[Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. Letterhead]




August 8, 2007

VIA FACSIMILE AND EDGAR
- -----------------------
(202) 772-9208

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.  20549

      Re:   LaPorte Bancorp, Inc.
            Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Number 333-143526)
            Request for Acceleration of Effectiveness
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     On behalf of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., and in accordance with Rule 461
of Regulation C  promulgated  under the  Securities  Act of 1933, we hereby join
LaPorte   Bancorp,   Inc.  in  requesting   that  the  effective   date  of  the
above-referenced  Registration  Statement be  accelerated so that it will become
effective  at 2:00 p.m.  on August 13,  2007,  or as soon  thereafter  as may be
practicable.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   /s/ Harold Hanley, III

                                   Harold Hanley, III
                                   Managing Director