Owning a home is exciting, but it’s common to wonder “How much house can I comfortably afford?” Mortgage affordability is about more than what a lender says you qualify for. It’s about finding a payment that fits your budget, lifestyle and your financial goals. When people think about being able to afford a home, they often focus on the purchase price of a house. But your monthly payment is more important. It usually includes: Principal & Interest – The amount
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January is your reset button: new goals, new habits, and a fresh start for your finances. It’s also National Financial Wellness Month, so it’s the perfect time to give your money habits a quick check-in. At First Community Bank and Trust, we believe financial wellness is knowing where you stand and using the right tools to move forward. This post shares simple tips and helpful banking services to keep your progress rolling all year long. What Financial Wellness Really Means Financial
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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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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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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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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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Alerts on all types of accounts, not just your bank account, can help protect both your personal information and your money. They notify you when expected and unexpected activity occur. First eAlerts and My Cards debit card controls at First Community Bank and Trust are easy to set up and customizable to best fit your needs. You can choose to receive account activity alerts in up to three different ways, ensuring you stay informed in real time. These alerts provide instant notifications about
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This article was written by Jen A. Miller and featured in the Independent Banker Magazine. Artificial intelligence has streamlined spear phishing, a kind of cyberattack involving emails, video calls or other forms of communication facilitated by fraudsters posing as a trusted colleague, boss or organization. Here’s how community banks, like First Community Bank and Trust, can hit back. In 2023, an employee of multinational design and engineering company, Arup, thought he was just doing
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