The FHLBC presented four Community First Awards at its 2016 member meetings. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements of FHLBC member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen their communities. Award winners identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000 on their behalf.

Members recognized were South Side Trust & Savings Bank, BMO Harris Bank, and MB Financial Bank. Partners recognized were Martha Herm, formerly of The Center for Prevention of Abuse; Beth Baar of CAP Services, Inc.; Heartland Housing, Inc.; and The Children’s Place Association.

Click here to read the press releases on each of the 2016 Community First award winners. Congratulations to all award recipients!

Pioneer Award: South Side Trust & Savings Bank and Martha Herm, formerly of The Center for Prevention of Abuse 



Pictured from left to right are: Roger Lundstrom, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Member, Community, and Financial Services, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Mary Beth Jackson, Director of Business Operations, Center for the Prevention of Abuse; Kevin Nowlan, Associate Executive Director ICDVP, Center for the Prevention of Abuse; Martha Herm; Michele Anderson, Vice President and Trust Officer, South Side Trust & Savings Bank; Carol Merna, Executive Director, Center for the Prevention of Abuse; Olga Becker, Director of Administration, Center for the Prevention of Abuse; Jill Koch, Grant Specialist, Center for the Prevention of Abuse; Matt Feldman, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Emerging Leader Award: BMO Harris Bank and Beth Baar of CAP Services  



Pictured from left to right are: Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Beth Baar, Director of Real Estate Services, CAP Services, Inc.; Jennifer Auner, Vice President-Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank; Matt Feldman, President and CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Project or Program Award: The Children’s Place Association and MB Financial Bank   

Pictured from left to right are: Scott LaCrosse, Vice President, MB Financial Bank; Monica Martens, Community Development Representative, MB Financial Bank; Lisa Herrara, Vice President-Community Development, MB Financial Bank; Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Cathy Kreiger, Executive Director, The Children’s Place Association.

Project or Program Award: Heartland Housing, Inc. and BMO Harris Bank

Pictured from left to right are: Suzi Thackston, Community Investment Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Ernesto Ramos, Managing Director-Equities, BMO Harris Bank; Pamela Daniels-Halisi, Managing Director-Community Development Lending, BMO Harris Bank; Anne Bowman, Associate Director of Real Estate Development, Heartland Housing, Inc.; Katherine Mazzocco, Senior Vice President, BMO Harris Bank.