Earlier this year, Jenny Broughton, Jamie Singer, and I shared a laughter-filled walk down memory lane. These two remarkable women have been with INB since 1999, the year we opened. Here’s an outtake of our discussion; my hope is that by reading it, you’ll see how special INB employees are.

Dusting off the Early Days

Jenny Broughton, our deposit operations officer, began her banking career as a teller. She came to INB after First of America merged with National City. She says she took the job with our unproven entity because she was ready for a change. On day one, she showed up at Charlie Robbins' office, where staff worked until we could move into our permanent location. Jenny walked into what looked like disarray.  She elaborates: “I walked into whiteboards, boxes, chairs, and Cathy LeConte – executive assistant -- at a little folding table with flowcharts everywhere. It was chaotic, but I knew I wanted to be part of it."

Jamie Singer’s banking journey began when she was in high school "I started working in 1997 with First of America while at Lanphier High School. I was just 17 years old and had no idea what I was doing, but it was an exciting time.” When she came to INB in 1999, she was the youngest person on staff.  “I felt like I had a lot to prove," she says. Today, Jamie is INB’s vice president, deposit operations.

Reflecting on our move to the Capitol Avenue address, Jenny recalls it wasn’t quite the office she had anticipated. "I couldn’t believe I’d be working here. It was a mess! The place was dusty and filled with old furniture." Jamie added, "It was interesting to see the transformation.” The three of us actually worked through the transformation, hard hats and all!

322 E. Capitol is still INB’s headquarters. In our 25 years, we’ve renovated two other historic buildings on Fourth Street between Capitol Ave. and Jackson St.  Because of our footprint, Jamie has spent almost all her INB career in the complex. “Being downtown,” she says, “you see all walks of life. I often feel like a counselor, helping people improve their lives, which makes me appreciate my own life more.  More importantly, interactions like this remind me of the human side of banking.”

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change

The past two decades have brought significant changes to the banking industry. Jamie points out, "ATM cards and direct deposit were big innovations. Later, debit cards and digital banking transformed how we operate. FedNow is expected to have a big impact in the coming years."

Given the change, our long-tenured employees have had to adapt. Jenny highlights the importance of continuous learning and teamwork. She has this advice for anyone just starting out: "Get a training mentor, work hard, and respect your team. Understand why you're asked to do things; this will help you see how everything fits together.”

My own advice is to not get too comfortable with your job.  Take your experience and knowledge apply it to something else.  It’s in the uncomfortable that you see what you can do.

I used this philosophy when I asked Jamie to head up Deposit Operations for us. She’d worked in our Retail and Treasury departments. As Jamie explains it, “I had front-end experience, and Sarah wanted me to use that experience to make the back-end the best it could be.” Jamie was anxious about taking on the task, but she is definitely the right person for the job.

Jamie’s tips on career advancement? "I would tell any new employee to find what interests them and learn as much as possible. Don't say no. Figure it out and be motivated to learn more."

Building a Positive Work Environment

Managing people comes with its own set of challenges. Jamie shares, "I've had to terminate employees and deal with difficult situations. Sometimes, we're just not the right fit for someone, which can be hard."

Despite these challenges, our focus remains on building relationships and a positive work environment. Jamie's approach is to be like a coach. "I love seeing someone become an expert. I try to see the potential in our employees and to help them be incredible. They are better than me now."

Conclusion: A Journey of Dedication and Passion

When I talk to long-tenured employees and reflect on our journey, it's clear that INB's success is rooted in the dedication and passion of its employees. From our early days of whiteboards and folding tables to navigating modern challenges, we've always been a community-focused institution. As we celebrate 25 years, we remain committed to our values of caring and community support. I’m looking forward to more years of growth and success at INB.