivery commitments
 
1

 

 
2

 
1

 
Net interest settlements
 
23

 
15

 
55

 
41

 
Economic hedges
 
4

 
(14
)
 
3

 
2

 
Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities
 
$
1

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
19

 


26

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Fair Value Hedges

The following table presents, by type of hedged item, the gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the effect of those derivatives on our net interest income.

 
 
Gain (loss)
 
Net Interest Settlements Classified in Net Interest Income a
 
Hedge Adjustments Amortized into Net Interest Income b
 
 
 
On Derivative
 
On Hedged Item
 
Total Ineffectiveness Recognized in Derivatives and Hedging Activities
 
 
 
Three months ended 
 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged item type -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
50

 
$
(50
)
 
$

 
$
(35
)
 
$

 
Advances
 
7

 
(5
)
 
2

 
(20
)
 
(1
)
 
MPF Loans held for portfolio
 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
(57
)
 
52

 
(5
)
 
63

 
(1
)
 
Total
 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
8

 
$
(6
)
 
Three months ended 
 September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged item type -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
7

 
$
(6
)
 
$
1

 
$
(35
)
 
$

 
Advances
 
10

 
(9
)
 
1

 
(16
)
 
9

 
MPF Loans held for portfolio
 

 

 

 

 
(8
)
 
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
37

 
(37
)
 

 
62

 
(5
)
 
Total
 
$
54

 
$
(52
)
 
$
2

 
$
11

 
$
(4
)
 
Nine months ended 
 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged item type -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
20

 
$
(23
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$

 
Advances
 
(56
)
 
62

 
6

 
(60
)
 
(3
)
 
MPF Loans held for portfolio
 

 

 

 

 
(13
)
 
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
225

 
(243
)
 
(18
)
 
189

 
(11
)
 
Total
 
$
189

 
$
(204
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
24

 
$
(27
)
 
Nine months ended 
 September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged item type -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
241

 
$
(233
)
 
$
8

 
$
(104
)
 
$

 
Advances
 
108

 
(101
)
 
7

 
(50
)
 
7

 
MPF Loans held for portfolio
 

 

 

 

 
(27
)
 
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
(379
)
 
377

 
(2
)
 
164

 
(18
)
 
Total
 
$
(30
)
 
$
43

 
$
13

 
$
10

 
$
(38
)
 
a 
Represents the effect of net interest settlements attributable to existing 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.
b 
Amortization of hedge adjustments is included in the interest income/expense line item of the respective hedged item type.


27

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Cash Flow Hedges

The following table presents our gains (losses) on our cash-flow hedging relationships recorded in income and other comprehensive income (loss). In cases where amounts are insignificant in the aggregate, we do not report a balance.

 
 
Amortization of Effective Portion Reclassified From AOCI to Interest
 
Ineffective Portion Reclassified to Derivatives and Hedging Activities
 
Total Reclassified Into Statements of Income
 
Effective Portion Recorded in AOCI
 
Net Change in OCI
 
Net Interest Settlements Classified in Net Interest Income
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances -
interest rate floors
 
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$

 
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
87

 
88

 
(62
)
a 
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 
1

 

 
Total
 
$
2

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
87

 
$
85

 
$
(62
)
a 
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances -
interest rate floors
 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 
(1
)
 
1

 

 
21

 
21

 
(66
)
a 
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 
1

 

 
Total
 
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
21

 
$
19

 
$
(66
)
a 
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances -
interest rate floors
 
$
9

 
$


$
9

 
$

 
$
(9
)
 
$

 
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 
(2
)
 
1

 
(1
)
 
97

 
98

 
(184
)
a 
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 
2

 

 
Total
 
$
5

 
$
1

 
$
6

 
$
97

 
$
91

 
$
(184
)
a 
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances -
interest rate floors
 
$
10

 
$

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
(10
)
 
$

 
Discount notes -
interest rate caps
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 
1

 

 
Discount notes -
interest rate swaps
 
(2
)
 
4

 
2

 
348

 
346

 
(200
)
a 
Bonds -
interest rate swaps
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 
2

 

 
Total
 
$
5

 
$
4

 
$
9

 
$
348

 
$
339

 
$
(200
)
a 
a 
Represents 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.

There were no amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings 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. The deferred net gains (losses) on derivative instruments in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months were $8 million as of September 30, 2014. The maximum length of time over which we are hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, is 6 years.

28

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 10 – Consolidated Obligations

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 September 30, 2014
 
Contractual Maturity
 
Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
By Next Maturity or Call Date
Due in one year or less
 
$
3,652

 
1.39
%
 
$
26,789

One to two years
 
3,925

 
2.89
%
 
3,515

Two to three years
 
5,980

 
1.90
%
 
1,948

Three to four years
 
5,072

 
1.56
%
 
1,200

Four to five years
 
4,829

 
1.56
%
 
833

Thereafter
 
12,021

 
2.25
%
 
1,194

Total par value
 
$
35,479

 
1.98
%
 
$
35,479


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
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013

Carrying Amount
 
$
30,507

 
$
31,089

Par Value
 
30,512

 
31,092

Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
0.06
%
 
0.07
%

The following table presents consolidated obligation bonds outstanding by call feature:
As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Noncallable
 
$
11,477

 
$
12,927

Callable
 
24,002

 
19,565

Par value
 
35,479

 
32,492

Bond premiums (discounts), net
 
19

 
20

Hedging adjustments
 
(272
)
 
(526
)
Fair value option adjustments
 
13

 
1

Total consolidated obligation bonds
 
$
35,239

 
$
31,987


Joint and Several Liability

The FHFA, at its discretion, may require an FHLB to make principal or interest payments due on any consolidated obligation. Although it has never occurred, to the extent that an FHLB makes a payment on a consolidated obligation on behalf of another FHLB, the paying FHLB would be entitled to a reimbursement from the non-complying FHLB. If the FHFA determines that the non-complying FHLB is unable to satisfy its direct obligations (as primary obligor), then the FHFA may allocate the outstanding liability among the remaining FHLBs on a pro rata basis in proportion to each FHLB's participation in all consolidated obligations outstanding, or on any other basis the FHFA may prescribe, even in the absence of a default event by the primary obligor. The FHFA is required but has not notified us that we would be required to pay any consolidated obligation on behalf of another FHLB. Accordingly, we do not expect to pay any additional amounts on behalf of other FHLBs under our joint and several liability as of September 30, 2014. As a result, we did not accrue a liability for our joint and several liability related to the other FHLBs’ share of the consolidated obligations as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

The following table summarizes the consolidated obligations of the FHLBs and those for which we are the primary obligor:

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Par values as of
 
Bonds
 
Discount
Notes
 
Total
 
Bonds
 
Discount
Notes
 
Total
FHLB System total consolidated obligations
 
$
489,270

 
$
327,680

 
$
816,950

 
$
473,495

 
$
293,342

 
$
766,837

FHLB Chicago as primary obligor
 
35,479

 
30,512

 
65,991

 
32,492

 
31,092

 
63,584

As a percent of the FHLB System
 
7
%
 
9
%
 
8
%
 
7
%
 
11
%
 
8
%

29

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 11 – Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock

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. 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's activity stock requirement. Class B2 stock is available to be purchased to support a member's membership stock requirement and any activity stock requirement.

Under our capital plan, our Board of Directors may set a threshold of between $5 million and $250 million on the amount of Class B2 stock that would otherwise be held for membership if a member has advances outstanding that have an activity stock requirement in excess of the threshold amount. In that case, the amount of Class B2 stock that exceeds such threshold and is necessary to support advance activity is automatically converted into Class B1 stock. This threshold is currently set at $5 million, which means that we will convert to Class B1 capital stock any capital stock supporting advances that exceeds the lesser of the member's membership requirement or $5 million.

The Board of Directors may periodically adjust members' activity stock requirement for certain new advances within a range of 2% and 6% of a member's outstanding advances. During 2013, our Board implemented this provision for the first time through a Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP) as further discussed in Note 14 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K. A second offering of up to $5 billion in advances under RCAP began on August 15, 2014 and will expire on November 17, 2014. The second offering allows members to borrow one or more advances with an activity stock requirement of 2% for the life of the advance instead of the 5% requirement under our capital plan's provisions, if the new advances represent an incremental increase in member's overall level of advances and had maturity dates of at least one year. Each member's activity stock requirement remains at 5% for non-RCAP advances.

Finally, under the capital plan, the cap on the membership stock requirement for each member is now $165.3 million. Under the plan, the cap on membership stock is equal to the lesser of (1) a cap set by the Board within a range of $25 million and $250 million, and (2) 9.9% of our total capital stock outstanding as of the prior December 31. Although the Board set an initial cap of $250 million, the operative cap under the plan of $165.3 million is based on the level of the Bank's capital stock at December 31, 2013 unless the Board sets a new cap.

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 $5 million 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 will continue to meet its minimum investment requirement and we remain in compliance with our regulatory capital requirements.

Our current practice is 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. During the third quarter, all capital stock repurchases were made within three business days of receipt of the requests.

Minimum Capital Requirements

For details on our minimum capital requirements, including how the ratios below were calculated, see Minimum Capital Requirements on page F-47 of our 2013 Form 10-K. We complied with our minimum regulatory capital requirements as shown below:

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Requirement
 
Actual
 
Requirement
 
Actual
Risk-based capital
 
$
1,184

 
$
4,110

 
$
1,465

 
$
3,703

Total regulatory capital
 
$
2,881

 
$
4,110

 
$
2,752

 
$
3,703

Total regulatory capital ratio
 
4.00
%
 
5.71
%
 
4.00
%
 
5.38
%
Leverage capital
 
$
3,602

 
$
6,164

 
$
3,440

 
$
5,555

Leverage capital ratio
 
5.00
%
 
8.56
%
 
5.00
%
 
8.07
%

Total regulatory capital and leverage capital do not include accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Under the FHFA regulation on capital classifications and critical capital levels for the FHLBs, we are adequately capitalized.



30

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock

We reclassify capital stock from equity to mandatorily redeemable capital stock (MRCS) in our statements of condition under conditions as further described in Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock on page F-48 in our 2013 Form 10-K.


