Yesterday's Traditions.
Tomorrow's Vision.
19 Convenient Locations
Phone: 1.888.759.2266
Volume 6 - Issue 1
May 2023
Greetings!

We know that many of you have read and continue watching the news about recent bank failures, and while we cannot comment on the specific challenges at these institutions, we understand that you may have lingering questions and wonder what sets First Keystone Community Bank apart from these banks.
 
First Keystone Community Bank (FKCB) was chartered nearly 160 years ago to serve our community. We remain committed today, nearly sixteen decades later,
to the same standards and principles that laid the foundation for the solid community institution that First Keystone has become:
  • FKCB has a relationship-based business model committed to building long-term trust with our customers.
  • All decisions are made locally.
  • We live and work in your community. Your success is our success.
  • Our loan and deposit portfolios are well diversified throughout our market areas, which include Columbia, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Montour, Union and Snyder Counties.
  • Our commercial loan portfolio consists of businesses in a wide variety of industries.
  • You have access to our experienced teams, and we always stand ready to assist you with any of your questions.
  • FKCB’s risk management processes result in strong capital, comparing well to our peers.
  • Our strategic plan prioritizes safety and soundness, profitability, and growth – in that order.
  • We are well-positioned to serve our customers and our communities. We’ve been doing so for nearly 160 years.
  • Our Board of Directors, management and the entire staff are firmly focused on increasing value for our customers, our communities, and our shareholders.
  • FKCB is FDIC insured.
 
According to the FDIC, no one has ever lost a dime of FDIC-insured deposits up to $250,000. If you have questions about your coverage or would like to learn more about FDIC insurance and how it works, we encourage you to access the following resources or give us a call directly at 570-752-3671 or 1-888-759-2266.

I also have some exciting news to share about several of our employees! Earlier this month, the Board of Directors recognized their talent and dedication to the bank with the following promotions:
  • Vice President to Sr. Vice President: Kevin M Krieger, Rebecca Hooper
  • Assistant Vice President to Vice President: Lauren Duane, Kathy Jarski, Sandy Cole, John Dougherty, Kim Shiner
  • Officer to Assistant Vice President: Stacy Gordner, Yolanda Francis, Levi Diltz, Melanie Fisher
  • Promotion to Officer: Joan Henry, Geovany Elias, Jennifer Groblewski, Dylan Woodard, Alex Klinger, Dawn Bettinger, Jordan Beach
 
Speaking of exciting news, we are very happy to announce the opening of our 19th full-service branch, which is located at 1503 Linden Street, in Bethlehem, PA. Photos of our new office are featured in this newsletter, but better yet, next time you are in the Lehigh Valley, please stop in. We’d love to see you!
 
In addition, we want to take a moment to highlight some of our community support initiatives. Please note that in 2022, in addition to the bank’s financial support of over $215,000 to more than 200 non-profit agencies, our employees donated $9,500 of their own hard-earned funds and more than 2,300 hours of their own time in volunteer work. We are so proud of our employees!
 
As always, we thank and recognize all of our employees, officers, and Board of Directors for their continued outstanding efforts. We also sincerely thank you and are grateful for your unwavering support and confidence.
 
Warmest regards,
Elaine A. Woodland
President and CEO
OUR 19TH BRANCH
IT IS WITH GREAT HONOR THAT WE ARE ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF OUR NEW FULL-SERVICE BRANCH IN BETHLEHEM.

This new office demonstrates our commitment to serving local communities and helping them thrive! We cannot wait to help the people of the Lehigh Valley with all of their banking needs.
WE CELEBRATED WITH A GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING!
We had gorgeous weather, good food, live music and summer raffles! It was nice to meet so many neighbors. We are excited to be part of such a wonderful community in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley.
INTRODUCING
KEYSTONE FIRST
An account to teach youth ages 13-17 smart financial habits and give them access to their first debit card.
Mistakes happen- Here’s when to file an amended return
Even after making every effort to file a complete and accurate tax return, mistakes can happen. When taxpayers realize that the tax return they filed has a math error, missing income or other mistake, they may wonder if they need to correct it by filing an amended return. 

The Interactive Tax Assistant can help taxpayers decide if they need to file an amended return.
Taxpayers can use the Should I File an Amended Return? tool in the Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov to help decide if they should correct an error or make other changes to the tax return they already filed.

