Press Release: Beecher, IL. (May 6, 2025) — 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 4-10, 2025. Small businesses account for two out of every three jobs added to the economy. 

“At the center of our commitment to fostering local prosperity is empowering small businesses,” says Cameron Ohlendorf, Executive Vice President at FCBT. “When small businesses thrive, the growth of our community follows. We are proud to celebrate the entrepreneurs and small business owners in our community, and we're here to support them with the financial services they need to succeed."

Small businesses comprise 99.9 percent of all firms and account for 44 percent of U.S. economic activity. When it comes to their financing needs, they most often turn to community banks, which fund more than 60 percent of all small business loans under $1 million. In fact, small businesses consistently rank community banks as their lender of choice, according to a series of studies from the Federal Reserve Banks. At FCBT, we’re proud to support local businesses with a wide range of lending solutions. Whether it’s a commercial real estate loan to purchase or expand their storefront, equipment financing to keep operations running smoothly, or working capital lines of credit to manage cash flow and purchase inventory, FCBT is here to help small businesses prosper.

"Small businesses are at the heart of America’s economic engine, and community banks like FCBT are proud to power their potential," said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. "During National Small Business Week, we celebrate the unique role community banks play in supporting the entrepreneurs who create jobs, foster innovation, and power vibrant communities."

To find out more about how FCBT can help support you or the small businesses that fuel our community, visit our website at www.firstcbt.bank or contact John Lockie, Senior Vice President – Commercial Lending at (708) 946-2246.

About First Community Bank and Trust
First Community Bank and Trust is a privately-owned bank. Established in 1916 First Community Bank and Trust has been serving Beecher, IL, Peotone, IL and the surrounding communities for over 109 years. Our commitment to providing the best banking products and services is matched only by our outstanding customer service. We offer traditional community banking services, including mortgage, consumer, and commercial lending, as well as state of the art electronic banking services.

Press Contact:
Steve Koehn, Senior Vice President
First Community Bank and Trust
(708) 946-2246

About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.

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