Note 12 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the income (loss) in AOCI for the periods indicated:
 
 
Available-for-sale
 
Held-to-maturity
 
Net Unrealized on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Post-Retirement Plans
 
Total AOCI
 
 
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Non-credit OTTI
 
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Non-credit OTTI
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,188

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(292
)
 
$
(659
)
 
$
4



$
240

Change in the period before reclassifications to net income
 
(99
)
 

 

 
15

 
87

 
(2
)

1

Period amounts reclassified to:
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income
 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

2

(2
)
Net change in the period
 
(99
)
 

 

 
15

 
85

 
(2
)
5

(1
)
Ending balance
 
$
1,089

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(277
)
 
$
(574
)
 
$
2

 
$
239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,139

 
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(350
)
 
$
(758
)
 
$
2

 
$
31

Change in the period before reclassifications to net income
 
(13
)
 

 

 
15

 
21

 

 
23

Period amounts reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 

 

 
1

 

 
(1
)
 

 

Non-interest gain (loss)
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Non-interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net change in the period
 
(13
)
 

 
1

 
15

 
19

 
(1
)
 
21

Ending balance
 
$
1,126

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(335
)
 
$
(739
)
 
$
1

 
$
52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,052

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(320
)
 
$
(665
)
 
$
1

 
$
67

Change in the period before reclassifications to net income
 
37

 

 

 
43

 
97

 

 
177

Period amounts reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Net interest income
 

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Non-interest gain (loss)
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Non-interest expense
 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Net change in the period
 
37

 

 

 
43

 
91

 
1

 
172

Ending balance
 
$
1,089

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(277
)
 
$
(574
)
 
$
2

 
$
239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,576

 
$
(8
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(381
)
 
$
(1,078
)
 
$
1

 
$
107

Change in the period before reclassifications to net income
 
(450
)
 
8

 

 
46

 
348

 

 
(48
)
Period amounts reclassified to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 

 

 
2

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(3
)
Non-interest gain (loss)
 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Net change in the period
 
(450
)
 
8

 
2

 
46

 
339

 

 
(55
)
Ending balance
 
$
1,126

 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(335
)
 
$
(739
)
 
$
1

 
$
52


31

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 13- Fair Value Accounting

For accounting policies regarding fair values see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K. For a description of the valuation techniques and significant inputs see Note 17 - Fair Value Accounting to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in our valuation techniques since then. We had no transfers between Levels 1, 2, and/or 3 for the periods presented.

The tables below 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.  The tables below are presented in the following order:
Fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis on our statements of condition.
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis on our statements of condition.
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis on our statements of condition.

 
Carrying Amount
 
 
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
8,413

 
$
8,413

 
$
8,413

 
$

 
$

 
Interest bearing deposits
560

 
560

 
560

 

 

 
Federal Funds sold
1,783

 
1,783

 

 
1,783

 

 
Held-to-maturity securities
6,685

 
7,403

 

 
5,875

 
1,528

 
Advances
26,766

 
26,875

 

 
26,875

 

 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net
6,422

 
6,957

 

 
6,795

 
162

 
Accrued interest receivable
81

 
81

 

 
81

 

 
Financial Liabilities-
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Deposits
(530
)
 
(530
)
 

 
(530
)
 

 
Consolidated obligation discount notes
(30,507
)
 
(30,507
)
 

 
(30,507
)
 

 
Consolidated obligation bonds
(35,239
)
 
(35,819
)
 

 
(35,757
)
 
(62
)
a 
Accrued interest payable
(200
)
 
(200
)
 

 
(200
)
 

 
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 
Subordinated notes
(944
)
 
(1,026
)
 

 
(1,026
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Assets-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
971

 
$
971

 
$
971

 
$

 
$

 
Federal Funds sold
500

 
500

 

 
500

 

 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
4,550

 
4,550

 

 
4,550

 

 
Held-to-maturity securities
7,917

 
8,618

 

 
6,981

 
1,637

 
Advances
23,489

 
23,586

 

 
23,586

 

 
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net
7,695

 
8,269

 

 
8,069

 
200

 
Accrued interest receivable
93

 
93

 

 
93

 

 
Financial Liabilities-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
(544
)
 
(544
)
 

 
(544
)
 

 
Consolidated obligation discount notes
(31,089
)
 
(31,089
)
 

 
(31,089
)
 

 
Consolidated obligation bonds
(31,987
)
 
(32,645
)
 

 
(32,576
)
 
(69
)
a 
Accrued interest payable
(137
)
 
(137
)
 

 
(137
)
 

 
Mandatorily redeemable capital stock
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

 

 
Subordinated notes
(944
)
 
(1,055
)
 

 
(1,055
)
 

 
a 
Amount represents debt carried at fair value under a full fair value hedge strategy, not at fair value under the fair value option.

32

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)



Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present, for each hierarchy level, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the statements of condition on a recurring basis. Financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs were immaterial at September 30, 2014. We had no Level 1 instruments for either period presented.
 
As of September 30, 2014
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Derivative Netting Adjustment and Cash Collateral
 
Total Fair Value
Financial assets -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
 
$
754

 
$

 
 
 
$
754

GSE residential MBS
 
66

 

 
 
 
66

Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS
 
2

 

 
 
 
2

Trading securities
 
822

 

 
 
 
822

Available-for-sale securities:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
 
511

 

 
 
 
511

FFELP ABS
 
6,444

 

 
 
 
6,444

GSE residential MBS
 
10,896

 

 
 
 
10,896

Government-guaranteed residential MBS
 
2,454

 

 
 
 
2,454

Private-label residential MBS
 

 
74

 
 
 
74

Available-for-sale securities
 
20,305

 
74

 
 
 
20,379

Advances
 
73

 

 
 
 
73

Derivative assets
 
657

 
12

 
$
(639
)
a 
30

Total financial assets at fair value
 
$
21,857

 
$
86

 
$
(639
)
 
$
21,304

Level 3 as a percent of total assets at fair value
 
 
 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes
 
$
(1,531
)
 
$

 
 
 
$
(1,531
)
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
$
(3,213
)
 
$
(62
)
b 
 
 
$
(3,275
)
Derivative liabilities
 
(1,602
)
 

 
$
1,548

a 
(54
)
Total financial liabilities at fair value
 
$
(6,346
)
 
$
(62
)
 
$
1,548

 
$
(4,860
)
Level 3 as a percent of total liabilities at fair value
 
 
 
1.3
%
 
 
 
 

Table continued on next page.

33

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

As of December 31, 2013
 
Level 2  
 
Level 3  
 
Derivative Netting Adjustment and Cash Collateral
 
Total Fair Value 
Financial assets -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
 
$
1,823

 
$

 
 
 
$
1,823

GSE residential MBS
 
74

 

 
 
 
74

Governmental-guaranteed residential MBS
 
2

 

 
 
 
2

Trading securities
 
1,899

 

 
 
 
1,899

Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government & other government related
 
588

 

 
 
 
588

FFELP ABS
 
6,803

 

 
 
 
6,803

GSE residential MBS
 
11,382

 

 
 
 
11,382

Government-guaranteed residential MBS
 
2,691

 

 
 
 
2,691

Private-label residential MBS
 

 
72

 
 
 
72

Available-for-sale securities
 
21,464

 
72

 
 
 
21,536

Advances
 
30

 

 
 
 
30

Derivative assets
 
712

 
19

 
$
(696
)
a 
35

Total financial assets at fair value
 
$
24,105

 
$
91

 
$
(696
)
 
$
23,500

Level 3 as a percent of total assets at fair value
 
 
 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes
 
(75
)
 

 
 
 
(75
)
Consolidated obligation bonds
 
(1,021
)
 
(69
)
b 
 
 
(1,090
)
Derivative liabilities
 
(1,959
)
 

 
$
1,851

a 
(108
)
Total financial liabilities at fair value
 
$
(3,055
)
 
$
(69
)
 
$
1,851

 
$
(1,273
)
Level 3 as a percent of total liabilities at fair value
 
 
 
5.4
%
 
 
 
 
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 for further details.
b 
Amount represents debt carried at fair value under a full fair value hedge strategy, not at fair value under the fair value option.


Level 3 Disclosures for Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

There have been no significant changes in assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the statements of condition using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, or 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are subject to being measured at fair value as a result of becoming impaired during the reporting period or in the case of REO when fair value declines during the reporting period. If available, broker price opinions are used to measure impaired MPF Loans or REO. If a current broker price opinion is not available, we estimate fair value based on current actual loss severity rates we have incurred on sales, excluding any estimated selling costs. See Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses for further details. Significant increases (decreases) in the loss severity rate input in isolation may result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.


34

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

The table below presents assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in our statements of condition only as of the dates shown.
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
Level 3
 
Level 3
Impaired MPF Loans
 
$
162

 
$
200

Real estate owned
 
8

 
10

Non-recurring assets measured at fair value
 
$
170

 
$
210



Fair Value Option
We elected the fair value option for advances, discount notes, and 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 bonds with the interest rate swap economically hedging it. We determined that no adjustments to the fair values of our instruments recorded under the fair value option for instrument-specific credit risk were necessary as of the dates presented.

The following table summarizes the activity related to financial assets and liabilities for which we elected the fair value option:

 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Consolidated Obligation
 
 
 
Consolidated Obligation
 
Advances
 
Bonds
 
Discount Notes
 
Advances
 
Bonds
 
Discount Notes
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance beginning of period
$
40

 
$
(4,235
)
 
$

 
$
29

 
$
(2,548
)
 
$
(75
)
New transactions elected for fair value option
30

 
(705
)
 
(1,531
)
 

 
(330
)
 

Maturities and extinguishments (if any)

 
1,725

 

 

 
500

 

Net gain (loss) on instruments held at fair value
3

 
7

 

 

 
(2
)
 

Change in accrued interest and other

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 

Balance end of period
$
73

 
$
(3,213
)
 
$
(1,531
)
 
$
29

 
$
(2,382
)
 
$
(75
)
For the nine months ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance beginning of period
$
30

 
$
(1,021
)
 
$
(75
)
 
$
9

 
$
(1,251
)
 
$

New transactions elected for fair value option
40

 
(5,640
)
 
(1,531
)
 
20

 
(2,880
)
 
(75
)
Maturities and extinguishments (if any)

 
3,450

 
75

 

 
1,750

 

Net gain (loss) on instruments held at fair value
3

 
8

 

 

 
1

 

Change in accrued interest and other

 
(10
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 

Balance end of period
$
73

 
$
(3,213
)
 
$
(1,531
)
 
$
29

 
$
(2,382
)
 
$
(75
)


The following table reflects the difference between the aggregate unpaid principal balance (UPB) outstanding and the aggregate fair value for advances and consolidated obligation bonds 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.
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
As of
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Fair
Value  
 
Fair Value Over (Under) UPB
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Fair
Value  
 
Fair Value Over (Under) UPB
Advances
 
$
70

 
$
73

 
$
3

 
$
29

 
$
30

 
$
1

Consolidated obligation bonds
 
3,200

 
3,213

 
13

 
1,020

 
1,021

 
1

Discount notes
 
1,531

 
1,531

 

 
75

 
75

 


35

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies

The table below shows our commitments outstanding, which represent off-balance sheet obligations, for the periods presented.
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
As of
 
Expire within one year
 
Expire after one year
 
Total
 
Expire within one year
 
Expire after one year
 
Total
Unsettled consolidated obligation bonds
 
$
941

 
$

 
$
941

 
$
220

 
$

 
$
220

Unsettled consolidated obligation discount notes
 

 

 

 
1,000

 

 
1,000

Member standby letters of credit
 
1,463

 
1,184

a 
2,647

 
1,407

 
696

a 
2,103

Housing authority standby bond purchase agreements
 
183

 
205

 
388

 
149

 
258

 
407

MPF Program mortgage purchase commitments
 
154

 

 
154

 
103

 

 
103

Unresolved repurchasable loans and indemnifications to Fannie Mae for MPF Xtra loans
 
59

b 
1

 
60

 
56

b 

 
56

Committed unused member lines of credit
 
4,000

c 

 
4,000

 

 

 

Advance commitments
 
174

 
109

 
283

 
125

 
101

 
226

Commitments
 
$
6,974

 
$
1,499

 
$
8,473

 
$
3,060

 
$
1,055

 
$
4,115

a 
Contains $960 million and $495 million of member standby letters of credit at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, which were renewable annually.
b 
Amount includes only mortgage loans for which (1) a breach of an eligibility requirement or other warranty has been specifically identified and (2) we believe Fannie Mae will request us to repurchase or provide an indemnity. Accordingly, these unresolved requests are classified in the "expire within one year" category. However, these unresolved requests may occur after one year from the reporting date since they do not have an expiration date. If the PFI from which we purchased an ineligible MPF Xtra loan is viable, we may require the PFI to repurchase that loan from us or indemnify us for related losses.  Since we deem it probable that we will recover any losses from the PFIs, we did not recognize a loss in our statement of income related to MPF Xtra loan repurchase or indemnification risk to Fannie Mae.
c 
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. Portions repaid may be reborrowed under the same arrangement.

