UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For transition period __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 0-24724

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

42-1405748
(I.R.S. employer identification number)

1398 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa  52001
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(563) 589-2100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes   x         No

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.
Large accelerated filer                                               Accelerated filer    x                                              Non-accelerated filer                                               Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes        No   x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the classes of Registrant's common stock as of the latest practicable date:  As of May 8, 2008, the Registrant had outstanding 16,307,374 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share.



 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report
 

 
Part I
     
Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
Item 2.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.
 
Controls and Procedures
     
Part II
     
Item 1.
 
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
Item 2.
 
Unregistered Sales of Issuer Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5.
 
Other Information
Item 6.
 
Exhibits
     
   
Form 10-Q Signature Page


 
 

 

PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
March 31, 2008
 
December 31, 2007
   
(Unaudited)
   
ASSETS
               
Cash and due from banks
 
$
33,572
   
$
46,468
 
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
   
16,569
     
364
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
50,141
     
46,832
 
Securities:
               
Trading, at fair value
   
1,786
     
1,888
 
Available for sale, at fair value (cost of $713,493 at March 31, 2008, and $672,499 at December 31, 2007)
   
727,239
     
682,383
 
Held to maturity, at cost (fair value of $5,567 at March 31, 2008, and $5,754 at December 31, 2007)
   
5,665
     
5,678
 
Loans held for sale
   
11,222
     
12,679
 
Gross loans and leases:
               
Held to maturity
   
2,271,663
     
2,280,167
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(33,695
)
   
(32,993
)
Loans and leases, net
   
2,237,968
     
2,247,174
 
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
   
119,542
     
120,285
 
Other real estate, net
   
2,714
     
2,195
 
Goodwill
   
40,207
     
40,207
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
8,416
     
8,369
 
Cash surrender value on life insurance
   
56,018
     
55,532
 
Other assets
   
39,562
     
40,904
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
3,300,480
   
$
3,264,126
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES:
               
Deposits:
               
Demand
 
$
377,709
   
$
381,499
 
Savings
   
863,067
     
855,036
 
Time
   
1,180,163
     
1,139,764
 
Total deposits
   
2,420,939
     
2,376,299
 
Short-term borrowings
   
226,106
     
354,146
 
Other borrowings
   
380,479
     
263,607
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
37,103
     
39,474
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
   
3,064,627
     
3,033,526
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 184,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)
   
-
     
-
 
Series A Junior participating preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 16,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)
   
 
-
     
 
-
 
Common stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 20,000,000 shares; issued 16,611,671 shares at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007)
   
 
16,612
     
 
16,612
 
Capital surplus
   
37,480
     
37,269
 
Retained earnings
   
177,750
     
173,891
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
9,763
     
6,506
 
Treasury stock at cost (299,287 shares at March 31, 2008, and 184,655 shares at December 31, 2007)
   
(5,752
)
   
(3,678
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
235,853
     
230,600
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
3,300,480
   
$
3,264,126
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
         
       
Three Months Ended
           
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
INTEREST INCOME:
                               
Interest and fees on loans and leases
                 
$
42,899
   
$
45,558
 
Interest on securities:
                               
Taxable
                   
6,615
     
5,297
 
Nontaxable
                   
1,647
     
1,458
 
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments
                 
131
     
-
 
Interest on interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
                   
5
     
10
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
                   
51,297
     
52,323
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Interest on deposits
                   
17,096
     
18,298
 
Interest on short-term borrowings
                   
2,186
     
3,811
 
Interest on other borrowings
                   
4,277
     
3,323
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
                   
23,559
     
25,432
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
                   
27,738
     
26,891
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
                   
1,761
     
1,926
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
                   
25,977
     
24,965
 
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service charges and fees, net
                   
2,615
     
2,571
 
Loan servicing income
                   
1,296
     
995
 
Trust fees
                   
2,021
     
2,121
 
Brokerage and insurance commissions
                   
892
     
493
 
Securities gains, net
                   
362
     
125
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities, net
                   
(207
)
   
41
 
Impairment loss on equity securities
                   
(86
)
   
-
 
Gains on sale of loans
                   
504
     
591
 
Income on bank owned life insurance
                   
463
     
300
 
Other noninterest income
                   
614
     
374
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
                   
8,474
     
7,611
 
NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
                   
14,793
     
14,169
 
Occupancy
                   
2,344
     
1,927
 
Furniture and equipment
                   
1,768
     
1,676
 
Outside services
                   
2,510
     
2,269
 
Advertising
                   
795
     
769
 
Intangible assets amortization
                   
236
     
219
 
Other noninterest expenses
                   
3,318
     
3,367
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
                   
25,764
     
24,396
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
                   
8,687
     
8,180
 
Income taxes
                   
2,420
     
2,532
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                   
6,267
     
5,648
 
Discontinued operations:
                               
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
                   
-
     
191
 
Income taxes
                   
-
     
68
 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
                   
-
     
123
 
NET INCOME
                 
$
6,267
   
$
5,771
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC
                 
$
0.38
   
$
0.35
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – DILUTED
                 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS – BASIC
                 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS– DILUTED
                 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
                 
$
0.10
   
$
0.09
 
                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
   
 
 
Common
Stock
 
 
 
Capital
Surplus
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
 
 
Treasury
Stock
 
 
 
 
Total
   
Balance at January 1, 2007
 
$
16,572
   
$
37,963
   
$
154,308
   
$
868
   
$
-
   
$
209,711
     
Net income
                   
5,771
                     
5,771
     
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale arising during the period
                           
 
1,263
             
 
1,263
     
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
 
(125
 
)
           
 
(125
 
)
   
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during the period
                           
 
53
             
 
53
     
Income taxes
                           
(451
)
           
(451
)
   
Comprehensive income
                                           
6,511
     
Cash dividends declared:
                                                   
Common, $0.09 per share
                   
(1,472
)
                   
(1,472
)
   
Purchase of 176,251 shares of common stock
                                   
(4,959
)
   
(4,959
)
   
Issuance of 88,712 shares of common stock
   
40
     
(8
)
                   
1,386
     
1,418
     
Commitments to issue common stock
           
641
                             
641
     
Balance at March 31, 2007
 
$
16,612
   
$
38,596
   
$
158,607
   
$
1,608
   
$
(3,573
)
 
$
211,850
     
                                                     
Balance at December 31, 2007
 
$
16,612
   
$
37,269
   
$
173,891
   
$
6,506
   
$
(3,678
)
 
$
230,600
     
Cumulative effect from adoption of EITF 06-4
                   
(791
)
                   
(791
)
   
Balance at January 1, 2008
   
16,612
     
37,269
     
173,100
     
6,506
     
(3,678
)
   
229,809
     
Net income
                   
6,267
                     
6,267
     
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale arising during the period
                           
 
4,138
             
 
4,138
     
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
 
(276
 
)
           
 
(276
 
)
   
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during the period
                           
 
1,450
             
 
1,450
     
Income taxes
                           
(2,055
)
           
(2,055
)
   
Comprehensive income
                                           
9,524
     
Cash dividends declared:
                                                   
Common, $0.10 per share
                   
(1,617
)
                   
(1,617
)
   
Purchase of 129,069 shares of common stock
                                   
(2,412
)
   
(2,412
)
   
Issuance of 14,437 shares of common stock
           
(77
)
                   
338
     
261
     
Commitments to issue common stock
           
288
                             
288
     
Balance at March 31, 2008
 
$
16,612
   
$
37,480
   
$
177,750
   
$
9,763
   
$
(5,752
)
 
$
235,853
     

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 

 


HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
Three Months Ended
   
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
 
$
6,267
   
$
5,771
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,352
     
2,122
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,761
     
1,926
 
Net amortization of premium on securities
   
(219
)
   
16
 
Securities gains, net
   
(362
)
   
