Zachary Ponder,

VP, Commercial Lender, Peoria

NMLS # 836692

Zach Ponder has worked in banking since earning his bachelor’s in Business Administration from McKendree University in 2009.  He joined INB in 2021 after serving as a branch manager and 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 gain firsthand insight into the needs and challenges of small businesses. Later, he started making small business loans, which led to his interest in commercial lending.

Today, Zach serves as VP, Commercial Lending for INB Peoria. He is focused on helping local businesses grow alongside INB – “a rising tide lifts all boats,” as he puts it.

Zach and his wife, Lauren, moved to Peoria from the St. Louis area in 2016 to be closer to family as they started raising their children. Zach quickly got involved in the community, starting with joining Kiwanis – reconnecting with an organization he had previously been part of in Edwardsville – as a way to build relationships and give back.

His community involvement has continued to expand. Zach serves as fundraising chair for Make-A-Wish Regional Council in Peoria and volunteers with Junior Achievement. Now that Zach and his wife have three active kids, he is also involved with their school, serving as PTO Board Secretary and as a member of the Annual Gala Fundraiser committee, including time as Sponsorship Committee Chair.

In 2025, Zach was recognized as one of Peoria’s 40 Leaders Under Forty, honoring his professional achievements and community leadership.