For a description of previously defined terms see Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K.




36

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Notes to Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share amounts unless otherwise indicated)


Note 15 – Transactions with Members and Other FHLBs

We define related parties as members that own 10% or more of our capital stock or 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 former members own all of our capital stock.

In the normal course of business, we extend credit to or enter into other transactions with these related parties. 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 table below summarizes balances we had with our members as defined above as related parties (including their affiliates). Members represented in these tables may change between periods presented, to the extent that our related parties change, based on changes in the composition of our Board membership. We had no members at or over the 10% threshold at September 30, 2014; the transactions listed below as of that date were with members whose officers or directors served on our Board. At December 31, 2013, we had one member at or over the 10% threshold, in addition to members whose officers or directors served on our Board.

As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Assets - Advances
 
$
153

 
$
2,546

Liabilities - Deposits
 
18

 
27

Equity - Capital Stock
 
17

 
188



Other FHLBs

From time to time, we may loan to, or borrow from, other FHLBs at market rates. These transactions are overnight, maturing the following business day.  Transactions with other FHLBs, if any, are identified on the face of our Financial Statements.

37

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


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Selected Financial Data
As of or for the three months ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
Selected statements of condition data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investments a
 
$
30,229

 
$
36,125

 
$
41,414

 
$
36,402

 
$
32,731

Advances
 
26,766

 
24,782

 
22,372

 
23,489

 
14,843

MPF Loans held in portfolio, gross
 
6,438

 
6,913

 
7,318

 
7,724

 
8,223

Less: allowance for credit losses
 
(16
)
 
(19
)
 
(24
)
 
(29
)
 
(32
)
Total assets
 
72,031

 
68,057

 
72,039

 
68,797

 
61,120

Consolidated obligations, net -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount notes
 
30,507

 
23,795

 
26,889

 
31,089

 
19,519

Bonds
 
35,239

 
38,021

 
39,183

 
31,987

 
35,840

Total capital stock
 
1,801

 
1,796

 
1,705

 
1,670

 
1,563

Total retained earnings
 
2,304

 
2,198

 
2,107

 
2,028

 
1,991

Total capital
 
4,344

 
4,234

 
3,970

 
3,765

 
3,606

Other selected data at period end
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MPF Xtra loans outstanding b
 
$
14,298

 
$
14,161

 
$
14,040

 
$
13,964

 
$
13,677

FHLB systemwide consolidated obligations (par)
 
816,950

 
799,980

 
753,940

 
766,837

 
720,725

Number of members
 
757

 
758

 
752

 
759

 
751

Total employees (full and part time)
 
391

 
401

 
370

 
355

 
353

Selected statements of income data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
 
$
140


$
122


$
130


$
120


$
119

Total non-interest gain (loss)
 
11

 
13

 
(10
)
 
(27
)
 
(10
)
Total non-interest expense
 
28

 
31

 
30

 
49

 
26

Net income
 
110

 
94

 
81

 
39

 
75

Other selected data during the periods ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MPF Xtra loan volume funded - total system
 
$
591

 
$
466

 
$
376

 
$
632

 
$
912

MPF Xtra loan volume funded - Chicago PFIs
 
281

 
213

 
166

 
261

 
405

Selected annualized ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total regulatory capital ratio
 
5.71
%
 
5.88
%
 
5.30
%
 
5.38
%
 
5.82
%
Market value of equity to book value of equity
 
116
%
 
117
%
 
115
%
 
116
%
 
111
%
Total investments as a percent of total assets
 
42
%

53
%
 
57
%
 
53
%
 
54
%
Advances as a percent of total assets
 
37
%

36
%
 
31
%
 
34
%
 
24
%
MPF Loans held in portfolio, net as a percent of total assets
 
9
%

10
%
 
10
%
 
11
%
 
13
%
Dividend rate on class B1 capital stock-period paid
 
1.50
%
 
1.50
%
 
1.30
%
 
1.30
%
 
0.30
%
Dividend rate on class B2 capital stock-period paid
 
0.50
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.30
%
 
0.30
%
 
0.30
%
Return on average assets - Quarter
 
0.62
%
 
0.52
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.25
%
 
0.50
%
Return on average assets - Year-to-date
 
0.53
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.53
%
 
0.62
%
Return on average equity - Quarter
 
10.16
%
 
9.10
%
 
8.46
%
 
4.27
%
 
8.51
%
Return on average equity - Year-to-date
 
9.26
%
 
8.77
%
 
8.46
%
 
9.69
%
 
11.58
%
Average equity to average assets
 
6.07
%
 
5.76
%
 
5.46
%
 
5.78
%
 
5.87
%
Net yield on average interest-earning assets
 
0.79
%
 
0.67
%
 
0.74
%
 
0.77
%
 
0.81
%
Return on average Regulatory Capital spread to three month LIBOR index
 
10.53
%
 
9.51
%
 
8.54
%
 
4.14
%
 
8.20
%
Dividend payout ratio
 
3.64
%

3.19
%
 
2.47
%
 
5.13
%
 
1.33
%
a 
Total investments includes investment securities, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell.
b 
MPF Xtra outstanding loans are not held on our statements of condition. MPF Xtra loans purchased from PFIs are concurrently sold to Fannie Mae. See MPF Program Design beginning on page 7 in our 2013 Form 10-K.


38

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


Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this report, including statements describing the objectives, projections, estimates, or future predictions of management, may be “forward-looking statements.” These statements may use forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “could,” “estimates,” “may,” “should,” “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:

the effect of the resolution by our Board of Directors impacting the level of our dividends and retained earnings;

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;

the extent to which amendments to our capital plan, including our ability to reduce capital stock requirements for certain future advance borrowings, and our ability to continue to pay enhanced dividends on our activity-based 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; 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;



39

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


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;

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 as compared to other investment opportunities; changes in our cost of funds due to Congressional deliberations on the overall U.S. debt burden, including concerns over U.S. fiscal policy and the statutory debt limit, 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 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 regulatory changes to FHLB membership requirements recently proposed by the FHFA; the potential designation of us as a nonbank financial company for supervision by the Federal Reserve;

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; 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 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 in our 2013 Form 10-K on page 19.

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.


40

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


Executive Summary

Third Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights

We recorded net income of $110 million for the third quarter of 2014, up from $75 million in the third quarter of 2013.

We recognized a decline in interest expense of $59 million during the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013, due in large part to our fourth quarter 2013 repurchase and extinguishment of certain higher-cost debt. This contributed to our net interest income increasing by $21 million during the third quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Cash and due from banks increased from approximately $1.0 billion at December 31, 2013, to $8.4 billion at September 30, 2014, as we took advantage of the very low interest rates in the market by issuing debt in the form of four-week discount notes. The majority of our liquidity was kept as cash at the Federal Reserve, as rates on interbank Federal Funds or securities purchased under agreements to resell were essentially zero at September 30, 2014.

Total assets increased $3.2 billion during the first three quarters of 2014, to $72 billion at September 30, 2014, as we experienced growth in advances and our liquidity portfolios, partially offset by continued declines in our investments and MPF Loans as they continued to pay down.

We remained in compliance with all of our regulatory capital requirements.

Summary and Outlook

We continue to grow our retained earnings to help protect the value and liquidity of members’ stock investment in the Bank and to permit us to serve as a solid source of liquidity and term financing in all economic scenarios. We reached $2.3 billion in retained earnings as of September 30, 2014.

On October 28, 2014, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for both the average activity-based capital stock (Class B1) and average membership-based capital stock (Class B2), based on the Bank’s preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2014. The dividend declared per share of Class B1 activity stock was at an annualized rate of 2.00%. The dividend declared per share of Class B2 membership stock was at an annualized rate of 0.50%. This quarter, the Board of Directors increased the dividend per share of Class B1 activity stock from 1.50% to 2.00% to acknowledge that members, through their utilization of Bank advances, provide support to the entire cooperative.

In the third quarter, we also made progress on two important member-focused initiatives that we believe will provide our members with long-term benefits:

Reduced Capitalization Advance Program. We are using our growing financial strength to add value to Bank membership in other ways, such as the Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP). Members have the opportunity to take new advances with an activity stock requirement of 2% for the life of the advance rather than the 5% requirement under the general provisions of the capital plan. The current RCAP is available until November 17, 2014. We have made $5 billion in RCAP advances available, and they are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the planned amount is exhausted. Many of our members took advantage of the 2013 RCAP, and this year’s member participation already exceeds last year’s; as of September 30, 2014, 24% of our borrowing members have participated in either the 2013 or 2014 RCAP and as of October 31, 2014, that participation increased to 32%. Of the $5 billion made available for the current RCAP, our members have borrowed $3.3 billion as of October 31, 2014.

Supporting our Members by Supporting Their Communities. The Community First™ Fund, a $50 million revolving loan fund that provides direct support to community development financial institutions, community development loan funds, and state housing finance agencies serving Illinois and Wisconsin, launched in June by naming the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation the first fund partner. We announced that in October, IFF, a community development financial institution and member of the Bank, was selected as the fund’s second partner and will receive a $10 million, 10-year loan. IFF serves our entire district by strengthening nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve through community development lending and consulting services. IFF will use its funding to provide lending capital for affordable housing, supportive housing, and community facilities that may not qualify for traditional loans from financial institutions.





