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Yesterday's Traditions.
Tomorrow's Vision.
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19 Convenient Locations
Phone: 1.888.759.2266
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Volume 4 - Issue 1
February 2022
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Greetings!
Welcome to the early Spring issue of “From the Vault!”
As we reflect on 2021 and look forward to 2022, I’m happy to share with you that we held true to our financial objectives of increasing revenue from core operating functions and reducing expenses, all while improving our day-to-day interactions and increasing productivity.
Listed below are some highlights as of December 31, 2021, in comparison to December 31, 2020:
- Net income for 2021 was $14,688,000, a $2,851,000 or 24% increase over 2020
- Our total assets grew to $1,320,350, an increase of $141,303,000 or 12% over 2020
- Net loans grew by 4.4% or by $31,484,000
- Return on Assets ratio improved to 1.15% from 1.09% and Return on Equity improved to 9.93% from 8.61%
The staff at First Keystone Community Bank remains committed to connecting with each other and building a culture that benefits our employees, customers, communities, and shareholders.
Toward that goal, I am happy to announce that during 2021, our employees donated $13,946.85 of their own funds toward our Denim Days projects. (Employees donated money every Friday and in turn they wore denim to work that day.) The Denim Days funds were donated to several non-profit agencies, food banks, and Salvation Armies throughout our markets. In addition to Denim Days, we provided support for school children in each of our market areas through our “CONNECT for Wellness” initiative. Our employees collected, donated, and distributed hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, brushes, and combs, etc.) to ten local non-profit agencies focused on supporting children of all ages. Our donations were certainly welcomed and appreciated by the agencies and the kids.
As we look forward in 2022, it is with mixed emotions that on February 15, 2022, we announced the retirement of Mr. Robert E. Bull as a Director of First Keystone Community Bank and First Keystone Corporation, effective April 1, 2022. Mr. Bull has faithfully and loyally served on the Bank’s Board of Directors for 66 years and as Chairman of the Board for 36 years. He is and will always be immensely respected by, not only his fellow Board members, but anyone affiliated with FKCB in any capacity as employee, customer, or shareholder. His genuine concern for all will not be forgotten. While we are saddened to see him leave the Board, we are happy for him and send our wishes for the best of health and happiness in his retirement. Mr. Bull has been elected Director Emeritus.
In connection with the vacancies on both Boards created by Mr. Bull’s retirement, the Directors have voted to elect Whitney B. Holloway as a Director of the Corporation and the Bank, filling Mr. Bull’s unexpired term. She will serve as a director until the 2022 annual meeting of the shareholders, at which time her name will be on the ballot for re-election. For more information, please see the 8-K filed February 15, 2022, which can be found in the Investor Relations section of our website.
As always, we thank and recognize all our employees, officers, and board members for their continued outstanding efforts. We also sincerely thank you for your unwavering support and confidence.
On behalf of everyone at First Keystone Community Bank, we look forward to continuing to serve all your banking needs in the years to come.
Warmest Regards,
Elaine A. Woodland
President and CEO
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The Salvation Army was one of the
non-profit organizations who received a
portion of our DENIM DAY DONATIONS.
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Tina Gray presented
the check to
Captain Jennifer Buzzard.
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Cheryl Sepesi and Joan Henry presented the check to
Major Scott Peabody.
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Marisol Lopez presented
the check to Majors
John and Martha Wheeler.
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Jennifer Groblewski
and Laurie Nudo
presented the check to
Lieutenant Ismal Ortiz.
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TIPS TO HELP TAXPAYERS REDUCE TAX-TIME STRESS! |
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Each tax season comes with unique challenges and 2022 is no exception. The IRS wants taxpayers to get the information they need as quickly as possible. Taxpayers should keep these tips in mind when they get ready to file. Following them will help get this year's taxes done accurately and refunds issued timely.
Avoid errors. Taxpayers should review their tax return so they can file a complete and accurate return and avoid refund delays. Filing electronically is the most accurate way to file. Taxpayers should check all names and double check all Social Security numbers, bank account and routing numbers
Gather records. Good recordkeeping makes preparing a tax return easier. It can also ensure taxpayers do not overlook deductions and credits.
