Lakeland Financial (NASDAQ: LKFN) appoints new chief credit officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lakeland Financial Corporation appointed Donald J. Robinson-Gay, age 48, as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of both the company and its banking subsidiary, Lake City Bank, effective January 14, 2026. He joined the bank in 2018, has held progressively senior credit roles in the Fort Wayne and Warsaw markets, and most recently led the Credit division as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.

In connection with his new position, Robinson-Gay entered into a Change in Control Agreement in the same form used for certain other named executive officers, with the form agreement and a prior summary incorporated by reference. He will receive an annual salary and participate in the compensation and benefit plans available to the company’s executive officers. A press release announcing his appointment is filed as an exhibit.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0000721994FALSE00007219942026-01-142026-01-14

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549  

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2026  

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) 

Indiana

0-11487

35-1559596

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

202 East Center Street,
Warsaw			,			Indiana			46580
(Address of principal executive offices)									(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (574) 267-6144

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value

LKFN

The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (s230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (s240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On January 15, 2026, Lakeland Financial Corporation (the "Company") announced that Donald J. Robinson-Day, age 48, was appointed an Executive Vice President and the Chief Credit Officer of the Company and Lake City Bank (the "Bank"), the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, effective January 14, 2026. Mr. Robinson-Gay joined the Bank in 2018 as Vice President and Credit Administration Officer with responsibility for the Bank’s Fort Wayne and Warsaw markets. On July 14, 2020, Mr. Robinson-Gay was promoted to Senior Vice President and Regional Credit Officer and was most recently promoted to lead the Credit division as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer on January 30, 2023. In compensation for his service, Mr. Robinson-Gay will receive an annual salary and shall be entitled to participate in all compensation and benefit plans available to the executive officers of the Company and the Bank pursuant to the terms of such plans.

In connection with his appointment, on January 14, 2026, the Company entered into a Change in Control Agreement with Mr. Robinson-Gay in the form previously entered into with certain of the Company's named executive officers, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1, and a summary of which is included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Company's 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the Security and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2025, which summary is incorporated by reference herein. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Change in Control Agreement, which is incorporated by reference.

The press release relating to Mr. Robinson-Gay’s appointment issued on January 15, 2026, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)Exhibits

10.1 Form of Change in Control Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2016)

99.1 Press Release issued by Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank on January 15, 2026

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Dated:  January 15, 2026			By:			/s/ Lisa M. O’Neill
						Lisa M. O’Neill
						Executive Vice President
						and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What does Lakeland Financial (LKFN) report in this 8-K filing?

The filing reports that Donald J. Robinson-Gay has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank, effective January 14, 2026, and that he has entered into a Change in Control Agreement in connection with this role.

Who is Donald J. Robinson-Gay and what is his new role at LKFN?

Donald J. Robinson-Gay, age 48, is an experienced credit executive who joined Lake City Bank in 2018 and has held several senior credit positions. He has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank.

When is Donald J. Robinson-Gay’s appointment as chief credit officer effective?

His appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank is effective January 14, 2026.

What compensation arrangements apply to the new chief credit officer at Lakeland Financial?

In his new role, Donald J. Robinson-Gay will receive an annual salary and is entitled to participate in all compensation and benefit plans that are available to the executive officers of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank, subject to the terms of those plans.

What is the Change in Control Agreement mentioned in the Lakeland Financial 8-K?

The filing states that Lakeland Financial entered into a Change in Control Agreement with Donald J. Robinson-Gay on January 14, 2026, using the same form previously entered into with certain named executive officers. A copy of this form agreement is incorporated by reference, and a summary appears in the company’s 2025 definitive proxy statement.

Does the Lakeland Financial 8-K include any exhibits related to this management change?

Yes. The filing lists as exhibits the form of Change in Control Agreement (incorporated by reference) and a press release issued by Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank on January 15, 2026 announcing Donald J. Robinson-Gay’s appointment.