Connecting Stakeholders to Our Mission

Public Affairs sits at the intersection of the Bank, our member financial institutions, Congress, regulators, and the communities the Bank and its members serve. The Public Affairs team is an integral part of the Bank’s stringent risk management structure, committed to advancing the Bank’s mission and strategic objectives through government relations activities, media relations, issues management, corporate and social responsibility practices, information dissemination, and strategic communications.

The Public Affairs team works to find common ground with the Bank’s many stakeholders and shape public policy in alignment with our mission:

The mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is to provide our members with reliable access to low-cost liquidity, essential financial services and expertise, and resources for affordable housing and economic development. Together, we make our communities more vibrant, equitable, and resilient, changing lives for the better.

About the Bank

FHLBank San Francisco promotes housing, homeownership, and community economic development by linking our member financial institutions to the worldwide capital markets. More than 325 members in Arizona, California, and Nevada rely on us to provide prompt reliable access to low-cost funding that enables them to achieve their financial objectives and meet the credit needs of their communities.

Our members are commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions. These institutions use the low-cost funding we supply to make home mortgage, commercial real estate, small business, and other loans in the communities where they do business.

We support affordable housing and economic development by providing grants and discounted credit that our members can deliver to local affordable housing providers and community organizations. Each year, we contribute 10% of the Bank’s income to our Affordable Housing Program (AHP), which provides grants to create more affordable housing opportunities for lower-income households and individuals.

FHLBank San Francisco supports the enactment of federal and state legislation and regulations that help us meet the needs of our members and advance our public policy mission by working closely with:

  • Congress and the Administration
  • The Federal Housing Finance Agency
  • Financial regulators (FDIC, OCC, NCUA, Federal Reserve, etc.)
  • Trade associations and industry groups
  • Affordable housing advocates
  • Local lawmakers, opinion makers, community groups, and business leaders
  • Our member financial institutions – representing all charter types and institutions of all sizes – in Arizona, California, and Nevada

The FHLBank System

Congress established the Federal Home Loan Bank System in 1932 with the passage of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, to realize an ambitious policy objective: improve the housing finance system by facilitating the flow of credit for mortgages throughout the country. Today, the FHLBank System is comprised of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks serving the nation.Photo of mapFHLBank San Francisco Community Programs

The Bank's community programs reflect our long-standing commitment to partnering with our members and community-based organizations to make our communities more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Grants

The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants we award through a competitive application process help to ensure that people in need – including families and individuals who earn 80% or less of the area median income, the chronically unhoused, seniors, veterans, at-risk youth, people overcoming addiction, people with disabilities, and many others – can have a place to call home.

First-Time Homebuyer Program

Our WISH homeownership program offers families and individuals earning up to 80% of the area median income grants, up to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's annual maximum subsidy, that can be used for downpayment and closing costs. The WISH Program matches $4 for every $1 contributed by the homebuyer toward the purchase of a home and can help low- to moderate-income individuals and families build wealth.

AHEAD Economic Development Grants

Made to Bank members working with local community organizations, AHEAD grants can help nonprofits start up innovative jobs programs or deliver vital educational and social services in underserved communities, among a wide variety of other eligible uses.

Discounted Credit for Housing and Economic Development

Our members use our low-cost credit programs to help finance affordable housing and economic development and community revitalization activities.

Contact Public Affairs:

Kevin Blackburn, Managing Director

If you’d like to be added to our mailing list for FHLBank San Francisco communications, please email Public Affairs