41

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


Results of Operations


Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between interest income that we receive on our interest earning assets and the interest expense we pay on interest bearing liabilities after accounting for the following in accordance with GAAP:

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;
Amortization of hedge adjustments;
Advance prepayment fees; and
MPF credit enhancement fees.

The tables below present the increase or decrease in interest income and expense before the provision for credit losses due to volume or rate variances. Any change due to the combined volume/rate variance has been allocated ratably to volume and rate. The calculation of these components includes the following considerations:
 
Average daily balances are computed using historical amortized cost balances except for items carried under the fair value option which include changes in fair value.

MPF Loans held in portfolio that are on nonaccrual status are included in average daily balances used to determine the effective yield/rate. Interest income on MPF Loans includes amortization as detailed in MPF Loans Held in Portfolio, net on page 49.

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

 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
Increase (decrease) due to
For the three months ended
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 interest bearing deposits
$
10,538

 
$
2

 
0.08
%
 
$
6,469

 
$
1

 
0.06
%
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

Investment securities
28,210

 
214

 
3.03
%
 
28,868

 
226

 
3.13
%
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
(12
)
Advances
24,934

 
39

 
0.63
%
 
15,284

 
54

 
1.41
%
 
34

 
(49
)
 
(15
)
MPF Loans held in portfolio
6,537

 
78

 
4.77
%
 
8,374

 
92

 
4.39
%
 
(20
)
 
6

 
(14
)
Total Interest Income on Assets
70,219

 
333

 
1.90
%
 
58,995

 
373

 
2.53
%
 
10

 
(50
)
 
(40
)
Consolidated obligation discount notes
28,971

 
68

 
0.94
%
 
17,805

 
71

 
1.60
%
 
45

 
(48
)
 
(3
)
Consolidated obligation bonds
36,279

 
114

 
1.26
%
 
37,099

 
170

 
1.83
%
 
(4
)
 
(52
)
 
(56
)
Subordinated notes
944

 
13

 
5.51
%
 
1,000

 
13

 
5.20
%
 
(1
)
 
1

 

Total Interest Expense on Liabilities
66,194

 
195

 
1.18
%
 
55,904

 
254

 
1.82
%
 
40

 
(99
)
 
(59
)
Net yield on interest-earning assets
$
70,219

 
$
138

 
0.79
%
 
$
58,995

 
$
119

 
0.81
%
 
$
(30
)
 
$
49

 
$
19




42

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



 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
 
Increase (decrease) due to
For the nine months ended
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 interest bearing deposits
$
10,294

 
$
6

 
0.08
%
 
$
9,538

 
$
7

 
0.10
%
 
$
1

 
$
(2
)
 
$
(1
)
Investment securities
29,363

 
659

 
2.99
%
 
30,136

 
704

 
3.11
%
 
(18
)
 
(27
)
 
(45
)
Advances
23,611

 
116

 
0.66
%
 
14,873

 
137

 
1.23
%
 
81

 
(102
)
 
(21
)
MPF Loans held in portfolio
6,973

 
252

 
4.82
%
 
9,099

 
308

 
4.51
%
 
(72
)
 
16

 
(56
)
Total Interest Income on Assets
70,241

 
1,033

 
1.96
%
 
63,646

 
1,156

 
2.42
%
 
(8
)
 
(115
)
 
(123
)
Consolidated obligation discount notes
27,773

 
201

 
0.96
%
 
23,955

 
222

 
1.24
%
 
36

 
(57
)
 
(21
)
Consolidated obligation bonds
37,626

 
408

 
1.45
%
 
35,642

 
562

 
2.10
%
 
31

 
(185
)
 
(154
)
Subordinated notes
944

 
40

 
5.65
%
 
1,000

 
42

 
5.60
%
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Total Interest Expense on Liabilities
66,343

 
649

 
1.30
%
 
60,597

 
826

 
1.82
%
 
65

 
(242
)
 
(177
)
Net yield on interest-earning assets
$
70,241

 
$
384

 
0.73
%
 
$
63,646

 
$
330

 
0.69
%
 
$
(73
)
 
$
127

 
$
54


Net interest income changed mainly due to the following:

Investment interest income declined primarily due to the decline in average investment balances as securities matured or paid down. We continue to operate under an FHFA-required Board resolution to obtain FHFA approval for any new investments that have a term to maturity in excess of 270 days. For further information, see Investment Securities on page 48. This decline is 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 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded interest income of $15 million and $43 million due to such accretion. For the comparable periods in 2013, accretion was $11 million and $27 million. Future accretion is dependent upon how estimated market conditions may impact the projected cash flows, and may vary from past experience.

Interest income from advances decreased primarily due to a decline in rates compared to the same periods in 2013. See Note 6 - Advances to the financial statements for details on advance rates. The rate decline was largely offset by increases in volume, partially the result of a Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP) we offered during the fourth quarter of 2013 to lower the cost of borrowing by providing term advances at a reduced capital stock requirement. We started offering another RCAP beginning in the third quarter of 2014. See Note 11 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock to the financial statements for further information.

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 49 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 for the periods presented.

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 pages 44 and 45.


43

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



Non-Interest Gain (Loss) 

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Trading securities
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(11
)
Derivatives and hedging activities
 
1

 
(11
)
 
(11
)
 
19

Instruments held under fair value option
 
10

 
(2
)
 
11

 
1

Early extinguishment of debt
 
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Litigation settlement awards
 
1

 

 
18

 
2

Other, net
 
4

 
4

 
13

 
14

Total non-interest gain (loss)
 
$
11

 
$
(10
)
 
$
14

 
$
26



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. We reached settlements with several of the defendants during the second and third quarters of 2014, as reflected above. We continue to pursue litigation related to these matters. We cannot predict to what extent we will be successful in this remaining litigation. See Legal Proceedings on page 64 for further details.


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

Gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities were smaller in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily as a result of less volatile hedging costs, which is consistent with hedging strategies of our more simplified balance sheet along with a more stable economy.

Most of our total net effect from hedging activities was recorded as a component of net interest income. This was primarily due to the low interest rate environment resulting in negative net interest settlements on derivative contracts in active hedge accounting relationships. Net interest income was also reduced by the amortization of negative hedge adjustments from previously active hedge relationships that were closed (de-designated) at some point in the past but where the previously hedged instrument is still outstanding.

Details on the impact of these items, which include hedge ineffectiveness and economic hedge activity, are in the following tables.


44

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



 
Advances
 
Investments
 
MPF Loans
 
Discount Notes
 
Bonds
 
Total
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization/accretion
$
3


$


$
(4
)

$
(1
)

$
(2
)

$
(4
)
Net interest settlements
(20
)
 
(35
)
 

 
(62
)
 
63

 
(54
)
Total recorded in net interest income
(17
)

(35
)

(4
)

(63
)

61


(58
)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)
2

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
(3
)
Economic hedges - net gain (loss)

 


(4
)



8

 
4

Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities
2

 

 
(4
)
 

 
3

 
1

Instruments held under fair value option
3

 

 

 

 
7

 
10

Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities
$
(12
)
 
$
(35
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(63
)
 
$
71

 
$
(47
)
Three months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization/accretion
$
12

 
$

 
$
(8
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(3
)
Net interest settlements
(16
)
 
(35
)
 

 
(66
)
 
62

 
(55
)
Total recorded in net interest income
(4
)
 
(35
)
 
(8
)
 
(67
)
 
56

 
(58
)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
2

Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Economic hedges - net gain (loss)

 

 
(14
)
 

 

 
(14
)
Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities
1

 
1

 
(14
)
 
1

 

 
(11
)
Trading securities - hedged

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Instruments held under fair value option

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities
$
(3
)
 
$
(35
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
(66
)
 
$
54

 
$
(72
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization/accretion
$
6


$


$
(13
)

$
(2
)

$
(13
)

$
(22
)
Net interest settlements
(60
)

(105
)



(184
)

189


(160
)
Total recorded in net interest income
(54
)

(105
)

(13
)

(186
)

176


(182
)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)
6

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(18
)
 
(15
)
Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Economic hedges - net gain (loss)

 

 
(5
)
 

 
8

 
3

Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities
6


(3
)

(5
)

1


(10
)

(11
)
Trading securities - hedged

 

 

 

 

 

Instruments held under fair value option
3

 

 

 

 
8

 
11

Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities
$
(45
)

$
(108
)

$
(18
)

$
(185
)

$
174


$
(182
)
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization/accretion
$
17

 
$

 
$
(27
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
(33
)
Net interest settlements
(50
)
 
(104
)
 

 
(200
)
 
164

 
(190
)
Total recorded in net interest income
(33
)

(104
)

(27
)

(203
)

144


(223
)
Fair value hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)
7

 
8

 

 

 
(2
)
 
13

Cash flow hedges - ineffectiveness net gain (loss)

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Economic hedges - net gain (loss)

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Total recorded derivatives & hedging activities
7


8


2


4


(2
)

19

Trading securities - hedged

 
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Instruments held under fair value option

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Total net effect gain (loss) of hedging activities
$
(26
)

$
(101
)

$
(25
)

$
(199
)

$
143


$
(208
)


45

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



Non-Interest Expense 

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Compensation and benefits
 
$
17

 
$
16

 
$
49

 
$
44

Other operating expenses
 
12

 
8

 
34

 
28

Federal Housing Finance Agency
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Office of Finance
 
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Other community investment
 

 

 

 
(50
)
Other
 
(3
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Total non-interest expense
 
$
28

 
$
26

 
$
89

 
$
26



Compensation and benefits increased in 2014 as compared to the same periods in 2013. We had 391 employees as of September 30, 2014, compared to 353 as of September 30, 2013. We are continuing to add employees in areas of need in order to continue to enhance our member-focused bank, with the goal of innovating, and then delivering, new products and services to our members. We are also continuing to build the MPF Program platform to support community lenders by providing them with access to the secondary mortgage market to sell the loans that they originate.

The majority of increase in other operating expenses was information technology related. The increase in these non-capital expenses primarily related to enhanced information technology security, MPF Program and customer relationship management systems.

The approvals for our Community First Fund resulted in our recognizing $50 million in earnings in the second quarter of 2013, which represents the 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.


46

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


Other Comprehensive Income

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Other comprehensive income (loss) -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
 
$
(99
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
37

 
$
(450
)
Non-credit OTTI on available-for-sale securities
 

 

 

 
8

Net unrealized gain (loss) on held-to-maturity securities transferred from available-for-sale
 

 
1

 

 
2

Non-credit OTTI on held-to-maturity securities
 
15

 
15

 
43

 
46

Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
 
85

 
19

 
91

 
339

Post retirement plans
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
21

 
$
172

 
$
(55
)


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

The year-to-date unrealized gains in 2014 resulted from a decrease in longer-term market interest rates compared to 2013, when rates were increasing. This was partially offset by losses in the third quarter of 2014 when interest rates began to rise from the end of the second quarter. Subsequent to September 30, 2014, we have again experienced a general decline in market interest rates, leading to an increase in fair value on our AFS portfolio. We have a substantial unrealized gain position in AOCI related to our AFS securities portfolio, which will only be realized into net income if we sell our AFS securities before maturity. If we do not sell these securities, the gains will eventually reverse to zero within AOCI when they mature.