Start with IRS.gov. IRS.gov is available around-the-clock and it's the fastest way to get assistance. Millions of people use IRS.gov for filing and paying taxes, getting information about their accounts or answers to tax questions. The IRS Services Guide outlines the many ways taxpayers can get help from the IRS.
Use online tools. IRS.gov has many useful online tools. The Interactive Tax Assistant provides answers to many tax questions specific to an individual's circumstances. It gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone.
Report all income. Taxpayers must report their taxable income from all sources, including the gig economy, Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, and Forms 1099. Other income may be taxable, even if the taxpayer does not receive a statement
Report unemployment benefits. Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2021, must report the amount as taxable income on their tax return.
Access online account or review IRS letters. This year, people must have the total amounts of their advance child tax credit payments and their Economic Impact Payments on hand when filing. They can check online account or review Letter 6419, 2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments, and Letter 6475, Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment, for their total payment amounts to help them file an accurate return.
For more information from the IRS you can visit their website:
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Record the number and then hang up the phone immediately.
"IRS Phone Scam" in the subject line.
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Saving should be part of everyone's financial plan, whether you need to set aside funds for a new car,
a tropical vacation, or building an emergency fund.
By making some small changes to your everyday
life, you can easily reach your financial goals.
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Here are some more ideas: |
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Keep track of your spending. If you know where your money is going it will be easier to make changes if you need to.
Avoid using credit to pay your bills. While it might make things easier now, using credit only increases your monthly payments in the future.
Cut or downgrade your services. Try to get a cheaper cable, internet and phone plan
Consider signing up for online bill payment. Not only will you save on stamps, but you can make sure your payments are received on time.
Try lowering your energy bill. Turn off appliances and lights when they are
not needed.
Lower the temperature on your water heater. For every 10 degree reduction
in temperature, you can save up to 5 percent on water heating costs.
Cancel unnecessary subscriptions. Uncheck the auto-renew option on any subscriptions you aren't using regularly, such as subscription boxes or streaming services.
Cut down on take-out ordering. Even if the meal is not expensive, doing it frequently can really add up. A $15 pizza once a week will cost your over $700 a year!
Take a "staycation." Though the term may be trendy, the thought behind it is solid: instead of dropping several thousand on airline tickets overseas, look in your own backyard for fun vacations close to home.
Pack your lunch. An obvious money-saving tip is finding everyday savings. If buying lunch at work costs $7, but bringing lunch from home costs only $2, then over the course of a year, you can create a $1,250 emergency fund or make a significant contribution to a college plan or retirement fund.
Annualize you spending. Do you pay $20 a week for snacks at the vending machine at your office? That's $1,000 you're removing from your budget for soda and snacks each year. Suddenly, that habit adds up to a substantial sum.
Use the 24 hour rule. Don't buy an item right away. Instead, institute a 24-hour rule for all things you consider a non-essential purchase. Sure, you might buy it,
or even better, you may realize you really didn’t need it at all!
Calculate purchases by hours worked instead of cost. This mental math tactic really helps you to think like a saver. Take the amount of the item you want to purchase and divide it by your hourly wage. If you are considering a $50 pair of shoes and you make $10 an hour, are those shoes really worth five hours of work?
Unsubscribe. Avoid temptation by unsubscribing from marketing emails and texts from the stores where you spend the most money.
Designate one day a week a "no spend day." Cook at home, and plan out free activities such as game night, watching a movie, or going to the park.
Try the $5 trick. Save all of the $5 bills your receive for an entire year, don’t count or spend any of it until the challenge is complete. Some people have collected thousands of dollars with this method. For people who don’t carry cash, it’s suggested that at the end of each day, you simply transfer uneven funds into a separate savings account.
Visit our website to find the perfect savings account to help you reach your goals!
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Even though it doesn’t feel like it, spring is on its way and the garden will be ready to bloom again. With so much to get done, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed on where to begin. By planning ahead and getting yourself organized, spring chores can be a snap.
Here are some tips to get you started.
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Spring inspection
On one of the first warm days of spring, head out to the garden with a notepad.
It’s time to see what happened in the garden while you were indoors all winter.
Take note of:
- Cold, ice or snow damage on plants
- Beds that will need to be cleaned out
- Hardscaping elements—walls, fences, benches, sheds, trellises—that have shifted, bowed or rotted
- Evidence of new animal burrows from skunks, chipmunks, moles, groundhogs or rabbits.
