LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORP 8-K

What Happened
Lakeland Financial Corporation (LKFN) announced that Donald J. Robinson-Day, age 48, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the company and its subsidiary Lake City Bank, effective January 14, 2026. Robinson-Day has worked at the Bank since 2018, was promoted to Senior Vice President and Regional Credit Officer on July 14, 2020, and had served as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since January 30, 2023. The company said he will receive an annual salary and participate in the executive compensation and benefit plans available to the company’s officers.

Key Details

• Appointment effective date: January 14, 2026; public announcement filed January 15, 2026.
• Background: Joined Lake City Bank in 2018; promoted July 14, 2020 and January 30, 2023.
• Compensation: Will receive an annual salary and participate in all executive compensation and benefit plans.
• Change in Control Agreement: Company entered into a Change in Control Agreement with Robinson-Day on January 14, 2026 (form incorporated by reference and summarized in the company’s 2025 proxy).

Why It Matters
The Chief Credit Officer leads credit policy and loan underwriting oversight—areas that directly affect loan quality, credit losses and the bank’s financial performance. Promoting an internal, experienced credit leader signals continuity in credit oversight. The newly executed Change in Control Agreement is a standard executive retention/compensation arrangement that investors should note when reviewing the company’s executive compensation and governance disclosures.