Non-credit OTTI on held-to-maturity securities

Over the past several years we have accreted back into the carrying amount of these securities a portion of the previously incurred non-credit OTTI recorded during the financial crisis. As these securities approach maturity, we expect these unrealized losses to continue to reverse as principal and interest from the securities are received over time, barring any further credit-related impairment.

Total net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

The year-to-date decrease in net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges is due to a decrease in long term interest rates compared to 2013.  During the 3rd quarter of 2014, long term interest rates increased compared to the second quarter, partially offsetting the decrease in net unrealized gain (loss).  While longer term market interest rates changed, short term rates were relatively stable.  Our cash flow hedges are more sensitive to changes in longer term rates.  We still have a substantial unrealized loss position in AOCI related to these cash flow hedges.


47

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



Statements of Condition

 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Cash and due from banks, Federal Funds sold, securities purchased under agreement to resell, and interest bearing deposits
$
10,756

 
$
6,021

Investment securities
27,886

 
31,352

Advances
26,766

 
23,489

MPF Loans held in portfolio, net
6,422

 
7,695

Other
201

 
240

Total assets
$
72,031

 
$
68,797

 
 
 
 
Consolidated obligation discount notes
$
30,507

 
$
31,089

Consolidated obligation bonds
35,239

 
31,987

Subordinated notes
944

 
944

Other
997

 
1,012

Total liabilities
67,687

 
65,032

Capital stock
1,801

 
1,670

Total retained earnings
2,304

 
2,028

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
239

 
67

Total capital
4,344

 
3,765

Total liabilities and capital
$
72,031

 
$
68,797



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

Amounts held in cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits, Federal Funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell 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.

Our liquidity position at the end of the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the end of 2013 increased, as we took advantage of the very low interest rates in the market by issuing debt in the form of four-week discount notes. The majority of our liquidity was kept as cash at the Federal Reserve, as rates on interbank Federal Funds or securities purchased under agreements to resell were on average less than one basis point at September 30, 2014.


Investment Securities
A majority of our investment securities are classified as available-for-sale. Investment securities declined as securities matured or paid down. We continue to operate under an FHFA required Board resolution to obtain FHFA 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. At September 30, 2014, our MBS portfolio was 4.35 times our total regulatory capital and our advances represented 37% of our total assets, thus we expect our portfolios to continue to decline over time as a result of this limitation.



48

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


Advances

Member demand for advances increased during 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. In late 2013, we announced our Reduced Capitalization Advance Program (RCAP) and members have taken advantage of these benefits to lower their cost of borrowing by increasing advances. We began a second RCAP offering during the third quarter of 2014. See Note 11 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock to the financial statements for further information.

In addition, the average term length of our advances have become longer, especially in the category "due four to five years" range which increased by $2.4 billion. For further details, see Note 6 - Advances to the financial statements in this Form 10-Q for the terms of our advances outstanding at September 30, 2014, and for advance terms outstanding at December 31, 2013, see Note 6 - Advances to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K.


MPF Loans Held in Portfolio, Net

MPF Loans continued to decline as expected, a result of our current business strategy to limit the concentration of our MPF Loan portfolio relative to our total assets. The rate of decline in our MPF Loan balance is dependent upon the speed at which borrowers prepay their mortgages, which has slowed as mortgage rates have been slowly rising from their historical lows. Borrowers are not refinancing their existing loans at the same pace as they had previously. We cannot predict the extent to which future mortgage rates will rise or fall, or the extent of prepayment activity that will accompany fluctuation in mortgage rates.

When an MPF Loan prepays, any remaining basis adjustment on a closed hedge related to that loan is immediately recognized. This may cause volatility in interest income as mortgage prepayment activity fluctuates with interest rates. The following table summarizes our net premium and closed hedge basis adjustments on MPF Loans. We currently have no open hedges on MPF Loans. As the closed basis adjustments get amortized, the amount of amortization declines over time. Since this amortization is recorded into interest income, a reduction in amortization results in an increase in the apparent yield as seen in Net Interest Income on pages 42 and 43.

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
For the three months ended
 
 
 
 
Net premium amortization
 
$
2

 
$
2

Net amortization of closed basis adjustments
 
4

 
8

 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended
 
 
 
 
Net premium amortization
 
$
5

 
$
8

Net amortization of closed basis adjustments
 
12

 
27

 
 
 
 
 
As of
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Net premium balance on MPF Loans
 
$
25

 
$
29

Cumulative basis adjustments closed portion
 
54

 
66

MPF Loans, unpaid principal balance
 
6,360

 
7,631

Premium balance as a percent of MPF Loans
 
0.39
%
 
0.38
%


In addition to MPF Loans we hold in portfolio, we also buy, and concurrently resell to Fannie Mae, MPF Xtra loans on behalf of our PFIs and the PFIs of other MPF Banks. For more details see Selected Financial Data on page 38.

49

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


Liquidity, Funding, & Capital Resources

Liquidity
For the period ending September 30, 2014, we have maintained a liquidity position in accordance with FHFA regulations and guidance, and policies established by our Board of Directors. Based upon our excess liquidity position described below, we anticipate remaining in compliance with our liquidity requirements. See Liquidity, Funding, & Capital Resources on page 49 in our 2013 Form 10-K for a detailed description of our liquidity requirements.
We use different measures of liquidity as follows:
Overnight Liquidity – Our policy requires us to maintain overnight liquid assets at least equal to 3.5% of total assets. As of September 30, 2014, our overnight liquidity was $12.6 billion or 18% of total assets, giving us an excess overnight liquidity of $10.1 billion.
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 United States Government, deposits in eligible banks or trust companies, or advances with maturities not exceeding five years. As of September 30, 2014, we had excess liquidity of $36.3 billion to support member deposits.

Contingency Liquidity – The cumulative five business day liquidity measurement assumes there is a localized credit crisis for all FHLBs where the FHLBs do not have the ability to issue new consolidated obligations or borrow unsecured funds from other sources (e.g., purchasing Federal Funds or customer deposits). Our net liquidity in excess of our total uses and reserves over a cumulative five-business-day period was $25.1 billion as of September 30, 2014.

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 anticipated cash outflows under two different scenarios. We may fund overnight or shorter term investments and advances with discount notes that have maturities that extend beyond the maturities of the related investments or advances. For a discussion of how this may impact our earnings, see page 23 in the Risk Factors section of our 2013 Form 10-K.

Funding
Cash flows from operating activities

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.  Net cash provided (used) by operating activities was $592 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This resulted from net income adjusted for non-cash adjustments, which primarily is attributable to the change in net unrealized fair value adjustments on derivatives and hedging activities as well as unrealized net adjustments related to open fair value and cash flow hedges.
Cash flows from investing activities

Our investing activities predominantly include advances, MPF Loans held for investment, investment securities, and other short-term interest-earning assets. Net cash provided (used) by investing activities was $4.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This resulted primarily from a decline in total investment securities and principal collected on MPF Loans offset by new advances, which is consistent with our objective to transition to our primary business of making advances to our members.
Cash flows from financing activities

Our financing activities primarily reflect cash flows related to issuing and repaying consolidated obligations. Net cash provided (used) in our financing activities was $2.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This was primarily driven by net issuances of consolidated obligation bonds partially offset by paydowns of our consolidated obligation discount notes. The cash flows from financing activities highlight our shift from short-term to long-term financing as a result of expected market interest rate movement.


50

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


Consolidated Obligation Bonds and Discount Notes

We fund our assets principally with consolidated obligations (bonds and discount notes) issued through the Office of Finance, and capital stock. Consolidated obligations have GSE status although they are not obligations of the United States and the United States does not guarantee them.

Shorter term discount notes declined while longer term bonds increased during the first nine months of 2014, as well as during the comparable period in 2013, as the longer term consolidated obligation bonds were more attractively priced during these periods.

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

Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
Discount notes
 
$
(583
)
 
$
(11,738
)
Bonds
 
3,003

 
3,637

Total consolidated obligations
 
$
2,420

 
$
(8,101
)


Conditions in Financial Markets

During the third quarter of 2014, the Federal Reserve continued to reduce purchases of both U.S. Treasuries and MBS securities by an additional $5 billion at the July and September Federal Open Market Committee meetings.  Despite the continued tapering, interest rates remained bound in a narrow range for the third quarter.  In October 2014, interest rates fell dramatically due to slowing world growth, a stronger U.S. dollar, and a falling U.S. stock market. The 10-year Treasury rate fell more than 30 basis points to 2.15% by the middle of October 2014. 

Capital Resources

Capital Rules and Minimum Capital Requirements

For a description of our current capital rules and minimum capital requirements, see Note 11 – Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock to the financial statements. As of the date of this filing, we have managed our capital base and assets to remain in compliance with our minimum capital requirements.

Capital Amounts

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

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Change
Capital stock
 
$
1,801

 
$
1,670

 
$
131

Total retained earnings
 
2,304

 
2,028

 
276

Total permanent capital
 
4,105

 
3,698

 
407

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
239

 
67

 
172

Total GAAP capital
 
$
4,344

 
$
3,765

 
$
579

 
 
 
 
 
 


Capital Stock
 
$
1,801

 
$
1,670

 
$
131

MRCS
 
5

 
5

 

Total retained earnings
 
2,304

 
2,028

 
276

Regulatory capital
 
$
4,110

 
$
3,703

 
$
407



Although we have had no OTTI in 2014, credit deterioration may negatively impact our remaining private-label MBS portfolio.  We believe that future impairments of this portfolio are possible if unemployment rates, default, delinquency, or loss rates on mortgages were to increase, or there is a further decline in residential real estate value. We cannot predict if or when such

51

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


impairments will occur, or the impact such impairments may have on our retained earnings and capital position. See page 28 of the Risk Factors section of our 2013 Form 10-K.

We may not pay dividends if we fail to satisfy our minimum capital and liquidity requirements under the FHLB Act and FHFA regulations. As discussed in Note 14 - Capital and Mandatorily Redeemable Capital Stock to the financial statements in our 2013 Form 10-K, dividends paid for any given quarter of 2014 must not exceed the following rates on an annualized basis: (1) the average of three-month LIBOR plus 300 basis points on Class B1 capital stock, and (2) the average of three-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points on Class B2 capital stock. The Board has also resolved that payment of any dividend may not result in our retained earnings falling below the level of retained earnings at the previous year-end. Our Board may not pay dividends above these limits or otherwise modify or terminate this resolution without written consent by the Director of the FHFA.

