As we celebrate Teach Children to Save Day on April 25, First Keystone Community Bank recognizes the importance of teaching youth smart financial habits. This month, we are celebrating the first anniversary of our Keystone First Checking Account which introduces our youngest customers to the aspects of good fiscal management including budgeting, saving, and even financial planning. Learning to make smart financial decisions now can set your children up for success in the future. What is Teach Children to Save Day? Sponsored by the American Bankers Association since 1997, Teach Children to Save ..read more

As we celebrate Community Banking Month, First Keystone Community Bank (FKCB) recognizes the significant strides and accomplishments that we, as a community bank, have forged over the years. FKCB was chartered nearly 160 years ago to serve this community. Now, almost sixteen decades later, we remain committed to the same standards and principles that laid the foundation for the solid community institution that First Keystone has become. We are a local FDIC-insured community bank that helps consumers, small businesses, and local communities thrive. What is at the core of the community bank busi ..read more

March is Women’s History Month, a national observance that recognizes and celebrates women throughout history. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” which highlights the need to eliminate bias and discrimination in every aspect of our lives, both professionally and personally. This month, we celebrate women in banking. At First Keystone Community Bank (FKCB), we are proud that 79% of our workforce is female, many of whom hold upper management positions, including our President/CEO and our Chief Financial Officer. As we celebrate 160 years of service this ..read more

March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day, a day that is dedicated to recognizing the hard work and loyalty shown by your employees throughout the year. While any token of appreciation and acknowledgment can boost morale and performance, just how effective and meaningful is the impact of appreciation? What is Employee Appreciation Day? Employee Appreciation Day is an unofficial national holiday that is celebrated on the first Friday of March. It is designed to recognize the efforts—large and small—of every employee at your company. While not every contribution is earth-shattering, all efforts dedic ..read more

Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program is a way for businesses to enrich educational opportunities for students and earn tax credits by donating to an approved organization. Who is eligible to apply for EITC credits? The EITC program is administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and is open to businesses in Pennsylvania who are subject to a variety of taxes. Eligible businesses can receive tax credits equal to 75% of their contribution, up to $750,000 per taxable year. The tax credit may be increased to 90% of the contribution if the busin ..read more

We’ve all said it: “This is the year I’m going to start saving money.” But setting financial resolutions can seem intimidating and unrealistic. While many Americans would agree that saving more money is a priority for the new year, implementing the means necessary to reach that resolution can seem daunting. With some diligence, patience, and a few simple steps, everyone can set themselves up for success and start saving money now. Set smaller goals Setting a series of smaller, more manageable goals can help to keep your attitude optimistic and upbeat. Set a specific amount that feels feasible ..read more

On the first day of Christmas the scammers gave to me…A shady letter from Santa!  Parents eager to see their child’s reaction to a letter from Santa can easily fall for this scam that uses sentimentality to gain sensitive information. Use a well-known campaign like the U.S. Post Office.  On the second day of Christmas the scammers gave to me…two phony pop-ups!  Pop-up windows that promise unrealistic prices or special coupons are scams. Before clicking, contact the retailer to verify the offer.  On the third day of Christmas the scammers gave to me…three hacked chargers!&nb ..read more

As a consumer, you are probably aware of credit reports and credit scores. But do you really know what they mean and how they interact? And most importantly—How do they affect you? Credit Report vs. Credit Score Credit reports and credit scores are related but not interchangeable. Your credit report includes your payment history for roughly the past decade and includes credit card transactions, loan history, liens, and bankruptcies. Credit scores, which can range from 300 to 850, are calculated by data companies using the information in your credit report to determine your eligibility for a lo ..read more

Small Business Saturday is a national initiative held the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage shopping at local retailers. Business owners strive to present not just a productive shopping experience, but also an engaging and sometimes entertaining adventure that can include special offers, complimentary hot chocolate, horse-drawn carriage rides and even local artists or entertainers. Some towns even offer late night shopping with extended hours to help promote local venues. Shopping at local retailers has many advantages. It can be a unique, personalized experience for the customer becaus ..read more

A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a pre-tax account that can provide health coverage as well as an investment to those who qualify. This innovative approach to health coverage has advantages that can keep both your personal and financial life healthy. What is an HSA and how does it work? Our Health Savings Account, Key HSA, allows you to contribute pre-tax funds to a federally-insured checking account. Those funds will be held in an interest-bearing account that can be used to pay medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance policy or as a nest egg that will grow over time ..read more