(125
)
Decrease in trading account securities
   
102
     
309
 
Loss on impairment of equity securities
   
86
     
-
 
Stock-based compensation
   
288
     
641
 
Loans originated for sale
   
(78,906
)
   
(64,621
)
Proceeds on sales of loans
   
80,867
     
72,949
 
Net gains on sales of loans
   
(504
)
   
(591
)
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
   
2,433
     
522
 
Decrease in accrued interest payable
   
(1,923
)
   
(1,997
)
Other, net
   
(4,820
)
   
(11,155
)
Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations
   
7,422
     
5,767
 
Net cash provided by operating activities – discontinued operations
   
-
     
7
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   
7,422
     
5,774
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
   
23,288
     
255
 
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale
   
29,734
     
52,963
 
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities held to maturity
   
9
     
-
 
Purchase of securities available for sale
   
(93,517
)
   
(21,892
)
Purchase of securities held to maturity
   
-
     
(1,157
)
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases
   
7,579
     
(99,215
)
Capital expenditures
   
(1,227
)
   
(6,395
)
Proceeds on sale of OREO and other repossessed assets
   
316
     
208
 
Net cash used by investing activities – continuing operations
   
(33,818
)
   
(75,233
)
Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations
   
-
     
2,547
 
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   
(33,818
)
   
(72,686
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
   
4,241
     
6,706
 
Net increase in time deposit accounts
   
40,399
     
62,176
 
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
   
(128,040
)
   
30,459
 
Proceeds from other borrowings
   
124,258
     
690
 
Repayments of other borrowings
   
(7,386
)
   
(14,409
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(2,412
)
   
(4,959
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
254
     
995
 
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options
   
8
     
422
 
Dividends paid
   
(1,617
)
   
(1,472
)
Net cash provided by financing activities – continuing operations
   
29,705
     
80,608
 
Net cash used by financing activities – discontinued operations
   
-
     
(607
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   
29,705
     
80,001
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
3,309
     
13,089
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
46,832
     
49,143
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
 
$
50,141
   
$
62,232
 
Supplemental disclosures:
               
Cash paid for income/franchise taxes
 
$
1,210
   
$
7,784
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
25,482
   
$
27,429
 
Acquisition:
               
Net assets acquired
 
$
-
   
$
650
 
Cash paid for acquisition
 
$
-
   
$
(50
)
Cash acquired
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
Net cash paid for acquisition
 
$
-
   
$
(50
)
Common stock issued for acquisition
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 

 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, included in Heartland Financial USA, Inc.’s ("Heartland") Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008. Accordingly, footnote disclosures, which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements, have been omitted.

The financial information of Heartland included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the interim period ended March 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2008.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined using net income and weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and assumed incremental common shares issued. Amounts used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, are shown in the tables below:

   
Three Months Ended
(Dollars and numbers in thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
Income from continuing operations
 
$
6,267
   
$
5,648
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
-
     
123
 
Net income
 
$
6,267
   
$
5,771
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
   
16,378
     
16,543
 
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options
   
88
     
218
 
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share
   
16,466
     
16,761
 
Earnings per common share – basic
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.35
 
Earnings per common share – diluted
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – basic
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
Earnings per common share from continuing operations – diluted
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.34
 
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations – basic
 
$
-
   
$
0.01
 
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations – diluted
 
$
-
   
$
0.01
 

Stock-Based Compensation

Options are typically granted annually with an expiration date ten years after the date of grant. Vesting is generally over a five-year service period with portions of a grant becoming exercisable at three years, four years and five years after the date of grant. The 2008 standard stock option agreement provides that the options become fully exercisable and expire if not exercised within 6 months of the date of retirement at age 65 or later. Prior period stock option agreements included early retirement provisions at age 55 provided that the officer has provided 10 years of service to Heartland. A summary of the status of the stock options as of March 31, 2008 and 2007, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, follows:


   
2008
 
2007
   
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1
   
733,012
   
$
18.61
     
815,300
   
$
14.46
 
Granted
   
164,400
     
18.60
     
146,750
     
29.65
 
Exercised
   
(3,050
)
   
11.72
     
(80,447
)
   
9.93
 
Forfeited
   
(3,750
)
   
24.99
     
(4,000
)
   
22.78
 
Outstanding at March 31
   
890,612
   
$
18.60
     
877,603
   
$
17.38
 
Options exercisable at March 31
   
370,462
   
$
13.04
     
411,978
   
$
11.06
 
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the three-month periods ended March 31
 
 
$
 
4.81
           
 
$
 
7.69
         

At March 31, 2008, the vested options totaled 370,462 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $13.04 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.69 years. The intrinsic value for the vested options as of March 31, 2008, was $3.0 million. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2008, was $29 thousand, and the total fair value of shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2008, was $288 thousand. At March 31, 2008, shares available for issuance under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan totaled 451,810.

The fair value of the 2008 stock options granted was estimated utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The fair value of a share of common stock on the grant date of the 2008 options was $18.60. The fair value of a share of common stock on the grant date of the 2007 options was $27.85. Significant assumptions include:

   
2008
   
2007
Risk-free interest rate
 
3.10%
   
4.74%
Expected option life
 
6.4 years
   
6.2 years
Expected volatility
 
26.96%
   
24.20%
Expected dividends
 
1.99%
   
1.25%

The option term of each award granted was based upon Heartland’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Expected volatility was based upon historical volatility levels and future expected volatility of Heartland’s common stock. Expected dividend yield was based on a set dividend rate. Risk free interest rate reflects the average of the yields on the 5 year and 7 year zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond. Cash received from options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2008, was $36 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $8 thousand. Cash received from options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $795 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $422 thousand.

Total compensation costs recorded were $288 thousand and $641 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for stock options, restricted stock awards and shares to be issued under the 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of March 31, 2008, there was $3.4 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan for stock options and restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized through 2012.

Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, Heartland adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements . FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  FAS 157 applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements; accordingly, the standard does not require any new fair value measurements of reported balances. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. FAS 157 clarifies that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. FAS 157 requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. Under FAS 157, Heartland bases fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is Heartland’s policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in FAS 157.

Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable market data, and therefore, are based primarily upon estimates, are often calculated based upon current pricing policy, the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other such factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values. Additional information regarding disclosures of fair value is presented in note 5.

Heartland will apply the fair value measurement and disclosure provisions of FAS 157 effective January 1, 2009, to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis. Heartland measures the fair value of the following on a nonrecurring basis: (1) long-lived assets, (2) foreclosed assets, (3) goodwill and other intangibles and (4) indefinite lived assets.

Effect of New Financial Accounting Standards

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 06-4 (“EITF 06-4”), Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements, was ratified. EITF 06-4 addresses accounting for separate agreements which split life insurance policy benefits between an employer and employee and requires the employer to recognize a liability for future benefits payable to the employee under these agreements. The effects of applying EITF 06-4 must be recognized through either a change in accounting principle through an adjustment to equity or through the retrospective application to all prior periods. For calendar year companies, EITF 06-4 is effective beginning January 1, 2008. Heartland adopted EITF 06-4 on January 1, 2008. The adoption of EITF 06-4 resulted in a $791 thousand adjustment to Heartland’s equity on January 1, 2008.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (“FAS 159”), The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which allows entities to voluntarily choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, FAS 159 specifies that all subsequent changes in fair value for that instrument shall be reported in earnings. FAS 159 is effective for all financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Heartland adopted FAS 159 on January 1, 2008, and the adoption did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007) Business Combinations (“SFAS No. 141R”) and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements , an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS No. 160”). SFAS No. 141R and SFAS No. 160 require significant changes in the accounting and reporting for business acquisitions and the reporting of a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Among many changes under SFAS No. 141R, an acquirer will record 100% of all assets and liabilities at fair value at the acquisition date with changes possibly recognized in earnings, and acquisition related costs will be expensed rather than capitalized. SFAS No. 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Key changes under the standard are that noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary will be reported as part of equity, losses allocated to a noncontrolling interest can result in a deficit balance, and changes in ownership interests that do not result in a change of control are accounted for as equity transactions and upon a loss of control, gain or loss is recognized and the remaining interest is remeasured at fair value on the date control is lost. SFAS No. 141R and SFAS No. 160 apply prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is not permitted. Heartland will adopt these statements on January 1, 2009.

The SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 109 (“SAB No. 109”) in November 2007. SAB No. 109 provides guidance on written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. SAB No. 109 supersedes SAB No. 105 which provided guidance on derivative loan commitments pursuant to SFAS No. 133, “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ”. SAB No. 105 stated that in measuring the fair value of a derivative loan commitment it would be inappropriate to incorporate the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan. SAB No. 109, consistent with the guidance in SFAS No. 156 and SFAS No. 159, requires that expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan be included in the measurement of all written loan commitments that are accounted for at fair value through earnings. SAB No. 109 is effective for fiscal quarters beginning after December 15, 2007. Heartland adopted SAB No. 109 on January 1, 2008, and the adoption of this issue did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The SEC released SAB No. 110 in December 2007. SAB No. 110 provides guidance on the use of a “simplified” method, as discussed in SAB No. 107, in developing an estimate of expected term of “plain vanilla” share options in accordance with FAS No. 123R. SAB No. 107 did not expect a company to use the simplified method for share option grants after December 31, 2007. At the time SAB No. 107 was issued, the staff believed that more detailed external information about employee exercise behavior (e.g., employee exercise patterns by industry and/or other categories of companies) would, over time, become readily available to companies. The staff understands that such detailed information about employee exercise behavior may not be widely available by December 31, 2007. Accordingly, the staff will continue to accept, under certain circumstances, the use of the simplified method beyond December 31, 2007. Adoption of SAB No. 110 did not have a material impact on Heartland’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2: CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUM AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount of intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, are presented in the table below, in thousands:

   
March 31, 2008
 
December 31, 2007
   
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
                               
Core deposit intangibles
 
$
9,757
   
$
6,462
   
$
9,757
   
$
6,252
 
Mortgage servicing rights
   
6,908
     
2,713
     
6,505
     
2,592
 
Customer relationship intangible
   
1,177
     
251
     
1,177
     
226
 
Total
 
$
17,842
   
$
9,426
   
$
17,439
   
$
9,070
 
Unamortized intangible assets
         
$
8,416
           
$
8,369
 

Projections of amortization expense for mortgage servicing rights are based on existing asset balances and the existing interest rate environment as of March 31, 2008. Heartland’s actual experience may be significantly different depending upon changes in mortgage interest rates and market conditions. There was no valuation allowance on mortgage servicing rights at March 31, 2008, or December 31, 2007. The fair value of Heartland’s mortgage servicing rights was estimated at $6.5 million and $6.4 million at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for amortized intangible assets, in thousands:

   
Core
Deposit
Intangibles
 
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights
 
Customer
Relationship
Intangible
 
 
Total
                                 
Nine months ending December 31, 2008
 
$
635
   
$
1,570
   
$
77
   
$
2,282
 
                                 
Year ending December 31,
                               
2009
   
748
     
750
     
102
     
1,600
 
2010
   
465
     
625
     
101
     
1,191
 
2011
   
450
     
500
     
99
     
1,049
 
2012
   
422
     
375
     
55
     
852
 
2013
   
405
     
250
     
45
     
700
 
Thereafter
   
170
     
125
     
447
     
742
 

NOTE 3: SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

On April 28, 2008, Heartland’s credit agreement was renewed with two of the four unaffiliated banks. The amount Heartland may borrow at any one time under this unsecured revolving credit line was reduced from $60.0 million to $40.0 million.

NOTE 4: DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

On occasion, Heartland uses derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars. Heartland’s objectives in using derivatives are to add stability to its net interest margin and to manage its exposure to movements in interest rates.

To reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on its interest income, Heartland entered into the following two transactions. On April 4, 2006, Heartland entered into a three-year interest rate collar transaction with a notional amount of $50.0 million. The collar was effective on April 4, 2006, and matures on April 4, 2009.  Heartland is the payer on prime at a cap strike rate of 8.95% and the counterparty is the payer on prime at a floor strike rate of 7.00%. As of March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $1.1 million and $391 thousand, respectively.

On September 19, 2005, Heartland entered into a five-year interest rate collar transaction on a notional amount of $50.0 million. The collar has an effective date of September 21, 2005, and a maturity date of September 21, 2010. Heartland is the payer on prime at a cap strike rate of 9.00% and the counterparty is the payer on prime at a floor strike rate of 6.00%. As of March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $1.1 million and $387 thousand, respectively.

For accounting purposes, the two collar transactions above are designated as cash flow hedges of the overall changes in the cash flows above and below the collar strike rates associated with interest payments on certain of Heartland’s prime-based loans that reset whenever prime changes.  The hedged transactions for the two hedging relationships are designated as the first prime-based interest payments received by Heartland each calendar month during the term of the collar that, in aggregate for each period, are interest payments on principal from specified portfolios equal to the notional amount of the collar.

Prepayments in the hedged loan portfolios are treated in a manner consistent with the guidance in SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. G25, Cash Flow Hedges: Using the First-Payments-Received Technique in Hedging the Variable Interest Payments on a Group of Non-Benchmark-Rate-Based Loans, which allows the designated forecasted transactions to be the variable, prime-rate-based interest payments on a rolling portfolio of prepayable interest-bearing loans using the first-payments-received technique, thereby allowing interest payments from loans that prepay to be replaced with interest payments from new loan originations. Based on Heartland’s assessments, both at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship, it is probable that sufficient prime-based interest receipts will exist through the maturity dates of the collars.

To reduce the potentially negative impact an upward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income, Heartland entered into the following four cap transactions. For accounting purposes, these four cap transactions are designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, above the cap strike rate associated with the interest payments made on $65.0 million of Heartland’s subordinated debentures (issued in connection with the trust preferred securities of Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV, V and VII) that reset quarterly on a specified reset date. At inception, Heartland asserted that the underlying principal balance will remain outstanding throughout the hedge transaction making it probable that sufficient LIBOR-based interest payments will exist through the maturity date of the caps.

The first transaction executed was a twenty-three month interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $20.0 million. The cap has an effective date of February 1, 2007, and a maturity date of January 7, 2009. Should 3-month LIBOR exceed 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty will pay Heartland the amount of interest that exceeds the amount owed on the debt at the cap LIBOR rate of 5.5%. The floating-rate subordinated debentures contain an interest deferral feature that is mirrored in the cap transaction. As of March 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $1 thousand. As of December 31, 2007, this cap transaction had no fair market value.

The second transaction executed on February 1, 2007, was a twenty-five month interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $25.0 million to reduce the potentially negative impact an upward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The cap has an effective date of February 1, 2007, and a maturity date of March 17, 2009. Should 3-month LIBOR exceed 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty will pay Heartland the amount of interest that exceeds the amount owed on the debt at the cap LIBOR rate of 5.5%. The floating-rate subordinated debentures contain an interest rate deferral feature that is mirrored in the cap transaction. As of March 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $14 thousand. As of December 31, 2007, this cap transaction had no fair market value.

The third transaction executed on January 15, 2008, was a fifty-five month interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $20.0 million to reduce the potentially negative impact an upward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The cap has an effective date of January 15, 2008, and a maturity date of September 1, 2012. Should 3-month LIBOR exceed 5.12% on a reset date, the counterparty will pay Heartland the amount of interest that exceeds the amount owed on the debt at the cap LIBOR rate of 5.12%. The floating-rate subordinated debentures contain an interest rate deferral feature that is mirrored in the cap transaction. As of March 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $142 thousand.

