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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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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Press Release: Beecher, IL. (June 27, 2025) - First Community Bank and Trust, a trusted and locally owned financial institution serving families and communities since 1916, has announced a new partnership with GoodTrust, a leader in smart digital estate planning services. This collaboration brings cutting-edge estate planning tools directly to First Community Bank and Trust customers, enabling them to safeguard their family, assets, and legacy with ease and confidence. Through this partnership,
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Press Release: Beecher, IL. (June 2, 2025) - In recognition of National Homeownership Month, First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are encouraging consumers to consult their local community banker to make the homebuying process, simple, efficient and more affordable. “An important component in building financial independence is owning a home,” said Wendy Hoekstra, Vice President – Retail Lending. “At First Community
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This is the Executive Summary of U.S. Economic and Regulatory Highlights from the Experian Commercial Pulse: Small Business Insights for May 2025. For more in depth information regarding this article, download the entire report here. The advance estimate for Q1 2025 GDP showed the U.S. economy shrunk at an annual rate of 0.3%, a drop from the 2.4% growth recorded in Q4 and marking the first contraction since Q1 2022, as imports surged ahead of anticipated new tariffs being imposed. Q1 GDP grew
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