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 Aug. 2, at the IBA’s headquarters in Indianapolis.
The 2024 Class honorees are:
• Michael L. Kubacki, Lake City Bank, Warsaw
• Annette M. Russell, Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport
• Stephen E. Zahn, First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington
The honorees were chosen for their positive impact not only on Indiana’s banking industry, but on the communities they serve. They are nominated by IBA-member organizations and approved by the IBA 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 CEO 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.”
Speakers at the ceremony included IBA Chairman Ben Bochnowski, CEO of Peoples Bank, Munster, and Amber R. Van Til, IBA president and CEO.
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.
Michael L. Kubacki’s 51-year banking career had an enduring impact at Lake City Bank and The Northern Trust Company. In 1998, Kubacki and his wife, Rebecca, returned to their Hoosier roots when he joined Lake City Bank as president and CEO. For the next 26 years, he played a critical role in defining the culture and operational excellence 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 – an increase of more than 1,400%. 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 Corporation. Kubacki earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.