The fourth transaction executed on March 27, 2008, was a twenty-eight month interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $20.0 million to reduce the potentially negative impact an upward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The cap has an effective date of January 7, 2009, and a maturity date of April 7, 2011. Should 3-month LIBOR exceed 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty will pay Heartland the amount of interest that exceeds the amount owed on the debt at the cap LIBOR rate of 5.5%. The floating-rate subordinated debentures contain an interest rate deferral feature that is mirrored in the cap transaction. As of March 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $30 thousand.

For both the collar and cap transactions described above, the effective portion of changes in the fair values of the derivatives is initially reported in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified to earnings (interest income on loans or interest expense on borrowings) when the hedged transactions affect earnings. Ineffectiveness resulting from the hedging relationship, if any, is recorded as a gain or loss in earnings as part of noninterest income. Heartland uses the “Hypothetical Derivative Method” described in SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. G20, Cash Flow Hedges: Assessing and Measuring the Effectiveness of a Purchased Option Used in a Cash Flow Hedge, for its quarterly prospective and retrospective assessments of hedge effectiveness, as well as for measurements of hedge ineffectiveness. All components of the derivative instruments’ change in the fair value were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. No ineffectiveness was recognized for the cash flow hedge transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2008.

A portion of the September 19, 2005, collar transaction did not meet the retrospective hedge effectiveness test at March 31, 2008. The failure was on a portion of the $50.0 million notional amount. That portion, $14.3 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge of the overall changes in the cash flows above and below the collar strike rates associated with interest payments on certain of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s prime-based loans. The failure of this hedge relationship was caused by paydowns which reduced the designated loan pool from $14.3 million to $9.6 million. This hedge failure resulted in the recognition of a gain of $198 thousand during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, which consists of the mark to market gain on the collar transaction of $212 thousand and a reclassification of unrealized losses out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $14 thousand.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the change in net unrealized gains of $1.5 million for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is separately disclosed in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, before income taxes of $541 thousand.  For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the change in net unrealized gains of $53 thousand for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is separately disclosed in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, before income taxes of $20 thousand.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income or expense as interest payments are received or made on Heartland’s variable-rate assets and liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, the change in net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges reflects a reclassification of $6 thousand of net unrealized losses from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest income or interest expense. For the next twelve months, Heartland estimates that an additional $24 thousand will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest income.

By using derivatives, Heartland is exposed to credit risk if counterparties to derivative instruments do not perform as expected. Heartland minimizes this risk by entering into derivative contracts with large, stable financial institutions and Heartland has not experienced any losses from counterparty nonperformance on derivative instruments. Furthermore, Heartland also periodically monitors counterparty credit risk in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 133.

NOTE 5: FAIR VALUE

Heartland utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available for sale, trading securities and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, Heartland may be required to record at fair value other assets on a non-recurring basis such as loans held for sale, loans held to maturity and certain other assets including, but not limited to, mortgage servicing rights. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

Fair Value Hierarchy

Under FAS 157, assets and liabilities are grouped at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets recorded at fair value and for estimation of fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value.

Assets

Securities Available for Sale

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, as well as U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government and agency securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 securities include agency mortgage-backed securities and private collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. Level 3 securities consist primarily of auction rate securities. Heartland has utilized auction rate securities in previous periods as a higher-yielding alternative investment for fed funds. Heartland purchased $10.7 million of auction rate securities in February of 2008. This portfolio consists of securities issued by various state governmental entities and includes securities backed by student loans that are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Auction rate securities are primarily debt instruments with long-term maturities for which interest rates are reset periodically through an auction process, which typically occurs every 28 days. The auction process results in the interest rate being reset on the underlying securities until the next reset or auction date. A failed auction occurs when there are insufficient bids for the number of instruments being offered. Upon a failed auction, the then present holders of the instruments continue to hold them and the instrument carries an interest rate based upon certain predefined formulas. In February 2008, the market for these securities began to show signs of illiquidity as auctions for several securities failed on their scheduled auction dates. Shortly thereafter, liquidity left the market causing the traditional auction process to fail. As a result, Heartland will not be able to access these funds until such time as an auction of these investments is successful, a buyer is found outside of the auction process and/or the securities are redeemed by the issuer. Due to the illiquidity in the market for auction rate securities, Heartland has classified these investments as Level 3 for purposes of reporting under FAS 157. Subsequent to March 31, 2008, $1.0 million of the $10.7 million was redeemed at par value. All of the other related auction rate securities have paid interest as defined by the predetermined formula. Heartland anticipates that these investments will be redeemed at par value prior to year-end 2008. The remaining $200 thousand of securities classified as Level 3 is related to an investment in a partnership.

Trading Assets

Trading assets are recorded at fair value and consist of securities held for trading purposes. The valuation method for trading securities is the same as the methodology used for securities classified as available for sale.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair value of loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. As such, Heartland classifies loans held for sale subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2.

Loans Held to Maturity

Heartland does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Under Heartland’s credit policies, all nonaccrual loans are defined as impaired loans. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with FAS 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan . Loan impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except where more practical, at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Heartland’s allowance methodology requires specific reserves for all impaired loans. At March 31, 2008, substantially all of the total impaired loans were based on the fair value of the collateral. In accordance with FAS 157, impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, Heartland records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, Heartland records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Currently, Heartland uses interest rate caps, floors and collars to manage its interest rate risk.   The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of interest rate options are determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates fell below (rise above) the strike rate of the floors (caps).  The variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the floor (cap) are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities. To comply with the provisions of FAS No. 157, Heartland incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, Heartland has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although Heartland has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties.  However, as of March 31, 2008, Heartland has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, Heartland has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights are subject to impairment testing. The carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based upon the calculation of fair value as performed by an outside third party. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified into certain risk characteristics including note type, note rate, prepayment trends and external market factors. If the valuation model reflects a value less than the carrying value, mortgage servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance. As such, Heartland classifies mortgage servicing rights subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2.

The table below presents, in thousands, Heartland’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2008, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall:

   
Total Fair Value
Mar. 31, 2008
 
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
                                 
Trading securities
 
$
1,786
   
$
1,786
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Available-for-sale securities
   
727,239
     
229,378
     
486,961
     
10,900
 
Derivative assets
   
2,254
     
-
     
2,254
     
-
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
731,279
   
$
231,164
   
$
489,215
   
$
10,900
 
 

 

The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following table, in thousands:

   
Fair Value
 
Balance at January 1, 2008
$
                  200
 
Purchases
 
10,700
 
Balance at March 31, 2008
$
10,900
 

The table below presents Heartland’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, in thousands:


   
Carrying Value at March 31, 2008
   
Quarter Ended March 31, 2008
 
     
 
Total
     
 
Level 1
     
 
Level 2
     
 
Level 3
   
Total
Losses
 
                                       
Impaired loans
 
$
3,704
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
3,704
 
$
651
 



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This document (including information incorporated by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management may contain, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Heartland. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should" or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Heartland undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

Heartland’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. The factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of Heartland and its subsidiaries are detailed in the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A. of Part I of Heartland’s 2007 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008. In addition to the risk factors described in that section, there are other factors that may impact any public company, including Heartland, which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of Heartland and its subsidiaries. These additional factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

*
The economic impact of past and any future terrorist attacks, acts of war or threats thereof, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks.
   
*
The costs, effects and outcomes of existing or future litigation.
   
*
Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
   
*
The ability of Heartland to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

GENERAL

Heartland’s results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest earning assets and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities. Noninterest income, which includes service charges and fees, trust income, brokerage and insurance commissions and gains on sale of loans, also affects Heartland’s results of operations. Heartland’s principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment costs and provision for loan and lease losses.