- Also, note any deer or rodent damage on woody plants.
Now you can make a to-do list of projects to tackle. Prioritize them by setting up a time schedule and make realistic goals to get things checked off your list.
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Address hardscaping issues first
In early spring before the ground is ready to be worked, focus your energy on hardscaping. This is the time to repair damaged retaining walls, level out your stepping stones, clean out your gutters, and fix fences, benches, decks, sheds, trellises, window boxes and raised beds. These tasks are easier to accomplish while your plants are still resting safely dormant. Early spring is also a good time to plan for and build new raised gardens, widen existing ones, and tidy up your beds’ edging. When temperatures allow, add a fresh coat of paint, stain or sealant to any hardscaping elements made of wood.
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Seed starting
Start seeds of vegetables and annuals indoors 6-8 weeks before you plan to set them out. Make a planting schedule so that seedlings are mature at the optimal time for your region. Once soil temperature reaches 40 degrees F, crops such as greens, radishes and peas can be directly sown. Wait until soil temperature warms to 50 degrees F to plant cabbage, onions and Swiss chard. Summer vegetables can be sown in late spring.
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Now is the time to prune roses, (some) shrubs and perennial vines. Remove dead branches and shape plants once new growth appears. Research proper pruning techniques and timing for each variety, and hold off on pruning spring bloomers until after they flower. |
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Divide perennials
Once new growth appears, it’s a good time to divide perennials. Transfer extra clumps into bare spots or give them away to friends. If you belong to a neighborhood gardening group or club, organize a plant swap. It’s a great way to try out new plants for free.
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Add color
Place early season annuals such as pansies and ranunculus around bulbs or in containers for an extra splash of color. Now is the time to plant summer bulbs including lilies and dahlias. Once all danger of frost is past, it’s safe to plant warm-season annuals such as petunias and marigolds. Set out starts of cosmos and sunflowers.
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Remove surface debris such as leaves or mulch from vegetable beds to help warm the soil. To avoid compaction, wait until soil has dried out sufficiently before tilling. If soil crumbles when you try to make a ball, then it's time to work the beds. Add amendments such as aged compost, manure, and trace minerals before planting early crops of lettuce, radishes, kale, peas and onions. Protect young plants from late frosts with a cloche or cold frame. |
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Rejuvenate water features
Remove dirt and debris from water features and clean or replace filters. Turn on pumps and make sure water is circulating properly. For natural water gardens such as ponds or bogs, add beneficial plants or apply other algae control methods to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
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Wildlife friendly
Birds and other wildlife help control pests, balance the ecosystem and add ambience. Install nesting boxes with the proper dimensions and in the right spot to attract particular birds. Provide a consistent, clean water source. Plant natives that offer food sources of nectar, seeds and berries, and make sure there are trees and hedging for nesting habitat and shelter.
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Clean and prep
If you didn’t do so last fall, scrape excess dirt off tools, wash in soapy water and allow to dry thoroughly. Coat metal parts with oil to prevent rust and sharpen pruners and loppers. Power wash decks and patios, then wipe down stored patio furniture and set it outside for the season. Scrub out empty containers and fill with fresh potting soil in preparation for planting.
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Prepare ornamental beds
Start with areas where spring blooming bulbs are peeking out of the ground to spiff up early color displays. Rake out surface debris and cut back perennials and ornamental grasses before new growth appears. Top dress with several inches of homemade compost or well-seasoned manure, which will add slow-release nutrients, suppress weeds and conserve water during warm summer months.
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Be ready to take cover if freezing temperatures are in the forecast.
If you garden in an area where late spring frosts and freezes are a possibility, be prepared to cover up plants that have tender emerging buds or foliage if freezing temps are in the forecast. If the buds haven’t begun to open yet, there’s no need to cover them.
Old sheets and towels that have been relegated to the rag pile are good options, and professional row cover is available for purchase, too. DO NOT cover tender plants with plastic sheeting or tarps. The effect of the plastic touching the newly emerging buds and foliage will magnify the cold’s effect, rather than mitigate it.
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We hope these tips help you get your gardens ready so you can enjoy them during the summer months.
Resource- Garden Design
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19 CONVENIENT BANKING
LOCATIONS FOR YOU!
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111 W. Front Street | Berwick, PA 18603 | Toll Free: (888) 759-2266
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