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

Beecher, IL (June 2020) – We want to make our local community aware that our June Shredding Day will still be held as scheduled. This event will take place on Saturday, June 20th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at 1111 Dixie Highway in Beecher, IL. The health and safety of our customers and employees is very important to us. Therefore, we will have some additional guidelines in place to promote proper social distancing. Please be aware of the following new procedures: Enter off of Chestnut
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Tags: beecher, community bank, document shredding, local bank, peotone, shredding day, shredding event

Peotone, IL (June 2020). . . The Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) Foundation for Community Banking has selected its 2020 Annual Scholarship Program winners. Now in its 34th year, the program offers $21,000 to 24 high-school seniors via an essay‑writing contest; $500 is also awarded to the first‑place winner's high school. This year, 90 CBAI member banks representing 246 students statewide, participated in the contest. First Community Bank and Trust is very
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Tags: community bank, community service, higher education, local bank, scholarship

Beecher, IL (June, 2020)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and First Community Bank and Trust in recognition of National Homeownership Month in June, are reminding current and prospective homeowners of the resources that community banks offer that make financing easier and more affordable. “For most people, buying a home is an investment in their future and a foundation upon which to establish community ties and amass financial security,” said
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Tags: home loan, homeowner, mortgage loan, mortgage rates, new home

Beecher, IL (May, 2020)—As college graduates finish their studies in preparation to enter the workforce, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) want to remind them of the importance of planning for their financial future.  “For soon-to-be graduates, transitioning from the classroom to the real world can be exciting and overwhelming,” said Greg Ohlendorf, President and CEO at First Community Bank and Trust. “As a
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Tags: 2020, community bank, employment, graduates, graduation, workforce

Beecher, IL, March 18th, 2020 – The health and well-being of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve are our top priorities. This is why starting Thursday, March 19th, all First Community Bank and Trust lobbies will be closed to the public until further notice. Drive-up windows will be open during normal banking hours. ATMs will remain open 24/7. Lobby access will be available by appointment only. First Community Bank and Trust employees will still be available
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Tags: beecher, community bank, community news, Coronavirus, COVID-19, news, peotone

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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Tags: home buying, homeowner, mortgage loan, preapproval, Spring

America Saves Week is Feb. 24–29 Feb. 24, 2020—First Community Bank and Trust and The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) want to remind consumers during America Saves Week that building a nest egg can help alleviate stress and provide additional financial security during times of unexpected financial hardship.  Seventeen percent of adults cannot pay their current month’s bills in full, another 12 percent would be unable to pay their current month’s
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Tags: America Saves Week, building wealth, community bank, financial planning, Savings account, Savings Plan

First Community Bank and Trust has announced a scholarship competition that enables Illinois high-school seniors to enter a statewide essay-writing contest. It is all part of a program sponsored by Illinois community banks and the CBAI Foundation for Community Banking to increase public awareness of locally owned banks and their contributions to the community. First Community Bank and Trust is a member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) which formed the Foundation in 1996.
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Tags: cbai scholarship, college scholarship, community bank, community news, high school seniors, scholarship, scholarship opporutnity

When asked to identify the quintessential ingredient that makes community banking special, we don’t hesitate to answer, “Relationships.” First Community Bank and Trust focuses exclusively on delivering the products and services our customers want, while our local roots and accountability ensure our interests remain tied to our neighbors. At First Community Bank and Trust, we work with our customers to help them realize their financial dreams, whether opening a business,
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Tags: business banking, Community Banking, loans, local bank, relationship banking