Net income was $6.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, compared to $5.8 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, earned during the first quarter of 2007, an increase of $496 thousand or 9%.  Return on average equity was 10.72% and return on average assets was 0.77% for the first quarter of 2008, compared to 11.18% and 0.76%, respectively, for the same quarter in 2007.

Income from continuing operations was $6.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $5.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, during the first quarter of 2007. The sale of Rocky Mountain Bank’s branch banking office in Broadus, Montana, was completed on June 22, 2007. Included in the sale were $20.9 million of loans and $30.2 million of deposits. The results of operations of the branch are reflected on the income statement as discontinued operations for the prior periods reported.

Heartland was able to navigate through some very challenging economic times with solid earnings performance during the first quarter of 2008. Net income, earnings per share and assets were all up over the same quarter one year ago and net interest margin was maintained at the same level as the second half of 2007.  However, the first quarter of 2008 included an increase in the level of nonperforming loans.

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.88% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to 4.04% for the first quarter of 2007.  Affecting the net interest margin throughout the second half of 2007 and first three months of 2008 was the impact of foregone interest on Heartland’s nonperforming loans, which had balances of $39.1 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $31.8 million at year-end 2007. Additionally, early in the third quarter of 2007, a $20.5 million investment was made in bank owned life insurance upon which interest expense associated with the funding of this investment is reflected in net interest margin while the corresponding earnings on this investment is recorded as noninterest income. During the first quarter of 2008, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $861 thousand or 3% compared to the same quarter in 2007, due primarily to growth in earning assets. Average earning assets increased $184.1 million or 7% during the comparable quarterly periods.

Noninterest income increased by $863 thousand or 11% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007. The categories experiencing the largest increases for the comparative quarters were loan servicing income, brokerage and insurance commissions and other noninterest income. The initial public offering of Visa Inc. completed on March 18, 2008, provided Heartland with a $246 thousand pre-tax gain, which was recorded as other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2008. Recorded in other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2007 was a $250 thousand settlement of a dispute with two former employees at one of our bank subsidiaries.

For the first quarter of 2008, noninterest expense increased $1.4 million or 6% from the same period in 2007. The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $624 thousand or 4% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007, primarily due to the expansion of Summit Bank & Trust, the formation of Minnesota Bank & Trust and additional staffing at Heartland’s operations center to provide support services to the growing number of bank subsidiaries. Total full-time equivalent employees increased to 995 at March 31, 2008, from 982 at March 31, 2007. The other noninterest expense categories to experience significant increases during the quarters under comparison were occupancy expenses and outside services.

At March 31, 2008, total assets had increased $36.4 million or 4% annualized since year-end 2007. Total loans and leases experienced a decrease of $8.5 million or 1% annualized since year-end 2007. Aside from the payoff of one commercial real estate loan totaling $24.3 million, growth in loans and leases totaled $15.8 million or 3% annualized since year-end 2007. A majority of this increase was in agricultural and agricultural real estate loans, nearly all which occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company. In order to provide the investing community with a perspective on how the growth in both loans and deposits during the first three months of the year equates to performance on an annualized basis, the growth rates on these two categories have been reflected as an annualized percentage throughout this report. These annualized numbers were calculated by multiplying the growth percentage for the first three months of the year by 4.

At March 31, 2008, total deposits had grown by $44.6 million or 8% annualized since year-end 2007. Growth in deposits was weighted more heavily in Heartland’s Western markets. Demand deposits experienced a decline, in large part, due to normal seasonal fluctuations that many banks experience during the first quarter of the year.
Savings deposit balances and time deposits, exclusive of brokered deposits, experienced increases of 4% and 7% annualized, respectively, since year-end 2007. At March 31, 2008, brokered time deposits totaled 4% of total deposits compared to 3% of total deposits at year-end 2007.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The process utilized by Heartland to estimate the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is considered a critical accounting policy for Heartland. The allowance for loan and lease losses represents management’s estimate of identified and unidentified probable losses in the existing loan portfolio. Thus, the accuracy of this estimate could have a material impact on Heartland’s earnings. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is determined using factors that include the overall composition of the loan portfolio, general economic conditions, types of loans, loan collateral values, past loss experience, loan delinquencies, and potential losses from identified substandard and doubtful credits. Nonperforming loans and large non-homogeneous loans are specifically reviewed for impairment and the allowance is allocated on a loan by loan basis as deemed necessary. Homogeneous loans and loans not specifically evaluated are grouped into pools to which a loss percentage, based on historical experience, is allocated. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is monitored on an ongoing basis by the loan review staff, senior management and the banks’ boards of directors. Specific factors considered by management in establishing the allowance included the following:

*
Heartland has continued to experience growth in more complex commercial loans as compared to relatively lower-risk residential real estate loans.
   
*
During the last several years, Heartland has entered new geographical markets in which it had little or no previous lending experience.
   
*
Heartland has experienced an increase in net charge-offs and nonperforming loans during the most recent quarters.

There can be no assurances that the allowance for loan and lease losses will be adequate to cover all loan losses, but management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses was adequate at March 31, 2008. While management uses available information to provide for loan and lease losses, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio and the need for future additions to the allowance will be based on changes in economic conditions. Should the economic climate continue to deteriorate, borrowers may experience difficulty, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and delinquencies could rise and require further increases in the provision for loan and lease losses. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan and lease losses carried by the Heartland subsidiaries. Such agencies may require Heartland to make additional provisions to the allowance based upon their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.88% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to 4.04% for the first quarter of 2007 and 3.87% for the fourth quarter of 2007. Contributing to the decline in net interest margin during the first quarter of 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007, was a shift in Heartland’s asset mix as a larger percentage of earning assets was held in fed funds sold or investments. Also affecting the net interest margin throughout the second half of 2007 and first three months of 2008 was the impact of foregone interest on Heartland’s nonperforming loans, which had balances of $39.1 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $31.8 million at year-end 2007 and $9.9 million at March 31, 2007. Additionally, early in the third quarter of 2007, a $20.5 million investment was made in bank owned life insurance upon which interest expense associated with the funding of this investment is reflected in net interest margin while the corresponding earnings on this investment is recorded as noninterest income.

Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $28.7 million during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of $861 thousand or 3% from the $27.8 million recorded during the first quarter of 2007. Contributing to this increase was the $184.1 million or 7% growth in average earning assets during the comparable quarterly periods. Average earning assets totaled $2.97 billion during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $2.79 billion during the first quarter of 2007.

On a tax-equivalent basis, interest income in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $52.2 million compared to $53.2 million in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $1.0 million or 2%. Nearly half of the loans in Heartland’s commercial and agricultural loan portfolios are floating rate loans that reprice immediately upon a change in the national prime interest rate, thus changes in the national prime rate impact interest income more quickly than if there were more fixed rate loans. The national prime interest rate was 8.25% for the first three months of 2007. During the first three months of 2008, the national prime interest rate decreased from 7.25% on January 1, 2008, to 5.25% at March 31, 2008.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2008 was $23.5 million compared to $25.4 million in the first quarter of 2007, a decrease of $1.9 million or 7%. Interest rates paid on Heartland’s short-term and other borrowings were lower during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. Approximately 77% of Heartland’s certificate of deposit accounts will mature within the next twelve months at a weighted average rate of 4.30%.

