It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention. No more true is that than in the case of the rise of the Mommy Blogger. The economic downturn that started around 2007 forced many families to look at alternate ways to earn a living and many stay at home moms were challenged with the task of going back to work to help support their families. Others took action in a different way – blogging. Some started their own blogs, others contributed to blogs, while many were hired by companies like Procter and Gamble to market test and influence other moms. What became collectively known was that these moms had a voice that was powerful, persuasive and could influence purchase decisions among other moms and other consumers. So, this ‘necessity’ gave birth to hundreds upon thousands of mommy bloggers who became advocates, leaders, supporters of causes, influencers and ….breadwinners.

Today, it’s become an ‘industry’ all to itself, with about 3.9 million moms or 14% of moms in the US blogging. This, according to a recent article in Mashable.com that provides the latest stats on the mommy blogger and a peak at the top 10 power moms. On average, mommy bloggers make about $84,000, $14,000 higher than the non-mommy blogger! The average age of the mommy blogger is about 37 years old and more than likely has a college degree or post-graduate degree. Of the 3.9 million moms, 500 are considered the most influential, among them award winning authors, TV celebrities and business owners. Interestingly, the largest concentration of mommy bloggers are in the Salt Lake City area with Seattle and Tacoma Washington a close second. (more…)

First County Bank today announced its sponsorship of the 35th annual Norwalk Seaport Association’s Oyster Festival to be held Sept. 7-9, at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk.

The bank has been an ongoing supporter of the festival since 2007, increasing its financial commitment each year culminating as the event’s presenting sponsor.

“We are proud to participate as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Oyster Festival and building on the success and enthusiasm surrounding Norwalk Seaport Association’s mission of celebrating and raising public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime heritage,” said Rey Giallongo, chairman and CEO of First County Bank. “As a community bank, our commitment to supporting local nonprofit organizations has always been to give people in our communities a voice and a chance to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.” (more…)

Cove Island Park in Stamford will be bustling with people this Sunday, May 6th, walking for an important cause – The 6th Annual Walk for Independence. Sponsored by the nonprofit organization Always Reaching for Independence (ARI) of Connecticut and First County Bank, the three mile Walk for Independence will raise money for ARI’s programs which help adults with disabilities find jobs and homes.

First County Bank has been a long-standing supporter of ARI and has also supported the individualized Home Supports Program through the First County Bank Foundation. (more…)

When Stamford native Jim Ferraro was a student at Trinity Catholic High School, he worked part time at Stamford Florist as a delivery boy. When he graduated they offered him a full time position and shortly after the owners asked if he wanted to take over the business. He discussed the opportunity with his family and decided to say yes. In 1977 at the early age of 20, Jim Ferraro became the small business owner of Stamford Florist.

“I knew that, at minimum, if I upheld the same business standards of service and quality we would succeed. Always answer the phone with a smile. The word ‘no’ is not an option,” says Ferraro. (more…)

The First County Bank Foundation today announced the availability of its 2012 CommunityFirst grant applications for nonprofit organizations in lower Fairfield County. The CommunityFirst Grant Program is defined as grants of $2,500 or less as long as the nonprofit organization supports community or economic development, or children and families. And $1,000 or less if the nonprofit applicant falls outside of grant parameters.
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‘Competing in the Global Economy: What Works’

New Canaan Library announces that Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, will be this year’s speaker for the library’s annual Conversations with Business Leaders lecture on Sunday, May 6. The event will be held at 5 p.m. in the Seldin Performing Arts Center at the St. Luke’s School.

Conversations with Business Leaders, sponsored by First County Bank, presents a rare opportunity to learn from some of the most dynamic leaders in the business world. Immelt is the ninth chairman of GE, a post he has held since Sept. 7, 2001, and has been named one of the “World’s Best CEOs” three times by Barron’s. He will address the timely and crucial topic of the world’s economy with his lecture “Competing in the Global Economy: What Works.” Immelt has held several global leadership positions since joining GE including roles in GE’s Plastics, Appliance, and Healthcare businesses. (more…)

(Pictured from l. to r.) Paul Hertz, John Hertz, (co-owners of Hertz Construction), Jayme Stevenson, Darien First Selectman, Rick Zaremski, First County Bank senior vice president and director commercial lending, and Jim Darling, First County Bank vice president business banking.

Jayme Stevenson, Darien’s First Selectman, joins John and Paul Hertz of Hertz Construction and their banking partner, First County Bank, to celebrate the completion of the first of eight smart-sized green homes in a new residential development called Noroton Green. It is the first planned unit development in Darien. It is a community with 30 percent of the land specifically designated as open space and the first development in Darien to be Green Certified using National Association of Home Builders standards. (more…)

First County Bank and the Friends of New Canaan Library are once again sponsoring the Friends Film Discussion Series. The discussion groups are fun and lively events that are free and open to the public. During each meeting, two films will be discussed. Multiple copies of the films are available at the library for viewing prior to discussion night. The spring sessions which run from March through June will also feature free pizza, wine and beer, as well as other refreshments. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m. when “The Fall” and “The Station Agent” will be discussed.

The 2012 spring series, which had its first meeting on March 15, runs through Thursday, June 21, and is led by Jeff Zaino, systems librarian, and Friend’s committee member George McEvoy. The discussions will cover eight independent films and are held in the Plaut Room of the library. Although movies are not shown on discussion nights, multiple copies of each film are available at the library to view before each meeting. Registration is required and can be done on the library’s Web site: newcanaanlibrary.org or by calling 203-594-5040. (more…)

We’ve all heard the old idiom, “If it’s not broke don’t fix it” which suggests it would be a mistake to improve on something that works. We at First County Bank know this to be true. In more than 160 years, our mission has not changed; it has been and continues to be the foundation of how we operate as a community bank. It is a mission that is more a tradition than a statement, a way of ‘being’ as a model member of our community.

However, as evolution is a necessary process in the growth of any existence, human, business or otherwise, we recently made a corporate decision to look at how to further enhance the existing mission to better serve the needs and desires of our customers in today’s reality.

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You’re never too old to play with LEGOS, or to have fun! New Canaan Library’s first annual LOTTA LEGOS fundraiser, sponsored by First County Bank, will be held on Saturday, April 14. Judge the submissions, enjoy the refreshments, or just spend some quality play time. The event will be held in the St. Aloysius School gymnasium at 33 South Ave. in New Canaan, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

All ages are invited to enter individually, or the entire family can get in on the action with a family creation. Prizes will be awarded by age group for the following categories: best transportation, best architecture, best action scene, favorite New Canaan place or activity.

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