This article, written by Justin Lahart and Konrad Putzier, originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal on November 11, 2025. The longest government shutdown on record has taken a bite from the economy. But the roiling effects of the closure, as well as the data disruptions it brought on, are likely to make it hard to know just how big that bite was. With each passing day, the now six-week shutdown’s drag on the economy has become more apparent. Thousands of furloughed government workers
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With the calendar year coming to a close and the holiday season upon us, now is the perfect time to evaluate your business’s performance in 2025. Whether the results were positive or challenging, use what you learned to position your business for a successful 2026. To help you get started, here are a few key items to consider when building your year-end review checklist. Review your year-to-date financial statement. If you have prepared a budget for the year, compare your actual financial
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Every October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us that while our digital world offers convenience and connection, it also presents new risks. From online shopping and mobile banking to social media and email, our daily lives rely on technology. But just as you wouldn’t hand your house keys to a stranger, you shouldn’t hand over your personal information without thinking twice. At First Community Bank and Trust, your financial safety is one of our top priorities. That’s
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By Neil J Kanatt and Anshi Sancheti. Reporting by Anshi Sancheti and Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru. Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi.  September 10, 2025 - U.S. holiday sales are projected to grow at their slowest pace since the pandemic, Deloitte said in a forecast released on Wednesday, as macroeconomic uncertainties weigh on consumer spending. Why It's Important Holiday shopping is a critical sales driver for retailers, especially amid uncertain demand and persistent inflation, compounded
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Customers are the lifeblood of every business, regardless of the industry. Whether you’re a skilled tradesman in construction, a professional in law or accounting, or a retailer, you rely on a steady stream of customers to keep sales moving forward. The question is…how do you make that happen every day? Setting sales goals at the start of the year is important, but without a plan to achieve them, those goals remain out of reach.  As a business owner, it is important to review
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Every year on August 14, National Financial Awareness Day encourages individuals to take control of their financial well-being. It’s a day to reflect, reset, and make informed choices that help you reach your money goals whether that means finally starting a budget, reviewing your credit, or simply checking your bank accounts more often. No matter where you are on your financial journey, here are five practical, meaningful ways to boost your financial awareness today and set yourself up
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This blog post was published by Jean Chatzky, with reporting by Casandra Andrews, both from SavvyMoney and commenting by Wendy Hoekstra, Vice President – Retail Lending from First Community Bank and Trust. Understanding Private Mortgage Insurance in the U.S. Plan ahead: Thinking of buying a home in the next few years? Set up a meeting with Wendy Hoekstra, Vice President – Retail Lending at First Community Bank and Trust to get an idea of how much you’ll need to save to
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How does a phone call look like it’s coming from the bank, when in reality, it’s not? Scammers commonly use software, both free and paid, to exploit VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), allowing them to manipulate the caller ID to display any number they choose. Often times, the local number exchanges (708) 946 or (708) 258 are used to increase the chances of the recipient picking up. In some cases, the software can even alter the caller ID display name, like First Community Bank and
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For more in depth information regarding this article, download the entire report here. What is the Beige Book? The Beige Book is a Federal Reserve System publication about current economic conditions across the 12 Federal Reserve Districts. It characterizes regional economic conditions and prospects based on a variety of mostly qualitative information, gathered directly from each District’s sources. Reports are published eight times per year. What is the purpose of the Beige Book? The
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Cash flow is important for every business, regardless of how profitable it may look on paper. A monthly or quarterly profit & loss statement might show positive earnings, but that doesn’t always translate to available cash. The real challenge is having the liquidity to cover day-to-day obligations like payroll, fuel, utilities and rent. What if your company is short on cash to pay for these short-term expenses? These obligations need to be paid in a timely manner in order to avoid any interruption
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