FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2001

CONTACT, Katie O'Rourke
804-343-5520
katie.orourke@vhda.com

"Housing Most Important Asset to Give Americans Solid Beginnings for Success"

Williamsburg, VA - "Housing is one of the most important forms of wealth in this country," said Raymond R. Christman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA). Christman is slated to be one of the key speakers at the VA Housing Conference this year in Williamsburg, Va.

During most of his noteworthy career, Christman has believed that, "housing wealth can sometimes even exceed that of the stock market by acting as an important engine of economic growth by generating new jobs. Homeownership establishes a link between banking and communities. It creates financial deepening with the creation of more banks. The more banks in the community, the more economic development available for housing growth."

Christman is currently president and CEO at the FHLBA, a $90 billion wholesale funding bank that serves more than 1,170 financial institutions across seven states and the District of Columbia. The bank's primary business is to provide housing, community development and related activities.

Executive Director Susan Dewey said, "VHDA has had the distinct privilege to conduct business with FHLB. During the past years we have enjoyed a successful partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank."

"We have borrowed more than $1.4 billion since we became associates with FHLBA," Dewey said. "We are very appreciative of the bank's role in helping VHDA provide affordable housing over the years."

Christman also served as President of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, a regional business association of 1,700 companies; Chairman of the FHLB of Pittsburgh; and Secretary of Commerce for Pennsylvania. He will be delivering his Luncheon Plenary speech on Thursday, September 13, from 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm. Lunch will be held in the President's Ballroom Room.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta along with other industry providers are Conference Sponsors. Conference Partners, include the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Virginia Housing and Development Authority, the Virginia Housing Study Commission, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office.

The Conference will be held Sept. 12-14, 2001, at the Williamsburg Marriott Williamsburg, Va. For further information, visit www.dhcd.state.va.us or call 804-371-7171.