When spring rolls around, Pam Cain gets the itch to get her hands in the dirt.

“My mom always had the most beautiful garden and flowering trees,” Pam, INB’s Peoria branch manager, shares. “She loved nature. That love for gardening is something I’ve carried with me ever since I was young.”

Pam’s flower beds are now full of well-established perennials, and she fills the rest each year with vibrant annuals. But it’s the vegetable garden she shares with her husband that brings the most satisfaction.

“We plant all kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, hot peppers—even sunflowers for the birds,” she said. “There’s nothing like a fresh cucumber and onion salad, or homemade salsa with vegetables you grew yourself.”

This spring, Pam’s trying something new: growing Sugar Baby watermelons. She’ll be planting them at home—and in a pot at the Peoria branch.

“We’ll do a little comparison,” she laughed. “I’ve never grown watermelons before, but I do know they need space. We’ll see what works best!”

Pam’s best advice for gardening newcomers? “Keep it simple. Invest in good dirt, maybe till in some compost, and expect to spend time weeding. A small garden tiller makes all the difference for us.”

From Tomatoes to Teamwork: Growing at INB

This season, Pam’s not the only one planting something new. At INB, we’re launching a campaign titled, “You’re One in a Melon.”  It’s a referral program that celebrates the joy of growth, both in the garden and in your financial life.

Starting April 1, INB customers can stop by their local branch for a free packet of Sugar Baby watermelon seeds. We're encouraging everyone to grow their own melon and share their gardening success on social media by tagging @IChooseINB.

But even more exciting? This is your chance to refer a friend to open a checking account and grow together — just like our Peoria team members do in their gardens. 

Meet Nicole: From Lavender to Laughter

For Nicole, INB’s Senior Teller in Peoria, gardening didn’t start with joy—it started with a little resistance.

“My grandma and mom loved to garden. When I was little, I hated it!” she admitted. “But as a homeowner, I now see how rewarding it is. Gardening helps you feel good, enjoy the sunshine, and make your home look beautiful.”

Nicole especially loves growing flowers and herbs in her backyard. Her favorite? Lavender.

“I use it in so many things—essential oils, teas, lotions. And the bright purple color makes me happy every time I see it.”

While she hasn’t grown watermelons herself, her mom has. “Her tip? Never let the soil go dry!”

Gardening brings plenty of relaxing moments, but Nicole has had her fair share of surprises too. “The very first time I gardened flowers in my front yard light pole area, I reached for the soil feed and a bird came right into the bag. I screamed and yelled and didn’t go back outside ‘til the next day lol.”  “So silly, right!?” she adds.

She loves how gardening helps her recharge. “It’s a way to get outside, get some sun, move around, and feel like you accomplished something real.”

Plant the Seed

At INB, we think good banking is a lot like gardening. It starts with a strong foundation, the right tools, and people who care about your growth.

As Nicole put it:

“INB is like top-quality soil. We’ve got the resources—sun, water, and air—to help people thrive. I see our customers grow here, and that’s what makes this place special.”

So grab your seed packet, start your garden, and think about who you could invite to grow with you. Whether it’s a friend who needs a new checking account or a neighbor who’s always wanted to try gardening, this spring is the perfect time to plant the seed.

Let’s grow together!