Author: Chelsea Culp

FNB Bank (FNB) is joining the national effort to protect seniors from becoming victims of fraud and financial abuse through the Safe Banking for Seniors campaign. FNB encourages both seniors and their financial caregivers to utilize these resources to learn about identifying and avoiding scams, preventing identity theft, and preventing elder abuse.

Each year older adults lose approximately $2.9 billion to fraud, but it is suspected that number is drastically underestimated because only 1 in 44 seniors report financial abuse. Safe Banking for Seniors is a new financial education program established by American Bankers Association Foundation to help combat this growing problem.

“Scammers are constantly finding new ways to target consumers, and older adults are often especially vulnerable to these scams,” said Brooke Wiles, FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The Safe Banking for Seniors resources are designed to help our senior customers and their trusted caregivers stay informed, recognize warning signs, and feel empowered to protect themselves and their loved ones from financial fraud.”

FNB offers the following tips for seniors and their financial caregivers:

• Know the warning signs of scams. Scammers are always thinking of new ways to steal from seniors, but knowing the warning signs of scams will help stop fraud in its tracks. Paying fees or taxes for sweepstakes or lottery “winnings”, acting immediately on an offer or insisting on secrecy are characteristics of some types of fraud. When in doubt, talk to a trusted advisor, family member or friend.
• Protect your financial identity. Some scammers are more interested in stealing financial identities to open new credit cards or loans in seniors’ names. Shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away. Never give personal information, including Social Security Number, account number or other financial information to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.
• Choose a responsible financial caregiver. Sadly, family members and friends can also take advantage of seniors and leave them in financial ruin. Plan ahead for the day that you may not be able to manage finances on your own.
• Talk to your banker about options to ease financial caregiving responsibilities. Banks offer services to help seniors and financial caregivers manage finances in accordance with seniors’ needs and desires.

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding $740 million. FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness and has earned three consecutive ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by the FDIC. FNB is a five-time ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner (2021–2024, 2026). The bank currently has ten locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway, Trigg, and Marshall County. FNB is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

As new graduates prepare to transition into the workforce, FNB Bank (FNB) and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) are providing tips to help put them on the road to a prosperous financial future.

“Graduation marks the start of a new chapter — one that often includes new financial responsibilities,” said Brooke Wiles, FNB’s Chief Marketing Officer. “As a trusted financial partner in our community, FNB works with individuals at every stage of their financial journey, helping them evaluate their financial picture and develop a plan aligned with their short- and long-term goals.”

FNB and ICBA offer these tips to help graduates prepare for major financial lifecycle events:

• Start a budget. Use tools to track your income, expenses, and savings. Establishing a budget early helps build strong financial habits and prevents overspending. FNB offers a free interactive budgeting template here.
• Prioritize Debt Management: Consider making extra payments on student loans or refinancing options to lower interest rates. If you have federal student loans, explore income-driven repayment options that adjust your monthly payments based on your income.
• Build a Credit History: Start with a low-limit or secured credit card to build credit. This is critical for future major purchases and may even impact your ability to secure job opportunities. FNB provides instant access to your credit score, credit report and financial education tips on how to improve your score or maintain an already great score with our YourCredit™ feature. It’s built right into our easy-to-use Mobile and Online Banking platforms, so you don’t need a new login. Learn more here.
• Invest in Yourself: Explore opportunities to support professional development. Many employers offer education benefits or tuition reimbursement programs that can offset costs and lead to long-term career growth.
• Automate Savings: Setting up automatic transfers at FNB to a savings account. Even small, regular contributions can grow into significant savings over time and provide a cushion against unexpected life events. Get started saving today by setting up your own automatic transfer in Online or Mobile Banking!
• Understand Taxes: For many new graduates, taxes can be confusing. Ask about financial tools or resources available to ensure you’re filing correctly and maximizing refunds.

“Building sound financial habits early can make a meaningful difference over time,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “By working with a local community banker, individuals can develop and maintain good financial habits, creating a framework to help them develop an action plan and put their finances to work.”

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding $740 million. FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness and has earned three consecutive ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) by the FDIC. FNB is a five-time ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner (2021–2024, 2026). The bank currently has ten locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway, Trigg, and Marshall County. FNB is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation. As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.