Community News
-
FCBT and CFPB present: An Essential Guide to Building an Emergency Fund
September 21, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community News, General
This guide was published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We’ve all experienced unexpected financial emergencies—a fender bender, an unexpected medical bill, a broken appliance, a loss of income, or even a damaged cell phone. Large or small, these unplanned expenses often feel like they hit at the worst times. Setting up a dedicated savings or emergency fund is one essential way to protect yourself, and it’s one of the first steps you can take to start saving.
Read More -
First Community Bank and Trust and ICBA Offer Tips to Help Safeguard Finances in Recognition of National Preparedness Month in September
September 7, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community News, General
Beecher, IL (Sept. 7, 2023)—Weather and health-related natural disasters can cause extensive property damage and wreak financial havoc on families and communities. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are advocating simple measures to help consumers with preparation and recovery to reduce their financial impact. “While we can’t avert natural disasters, we can help our customers minimize
Read More -
First Community Bank and Trust and ICBA offer Home Buying Tips in the Digital Age
August 16, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community News, General, Mortgage Loans
The Internet is much more than a tool for casual browsing. It’s ingrained in everything we do—from paying bills to shopping for a home. Among all generations of home buyers, the first step taken in the home search process was to look online for properties, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 Home Buyer and Seller Generation Trends report. With so much information available at your fingertips, it can be hard to make sense of it all, especially for a process
Read More -
First Community Bank and Trust and ICBA Share Tips for Traveling Safe
July 12, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community Events, Community News, General
Beecher, IL (July 12, 2023)—As Americans take off for summer, First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are providing advanced planning tips for consumers that can take the financial sting out of unwanted surprises during travel to maximize their enjoyment regardless of how long or how far they venture. “Planning for the unexpected—including trip delays, lost or damaged merchandise, and last-minute expenditures can offer greater
Read More -
How Community Banks can combat the Rise of Check Fraud
July 3, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community Events, Community News, General
This article was published on June 12, 2023 by Steven Estep from the Independent Community Bankers of America. In recent years, community banks across the nation have seen a drastic rise in check fraud. To compound the issue, many community banks are faced with challenges getting funds reimbursed from the banks of first deposit and are left to reimburse affected customers even when the community banks aren’t liable for the fraud. The following post will discuss why this sudden
Read More -
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse: FCBT and ICBA Explain Top Scams
June 29, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community Events, Community News, General
Beecher, IL (June 29, 2023) - Roughly 20 percent of older Americans fall prey to financial exploitation totaling $3 billion annually or an average of $120,000 per elderly victim, according to a study from the AARP Public Policy Institute. And given that only one out of every 44 financial abuse cases are reported, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association, true losses from elder financial abuse could be north of $35 billion annually. As relationship lenders
Read More -
First Community Bank and Trust, ICBA Share Tips to Stop Elder Financial Abuse
June 15, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community Events, Community News, General
Beecher, IL (June 15, 2023)–First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are providing tips for preventing elder financial abuse in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Older Americans lose roughly $3 billion to a growing number of scams each year, according to the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging. But only one in 44 cases get reported, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association, putting
Read More -
FCBT credits CFPB as They Find that Billions of Dollars Stored on Popular Payment Apps May Lack Federal Insurance
June 5, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community News, Electronic Banking, General
Agency issues notice to consumers advising them to transfer balances to insured banks. This article was published on June 01, 2023 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published an issue spotlight on digital payment apps heavily used by consumers and businesses. The analysis finds that funds stored on these apps may not be safe in the event of financial distress, since the funds may not be held in accounts
Read More -
ICBA and FCBT: Community Banks Build Better Communities
April 3, 2023
Categories: Community Banking, Community Banking Advocacy, Community Events, Community News, General
Beecher, IL (April 3, 2023) — In honor of Community Banking Month in April, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are shining a spotlight on community bank efforts to create economic prosperity for Americans in urban, suburban, and rural communities nationwide. “As a financial service provider with deep community ties, we apply our local knowledge and financial expertise to help the citizens of Beecher and Peotone reach their
Read More -
FCBT Explores Fintech Partnerships at ICBA ThinkTECH Accelerator Program
February 23, 2021
Categories: Community Banking, Community News, Electronic Banking, General
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
Read More