The Indiana Bankers Association created the Leaders in Banking Excellence Awards in 2018 to showcase exceptional individuals who have positively impacted Indiana banks and the communities they serve.
This year’s awards were presented on Friday, Aug. 2, at a ceremony at the IBA’s offices in Indianapolis. Dignitaries who honored this year’s three recipients were Rep. Todd Huston, speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives; Sen. Travis Holdman, majority caucus chair of the Indiana State Senate; Director Thomas C. Fite, Indiana Department of Financial Institutions; IBA Chairman Benjamin J. Bochnowski; and Amber R. Van Til, IBA president and CEO.
Each honoree was invited to make their own comments and was then presented with an ebony keepsake plaque. The ceremony culminated with a viewing of the honorees’ crystalline plaques within the permanent Wall of Excellence on display at the IBA offices.
All inductees were nominated by IBA member organizations and approved by the IBA Board of Directors. Congratulations to the 2024 class of Leaders in Banking Excellence:
Michael L. Kubacki, Lake City Bank, Warsaw
Annette M. Russell, Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport
Stephen E. Zahn, First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington
Class of 2024 Plaque Inscriptions
Michael L. Kubacki
Lake City Bank
Warsaw
Michael L. Kubacki’s 51-year banking career had an enduring impact at Lake City Bank, Warsaw, and The Northern Trust Company. In 1998, Mike 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 over 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.
Annette M. Russell
Security Federal Savings Bank
Logansport
Annette M. Russell is the president and CEO of Security Federal Savings Bank, Logansport. She graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and the Graduate School of Bank and Investment and Financial Management. A pioneer for women and diversity in Indiana banking, Russell was the first woman to serve as chair of the Indiana Bankers Association, was appointed by Gov. Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Board of Depositories in 2016, was honored with the Circle of Corydon by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2017, has chaired the Ivy Tech Kokomo board of trustees and Logansport/Cass County Economic Development Corporation, and has served on the boards of the Logansport Hospital, Cass County Chamber of Commerce, Special Olympics of Cass County and more. Under her leadership, the bank grew from $170 million with three branches in two markets to nearly $400 million with eight branches serving five markets.
Stephen E. Zahn
First Federal Savings Bank
Huntington
Stephen E. Zahn began his career at First Federal Savings Bank, Huntington, in May of 1964. In his role as president, CEO and chairman, he grew the bank and took it public in 1995. Under his leadership, the bank has achieved success and accolades, consistently being named one of the Top 200 Community Banks and being recognized as a Dividend Champion company. Zahn chaired the Indiana League of Savings Institutions in 1996-97, which went on to merge with the IBA in 2000. When he retired from daily duties at the bank, he was honored as a Distinguished Hoosier by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Zahn was also named to the Chiefs of the Flints Springs Tribe, the highest honor an individual can receive for service and dedication to the Huntington community.
