America Saves Week is February 26 – March 3
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and First Community Bank (FCB) of East Tennessee are joining thousands of organizations, which are encouraging Americans to take action during America Saves Week, Feb. 26 – March 3.
“Community banks are trusted financial advisors,” said ICBA President and CEO Camden R. Fine. “Consumers should look to community banks as a resource for reaching their short- and long-term savings goals as they work toward building wealth and achieving financial stability.”
ICBA and FCB offer the following tips to help consumers boost their savings:
- Pay yourself first. Many employers offer automatic payroll deduction, which is one of the best ways to start and keep saving. Use those funds to contribute to a nest egg for your retirement.
- Create a spending plan. Unlike a strict budget, a spending plan is a guide to help you take better control of your finances by tracking where your money goes to help prioritize your spending.
- Start small. Setting aside just $2.75 a day (average cup of a tall latte) for one year can garner you a $1,000 towards that unexpected car repair.
- Build an emergency fund. Plan to save six to nine months of living expenses.
- Put your tax dollars to work. The recent tax bill expands 529 savings plans to include expenses for elementary and secondary education. The annual gift tax exclusion has increased as well.
It is also important to consider these factors in choosing where to place your savings:
- Access to funds. Community banks like FCB use the latest technology so that customers can access their money when and where they need it.
- Safety of funds. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor and $250,000 for certain retirement accounts. No one has ever lost a penny of FDIC-insured funds.
- Earning potential. Community banks’ customer service is tailored to their individual customer’s needs and offer competitively priced products and services.
“It’s never too late to develop good financial management habits,” said FCB Regional President Steve Waller. “Come into First Community Bank today and find out how we can help you reach your financial goals to support your lifestyle.”