Heartland manages its balance sheet to minimize the effect that a change in interest rates has on its net interest margin. During the remainder of 2008, Heartland will continue to work toward improving both its earning asset and funding mix through targeted organic growth strategies, which management believes will result in additional net interest income. Heartland’s net interest income simulations reflect an asset sensitive posture leading to stronger earnings performance in a rising interest rate environment. The expected benefits associated with an inherently asset sensitive balance sheet will be delayed if interest rates on deposits rise as a result of a highly competitive environment instead of a reaction to the changes in the prime rate or targeted fed funds rate. Eventually, in a rapidly rising interest rate environment, funding costs should stabilize while asset yields continue to improve. Alternatively, Heartland’s net interest income would likely decline in a falling rate environment. Management continues to support a pricing discipline in which the focus is less on price and more on the unique value provided to business and retail clients. Item three of this Form 10-Q contains additional information about the results of Heartland’s most recent net interest income simulations.

In order to reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on net interest income on the loan portfolio, Heartland has certain derivative transactions currently open: a five-year collar transaction on a notional $50.0 million entered into in September 2005 and a three-year collar transaction on a notional $50.0 million entered into in April 2006. Additionally, in August 2006, Heartland entered into a leverage structured wholesale repurchase agreement transaction. This wholesale repurchase agreement in the amount of $50.0 million initially had a variable interest rate that reset quarterly to the 3-month LIBOR rate plus 29.375 basis points. Within this contract was an interest floor option that resulted when the 3-month LIBOR rate fell to 4.40% or lower. If that situation occurred, the rate paid would have been decreased by two times the difference between the 3-month LIBOR rate and 4.40%. In order to effectuate this wholesale repurchase agreement, a $55.0 million government agency bond was acquired. On the date of the contract, the interest rate on the securities was nearly equivalent to the interest rate being paid on the repurchase agreement contract. As the general level of interest rates declined during 2007, this transaction was restructured to reduce the risk of rising rates in the future. The unrealized gains were utilized to reduce the maximum rate to 3.06% until August 28, 2009, when it is callable. If not called, the funding will remain in place until November 28, 2010. Within this contract is an interest cap option that will reduce the interest rate being paid as the 3-month LIBOR rate exceeds 5.15%.

On February 1, 2007, Heartland entered into two interest rate cap transactions on a total notional amount of $45.0 million to reduce the potentially negative impact an upward rate environment would have on net interest income. These two-year contracts were acquired with the counterparty as the payer on 3-month LIBOR at a cap strike rate of 5.50% and were designated as a cash flow hedge against the LIBOR based variable-rate interest payments on Heartland’s subordinated debentures associated with two of its trust preferred capital securities. On January 15, 2008, Heartland entered into another interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $20.0 million to further reduce the potentially negative impact an upward rate environment would have on net interest income. This fifty-five month contract was acquired with the counterparty as the payer on 3-month LIBOR at a cap strike cap rate of 5.12% and was designated as a cash flow hedge against the LIBOR based variable-rate interest payments on Heartland’s subordinated debentures associated with another of its trust preferred capital securities. Additionally, on March 28, 2008, Heartland entered into a twenty-eight month interest rate cap transaction on a notional amount of $20.0 million to extend the maturity date on a portion of the February 2007 transactions. This cap has an effective date of January 7, 2009, and a maturity date of April 7, 2011. Should 3-month LIBOR exceed 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty will pay Heartland the amount of interest that exceeds the amount owed on the debt at the cap LIBOR rate of 5.5%. Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements contains additional information about Heartland’s derivative transactions.

The table below sets forth certain information relating to Heartland’s average consolidated balance sheets and reflects the yield on average earnings assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities for the periods indicated. Dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities derives such yield and costs. Average balances are derived from daily balances. Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in each respective loan category.



ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, TAX EQUIVALENT YIELDS AND RATES 1
For the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2008
 
2007
   
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
EARNING ASSETS
                                           
Securities:
                                           
Taxable
 
$
556,859
   
$
6,615
   
4.78
%
 
$
474,390
   
$
5,297
   
4.53
%
Nontaxable 1
   
145,942
     
2,421
   
6.67
     
131,068
     
2,215
   
6.85
 
Total securities
   
702,801
     
9,036
   
5.17
     
605,458
     
7,512
   
5.03
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
432
     
5
   
4.66
     
481
     
10
   
8.43
 
Federal funds sold
   
19,006
     
131
   
2.77
     
-
     
-
   
-
 
Loans and leases:
                                           
Commercial and commercial real estate 1
   
1,623,511
     
28,597
   
7.08
     
1,543,366
     
30,566
   
8.03
 
Residential mortgage
   
224,902
     
3,701
   
6.62
     
242,946
     
4,122
   
6.88
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate 1
   
228,964
     
4,324
   
7.60
     
221,634
     
4,430
   
8.11
 
Consumer
   
198,469
     
4,931
   
9.99
     
193,179
     
4,985
   
10.47
 
Direct financing leases, net
   
8,788
     
133
   
6.09
     
13,727
     
200
   
5.91
 
Fees on loans
   
-
     
1,382
   
-
     
-
     
1,427
   
-
 
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(32,658
)
   
-
   
-
     
(30,704
)
   
-
   
-
 
Net loans and leases
   
2,251,976
     
43,068
   
7.69
     
2,184,148
     
45,730
   
8.49
 
Total earning assets
   
2,974,215
   
$
52,240
   
7.06
%
   
2,790,087
   
$
53,252
   
7.74
%
NONEARNING ASSETS
   
295,319
                   
283,250
               
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
3,269,534
                 
$
3,073,337
               
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Interest bearing deposits
                                           
Savings
 
$
827,988
   
$
4,035
   
1.96
%
 
$
803,973
   
$
5,433
   
2.74
%
Time, $100,000 and over
   
308,760
     
3,547
   
4.62
     
251,360
     
2,990
   
4.82
 
Other time deposits
   
845,308
     
9,514
   
4.53
     
868,229
     
9,875
   
4.61
 
Short-term borrowings
   
301,616
     
2,186
   
2.91
     
314,026
     
3,811
   
4.92
 
Other borrowings
   
354,290
     
4,277
   
4.86
     
220,209
     
3,323
   
6.12
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,637,962
     
23,559
   
3.59
%
   
2,457,797
     
25,432
   
4.20
%
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Noninterest bearing deposits
   
356,578
                   
347,116
               
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
39,850
                   
59,086
               
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
   
396,428
                   
406,202
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
235,144
                   
209,338
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
3,269,534
                 
$
3,073,337
               
Net interest income 1
         
$
28,681
                 
$
27,820
       
Net interest spread 1
                 
3.47
%
                 
3.54
%
Net interest income to total earning assets 1
                 
3.88
%
                 
4.04
%
Interest bearing liabilities to earning assets
   
88.69
%
                 
88.09
%
             
                                             
1 Tax equivalent basis is calculated using an effective tax rate of 35%.

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision charged to expense to provide, in Heartland’s opinion, an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses. During the first quarter of 2008, the provision for loan losses was $1.8 million, a decrease of $165 thousand or 9% over the same period in 2007. This decrease was due, in part, to a reduction in loan balances. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is determined by management using factors that include the overall composition of the loan portfolio, general economic conditions, types of loans, loan collateral values, past loss experience, loan delinquencies, substandard credits, and doubtful credits. For additional details on the specific factors considered, refer to the critical accounting policies and allowance for loan and lease losses sections of this report. Heartland believes the allowance for loan and lease losses is at a level commensurate with the overall risk exposure of the loan portfolio. However, if economic conditions would become unfavorable, certain borrowers may experience difficulty and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require further increases in the provision for loan and lease losses.

NONINTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
   
   
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
 
 
 Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service charges and fees, net
 
$
2,615
   
$
2,571
   
$
44
     
2
%
Loan servicing income
   
1,296
     
995
     
301
     
30
 
Trust fees
   
2,021
     
2,121
     
(100
)
   
(5
)
Brokerage and insurance commissions
   
892
     
493
     
399
     
81
 
Securities gains, net
   
362
     
125
     
237
     
190
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities, net
   
(207
)
   
41
     
(248
)
   
(605
)
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(86
)
   
-
     
(86
)
   
(100
)
Gains on sale of loans
   
504
     
591
     
(87
)
   
(15
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
   
463
     
300
     
163
     
54
 
Other noninterest income
   
614
     
374
     
240
     
64
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
 
$
8,474
   
$
7,611
   
$
863
     
11
%

Noninterest income increased by $863 thousand or 11% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007. The categories experiencing the largest increases were loan servicing income, brokerage and insurance commissions and other noninterest income.