Math errors and missing schedules don't usually require an amended return.
Taxpayers usually do not need to file an amended return to fix a math error or if they forgot to attach a form or schedule. The IRS will correct the math error while processing the tax return and notify the taxpayer by mail. The agency will send a letter requesting any missing forms or schedules.

There are times when an amended return is necessary.
A taxpayer will need to file an amended return if there’s a change to their:

  • Filing status
  • Income
  • Deductions
  • Credits
  • Tax liability

Filing an amended tax return is easy.
Taxpayers should use Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040-series return or to change amounts previously adjusted by the IRS. Taxpayers can file Form 1040-X electronically for their 2020, 2021 or 2022 Forms 1040 or 1040-SR. Additionally, they can electronically amend Form 1040-NR and Form 1040-SS/PR for tax year 2021 and 2022. Taxpayers who file their amended return electronically may choose to receive any refund by direct deposit to their bank account. This option is not available for those who file on paper.


Tools are available to help track the status of an amended return.
Taxpayers can check the status of their Form 1040-X using the Where's My Amended Return? online tool or by calling 866-464-2050 three weeks after filing. Both tools are available in English and Spanish and track the status of amended returns for the current year and up to three prior years.

When using either tool, taxpayers will need to enter their taxpayer identification number, such as a Social Security number, along with their date of birth and ZIP code to prove their identity. Once authenticated, they can view the status of their amended return across three processing stages: received, adjusted and completed.

Taxpayers expecting a refund should not file an amended return before their original return has processed.
The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who filed electronically and chose direct deposit. Some returns have errors or need more review and may take longer to process.


For more information from the
IRS, you can visit their website:
Consult with your accountant or tax advisor.
Always report loss of money to a job scam.
Protect yourself from scams.

COMMUNITY IMPACT
With the change of the seasons, it's always
a good idea to take a look at your home
and complete a simple home maintenance checklist. Here are a few ideas to help
get your home in good shape.
INSPECT THE ROOF. Winter storms can take quite a toll on the roof. Start by making a simple visual inspection of your roof. Look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged or missing, or anything that simply doesn’t look right. If you notice anything that needs closer inspection or repair, call a roofer.
CLEAN GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS. Clean all debris and leaves out of the downspouts and gutters. Reattach the gutters if they are sagging or consider replacing them if they are beyond repair. Notice any holes? Prevent leaks by caulking them. Keep in mind that downspouts should face away from your home to improve drainage.
INSPECT DRIVEWAYS AND PATHS. Freezing and thawing is rough on concrete, asphalt, and other hardscaping materials. Take a walk around your property to look for damage to walkways, paths, and driveways, and schedule repairs as needed. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.

CHECK OUT THE DECK. When inspecting your deck, look for water stains, warping or discoloration. Watch out for loose or rusty nails and perform any necessary maintenance to secure stairs and railings. If you find lifting or rotting boards, replace them.
CHECK SCREEN DOORS AND WINDOWS. Before setting up your screens for the warm months ahead, be sure to carefully check each one and repair any holes or tears, no matter how small. You can find screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores. This is also a good time to wash your windows.
DRAIN YOUR WATER HEATER. Sediment builds up in your water heater tank. Use the spigot near the bottom of the heater to drain it. By doing so, you’ll prolong its life and reduce your electric bill.
PERFORM ROUTINE HOME SAFETY CHECKS. safety and emergency features are easy to forget about because you don’t use them often. Performing routine checks can be beneficial. Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check fire extinguishers to make sure the needle is in the green zone. Exhaust fans should also be working well.
CHECK THE WASHING MACHINE FILL HOSE. A leaky hose under pressure can cause major damage in a short period of time, so you want to look for cracks that could become leaks.

CLEAN THE DRYER VENT. Not all lint gets caught in the lint trap; some makes its way into the dryer vent. A clean vent will save you money by reducing the time your dryer has to run, while a plugged vent not only wastes money, but could cause a house fire.
CLEAN THE FURNACE. After working overtime during the winter, your furnace could probably use some TLC. Clean the motor, filler system and blower of your furnace system. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, contact an HVAC technician.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS SUMMER!

IF YOU FIND REPAIRS THAT ARE TOO BIG FOR DIY AND YOU NEED A LOAN...
19 CONVENIENT BANKING
LOCATIONS FOR YOU!
111 W. Front Street | Berwick, PA 18603 | Toll Free: (888) 759-2266
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