This blog post was published by Jean Chatzky from SavvyMoney Hub, with reporting by Casandra Andrews. Why track spending and saving? Because what gets measured gets managed   If you already live on a budget and have been dutifully checking your spending plan at the end of each month, bravo! Unfortunately, research shows that not everyone is disciplined enough to track their financial habits with regularity. For those who could use a little — ahem -– nudge, read on. In
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Beecher, IL. (April 4, 2024) First Community Bank and Trust (FCBT) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are celebrating Financial Literacy Month in April by encouraging Americans to take control of their financial future and learn fiscally responsible habits that can benefit them at every age and stage of their financial journey. Twenty-seven percent of Americans report that “just getting by financially or finding it hard to get by” describes them completely or very
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Reinvesting in your community sounds great, but how does one really put that into action? If you’ve ever wondered if it matters where you deposit your hard-earned money, let us assure you it does. Not only does banking locally support small businesses (community banks fund more than 60% of small business loans and more than 80% of ag loans nationally), but as locally owned and operated businesses themselves, they are part of the economic engines that create 62 percent of new jobs annually
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Check fraud continues to be a pervasive threat in today's digital landscape, with perpetrators employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive individuals and businesses alike. Recognizing the signs of check fraud is paramount to protecting your finances and avoiding potentially devastating losses. We'll explore common red flags and proactive measures you can take to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. Understanding Check Fraud Before exploring the signs of check fraud, it's
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First Community Bank and Trust is excited to introduce SecureNow, a new enhanced security service to further protect FCBT customers when logging into First eBanc and First eBanc Mobile. March is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to add additional security to protect customers from cyberattacks and to protect your accounts from harm. On or after March 19, log into either First eBanc or First eBanc Mobile to activate SecureNow. You will be prompted at log in to provide
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Pictured from left: Cameron Ohlendorf - Senior Vice President of Finance; Gabi Knecht; Kelly Knecht; Tammy Hoffman - Chief Administrative Officer. January 31, 2024 (Peotone, IL) – FHLBank of Chicago and First Community Bank and Trust are happy to announce the recipient of a FHLBank of Chicago Community First Accelerate Grants for Small Business ("Accelerate Grants") program. This grant program is used to assist the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin,
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As we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, there's no better time to embark on a journey toward financial well-being. One key aspect that can significantly impact your financial health is your credit score. Building good credit sets the stage for a year of financial success, opportunities, and peace of mind. In this blog post, we'll explore practical tips and strategies to help you boost and maintain a stellar credit score throughout the year. Check Your Credit Report: Begin
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This article was published by Jenefer Duane from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Our Office for Older Americans is working to provide older consumers and their families with the tools and information they need to protect themselves from frauds and scams. Scams that target older people occur every day, but you can count on scammers to ramp up their efforts to prey on people’s generosity during the holiday season. These grinches, armed with their dirty tricks, may
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This guide was published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. By contacting the nationwide credit reporting companies, you can place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit report. You can also request that they block or remove fraudulent debts. You can contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion: Equifax (800) 685-1111 Equifax Consumer Fraud Division P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374 Experian (888)
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Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends, family, and the world. However, this convenience comes with certain risks, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. Cyberattacks, data breaches, and privacy invasions are real threats on social platforms. To help you navigate this digital landscape safely, here's a comprehensive guide to social media cybersecurity. Strong Passwords are Your First Line of Defense: Your social media accounts are only as
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