ABA to recognize Kentucky banker, Farmer Mac executive with top ag awards

The American Bankers Association named two agricultural finance leaders as recipients of its top honors for 2025. Kathy Daily of First Financial Bank in Louisville, Ky., will receive the Bruning Award, and Patrick Kerrigan of Farmer Mac will receive the Blanchfield Award. Both will be recognized at the ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference Nov. 12-14 in St. Louis.

Daily, managing director of First Financial Bank’s farm and ranch division, is the first woman to receive the Bruning Award, which recognizes agricultural bankers for exceptional leadership and service to farmers and ranchers. With more than 35 years of experience, Daily is credited with building First Financial’s nationwide farm and ranch lending platform and continues to advocate for expanding access to credit in rural communities. A Kentucky native raised on a small farm, Daily said she is “deeply humbled” to join past honorees she has long admired.