On October 28, 2014 our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend at an annualized rate of 2.00% per share of Class B1 activity stock and 0.50% per share of Class B2 membership stock, based on our preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2014. 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 and any other factors the Board determines to be relevant, and be reviewed in accordance with the Board's resolution and our Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy.

For further information about our Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy, see Retained Earnings and Dividend Policy on page 57 in our 2013 Form 10-K.

We continue to allocate 20% of our net income each quarter to a restricted retained earnings account in accordance with the Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement that we entered into with the other FHLBs, as further discussed in Joint Capital Enhancement Agreement on page F-48 in our 2013 Form 10-K.


52

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


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The table below identifies our critical accounting policies and estimates and the page number where a detailed description of each can be found in our 2013 Form 10-K.

Overnight Indexed Swaps (OIS)
Page 60
Estimating Fair Value
Page 60
Joint and Several Liability
Page 61
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI)
Page 62
Significant Inputs Used On All Residential Private-Label MBS Securities
Page 62

Critical Accounting Policies

Significant changes in our critical accounting policies from our 2013 Form 10-K are outlined below. Also see
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 3 - Recently Issued but Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standards to the financial statements for the impact of changes in accounting policies and recently issued accounting standards on our financial results.

Overnight Indexed Swaps (OIS)

We are currently working to enhance our operational capability of valuing certain derivatives using an overnight index swap (OIS) discount curve within our formal internal control environment. At this time, we expect to operationally implement using the OIS curve to determine the fair value of our derivative contracts in early 2015. In the meantime, we continue to use the LIBOR swap curve to discount cash flows when determining the fair values of our derivative contracts. As of September 30, 2014, we performed an analysis of the effect of using the OIS curve to ensure the valuations derived using the LIBOR swap curve were materially consistent with the fair value measurement guidance provided under GAAP. In this regard, we believe that our LIBOR-based valuations of our derivatives portfolio produced fair values that were materially reflective of exit prices by market participants. Further, we assessed the potential effect on our hedge accounting and determined that the effect of using the LIBOR swap curve instead of the OIS curve is not material as of September 30, 2014.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (OTTI)

We recorded no OTTI for the three months ended September 30, 2014 based on the base case (best estimate) scenario as discussed in Note 5 - Investment Securities - Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. Testing our portfolio under an adverse case scenario resulted in no significant credit related OTTI (based on a short-term housing price forecast that was five percentage points lower than the base case, followed by a recovery path with annual rates of housing price growth that were 33% lower than the base case).


53

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


Risk Management - Credit Risk

Member Credit Outstanding

The following table presents the number of borrowers and credit outstanding to our borrowers by rating. Our internal rating reflects our assessment of the default risk associated with a member rather than the risk of loss on the credit outstanding.  We manage our credit risk through collateral controls and, based on our risk rating, increase over-collateralization requirements as a member deteriorates.  As a result, we have never suffered a credit loss from a member default. 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. Collateral loan value describes the borrowing capacity assigned to the types of collateral we accept for advances. Collateral loan value does not imply fair value. Of the total credit outstanding, $26.8 billion were advances and $2.6 billion were letters of credit at September 30, 2014, compared to $23.5 billion and $2.1 billion at December 31, 2013.

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Rating
 
Number of Borrowers
 
% of Total
 
Credit Outstanding
 
% of Total
 
Collateral Loan Value
 
Number of Borrowers
 
% of Total
 
Credit Outstanding
 
% of Total
 
Collateral Loan Value
1-3
 
479

 
92
%
 
$
29,035

 
98
%
 
$
72,628

 
455

 
90
%
 
$
25,262

 
98
%
 
$
52,465

4
 
14

 
3
%
 
183

 
1
%
 
314

 
16

 
3
%
 
136

 
1
%
 
809

5
 
26

 
5
%
 
238

 
1
%
 
384

 
35

 
7
%
 
307

 
1
%
 
489

Total
 
519

 
100
%
 
$
29,456

 
100
%
 
$
73,326

 
506

 
100
%
 
$
25,705

 
100
%
 
$
53,763



The majority of borrowers assigned a 4 rating in the above table were required to submit specific collateral listings and the majority of borrowers assigned a 5 rating were required to deliver collateral to us or a third-party custodian on our behalf.

As a result of the collateral and other credit risk mitigation efforts, we believe we are sufficiently well collateralized on our credit outstanding and we have not recorded an allowance for credit losses on our advances or other credit products in the periods presented.

Unsecured Short-Term Investments Credit Exposure

We face credit risk on our unsecured short-term investment portfolio that we maintain to provide funds to meet the credit needs of our members and to maintain liquidity. See Liquidity on page 50 for a discussion of our liquidity management. Our policy permits unsecured credit investments that can have maturities up to nine months and can consist of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and Federal Funds sold.

We actively monitor our credit exposure and the credit quality of each counterparty, including an assessment of each counterparty's financial performance, capital adequacy, sovereign support 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 suspend existing unsecured credit limits.

We do not invest in financial instruments issued by non-U.S. entities (other than those issued by U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks) as we are prohibited from doing so by FHFA regulations. 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.


54

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


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.

As of September 30, 2014
 
AA
 
A
 
BBB
 
Unrated
 
Total
Domestic U.S. - Interest-Bearing Deposits
 
$

 
$
560

 
$

 
$

 
$
560

Domestic U.S. - Fed Funds Sold
 

 

 
275

 
8

 
283

U.S. branches and agency offices of foreign commercial banks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Canada - Fed Funds Sold
 

 
1,000

 

 

 
1,000

Australia - Fed Funds Sold
 
500

 

 

 

 
500

Total unsecured credit exposure
 
$
500

 
$
1,560

 
$
275

 
$
8

 
$
2,343


In the above table no investments were longer than of overnight duration; $686 million were with members.

Investment Securities

We hold a variety of investment securities we believe are low risk and mostly government backed or insured such as GSE debt, and FFELP ABS. There was no material change in the credit ratings of these AA or better rated securities since December 31, 2013, and except for private-label MBS as noted below, we have never taken an impairment charge on these securities. For further details see page 66 in our 2013 Form 10-K.

Our private label MBS are predominantly variable rate securities rated below investment grade BBB. There was no material change in overall credit quality since December 31, 2013, nor have we acquired any new private label MBS. We had no other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses to date in 2014. For further details see page 69 in our 2013 Form 10-K.

The following table presents the components of amortized cost of all our private label MBS (whether or not impaired), and where applicable, the life-to-date OTTI credit impairment taken over time on some of these securities. For further details on the impaired securities, see Note 5 - Investment Securities - Other-Than-Temporary Impairment to the financial statements.

As of September 30, 2014
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Life-To-Date OTTI Credit Impairment a
 
Other Adjustments b
 
Amortized Cost
Private label MBS
 
$
1,936

 
$
(742
)
 
$
241

 
$
1,435

a 
Life-to-date OTTI credit impairment excludes certain adjustments, such as increases in cash flows expected to be collected that have been recognized into net income.
b 
Other Adjustments primarily consists of principal shortfalls and life-to-date accretion of interest related to the discounted present value of previously recognized credit-related impairment losses.

MPF Loans

We record allowances for credit losses for MPF Loans based on portfolio and market trends related 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 declined in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily as a result of a reversal in our provision for credit losses on delinquent MPF Loans. For details on our allowance for credit losses, please see Note 8 - Allowance for Credit Losses to the financial statements.

Mortgage Repurchase Risk

We are exposed to mortgage repurchases in connection with our sale of MPF Xtra loans to Fannie Mae under the MPF Xtra product. If a loan eligibility requirement or other warranty is breached, Fannie Mae could require us to repurchase an ineligible MPF Xtra loan or provide an indemnity. If the PFI from which we purchased an ineligible MPF Xtra loan is viable, we may require the PFI to repurchase that loan from us or indemnify us for related losses. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we have repurchased $10 million and $25 million, of unpaid principal balances related to MPF Xtra loans sold to Fannie Mae. 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. As of September 30, 2014, we have $59 million related to mortgage loans that represent unresolved claims with Fannie Mae, see Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements. Specifically, we believe a repurchase request from Fannie Mae may occur; however, it is still uncertain if or when Fannie Mae will request us to repurchase these mortgage loans.

Our mortgage repurchase liability is an estimate of our losses associated with all mortgage loans previously sold in connection with the MPF Xtra product for which a breach or representation or warranty has occurred, regardless of when those losses occur

55

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


or how they are ultimately resolved (e.g., repurchase, indemnification payment). Our mortgage repurchase liability does not represent the unpaid principal balance for repurchase requests made by Fannie Mae or amounts that we may recover from third parties. To estimate our mortgage repurchase liability, we consider the factors outlined below, which are predominantly based on our historical repurchase experience:

We only include mortgage loans for which we deem it probable that Fannie Mae will require us to either repurchase the mortgage loan or indemnify them for a loss on the mortgage loan. The fact that a mortgage loan may breach a representation and warranty does not necessarily mean Fannie Mae will request us to repurchase the mortgage loan or indemnify it. For example, Fannie Mae may decide to retain a performing loan even if there has been a breach of a representation or warranty. Our estimate of the likelihood of having to repurchase a mortgage loan involving a breach of a representation or warranty from Fannie Mae is initially based upon outstanding repurchase and indemnification requests related to breaches of representations and warranties discovered during our quality control review process, which is further discussed in Quality Assurance Process on page 9 in our 2013 Form 10-K. This estimate incorporates:

Fannie Mae, PFI, and other third party behavior;
Potential defects or breaches with the mortgage loans;
Whether the mortgage loans are performing or nonperforming;
Our potential ability to cure the defects identified in the repurchase demands;
The estimated loss severity upon repurchase of the loan or collateral, and any make-whole settlement or indemnification agreement with Fannie Mae.

Based on these factors we recognized a mortgage repurchase liability to Fannie Mae of less than $1 million as of September 30, 2014. 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., PFIs). As a result, we did not recognize a loss in our statements of income related to MPF Xtra loan repurchase or indemnification risk to Fannie Mae.

While we use the best information available to us in estimating our mortgage repurchase liability, the estimation process is inherently uncertain and imprecise. Factors that may lead to imprecise estimates of our mortgage repurchase liability include, but are not limited to, the following:

The mortgage repurchase liability may be influenced by third party (e.g., PFI) servicing practices, the potential actions of Fannie Mae, and the financial condition of our PFIs. These influences continue to evolve and may necessitate revising our estimate of the mortgage repurchase liability.

Our ability to estimate probable repurchase or indemnification requests from Fannie Mae on pools of mortgage loans is limited due to our lack of extended historical experience with repurchase/indemnification demand activity related to the MPF Xtra product. As a result, for purposes of our analysis, we assumed only probable repurchase or indemnification requests from Fannie Mae in cases where both an actual breach attributable to a mortgage loan has been specifically identified and where we believe Fannie Mae is likely to request us to repurchase or indemnify them (e.g., the mortgage loan is nonperforming). Mortgage loans in the remaining pool in which an actual breach has not yet been identified or where we do not expect Fannie Mae to request us to repurchase or indemnify them for the mortgage loan are excluded from our analysis.

