Zach Ponder has been in banking since earning his bachelor’s in business administration from McKendree University in Lebanon, IL in 2009.  He joined INB in 2021 after serving as a branch manager and, later, a commercial portfolio manager, at banks in Edwardsville, St. Louis and Peoria.

While working in St. Louis, Zach went on calls with business officers, giving him an opportunity to learn about small businesses.  Later, he started making small business loans. That led to his interest in commercial lending.  Today, his goal is to help build strong businesses, many of which are re-evaluating themselves as they emerge from the pandemic.

Zach and his wife, Lauren, moved to Peoria from the St. Louis area in 2016. As new parents, they wanted to be near his wife’s family. Zach quickly got involved in the community, starting with joining Kiwanis. He says he chose Kiwanis because he was part of the organization in Edwardsville and thought it would be a good way to get plugged in and get to know some more people.

He is also part of the Make-A-Wish Regional Council in Peoria and is a Junior Achievement and Reading Buddies volunteer.  But most of his free time is devoted to his family. Will, 5, and Caroline, 1, and wife, Lauren.

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