Until the late 1990s, Lake City Bank remained focused on smaller communities. Still, there was an elephant in the room. Indiana’s second largest city lay just 40 miles east of Warsaw, full of both possibility and competition.

After the bank went public in 1997, expanding into the Fort Wayne market seemed more realistic. Many local banks had been acquired or consolidated, and their customers felt left behind. Lake City Bank’s leadership believed that its model of community values and local decision making would offer Fort Wayne area customers a connection they had lost.

On December 3, 1998, the bank announced plans to open a branch in Fort Wayne by the middle of the next year. It would be Lake City Bank’s 43rd office and would expand it into its 12th county. In June 1999, those plans became reality when the bank opened its doors at 302 E Dupont Road.

Plans were already underway for a second Fort Wayne office, but the experience at Dupont Road helped solidify them. Executive Vice President Jean Northenor said, “The reception has been outstanding to this point. It made us say OK, we’re going to do another one.”

The bank’s hometown advantage of local decision-making and small-town values paid off. Lake City Bank had proved it could be successful in larger markets.