BlackRock, Inc. filed an amendment to a Schedule 13G reporting beneficial ownership of 3,513,643 shares of Lakeland Financial Corporation common stock, representing 13.5% of the class as shown on the cover. The filing lists 3,475,938 shares as sole voting power and 3,513,643 shares as sole dispositive power. The filing notes that iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF holds an interest exceeding five percent. The Schedule is signed by Spencer Fleming, Managing Director, dated 04/24/2026.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Insights
BlackRock reports a substantial passive stake in Lakeland Financial.
BlackRock's amendment shows beneficial ownership of 3,513,643 shares, or 13.5%, with sole dispositive authority recorded. This indicates voting and disposition control within the reporting business units rather than an active acquisition intent.
Ownership includes a >5% interest held by iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF. Future disclosures in filings may indicate changes; timing and trading intent are not stated in the excerpt.
Key Figures
Beneficially owned shares:3,513,643 sharesPercent of class:13.5%Sole voting power:3,475,938 shares+2 more
5 metrics
Beneficially owned shares3,513,643 sharesAmount beneficially owned reported in Item 4
Percent of class13.5%Percent of common stock reported in Item 4
Sole voting power3,475,938 sharesSole power to vote reported in Item 4(i)
Sole dispositive power3,513,643 sharesSole power to dispose reported in Item 4(iii)
Signature date04/24/2026Signed by Spencer Fleming, Managing Director
"Amendment to Schedule 13G reporting beneficial ownership"
A Schedule 13G/A is an amended public filing with the U.S. securities regulator that updates a previous Schedule 13G, disclosing when an individual or group holds a substantial (typically over 5%) stake in a company and is claiming a passive, non‑controlling intent. Investors monitor these updates because rising or falling holdings can signal changing confidence, potential future moves, or shifts in voting power — like watching a public ledger where large shareholders quietly adjust their positions.
Beneficial ownershipfinancial
"Amount beneficially owned: 3513643 (Item 4)"
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
Dispositive powerfinancial
"Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3513643"
Dispositive power is the authority to decide the final outcome of an asset, legal claim, contract, or corporate action — in effect the power to dispose of or resolve something. For investors it matters because whoever holds that authority can determine who gets paid, who controls an asset or vote, and how risks and returns are allocated; think of it like holding the key that lets you lock in the winner or loser in a deal.
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETFmarket
"Interest of 1 such person, iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, is more than five percent"
BlackRock reports beneficial ownership of 3,513,643 shares of Lakeland Financial, equal to 13.5% of the common stock, as stated on the Schedule 13G/A cover page.
How much voting power does BlackRock claim in LKFN?
BlackRock reports 3,475,938 shares as sole power to vote or direct the vote, per Item 4 of the Schedule 13G/A cover information.
Does the filing identify other large holders in LKFN?
Yes. The filing states that iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has an interest in Lakeland Financial common stock that exceeds five percent of the outstanding shares.
Who signed the Schedule 13G/A amendment for BlackRock?
The Schedule 13G/A amendment is signed by Spencer Fleming, listed as Managing Director, with a signature date of 04/24/2026 on the filing.
Does the filing show whether BlackRock is an active investor in LKFN?
The amendment reports beneficial ownership and voting/dispositive powers but does not state any active acquisition intent or plans; the excerpt provides ownership details without declaring an investment strategy.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 16)
LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
511656100
(CUSIP Number)
03/31/2026
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
Rule 13d-1(b)
Rule 13d-1(c)
Rule 13d-1(d)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
511656100
1
Names of Reporting Persons
BlackRock, Inc.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
DELAWARE
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
3,475,938.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
3,513,643.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
0.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
3,513,643.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
13.5 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
HC
SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1.
(a)
Name of issuer:
LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(b)
Address of issuer's principal executive offices:
202 E CENTER ST WARSAW IN 46580
Item 2.
(a)
Name of person filing:
BlackRock, Inc.
In accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), this Schedule 13G reflects the securities beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned, by certain business units (collectively, the "Reporting Business Units") of BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. It does not include securities, if any, beneficially owned by other business units whose beneficial ownership of securities are disaggregated from that of the Reporting Business Units in accordance with such release.
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001
(c)
Citizenship:
See Item 4 of Cover Page
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Common Stock
(e)
CUSIP No.:
511656100
Item 3.
If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)
Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)
Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)
Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)
Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)
An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)
An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)
A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)
A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)
A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)
A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
please specify the type of institution:
(k)
Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.
Ownership
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
3513643
(b)
Percent of class:
13.5 %
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
3475938
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
3513643
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
0
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Not Applicable
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
The interest of 1 such person, iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, in the common stock of LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION is more than five percent of the total outstanding common stock.
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
See Exhibit 99
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not Applicable
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable
Item 10.
Certifications:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under ?? 240.14a-11.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