Fannie Mae may seek repurchase of a mortgage loan until full repayment of a loan rather than when a purported defect is first identified. Thus repurchase requests as of a particular date may not reflect total repurchase liability for loans outstanding as of that date as further described in Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies to the financial statements.

Additional repurchase requests and indemnifications not yet identified may result from our quality assurance review of MPF Xtra loans.

As of September 30, 2014, we believe the estimate of reasonably possible losses is zero, as we believe it is probable that we would recover such reasonably possible losses from third parties. We may require PFIs to collateralize repurchase obligations and indemnifications on the basis of their credit condition and size of their repurchase obligation or indemnification. See Risk Factors on pages 27-28 in our 2013 Form 10-K of risks and trends related to our mortgage repurchase liability.

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 for repurchase requests or indemnifications 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.

56

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



Derivative counterparties

We transact most of our derivatives with large banks and major broker-dealers. Derivative transactions may be either over-the-counter with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) or over-the-counter cleared through an FCM with a derivatives clearing organization (clearinghouse).

We are subject to credit risk due to the risk of nonperformance by counterparties to our derivative agreements. The amount of credit risk on derivatives depends on the extent to which netting procedures, collateral requirements and other credit enhancements are used and are effective in mitigating the risk. We manage credit risk through credit analysis, collateral management and other credit enhancements. We are also required to follow the requirements set forth by applicable regulation.

Bilateral Derivatives. We are subject to credit risk due to nonperformance by counterparties to derivative agreements. We require collateral on bilateral derivative agreements. The amount of net unsecured credit exposure that is permissible with respect to a counterparty depends on the credit rating of that counterparty. The counterparty must deliver collateral to us if the total market value of our exposure to that counterparty rises above a specific trigger point. As a result of these risk mitigation initiatives, we do not anticipate any credit losses on our bilateral derivative agreements with counterparties as of September 30, 2014.

Cleared Derivatives. We are subject to credit risk due to nonperformance by the clearinghouse. The requirement that we post initial and variation margin through the FCM, on behalf of the clearinghouse, exposes us to institutional credit risk in the event that the FCM or the clearinghouse fails to meet their obligations. Clearing derivatives through a clearinghouse mitigates counterparty credit risk exposure because individual counterparties are replaced by the central clearinghouse counterparty and collateral is posted daily for changes in the value of cleared derivatives. We do not anticipate any credit losses on our cleared derivatives as of September 30, 2014.

The contractual or notional amount of derivative agreements reflects our involvement in the various classes of financial instruments. Our maximum credit risk with respect to derivative agreements is the estimated cost of replacing interest-rate swaps, forward agreements and purchased caps and floors if the counterparty defaults, minus the value of any related collateral. In determining maximum credit risk, we consider, with respect to each counterparty, accrued interest receivables and payables as well as the legal right to net assets and liabilities.

The following table presents our derivative positions with credit exposure. Rating used was the lowest rating among the three largest NRSROs.
 
 
Net Derivatives Fair Value Before Collateral
 
Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Non-cash Collateral Pledged a
 
Net Credit Exposure to Counterparties
As of September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-member counterparties -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset positions with credit exposure -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bilateral derivatives -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A rated
 
$
11

 
$
(11
)
 
$

 
$

Cleared derivatives
 

 

 
4

 
4

Liability positions with credit exposure -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bilateral derivatives -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AA rated
 
(12
)
 
13

 

 
1

Cleared derivatives
 
(111
)
 
112

 
54

 
55

Total non-member counterparties
 
(112
)
 
114

 
58

 
60

Member institutions
 
3

 

 

 
3

Total
 
$
(109
)
 
$
114

 
$
58

 
$
63

As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-member counterparties -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset positions with credit exposure -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cleared derivatives
 
$
14

 
$
(13
)
 
$
32

 
$
33

Member institutions
 
3

 

 

 
3

Total
 
$
17

 
$
(13
)
 
$
32

 
$
36

a 
Non-cash collateral pledged consists of initial margin we posted through our FCMs, on behalf of the clearinghouses for cleared derivatives.

57

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


Legislative and Regulatory Developments

The legislative and regulatory environment in which we and our members operate continues to evolve as a result of regulations enacted pursuant to the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, as amended (Housing Act) and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). Our business operations, funding costs, rights, obligations, and/or the environment in which we carry out our housing finance mission are likely to continue to be significantly impacted by these changes. Significant regulatory actions and developments for the period covered by this report are summarized below.


Joint Final Rule on Credit Risk Retention for Asset-Backed Securities.

On October 22, 2014, the FHFA and other U.S. federal regulators jointly approved a final rule requiring sponsors of asset-backed securities (ABS) to retain credit risk in those transactions. The final rule largely retains the risk retention framework contained in the proposal issued by the agencies in August 2013 and generally requires sponsors of ABS to retain a minimum 5% economic interest in a portion of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing the ABS, unless all the securitized assets satisfy specified qualifications. The final rule specifies criteria for qualified residential mortgage (QRM), commercial real estate, auto, and commercial loans that would make them exempt from the risk retention requirement. The definition of QRM is aligned with the definition of “qualified mortgage” (QM) as provided in Section 129C of the Truth in Lending Act, and its implementing regulations, as adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The QM definition requires, among other things, full documentation and verification of consumers’ debt and income and a debt-to-income ratio that does not exceed 43 percent; and restricts the use of certain product features, such as negative amortization and interest-only and balloon payments.

Other exemptions from the credit risk requirement include certain owner-occupied mortgage loans secured by three-to-four unit residential properties that meet the criteria for QM and certain types of community-focused residential mortgages (including extensions of credit made by community development financial institutions). The final rule also includes a provision that requires the agencies to periodically review the definition of QRM, the exemption for certain community-focused residential mortgages, and the exemption for certain three-to-four unit residential mortgage loans and consider whether they should be modified.

The final rule exempts agency MBS from the risk retention requirements as long as the sponsoring agency is operating under the conservatorship or receivership of the FHFA and fully guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on all assets in the issued security. Further, MBS issued by any limited-life regulated entity succeeding to either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac operating with capital support from the United States would be exempt from the risk retention requirements. We are currently assessing the impact of the final rule and have not yet determined the effect, if any, that this rule, may have on our operations. The final rule will be effective one year after publication in the Federal Register for residential mortgage-backed securitizations and two years after publication for all other securitization types.


FHFA Proposed Rule on FHLB Membership.

On September 12, 2014, the FHFA issued a proposed rule that would:
 
Impose a new test on all FHLB members that requires them to maintain at least 1% of their assets in long-term first-lien home mortgage loans, including mortgage backed securities (MBS), on an ongoing basis, with maturities of five years or more to maintain their membership in their respective FHLB. The proposal also suggests the possibility of a 2% or a 5% test as options.

Require all insured depository members (other than FDIC-insured depositories with less than $1.1 billion in assets) to maintain, on an ongoing basis (rather than only at the time of application for membership as required by current regulations), at least 10% of their assets in a broader range of residential mortgage loans, including those secured by junior liens and MBS, in order to maintain their membership in the FHLBs.

Eliminate all currently eligible captive insurance companies from FHLB membership. Current captive insurance company members would have their memberships terminated five years after this rule is finalized. There would be restrictions on the level and maturity of advances that FHLBs could make to these members during the sunset period. Under the proposed rule, a "captive" insurance company is a company that is authorized under state law to conduct an insurance business but whose primary business is not the underwriting of insurance for nonaffiliated persons or entities.

Clarify how an FHLB should determine the principal place of business of insurance companies or community development financial institutions for purposes of membership. Current rules define an institution’s “principal place of business” as the state in which it maintains its home office. The proposal would add a second component requiring an institution to conduct business operations from the home office for that state to be considered its principal place of business. The changes would apply prospectively.


58

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


Comments on the proposed rule are due by January 12, 2015. For a discussion of how this rule may impact us if adopted as proposed, see Risk Factors on page 64.


Basel Committee on Bank Supervision - Liquidity Coverage Ratio.

On September 3, 2014, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation finalized the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) rule, applicable to: (i) U.S. banking organizations with $250 billion or more in consolidated total assets or $10 billion or more in total on-balance sheet foreign exposure, and their consolidated subsidiary depository institutions with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets; and (ii) certain other U.S. bank or savings and loan holding companies having at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets (which will be subject to less stringent requirements under the LCR rule). The LCR rule requires such covered companies to maintain a stock of “high quality liquid assets” (HQLA) that is no less than 100% of their total net cash outflows over a prospective 30-day stress period. Among other things, the final rule defines the various categories of HQLA, called Levels 1, 2A, or 2B. The treatment of HQLAs for the LCR is most favorable under the Level 1 category, less favorable under the Level 2A category, and least favorable under the Level 2B category.

Under the final rule, collateral pledged to the FHLBs but not securing existing borrowings may be considered eligible HQLA to the extent the collateral itself qualifies as eligible HQLA; qualifying FHLB System consolidated obligations are categorized as Level 2A HQLAs; and the amount of a covered company’s funding that is assumed to run off includes 25% of FHLB advances maturing within 30 days, to the extent such advances are not secured by Level 1 or Level 2A HQLA, where 0% and 15% run-off assumptions apply, respectively.  At this time, the impact of the final rule is uncertain. The final rule requires that all covered companies be fully compliant by January 1, 2017.


Joint Proposed Rule on Margin and Capital Requirements for Covered Swap Entities. 

On September 3, 2014, 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 (collectively, the Agencies) jointly proposed a rule to establish minimum margin and capital requirements for registered swap dealers, major swap participants, security-based swap dealers, and major security-based swap participants (collectively, Covered Swap Entities) that are subject to the jurisdiction of one of the Agencies (the Proposed Rule). In addition, the Proposed Rule affords the Agencies discretion to subject other persons to the Proposed Rule’s requirements (such persons, together with Swap Entities, “Covered Swap Entities”). Comments on the Proposed Rule are due by November 24, 2014.
 
