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When life takes an unexpected turn, a financial safety net can make all the difference. Whether it’s a medical bill, sudden car repair, or temporary loss of income, an emergency fund helps you navigate the unexpected without upending your financial goals. At FNBC Bank & Trust, we’re committed to helping individuals and families build real financial resilience through practical, personalized planning.

This guide walks you through the essential steps to creating and maintaining an emergency fund you can rely on.

Determine Your Goal Amount

The first step to building an emergency fund is defining what you’re working toward. A common benchmark is three to six months of essential living expenses, but your number should reflect your lifestyle, job stability, and household needs. If that feels overwhelming, start smaller. Your initial milestone might simply be $500 or $1,000 to cover basic, urgent expenses.

How FNBC Helps Set the Right Target

FNBC’s wealth advisors can help you calculate a savings goal based on your budget and priorities, ensuring your emergency fund fits within a broader financial plan that also includes retirement, education savings, and investments.

Open a Dedicated Account

Keeping emergency funds separate from everyday checking helps prevent accidental spending and provides a clear view of your progress. FNBC offers traditional, secure savings options designed for accessibility and protection.

FNBC Account Options for Emergency Funds

• Savings Accounts – Simple and reliable for everyday emergency savings
  
  

• Money Market Accounts – Added flexibility and check access with liquidity
  
  

• Certificates of Deposit (CDs) – Optional for those who want to secure a portion of funds longer-term
  
  

All FNBC savings accounts are FDIC-insured, giving you confidence as your emergency fund grows.

FNBC’s Savings Team can help you select the best account and set up tools that support consistent savings habits.

Make Saving Automatic

Consistency is often more important than the dollar amount. Automating regular transfers into your emergency fund ensures steady growth without requiring constant effort or decision-making.

FNBC Tools to Support Your Progress

• Scheduled transfers through online and mobile banking

• Paycheck-aligned contributions to build habits

• Optional account alerts to track milestones and celebrate progress

Automation turns saving into a habit, not a hurdle.

Direct Extra Funds to Savings

Unexpected income such as bonuses, tax refunds, or gifts can give your emergency fund a meaningful boost. Redirecting even a portion of those funds helps you reach your goal faster without straining your regular budget.

Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals:
FNBC’s wealth advisors can help you determine how to allocate windfalls across emergency savings, debt reduction, and long-term planning  ensuring every dollar supports your broader financial picture.

Use Your Fund Only for True Emergencies

An emergency fund is designed for serious, unforeseen needs, not predictable bills or planned purchases. Clearly defining what qualifies as an emergency helps preserve your fund for when it’s truly needed.

Valid Uses Might Include:

• Job loss or reduction in income

• Major medical or dental expenses

• Urgent home or auto repairs
  
  

Guidance from FNBC During Critical Moments:
If a significant expense arises, FNBC can help you explore strategic options — such as adjusting cash flow or determining whether it’s the appropriate time to consider a refinance so your long-term plan remains intact even during short-term stress.

Replenish After Use

If you need to use your emergency fund, rebuilding it should become a temporary priority. Treat replenishment like a bill:  steady contributions until the safety net is restored.

Rebuilding Strategies with FNBC

• Increasing automatic transfers short-term

• Redirecting discretionary spending

• Using tax refunds or year-end bonuses to restore the balance
  
  

FNBC’s Savings and Wealth teams can help you revise your budget while keeping your long-term goals on track.

The FNBC Bank & Trust Difference

An emergency fund isn’t just financial — it’s emotional. It provides calm in stressful times, freedom in decision-making, and confidence in the future. FNBC supports that security through:

• Savings Solutions structured for protection and discipline

• Strategic Guidance to align savings with broader financial goals

• Wealth Planning to incorporate emergency reserves into long-term strategy

At FNBC, financial stability is never left to chance … it’s built with intention.

Start Building Your Emergency Fund Today

Whether you’re saving your first $500 or building toward six months of expenses, FNBC Bank & Trust is here to help you create a durable financial foundation.

Ready to take the first step?

Visit a branch, open an account online, or schedule a conversation with an FNBC advisor to build an emergency savings plan that supports your future.