Pictured from left are Stephen E. Zahn, chairman of First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington; Annette M. Russell, president and chief executive officer of Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport; and Michael L. Kubacki, chairman of Lake City Bank, Warsaw. The three were honored by the Indiana Bankers Association as Leaders in Banking Excellence, the association’s highest honor, at a ceremony in Indianapolis Aug. 2. Photo provided.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Bankers Association recognized three members of the state’s banking community with Leaders in Banking Excellence awards, the association’s highest honor. The awards were presented at a ceremony on Friday, Aug. 2, at the association’s headquarters in Indianapolis.

Class of 2024 honorees were:

• Michael L. Kubacki, Lake City Bank, Warsaw
• Annette M. Russell, Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport
• Stephen E. Zahn, First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington

Honorees are chosen for their positive impact not only on Indiana’s banking industry but on the communities they serve. They are nominated by association-member organizations and approved by the group’s board of directors.

“Each of this year’s honorees has contributed immensely to the benefit not only of Indiana’s banking community but their local communities as well,” said Amber R. Van Til, president and chief executive officer of the Indiana Bankers Association. “It is our honor to recognize their achievements and contributions by adding them to the IBA’s Wall of Excellence.”

Kubacki’s 51-year banking career has had an enduring impact at Lake City Bank, Warsaw, and The Northern Trust Co. In 1998, Kubacki and his wife, Rebecca, returned to their Hoosier roots when he joined Lake City Bank as president and chief executive officer. For the next 26 years, he played a critical role in defining the culture and operations of the bank. During his tenure, the bank grew organically from $1 billion to $6.6 billion, and its market value grew from $104 million to $1.6 billion. Kubacki has been active as a board member in many organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Bankers Association, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Newfields, the Center for the Performing Arts and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. Kubacki earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

Speakers at the ceremony included Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston; Indiana Senate Republican Caucus Chair Travis Holdman; Director Thomas C. Fite, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions; IBA Chairman Ben Bochnowski, CEO of Peoples Bank, Munster; and Van Til. Each honoree was invited to make comments and then received an ebony keepsake plaque. A permanent Wall of Excellence at the association’s offices displays a plaque commemorating all 43 Leaders in Banking Excellence honorees inducted since the award’s inception in 2018.

For more information about IBA Leaders in Banking Excellence, including past honorees, visit indiana.bank/Leaders-Banking-Excellence.