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 work and dedication,” said Cameron Ohlendorf, President. “At First Community Bank and Trust, we take pride in helping turn those stories into long-term success by providing the financial tools and personal support business owners need to succeed.”

Small businesses comprise 99.9 percent of all firms and play a critical role in the economy. 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.

“Small businesses are at the heart of America’s economic engine,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of ICBA. “Community banks are proud partners to entrepreneurs, providing the capital, expertise, and local insight needed to help small businesses create jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen local communities and power our nation’s economy.”

To find out more about how FCBT can help support you or the small businesses that fuel our community, visit our website at https://www.firstcbt.bank/.

For more on National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov. To learn more about the community bank difference, visit banklocally.org.

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 110 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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