Community banks have been around for decades and First Keystone Community Bank (FKCB) is no exception. Opening in 1864, FKCB became the first financial institution in Berwick, PA, and 160 years later has grown to 19 branches in five counties.
While its products and services have grown and evolved with its customers’ needs, the community side of First Keystone has grounded the institution for 16 decades. Support for the local communities has been a cornerstone for the bank and has helped First Keystone become a leader in the community banking industry. FKCB is a local FDIC-insured community bank that helps consumers, small businesses and local communities thrive through expert customer service and philanthropic integrity.
After all, community is at the heart of a community bank. Money that you put into a community bank stays local. Our customers get extra personalized human support along with on-trend technology. And when things get tough, community banks don’t leave their community behind, they step up.
There are many ways that a community bank can support its local neighborhoods. Volunteering at local events brings employees together with their neighbors and introduces the bank to the public. Monetary donations and sponsorships throughout the year also provide a large component to community giving. First Keystone is proud to participate in numerous dinners, golf outings and networking events to help local organizations. We have volunteered to fill grocery bags at local food banks; build cribs for families in need; and clean up area playgrounds and recreation centers.
One particularly successful means of donating is through the Pennsylvania Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program which offers businesses an opportunity to enrich educational opportunities for students and earn tax credits by donating to an approved organization.
As we recognize EITC Awareness Day on January 31, we’re proud to be one of the many businesses that have made a crucial impact on the success of community organizations. EITC donations can provide food and shelter; start or extend programming; and provide childcare.
Donations made to local agencies by First Keystone Community Bank in 2024 include: Brighter Financial Futures (Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy) of Columbia County which hosts comprehensive financial programs for students; Berwick and Bloomsburg Area YMCAs which deliver services for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility; the Danville Area Community Center which provides recreational and social programs for people of all ages; and many other organizations.
In Pennsylvania, organizations can be approved to receive EITC funds by meeting criteria to be a Scholarship Organization, an Educational Improvement Organization, a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization, or any combination of all three. The EITC program is designed to stimulate giving to innovative educational organizations and to enrich educational opportunities for students.
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 business agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive tax years. The program gives businesses an alternative avenue to providing community support beyond traditional means of donating.
Overall, community banks like First Keystone Community Bank focus on serving their customers. Community banks are grounded on a relationship-based business model committed to building long-term trust with customers. We are best suited for consumers and business owners because we understand what consumers and small businesses need and want.
Community banks like FKCB develop one-on-one, face-to-face relationships with the customers we serve and the neighborhoods we enjoy, and we are always ready to discuss our business model because our responsibility is to you, our customer. Community banking provides the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life and potentially impact their future which leads to strong, vital communities for all.
