Exhibit 99.1
                           CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                            18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                            AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Lakeland Financial Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2003 as filed with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on the date  hereof (the  "Report),  I,
Michael L. Kubacki, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,  certify, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C.  ss. 1350, as adopted  pursuant to ss. 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that:

         (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a)
 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents,  in all
 material respects,  the financial condition and result of operations of the
 Company.


/s/Michael L. Kubacki

Michael L. Kubacki
Chief Executive Officer
May 5, 2003