Insider Trading February 27, 2026

Lakeland Financial Director Purchases $579,500 of Stock; Company Posts Strong Q4 Results

Director Welch M Scott buys 10,000 shares as Lakeland reports earnings beat, raises dividend and updates senior credit leadership

By Leila Farooq LKFN
Lakeland Financial Director Purchases $579,500 of Stock; Company Posts Strong Q4 Results
LKFN

Welch M Scott, a director at Lakeland Financial Corp, acquired 10,000 shares of the company's common stock on February 27, 2026, for $579,500. The transaction increases his direct holdings to 49,000 shares. The purchase came as the bank reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that topped estimates and announced a dividend raise and an executive promotion at its Lake City Bank unit.

Key Points

  • Insider purchase: Director Welch M Scott bought 10,000 shares on February 27, 2026 for $57.95 each, totaling $579,500, raising his direct holdings to 49,000 shares.
  • Earnings and dividends: Lakeland reported Q4 2025 EPS of $1.16, beating estimates by 9.4%; the company declared a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.52 per share for Q1 2026 payable February 5, 2026.
  • Corporate and valuation notes: InvestingPro lists LKFN among Most Undervalued stocks, cites a 3.46% dividend yield and 12 consecutive years of dividend increases; Stephens lifted its price target to $66 with an Equal Weight rating.

Lakeland Financial Corp (NASDAQ: LKFN) saw an insider purchase this week when director Welch M Scott bought 10,000 shares of common stock on February 27, 2026. The shares were acquired at $57.95 each, bringing the total value of the trade to $579,500. After the purchase, Scott directly holds 49,000 shares of Lakeland Financial through an LLP.

The transaction price is closely aligned with the company’s prevailing market price of $57.88. Lakeland Financial carries a $1.45 billion market capitalization and trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.28.

Analytical commentary from InvestingPro included in company data positions LKFN as appearing undervalued when measured against its Fair Value assessment, listing the stock among opportunities on the Most Undervalued list. The company also offers a 3.46% dividend yield and, according to InvestingPro Tips, has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. InvestingPro Tips is noted to provide six additional exclusive tips for investors in LKFN.

Operationally, Lakeland reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings of $1.16 per share, which exceeded consensus estimates by 9.4%. The company highlighted favorable revenue trends during the quarter, recorded no loan loss provisions, and benefited from a reduced tax rate. In response to the quarterly results, Stephens raised its price target for Lakeland Financial to $66 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating.

Separately, Lakeland Financial announced a 4% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.52 per share for the first quarter of 2026. That dividend is payable on February 5, 2026.

On the corporate leadership front, Lake City Bank, a Lakeland Financial subsidiary, elevated Donald J. Robinson-Gay to Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer. In his expanded role, Robinson-Gay will continue to manage the bank’s loan portfolio and will oversee credit quality and credit policy matters.

Taken together, the insider purchase, the quarterly results and the corporate personnel move represent recent developments in Lakeland Financial’s shareholder and operational landscape. The available data underscore dividend continuity, reported earnings resilience in the period, and a change in senior credit management at the bank unit.

Risks

  • Valuation uncertainty: While InvestingPro flags LKFN as undervalued by its Fair Value assessment, valuation assessments can vary and may affect investor perception of the financial sector.
  • Credit oversight changes: The promotion of Donald J. Robinson-Gay to Chief Credit Officer shifts responsibility for loan portfolio management and credit policy, introducing near-term transition risk in credit oversight at the bank unit.
  • Dividend expectations: The announced quarterly dividend increase to $0.52 for Q1 2026 reflects ongoing payouts, but dividend policy remains subject to company discretion and broader bank sector conditions.

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