In addition, on September 17, 2014, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) adopted its version of the Proposed Rule (CFTC Proposed Rule) that generally mirrors the Proposed Rule. The CFTC Proposed Rule will only apply to a limited number of registered swap dealers and major swap participants that are not subject to the jurisdiction of one of the Agencies. Comments on the CFTC Proposed Rule are due by December 2, 2014.
The Proposed Rule would subject non-cleared swaps and non-cleared security-based swaps between Covered Swap Entities, and between Covered Swap Entities and financial end users that have material swaps exposure to a mandatory two-way initial margin requirement.  The amount of initial margin required to be posted or collected would be either the amount calculated using a standardized schedule set forth in the Proposed Rule, which provides the gross initial margin (as a percentage of total notional exposure) for certain asset classes, or an internal margin model conforming to the requirements of the Proposed Rule that is approved by the applicable Agency. The Proposed Rule specifies the types of collateral that may be posted or collected as initial margin (generally, cash, certain government securities, certain liquid debt, certain equity securities and gold); and sets forth haircuts for certain collateral asset classes.  Initial margin must be segregated with an independent, third-party custodian and may not be rehypothecated.
The Proposed Rule would require variation margin to be exchanged daily for non-cleared swaps and non-cleared security-based swaps between Covered Swap Entities and between Covered Swap Entities and all financial end users (without regard to the swaps exposure of the particular financial end-user). The 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 paid or collected. Variation margin may only be paid or collected in cash, is not subject to segregation with an independent, third-party custodian, and may, if permitted by contract, be rehypothecated.
Under the Proposed Rule, the variation margin requirement would become effective on December 1, 2015 and the initial margin requirement would be phased in over a four-year period commencing on that date. For entities that have less than a $1 trillion notional amount of non-cleared derivatives, the Proposed Rule’s initial margin requirement would not come into effect until December 1, 2019.

59

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


We would not be a Covered Swap Entity under the Proposed Rule, although the FHFA has discretion to designate us a Covered Swap Entity. Rather, we would be a financial end-user under the Proposed Rule, and would likely have material swaps exposure upon the effective date of the Proposed Rule’s initial margin requirement.
Since we are currently posting and collecting variation margin on non-cleared swaps, it is not anticipated that the Proposed Rule’s variation margin requirement, if adopted, would have a material impact on our costs. However, if the Proposed Rule’s initial margin requirement is adopted, it is anticipated that our cost of engaging in non-cleared swaps would increase.

SEC Final Regulations on Money Market Mutual Fund Reform.

On June 19, 2013, the SEC proposed two alternatives for amending rules that govern money market mutual funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940. On July 23, 2014, the SEC approved final regulations governing money market mutual funds. The final regulations, among other things, will:

Require institutional prime money market funds (including institutional municipal money market funds) to sell and redeem shares based on their floating net asset value, which would result in the daily share prices of these money market funds fluctuating along with changes in the market-based value of the funds’ investments.
Allow money market fund boards of directors to directly address a run on a fund by imposing liquidity fees or suspending redemptions temporarily.
Include enhanced diversification, disclosure, and stress testing requirements as well as provide updated reporting by money market funds and private funds that operate like money market funds.

The final regulations do not change the existing regulatory treatment of FHLB consolidated obligations as liquid assets. FHLB consolidated discount notes continue to be included in the definition of “daily liquid assets,” and the definition of “weekly liquid assets” continues to include FHLB consolidated discount notes with a remaining maturity up to 60 days. At this time, the future impact of these regulations on demand for FHLB consolidated obligations is unknown.




60

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


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


The FHFA's regulations, its Financial Management Policy, and our internal asset and liability management policies all establish guidelines for our use of interest rate derivatives. These regulations and policies prohibit the speculative use of financial instruments authorized for hedging purposes. They also limit the amount of counterparty credit risk allowed. For additional information please see Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk on page 78 in our 2013 Form 10-K.

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.
 
The table below 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 September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(8
)
 
$

MPF Loans
(2
)

(4
)

(3
)

(2
)

1

Mortgage Backed Securities
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(7
)
 

Other interest earning assets
(1
)
 

 

 
(4
)
 

Interest-bearing liabilities
11

 
18

 

 
11

 

Derivatives
1

 
(14
)
 

 

 

Total
$

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(4
)
 
n/m

 
$
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advances
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(7
)
 
$

MPF Loans
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 
1

Mortgage Backed Securities
(7
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 

Other interest earning assets
(1
)
 

 

 
(4
)
 

Interest-bearing liabilities
13

 
22

 

 
12

 

Derivatives
1

 
(17
)
 

 

 

Total
$
1

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(3
)
 
n/m

 
$
1

n/m
Spread 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 rates) – Change in market value for a one basis point increase in mortgage rates.

As noted in the above table, our sensitivity to changes in implied volatility was $(1) million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $(4) million at December 31, 2013. These sensitivities are limited in that they do not incorporate other risks, including but not limited to, non-parallel changes in yield curves, implied volatility, 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.


61

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. However, the applicable regulation restricts the down rate from assuming a negative interest rate. Therefore, we adjust the down rate accordingly in periods of very low levels of interest rates. The results are shown in years of duration equity.

As of September 30, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2013
Down 200 bps
 
Base
 
Up 200 bps
 
Down 200 bps
 
Base
 
Up 200 bps
3.5
 
-0.3
 
-0.4
 
5.9
 
1.0
 
-0.9

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 September 30, 2014, our duration gap was -0.2 months, compared to 0.7 months as of December 31, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014, on a U.S. GAAP basis, our fair value surplus (relative to book value) was $676 million, and our market value of equity to book value of equity ratio was 116%. At December 31, 2013, our fair value surplus was $588 million and our market value of equity to book value of equity ratio was 116%. Our market to book value of total capital for regulatory risk-based capital purposes differs from this GAAP calculation, as discussed starting on page F-47 in our 2013 Form 10-K.
Our Asset/Liability Management Committee provides oversight of risk management practices and policies. This includes routine reporting to senior management and the Board of Directors, as well as maintaining the Market Risk Policy, which defines our interest rate risk limits. The table below reflects the change in market risk limits under the Market Risk Policy.

 
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Scenario as of
 
Change in Market Value of Equity
 
Loss Limit
 
Change in Market Value of Equity
 
Loss Limit
-200 bp
 
$
122.6

 
$
(185.0
)
 
$
149.3

 
$
(185.0
)
-100 bp
 
23.6

 
(77.5
)
 
62.3

 
(77.5
)
-50 bp
 
3.0

 
(30.0
)
 
26.5

 
(30.0
)
-25 bp
 
(0.8
)
 
(15.0
)
 
12.4

 
(15.0
)
+25 bp
 
5.5

 
(30.0
)
 
(8.3
)
 
(30.0
)
+50 bp
 
11.4

 
(60.0
)
 
(13.6
)
 
(60.0
)
+100 bp
 
19.6

 
(155.0
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(155.0
)
+200 bp
 
45.6

 
(370.0
)
 
21.7

 
(370.0
)



62

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


Item 4. Controls and Procedures.


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.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

For the current year quarter presented in this Form 10-Q, 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. For further information, see Item 9A. Controls and Procedures on page 85 of our 2013 Form 10-K.


63

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


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. 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. The litigation was brought in state court in the states of Washington, California and Illinois. The Washington action has been resolved and was dismissed with prejudice on December 5, 2013. The California action has been resolved and was dismissed with prejudice on January 27, 2014. The Illinois action, which currently relates to 17 private label MBS bonds with an aggregate original principal amount of $1.43 billion, is proceeding in discovery.

In the Illinois 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. Defendants in the Illinois litigation include the following entities and affiliates thereof: American Enterprise Investment Services, Inc.; Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.; Goldman Sachs & Co., RBS Securities Inc.; Sand Canyon Acceptance Corporation; and Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated.

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 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the information presented in this report, readers should carefully consider the factors set forth in the Risk Factors section on page 19 in our 2013 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. These risks are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also severely affect us.


Regulatory changes to the FHLB membership eligibility requirements could reduce the value of Bank membership and adversely affect our business.

The FHFA has proposed regulatory changes to the eligibility requirements for FHLB members, which include among other things, imposing new ongoing membership requirements and eliminating currently eligible captive insurance companies from FHLB membership as further discussed in Legislative and Regulatory Developments on page 58.
If adopted as proposed, the regulation may reduce the value of Bank membership to the extent that the ongoing membership requirements restrict members’ access to liquidity and the Bank’s MPF Program or cause them to modify their business and balance sheet in order to comply with these ongoing requirements. Further, to the extent that such ongoing membership requirements constrict our membership over time and result in reduced demand for our products and lower capital stock investments, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely impacted.
In addition, if the proposed regulatory changes are adopted in their current form, our three current captive insurance company members would have their membership terminated five years after the rule is finalized. As of September 30, 2014, our captive insurance company members had $7.2 billion in advances outstanding at par, which is 27% of our total advances outstanding, and held $175 million in capital stock, which is 10% of our total capital stock outstanding.



64

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Not applicable.


Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.


Item 5. Other Information.
None.
 

Item 6. Exhibits.
31.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Executive Officer
 
 
31.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Financial Officer
 
 
32.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Executive Officer
 
 
32.2
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Principal Financial Officer
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



65

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


Glossary of Terms

Advances: Secured loans to members.
 
ABS: Asset-backed-securities.
 
AFS: Available-for-sale securities.

AOCI: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
 
Capital plan: The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago capital plan, as amended, effective July 1, 2013.
 
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.
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.
 
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.
 
Excess capital stock: Capital stock held by members in excess of their minimum investment requirement.
 
Fannie Mae: Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
FASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FCM: Futures Commission Merchant.
 
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
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.
 
FHLB Act: The Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932, as amended.
 
FHLBs: The 12 Federal Home Loan Banks or subset thereof.
 
FHLB System: The 12 FHLBs and the Office of Finance.
 
Freddie Mac: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
 
GAAP: Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
 
Ginnie Mae: Government National Mortgage Association.
 
Government Loans: MPF Loans held in our portfolio comprised of loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and loans guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service (RHS).
 
GSE: Government sponsored enterprise.

Housing Act: Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, enacted July 30, 2008.

HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
HTM: Held-to-maturity securities.

LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate.

66

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



Master Commitment (MC): Pool of MPF Loans purchased or funded by an MPF Bank.
 
MBS: Mortgage-backed securities.

Moody's: Moody's Investors Service.
 
MPF®: Mortgage Partnership Finance.
 
MPF Banks: FHLBs that participate in the MPF program.

MPF Loans: Conforming 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.

MPF Xtra® product: The MPF Program product under which we acquire MPF Loans from PFIs and concurrently resell them to Fannie Mae.

MRCS: mandatorily redeemable capital stock. 

NRSRO: Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.
 
Office of Finance: A joint office of the FHLBs established to facilitate issuing and servicing of consolidated obligations.

OIS: Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate).

OTTI: Other-than-temporary impairment.
 
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.
 
PMI: Primary Mortgage Insurance.
 
RCAP: Reduced Capitalization Advance Program.

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.

RHS: Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service.

System: The Federal Home Loan Bank System consisting of the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks and the Office of Finance.

TDR: Troubled debt restructuring.

VA: Department of Veteran's Affairs.

67

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


Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements 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:
November 6, 2014
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/   Roger D. Lundstrom
 
 
By:
 
Roger D. Lundstrom
 
 
Title:
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:
November 6, 2014
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


S-1