Loan servicing income increased $301 thousand or 30% due, in part, to an increase in residential real estate loans that Heartland services, which was $658.1 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $604.3 million at March 31, 2007.

Brokerage and insurance commissions increased $399 thousand or 81% for the quarters under comparison, primarily as a result of the March 2007 acquisition of brokerage personnel and a book of business by Summit Bank & Trust and the receipt by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s insurance agency of its annual insurance contingency that exceeded the prior year’s payment.

Other noninterest income increased $240 thousand or 64% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. The initial public offering of Visa Inc., completed on March 18, 2008, provided Heartland with a $246 thousand pre-tax gain, which was recorded as other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2008. This gain was attributable to restricted shares of Visa, Inc. held by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and Galena State Bank & Trust Co. that were redeemed in connection with the initial public offering. Also included in other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2008 was a $198 thousand mark to market gain on one of Heartland’s outstanding derivative transactions. For more information regarding Heartland’s derivative transactions see Note 4 to Heartland’s consolidated financial statements. Recorded in other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2007 was a $250 thousand settlement of a dispute with two former employees at one of our bank subsidiaries.


NONINTEREST EXPENSES
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
   
   
March 31, 2008
 
March 31, 2007
 
 
 Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
14,793
   
$
14,169
   
$
624
     
4
%
Occupancy
   
2,344
     
1,927
     
417
     
22
 
Furniture and equipment
   
1,768
     
1,676
     
92
     
5
 
Outside services
   
2,510
     
2,269
     
241
     
11
 
Advertising
   
795
     
769
     
26
     
3
 
Intangible assets amortization
   
236
     
219
     
17
     
8
 
Other noninterest expenses
   
3,318
     
3,367
     
(49
)
   
(1
)
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
 
$
25,764
   
$
24,396
   
$
1,368
     
6
%


For the first quarter of 2008, noninterest expense increased $1.4 million or 6% from the same period in 2007. The noninterest expense categories experiencing the largest increases were salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and outside services.

The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $624 thousand or 4% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007, primarily due to the expansion of Summit Bank & Trust, the formation of Minnesota Bank & Trust and additional staffing at Heartland’s operations center to provide support services to the growing number of bank subsidiaries. Total full-time equivalent employees increased to 995 at March 31, 2008, from 982 at March 31, 2007.

Occupancy expenses increased $417 thousand or 22% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007, primarily as a result of branch expansions completed throughout 2007. In addition to the opening of Minnesota Bank & Trust, Heartland’s plan for expansion during 2008 will be at a slower pace, with the addition of only two or three new locations. Even though expansion efforts adversely affect short-term profitability, management feels these investments offer great potential for Heartland’s future profitability. Of Heartland’s 60 banking offices, fifteen offices, or 25%, have been open less than three years. Of these, six have been open for two-to-three years, an additional three have been open for one-to-two years and six more have been open for one year or less. Management believes that it generally takes approximately three years for new branch offices to become profitable.

The other noninterest expense category to experience a significant increase during the quarters under comparison was outside services, which increased $241 thousand or 11%. Nearly all this increase was attributable to additional FDIC assessments as a majority of the FDIC credits at Heartland’s bank subsidiaries were utilized during 2007.

The first quarter of 2007 other noninterest expenses included $202 thousand of remaining unamortized issuance costs expensed due to the redemption of $8.0 million of floating rate trust preferred securities. Exclusive of this nonrecurring item, other noninterest expenses increased $153 thousand or 5% during the first three months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, primarily as a result of the expansion efforts. The following types of expenses are classified in the other noninterest expenses category: supplies, telephone, software maintenance, software amortization, seminars and other staff expense.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Heartland’s effective tax rate was 27.86% for the first quarter of 2008 compared to 30.95% for the first quarter of 2007. The decrease in Heartland’s effective tax rate during the first quarter of 2008 resulted primarily from $170 thousand in federal rehabilitation tax credits associated with Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s ownership interest in a limited liability company that owns a certified historic structure and also from $163 thousand of additional non-taxable income associated with the increase in the cash surrender value on life insurance policies. Heartland’s effective tax rate is also affected by the level of tax-exempt interest income which, as a percentage of pre-tax income, was 20.17% during the first quarter of 2008 compared to 21.09% during the same quarter of 2007. The tax-equivalent adjustment for this tax-exempt interest income was $943 thousand during the first quarter of 2008 compared to $929 thousand during the same quarter in 2007.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Total loans and leases were $2.27 billion at March 31, 2008, compared to $2.28 billion at year-end 2007, a decrease of $8.5 million or 1% annualized. Aside from the payoff of one commercial real estate loan totaling $24.3 million, growth in loans totaled $15.8 million or 3% annualized since year-end 2007. A majority of this increase was in agricultural and agricultural real estate loans. The Heartland subsidiary banks have seen loan demand slow and have been focusing much more attention on nonperforming loans. Considering the opening of Minnesota Bank & Trust and the ramp up of Summit Bank & Trust, Heartland’s business bankers are forecasting loan growth to be near $100 million for the year 2008.

The agricultural and agricultural real estate loan category, which totaled $238.2 million at March 31, 2008, an increase of $12.5 million or 22% annualized since year-end 2007, was the major contributor to the loan growth experienced during the first three months of 2008. Nearly all this growth occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company.

The table below presents the composition of the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

LOAN PORTFOLIO
(Dollars in thousands)
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
1,616,190
   
71.03
%
 
$
1,632,597
   
71.48
%
Residential mortgage
   
210,147
   
9.24
     
217,044
   
9.50
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
238,178
   
10.47
     
225,663
   
9.88
 
Consumer
   
202,348
   
8.89
     
199,518
   
8.74
 
Lease financing, net
   
8,386
   
0.37
     
9,158
   
0.40
 
Gross loans and leases
   
2,275,249
   
100.00
%
   
2,283,980
   
100.00
%
Unearned discount
   
(2,137
)
         
(2,107
)
     
Deferred loan fees
   
(1,449
)
         
(1,706
)
     
Total loans and leases
   
2,271,663
           
2,280,167
       
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(33,695
)
         
(32,993
)
     
Loans and leases, net
 
$
2,237,968
         
$
2,247,174
       

The process utilized by Heartland to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is considered a critical accounting practice for Heartland. The allowance for loan and lease losses represents management’s estimate of identified and unidentified probable losses in the existing loan portfolio. For additional details on the specific factors considered, refer to the critical accounting policies section of this report.

The allowance for loan and lease losses at March 31, 2008, was 1.48% of loans and 86% of nonperforming loans, compared to 1.45% of loans and 104% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2007. Additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses were primarily driven by the continued softening of the economy and reduced real estate values, particularly in the Phoenix market. Nonperforming loans were $39.1 million or 1.72% of total loans and leases at March 31, 2008, compared to $31.8 million or 1.40% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2007. The majority of the $7.3 million increase in nonperforming loans from December 31, 2007, resulted from one large credit originated by Arizona Bank & Trust. Slightly over 61%, or $23.7 million, of Heartland’s nonperforming loans are to 6 borrowers, with $8.9 million originated by Wisconsin Community Bank and $13.4 million originated by Arizona Bank & Trust. Management monitors the loan portfolio of each bank subsidiary and, at this point, does not believe that the increase in nonperforming loans is any indication of a systemic problem but is more likely a result of the continuing shift in the economy in some of Heartland’s markets.

