Planning to spread some cheer this holiday season? Go home for the holidays and pick up a one-of-a-kind creation from your local small businesses in Beecher and Peotone. Shopping locally is the gift that keeps on giving. Did you know that for every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 stays in the community, compared to just $43 when you shop at a national chain? Or that small businesses create two out of three new U.S. jobs annually? So, when you shop locally, you’re not only
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The idea of “sustainability” is linked to a lot of our local activities these days—whether it’s reusing or recycling products, sampling culinary delights from the local bakery, or choosing to buy American-made products to support our national economy. There are plenty of reasons why eating, dining and banking locally makes good economic sense.  If you’ve ever participated in a career day at a local elementary school, you’ll probably relate to this story.
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Beecher, IL 60401 (July 7, 2021)—As more Americans resume their travel plans—across the globe or beyond state lines, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) remind consumers that advanced planning can help alleviate travel-related stressors, maximizing your enjoyment regardless of how long or how far you venture.  “Most financial experts advise limiting the use of cash and planning for the unexpected—including
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Greg Ohlendorf, President/CEO, First Community Bank and Trust, Beecher This article was published in the May 2021 Issue of Banknotes, the Official Publication of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI).   The headlines read “Fintech Will Make Community Baking Obsolete,” “Fintech Disruptors Will Change Banking Forever” and “Fintech Charters Are the Wave of the Future.” I guess it’s time to throw in the proverbial
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Temperatures are slowing climbing and everyone is thinking spring. Spring is the busiest home selling and buying season in most areas, therefore, it can be quite competitive. If you're looking to make your big move in the next few months, it's time to get prepared.  1. Speak with a loan officer. A professional loan officer will help you figure out how much house you can really afford. Loan officers are experts in the home buying process and can help you better understand your
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Establishing fiscally responsible habits is important for every age and stage of life Beecher, IL (April 1, 2021) — First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are celebrating Financial Literacy Month in April and encouraging Americans to take control of their financial future by learning fiscally responsible habits and putting these lessons into practice. Only one-third of adults can answer at least four of five financial
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Beecher, IL (April 1, 2021) — In honor of ICBA Community Banking Month in April, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are shining a spotlight on community banks’ outsized role in fostering economic wellbeing and meeting the financial needs of their consumers and local communities.  “As a local small business ourselves, we are invested in building a legacy of prosperity for our customers, while enhancing the community
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Beecher, IL (Jan. 6, 2021) — First Community Bank and Trust announced its participation in the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) third annual ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator, in partnership with The Venture Center. The ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator program fosters fintech-community bank collaboration to develop new technologies specifically for community banks and the customers they serve. “With decades of relationship banking experience in the Beecher, Peotone
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FHLB and FCBT Provide $5,000 in Additional Funds to Four Local Businesses   November 20, 2020 - First Community Bank and Trust recognizes that being a community bank means going the extra mile for our customers. We also know that this pandemic has been especially hard on small business owners. For those reasons, we are so grateful to have been able to assist many of them through the Paycheck Protection Program. We believe in fostering relationships with our customers and understanding
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Beecher, IL (July, 2020) Home maintenance can be overwhelming, but staying on top of the small stuff can save you money and help you avoid emergency repairs. This summer is sure to be very different than usual and most of us will be keeping our distance and staying home. What better time to take care of your biggest investment? Check out this brief list of necessary home maintenance tasks to take care of this summer and throughout the year: Gutters - Clogged gutters can cause
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Tags: community bank, home maintenance, homeowner, mortgage, mortgage loans, new home