Press Release

Joseph F. “Joe” Kessie

WARSAW — Lake City Bank recently announced that Joseph F. “Joe” Kessie, senior vice-president, commercial south regional manager, has been named the 2021 recipient of the American Bankers Association (ABA) Bruning Award for his significant contributions to agricultural banking.

“We are thrilled that Joe’s dedication to the agricultural industry has been recognized by the ABA,” said David M. Findlay, president and chief executive officer. “His passion for the agricultural sector has driven Lake City Bank’s success since joining the bank 24 years ago. Joe and his team bring a practical and respected expertise to agricultural lending that matters to our clients and has contributed to our success in the ag sector.”

Since 1997, the Bruning Award, named after its first recipient, Nebraska banker Frank Bruning, recognizes bankers who demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedicated service to providing credit and guidance to farmers, ranchers and their fellow agricultural bankers. The ABA will present the award at the Agricultural Bankers Conference from Nov. 14 to 17 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“I am truly honored to be named this year’s recipient of the ABA’s Bruning Award,” said Kessie. “My goal as a banker has always been to be a trusted advisor to all of my clients. I’m very fortunate to be with a bank that understands the importance of the agricultural sector and is committed to helping our agricultural clients. I view this award as a testament to what the whole team does every day at Lake City Bank.”

Kessie’s career began in 1983 at the height of the farm crisis. After graduating from Purdue University, Kessie worked as an ag lender with two other financial institutions before joining Lake City Bank as vice-president of commercial banking in 1997. In his 24 years at Lake City Bank, Kessie has managed the bank’s entire agribusiness loan portfolio and led the institution to become one of the largest ag lenders in Indiana.