Most of us have gotten pretty good at spotting the obvious scams. The email with the strange address. The text that says you won a prize you never entered to win. The message that somehow needs your immediate attention at 2:17 A.M. But scams are getting more convincing, and protecting your information takes more than spotting a suspicious message. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it a good time to look at a few simple habits that can help protect your information and your
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Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with additions made by First Community Bank and Trust. After a disaster, your priority is your own safety. Organizations in your community can provide help and services. Expect help from the companies you use As you recover from a disaster or emergency, you should contact your lenders and companies where you have accounts and ask for help. You might ask for: A way to refinance your existing debts, or new loans with terms that are more realistic
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Severe storms can happen with little warning. A damaged roof, fallen tree, broken windows or other unexpected repairs can quickly turn into a significant expense. When storm damage occurs, your first step should be to document the damage and contact your homeowner’s insurance provider to understand what may be covered. Review your policy’s coverage limits, deductibles and any exclusions or special deductibles that may apply to storm damage. Keeping photos, receipts and repair estimates
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This article was written by GoodTrust and published on February 27, 2023. If you've been thinking about creating a trust or a will, you may be wondering which one is right for you. If you don’t know the answer, rest assured - you’re not alone. As a matter of fact, many people wonder about this when starting their estate plan. The truth is, it depends on your individual circumstances. Wills vs. Trusts You can plan for your estate with both a will and a trust but they each
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The U.S. Department of Treasury originally published this article on December 23, 2025. The following recommendations are non-binding guidance. All must comply with otherwise applicable restrictions. Frequently Asked Questions: Businesses Why is penny production being suspended? Over the past 10 years, the total production cost of the penny has risen from 1.3 cents to 3.69 cents per penny. These production costs include materials, facilities, and overhead. The U.S. Mint projects an immediate
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This article was published by Freddie Mac and last reviewed on January 13, 2026. As a homeowner, maintaining your home is an important responsibility. Timely maintenance, repairs and improvements help protect your home, provide your family with greater comfort and even enhance your home's value. Maintaining your home can also help you avoid costly problems later on. Once you move in, it's a good idea to set aside part of your monthly budget toward savings that could go to your home
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If you’ve owned your home for several years, you may have built more equity than you realize. That equity can be a valuable financial tool, helping you consolidate debt, improve cash flow, or achieve other important financial goals while making the most of your investment in your home. When many people think about a Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), they often associate it with remodeling a kitchen or completing a major renovation. While that is one common use, it is
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Financial abuse targeting older adults causes significant losses for people over 60 each year. True losses from elder financial abuse could be even more as many go unreported, and of those that are reported, nearly half of adults say they were either victims or intended victims of financial exploitation. Community banks are in a unique position to help shield our elderly customers against such abuses. Through employee training and the use of technology to spot red flags and report suspicious activity
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We are excited to announce the upcoming upgrade to our NEW First eBanc! This transition will bring enhanced features, which you can view now on our web site, and a smoother experience for all users. To help you prepare, here is an overview of what to expect during the upgrade process. June 2nd, 2026 (Tuesday) 8:00 AM: First ePay & Zelle will be unavailable. Access to First ePay & Zelle will be removed from the current First eBanc. Users will not be able to set up or make changes to payments.
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Press Release: Beecher, IL. (May 4, 2026) — First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) encourage Americans to reinvest in their local community by shopping with small businesses during National Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026. Small businesses form the backbone of the U.S. economy, employing more than 62 million Americans, representing nearly half of all private-sector employment. “Behind every small business is a story of hard
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