June 2019 —Whether your travels take you across the globe or across state lines, First Community Bank and Trust and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) remind consumers to plan accordingly to keep their money safe and summer vacations on track. “Most financial experts advise limiting the use of cash and paying with a debit or credit card for major purchases while traveling,” said Greg Ohlendorf, President and CEO of First Community Bank and Trust. “Credit Read More

May 13th, 2019—As college students prepare to graduate and begin their professional careers, 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.  “Graduation is an exciting time for many students transitioning from the classroom to the ‘real world’ and starting to establish their financial independence,” said Greg Ohlendorf, President and CEO of Read More

If you’ve ever participated in career day at a local elementary school, you’ll probably relate to this story. A banking colleague visits her son’s kindergarten class and amid explaining the role of a community banker, one eager child pipes up and says, “It’s like the lifecycle of a plant!”   He’s right—community banks like First Community Bank and Trust take in deposits, distribute loans and feed into a self-sustaining micro-economy by Read More

America Saves Week is February 25 - March 2   (Feb. 25, 2019)—The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and First Community Bank and Trust of Illinois 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.  In fact, more than one-fifth (20 percent) of adults are not able to pay their current month’s bills in Read More