8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 11, 2018

Lakeland Financial Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana	000-11487	35-1559596
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

202 East Center Street

Warsaw, Indiana  46581-1387

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(574) 267-6144

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the ExchangeAct (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 11, 2018, Lakeland Financial Corporation issued a press release announcing that Darrianne P. Christian has been appointed to the Boards of Directors of Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank.  Ms. Christian will serve an initial term as director of Lakeland Financial Corporation that will expire at the annual meeting of the stockholders to be held in 2019, at which time it is expected that she will be nominated for a one-year term.  She will serve on Lake City Bank's Corporate Risk Committee.  There are no other arrangements or understandings between Ms. Christian and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Christian was selected as a director.  The news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 11, 2018, the Company and the Bank issued a press release announcing Ms. Christian's appointment.  A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release issued by Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank on October 11, 2018.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Dated:  October 11, 2018 By:  /s/Lisa M. O'Neill

                 Lisa M. O'Neill

                 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release issued by Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank on October 11, 2018.

EX-99.1

NEWS FROM LAKELAND FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Mary Horan

Vice President, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

(574) 371-9280 office

(574) 377-9150 mobile

mary.horan@lakecitybank.com

Darrianne P. Christian Appointed to Lakeland Financial Corporation and Lake City Bank Boards

Warsaw, Indiana (October 11, 2018) – Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN) and Lake City Bank announced today that Darrianne P. Christian has been appointed to its respective Boards of Directors.

Christian began her career with the Central Intelligence Agency, followed by stints as a consultant and program manager in information technology. In recent years, she has led several strategic initiatives for BCforward, a global information technology consulting and workforce fulfillment firm founded by Christian and her husband, Justin Christian, in 1998.

"Darrianne will bring a fresh perspective on several levels to our boardroom. Her professional experience in the technology sector will prove to be valuable as we work to ensure that we remain innovative in providing technology-driven solutions to our clients. In addition, Darrianne's active personal and professional engagement in Indianapolis will increase our profile in the market and contribute to future opportunities for growth. Finally, her deep engagement in the non-for-profit sector will help ensure that we continue to fulfill our commitment to be actively engaged our communities," said David M. Findlay, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Christian has a bachelor's degree in computer science from DePauw University and a master's in business administration from the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame. She is a board member of Newfields (formerly the Indianapolis Museum of Art) and the Central Indiana Community Foundation. In addition, she works closely with the Justin and Darrianne Christian Center for Diversity and Inclusion at DePauw University.

"I am pleased to join the Lake City Bank and Lakeland Financial Corporation boards. The bank's focus on partnering with the communities it serves aligns with my passion for community engagement.  Directors play an important role in the company and I am excited to become part of such an impressive group. I appreciate that Lake City Bank is committed to taking care of its clients, employees and their communities," Christian said.  

Lakeland Financial Corporation is a $4.8 billion bank holding company headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana. Lake City Bank, its single bank subsidiary, is the fourth largest bank headquartered in the state, and the largest bank 100% invested in Indiana. Lake City Bank operates 49 offices in Northern and Central Indiana, delivering technology-driven and client-centric financial services solutions to individuals and businesses.

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