[DEF 14A] LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORP Definitive Proxy Statement

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Lakeland Financial Corporation is asking shareholders to vote at its 2026 Annual Meeting, to be held virtually on April 14, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Shareholders can vote online at ProxyVote.com by April 13, 2026, with an earlier deadline of April 9, 2026 for plan-held shares.

The agenda includes electing 13 directors, an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation of certain executive officers, and ratification of Crowe LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. The board recommends voting “For” all listed proposals.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) ☑ Filed by the Registrant ☐ Filed by a party other than the Registrant CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX: ☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement ☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) ☐ Definitive Proxy Statement ☑ Definitive Additional Materials ☐ Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK ALL BOXES THAT APPLY): ☑ No fee required ☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials ☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

Your Vote Counts! *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. Smartphone users Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control # V84975-P44753-Z91930 LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION 2026 Annual Meeting Vote by April 13, 2026 11:59 PM ET. For shares held in a Plan, vote by April 9, 2026 11:59 PM ET. LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION ATTN: KRISTIN PRUITT 202 EAST CENTER STREET P.O. BOX 1387 WARSAW, IN 46581 You invested in LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the shareholder meeting to be held on April 14, 2026. Get informed before you vote View the Notice and Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Form 10-K online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to March 31, 2026. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future shareholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. Vote Virtually at the Meeting* April 14, 2026 3:30 p.m., Eastern Time Virtually at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LKFN2026

Vote at www.ProxyVote.com Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”. Voting Items Board Recommends V84976-P44753-Z91930 THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming shareholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Nominees: 1a. A. Faraz Abbasi For 1b. Blake W. Augsburger For 1c. Robert E. Bartels, Jr. For 1d. Darrianne P. Christian For 1e. Melinda J. Creighton Truex For 1f. David M. Findlay For 1g. Emily E. Pichon For 1h. Kristin L. Pruitt For 1i. Steven D. Ross For 1j. Brian J. Smith For 1k. Daniel B. Starr For 1l. Bradley J. Toothaker For 1m. M. Scott Welch For 2. APPROVAL, by non-binding vote, of the Company’s compensation of certain executive officers. For 3. RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF CROWE LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. For NOTE: In accordance with their discretion upon all other matters that may properly come before said meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.