May 25-July 22, 1932: Federal Home Loan Bank Act Creates S&L System to Lower the Cost of Home Ownership

The Federal Home Loan Bank Act is introduced in the House of Representatives on May 25, 1932. It passes Congress on July 16 and is signed into law by President Hebert Hoover six days later, on July 22. The act is intended to lower the cost of home ownership. It establishes the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (FHLBB) to charter and supervise federal savings and loan associations (S&Ls). It also creates Federal Home Loan Banks, which lend to building and loan associations, cooperative banks, homestead associations, insurance companies, savings banks, community development financial institutions, and insured depository institutions in order to finance home mortgages. [The American Presidency Project, 7/22/1932]