Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka

Please help us congratulate our board member Carla Pratt on her Changemaker award!

Eden Village KC is a tiny home community for people experiencing chronic homelessness and a persistent physical and/or mental disability. Business partners recently toured the beautiful community and met residents who graciously shared their stories. ??? Eden Village is a $1 million FHLBank Topeka Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant recipient. #NoOneSleepsOutside #MakingADifference #AffordableHousing #AHP

FHLBank Topeka member recognized for its work in housing Citizens State Bank & Trust Company received the Regional Housing Champion Award at the FHLBank Topeka Kansas Regional Meeting this past week. From 2020 to 2024,Citizens State Bank helped homebuyers with $345,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through FHLBank’s TurnKey programs. Citizens State also borrowed through FHLBank’s reduced-cost advance programs, called the Community Housing Program and Community Development Program. With $41 million in commitments, they’ve impacted 12 housing units and created or retained 390 jobs. "We recognize a strong symmetry between the FHLBank programs offered and the needs of our communities that we serve," said Troy Soukup, president and CEO of Citizens Bank & Trust Company. “This alignment makes FHLBank a natural partner for our bank, enabling us to effectively support and uplift our community together.” In partnership with members like Citizens State Bank, FHLBank has provided more than $136 million in Kansas to support nearly 20,527 housing units since 1990 through its Affordable Housing Program and TurnKey down payment assistance programs. “We are proud to honor Citizens State Bank & Trust Company,” said Kylie Mergen, Community Investment Officer, Director of Housing and Community Development. “They have partnered with FHLBank Topeka in multiple ways to improve their community through our housing and community development programs. It’s clear they are a housing champion in the communities they serve in north central Kansas.” Pictured left to right: Matt Koupal, Kylie Mergen, Lance White, Troy Soukup, Jeff Steiner, Jeff Kuzbel and L. Kent Needham #AffordableHousing #RegionalHousingChampion #Kansas

Join us in congratulating three business partners on their recent promotions!??Katie Boyer is now a staff accountant II.??Lesley Gutierrez is now a staff accountant III.??Lisa Hinterweger is now a general accountant II. #promoted #proud #accounting

?????? ?????????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? FHLBank business partners recently took a quick road trip to see improvements to #AffordableHousing in Concordia, Kansas. When Cloud Village Apartments were built in 1978, the total construction cost was $540,000 for the 32 one- and two-bedroom units set in eight fourplexes. Nearly 50 years later, improvements were needed to continue making the community livable for its residents. In late 2022, the Concordia Housing Authority, which manages the development, sought ways to pay for the needed renovations. They heard about FHLBank Topeka’s Affordable Housing Program. After applying through local member bank United Bank and Trust, they were approved for a $992,000 AHP grant in December 2022. Since then, the Housing Authority has put the funds to good use. -renovated kitchens -replaced flooring -improved accessibility in the units’ bathrooms -replaced windows -upgraded exterior lighting -repaired sidewalks -additional parking “The FHLBank funds came right when we needed them. They were a miracle in helping us to remodel nearly every apartment,” said Sheila Jackson, property manager for Cloud Village. #AffordableHousing #Renovations #AHP

Lewis, Kansas, recently got two daycares, but needed grass for the kids to play on. Kayla Burr at Bank of Hays applied for an FHLBank Topeka #500forGood grant to buy grass seed, which was planted this spring!??? Thank you to all of this year's #500forGood applicants for sharing how you would spend $500 to better your community. We love your ideas and will announce the winners in October. #500forGood #MakingADifference #Landscaping #Daycare

Let's congratulate business partners who have milestone service anniversaries! What's kept them here? "Work-life balance, strong company values and culture, workplace recognition and competitive compensation and benefits" — Aili Mairehaba, one year "There are so many things that have kept me at FHLBank. I love the challenges my position presents and the people with whom I am fortunate to work! The bright and spacious workspaces, the benefits and amenities add to my happiness here." —Terri Smith, 15 years "Getting a chance to show up every day and see the direct positive impact that Federal Home Loan Bank makes in the lives of families across Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado" —Blake Weibel, one year Congratulations, Aili, Terri and Blake! ?? #milestone #FHLBank #congratulations

FHLBank business partners recently volunteered for the annual Nancy Perry Day of Caring. Volunteers spent Thursday at KVC and Friday at TARC. Citywide volunteering was organized by United Way of Kaw Valley and involved over 1,000 registered volunteers. ?? It's estimated that the 2024 Nancy Perry Day had a $140,088 economic impact.??? #partnership #NPDoC24 #TopCity

??Business partners came together to support Project Topeka with a mini golf tournament.?? Every year teams from across the Bank build a custom course out of canned goods and other nonperishables. After the tournament this year, the food went to Project Topeka, a community organization working to defeat hunger every day.?www.projecttopeka.org Which hole was your favorite? They were designed around our Summer Fun theme: Around the World.??? #FHLBankSummerFun #ProjectTopeka #GreatPlaceToWork

Business partners celebrated women leaders at the YWCA Northeast Kansas Women of Excellence Awards Gala over the weekend. Congrats to all nominees, especially our business partner Taylor Kimmel,?and the winners. Thank you for making a difference in Kansas! #MakingADifference #WomenOfExcellence #Kansas #Leadership