by John Comeau | Jul 16, 2025 | Policy Briefs
In the 1890s, Italian economist and polymath Vilfredo Pareto identified a striking pattern in wealth and income. He observed that a small percentage of the population accounted for a disproportionate share of the total income and wealth. This recurring relationship,...
by John Comeau | Jun 13, 2025 | Policy Briefs
A recent paper titled “America’s “Other” GSE Problem: The Federal Home Loan Banks, Part I,” published by the R Street Institute, argues that the FHLBanks undermine market discipline and represent little more than “the federal government’s interference in financial...
by John Comeau | Jan 6, 2025 | Policy Briefs
Housing Affordability Requires Targeted Solutions As we enter 2025, the nation is facing affordable housing challenges and a shortage of affordable housing, but the burden is unevenly distributed. I recently listened to Episode 2 of the “Priced Out” podcast, a series...
by John Comeau | Oct 28, 2024 | Policy Briefs
Key Takeaways from the CSBS 2024 Annual Survey of Community Banks This month the Conference of State Bank Supervisors’ (CSBS) released results of their 2024 Annual Survey of Community Banks. The survey reflects responses by 370 community bank respondents from 38...
by John Comeau | Oct 9, 2024 | Policy Briefs
In 2023 and 2024 the FHLBanks Delivered Increased Funding for Affordable Housing Programs The affordable housing challenges and housing supply shortages in the United States have led to calls for the FHLBanks to do more and the FHLBank System listened. In response to...
by John Comeau | Sep 19, 2024 | Policy Briefs
Affordable Housing Program (AHP) provisions in the “Federal Home Loan Bank Act” state: Each Bank shall annually contribute the percentage of its annual net earnings prescribed… In 1995, andsubsequent years, 10 percent of the preceding year’s net income, or such...
