Anyone who has ever had a part-time job knows these positions are not just for teenagers who need to get out of the house and earn some spare cash. The greatest benefit of being a part-time worker is your flexibility. Here at the Bank, we try to fit our part-timers into a schedule and location that works for both them and the company. If you’re a parent, they fit well into your children’s schedule. If you are an entrepreneur who is just starting out, a part-time job can help you get your business off the ground and provide a little extra income.

We also understand many of our friends and neighbors have been unemployed or underemployed for some time in this recession. Part-time work offers you time to seek a full-time engagement and it fills a gap in your resume that would otherwise be blank space being in transition. I’ve always heard that it’s easier to find a job when you have one.

Additionally, part-time jobs offer several benefits few people consider. I mentioned flexible work schedules but it’s also a chance to learn more about an industry before pursuing a full-time career in it and sometimes, part-time work is just more available than full-time positions.

We have exciting branch-based teller opportunities for you, a friend or a family member. Check them out on our website or Facebook page and get yours while they last!

Now, there is a process that is just as useful to the environment, that doesn’t require the melting down of materials, but rather requires imagination and a desire to turn something old into something new again. That process is called “Upcycling” –  finding another purpose for an item that’s disposable and old.

In this Brass Magazine article, the author talks about the basics of “upcycling,” how to start and what to look for. Take it as far as your imagination goes – like messenger bags from old jeans, bottle caps into jewelry or even coasters out of corks. Who knows, you may even turn your upcycling into a business! http://www.brassmagazine.com/article/repurpose-driven-life-giving-old-items-new-image

• - Speak clearly
• - Treat customers fairly
• - Maintain open communication with regulators
• - Tell our own story
• - Do things right the first time

The Connecticut Banker’s Association just released its 2012 Community Involvement Survey of its 32 community banks, including of course, First County Bank. The results are impressive. Our small group of banks made $19.5Million in Charitable Donations providing financial support to 7,500 non-profits in Connecticut. Not only did community banks write the check but also 4,100 of employees of these community banks contributed 267,000 hours of volunteer time to a number of organizations, some of which are during the workday, but are mainly after hours.

Additionally, a majority of us have foundations to support our giving and financial literacy programs to educate our young people on the importance of budgeting, savings, and home ownership.

As impressive as these number are, they have been consistent with prior years’ results and really underscore our commitment to the communities we work and live in.

As I tell my team at First County Bank, “Let’s all get caught doing something good.”

1.      Make sure the lawn is cut, leaves are raked and holes are filled in and seeded

2.      Place fresh mulch around the foundation and plant some flowers

3.      Remove shrubs that are not thriving

4.      Add potted flowering pots on the front steps for color

5.      Make sure walkways are even and stepping stones are not cracked or broken

6.      Pull weeds and trim back overgrown bushes blocking the windows

7.      Paint the front door and touch up peeling paint around the trim on windows

8.      Purchase a new front door

9.      Power wash dust or mold on siding

10.  Seal cracked driveways and make sure there are no holes or depressions

11.  Have windows cleaned

12.  Replace or paint faded shutters/repair any cracked windows

13.  Remove toys, bicycles, garden ornaments, etc.

14.  Remove dead trees, brush or branches

15.  Discard old and worn out patio furniture

16.  Remove empty flower pots

17.  Have torn window and door screens repaired

18.  Repair and paint fencing

19.  Provide adequate exterior lighting for early evening showings

James W. Lyman, Owner, View Entertainment based in Norwalk

“I need a partner that moves as quickly as I do and First County Bank does that for me.” ~ James Lyman

James W. Lyman is a busy entrepreneur, and his business moves quickly. He’s the owner/operator of View Entertainment based in Norwalk that specializes in Video and DVD distribution. Serving the entertainment industry primarily, View Entertainment has been in business for more than 20 years. James is the kind of entrepreneur who likes fast answers from people who hear what he’s saying and think about what he needs. He believes in partnership and wants to work with like-minded people who are true community partners. It’s this mind-set that brought him to partner with First County Bank, that and his desire to support local business.

“First County Bank knows what’s important to me. They get that I want new technology to make my company run more efficiently so they make a point of keeping me up-to-speed with the latest innovations like initiating wires online and depositing checks electronically from our offices, “said James Lyman. “But what I like most is that they are truly a community-driven organization. Like me, they’re involved in many of Stamford’s youth sports programs, and that kind of commitment speaks volumes to me. They aren’t just interested in the success of my business, they’re interested in the success of our community.”

Proximity to his business as well as the Bank’s community involvement was what drew Lyman to First County Bank at first, however Lyman emphasized that First County Bank’s personalized attention, rapid response and skilled managers and staff is what keeps him there. He went on to say, “First County Bank is ‘old school’, going out of their way to answer any questions or provide the specific service I need.”

To find out how First County Bank can help you or to learn about other services we offer, please visit any of our branches or call a Relationship Manager at 203-462-4481.

In keeping with this yearly tradition of helping to sustain a healthier environment and protect our planet, the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has put together more than 40 environmental tips to incorporate into daily living including activities such as attracting Blue Birds to your yard, clean boating and supporting your local farmer’s market. Visit: Environmental Tips for Earth Day and Every Day for tips and more!

My wife, Cheryl, who is a board member of this organization, and I are chairing a fundraising dinner for Laurel House on May 4^th. We are pleased and honored to be able to volunteer our time and effort to this truly worthwhile agency. For those of you who may not be familiar, Laurel House provides Resources to Recover, a robust array of integrated services and expertise to people with mental illness and their families across numerous communities in Connecticut.

The emphasis at Laurel House is on recovery – a tenet that Cheryl and I strongly support. You can certainly have some fun along the way. The Laurel House event is themed around Kentucky Derby Day, complete with ladies hats, jockey silks and a few Mint Juleps thrown in for good measure.

The team at First County Bank has committed untold hours, energy and money to support local nonprofit agencies. It’s certainly part of our DNA as a community bank and often times the causes that these nonprofits support become personal to our employees as they believe in the mission and embrace the organization. That’s when for many of us, it’s the perfect match.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of my team at First County Bank and to each of you who have also taken the time, energy and personal resources to volunteer for a nonprofit organization. The nonprofit community more than survives through our volunteer efforts – it truly helps them to thrive, providing much needed services throughout our community.

“We’ve seen much success in terms of fan engagement with previous giveaways as both our earlier and newer fans are loyal and active,” said Karen Kelly, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer at First County Bank. “This kind of promotion is fun and generates excitement among participants. And it’s a great way to appreciate our customers as well as our fans, especially during Community Banking Month.”

For the Official Rules of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 Giveaway visit: http://www.firstcountybank.com/official-rules-and-regulations