Net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2008 were $1.1 million compared to $362 thousand during the first quarter of 2007. Citizens Finance Co., Heartland’s finance subsidiary, recorded net charge-offs of $349 thousand during the first three months of 2008 compared to $125 thousand during the first three months of 2007. Although Heartland may periodically experience a charge-off of more significance on an individual credit, management feels the credit culture at Heartland and its subsidiary banks remains solid.

With all of the recent attention given to subprime lending, Heartland believes it is important to note that its bank subsidiaries have not been active in the origination of subprime loans. Consistent with Heartland’s community banking model, which includes meeting the legitimate credit needs within the communities served, the bank subsidiaries may make loans to borrowers possessing subprime characteristics if there are mitigating factors present that reduce the potential default risk of the loan. Loans past due more than thirty days in Heartland’s residential real estate loan portfolio, including serviced loans, were 1.05% of the total loan balances at March 31, 2008, and loans in foreclosure on residential real estate loans, including those sold and serviced, totaled 22 at March 31, 2008.

The table below presents the changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses during the periods indicated:

ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
   
2008
 
2007
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
32,993
   
$
29,981
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from continuing operations
   
1,761
     
1,926
 
Recoveries on loans and leases previously charged off
   
256
     
364
 
Loans and leases charged off
   
(1,315
)
   
(726
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
33,695
   
$
31,545
 
Net charge offs to average loans and leases
   
0.05
%
   
0.02
%

The table below presents the amounts of nonperforming loans and leases and other nonperforming assets on the dates indicated:

NONPERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
As of March 31,
 
As of December 31,
   
2008
 
2007
 
2007
 
2006
Nonaccrual loans and leases
 
$
38,748
   
$
9,436
   
$
30,694
   
$
8,104
 
Loan and leases contractually past due 90 days or more
   
378
     
494
     
1,134
     
315
 
Total nonperforming loans and leases
   
39,126
     
9,930
     
31,828
     
8,419
 
Other real estate
   
2,714
     
1,689
     
2,195
     
1,575
 
Other repossessed assets, net
   
494
     
359
     
438
     
349
 
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
42,334
   
$
11,978
   
$
34,461
   
$
10,343
 
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
   
1.72
%
   
0.45
%
   
1.40
%
   
0.39
%

SECURITIES

The composition of Heartland's securities portfolio is managed to maximize the return on the portfolio while considering the impact it has on Heartland’s asset/liability position and liquidity needs. Securities represented 22% of total assets at March 31, 2008, and 21% at December 31, 2007. Total available for sale securities as of March 31, 2008, were $727.2 million, an increase of $44.9 million or 7% from December 31, 2007.

The composition of the securities portfolio was shifted from an emphasis in U.S. government corporations and agencies to mortgage-backed securities during the first quarter of 2008 as the spread on mortgage-backed securities had widened in comparison to government agency securities. The percentage of U.S. government corporations and agencies securities was 37% at year-end 2007 compared to 31% at March 31, 2008. The table below presents the composition of the securities portfolio by major category as of March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007. All of Heartland’s U.S. government corporations and agencies securities and more than 90% of its mortgage-backed securities are issuances of government-sponsored enterprises.

SECURITIES PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
(Dollars in thousands)
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
229,378
   
31.22
%
 
$
255,257
   
37.00
%
Mortgage-backed securities
   
302,957
   
41.24
     
244,934
   
35.50
 
Obligation of states and political subdivisions
   
158,684
   
21.60
     
147,398
   
21.36
 
Other securities
   
43,671
   
5.94
     
42,360
   
6.14
 
Total securities
 
$
734,690
   
100.00
%
 
$
689,949
   
100.00
%

Periodically, Heartland has utilized auction rate securities as a higher-yielding alternative investment for fed funds. Included in obligations of states and political subdivisions were $10.7 million of auction rate securities at March 31, 2008. At year-end 2007, Heartland’s securities portfolio held no auction rate securities. For a further description of these securities refer to Note 5 to Heartland’s consolidated financial statements.

DEPOSITS AND BORROWED FUNDS

Total deposits grew to $2.42 billion at March 31, 2008, an increase of $44.6 million or 8% annualized since year-end 2007. Growth in deposits was weighted more heavily in Heartland’s Western markets. Demand deposits experienced a decrease of $3.8 million or 4% annualized since year-end 2007. Savings deposit balances experienced an increase of $8.0 million or 4% annualized since year-end 2007 and time deposits, exclusive of brokered deposits, experienced an increase of $19.9 million or 7% annualized since year-end 2007. At March 31, 2008, brokered time deposits totaled $89.4 million or 4% of total deposits compared to $69.0 million or 3% of total deposits at year-end 2007.

Short-term borrowings generally include federal funds purchased, treasury tax and loan note options, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances. These funding alternatives are utilized in varying degrees depending on their pricing and availability. At of March 31, 2008, the amount of short-term borrowings was $226.1 million compared to $354.1 million at year-end 2007, a decrease of $128.0 million or 36%. Management elected to utilize some additional long-term FHLB borrowings in the first quarter of 2008 as the interest rates on these borrowings were at lower levels than other funding alternatives, particularly brokered deposits.

All of the bank subsidiaries provide repurchase agreements to their customers as a cash management tool, sweeping excess funds from demand deposit accounts into these agreements. This source of funding does not increase the bank’s reserve requirements, nor does it create an expense relating to FDIC premiums on deposits. Although the aggregate balance of these retail repurchase agreements is subject to variation, the account relationships represented by these balances are principally local. These balances were $182.4 million at March 31, 2008, compared to $237.9 million at year-end 2007.

Also included in short-term borrowings is the revolving credit line Heartland has with third-party banks. At March 31, 2008, this unsecured revolving credit line allowed Heartland to borrow up to $60.0 million at any one time. A total of $30.0 million was outstanding on this credit line at March 31, 2008, compared to $15.0 million at December 31, 2007. Upon renewal of this credit line on April 28, 2008, two of the four unaffiliated banks agreed to continue providing the credit line and, as a result, the amount available was reduced to $40.0 million.


Other borrowings include all debt arrangements Heartland and its subsidiaries have entered into with original maturities that extend beyond one year. At of March 31, 2008, the amount of other borrowings was $380.5 million, an increase of $116.9 million or 44% since year-end 2007. Other borrowings include structured wholesale repurchase agreements which totaled $75.0 million at March 31, 2008, and $50.0 million at year-end 2007. The balances outstanding on trust preferred capital securities issued by Heartland are also included in other borrowings. A schedule of Heartland’s trust preferred offerings outstanding as of March 31, 2008, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount
Issued
Issuance
Date
Interest
Rate
Interest Rate as of 3/31 /0 8
Maturity
Date
Callable
Date
             
$
5,000
08/07/00
10.60%
10.60%
09/07/2030
09/07/2010
 
20,000
10/10/03
8.25%
8.25%
10/10/2033
10/10/2008
 
25,000
03/17/04
2.75% over Libor
5.55%
03/17/2034
03/17/2009
 
20,000
01/31/06
1.33% over Libor
5.59%
04/07/2036
04/07/2011
 
20,000
06/21/07
6.75%
6.75%
09/15/2037
06/15/2012
 
20,000
06/26/07
1.48% over Libor
4.56%
09/01/2037
09/01/2012
$
110,000
         

Also in other borrowings are the bank subsidiaries’ borrowings from the FHLB. All of the bank subsidiaries, except for Heartland’s most recent de novo banks, own FHLB stock in either Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Seattle or San Francisco, enabling them to borrow funds from their respective FHLB for short- or long-term purposes under a variety of programs. FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2008, totaled $185.5 million, an increase of $91.8 million or 98% from the December 31, 2007, FHLB borrowings of $93.5 million. Included in the FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, was $2.0 million classified as short-term borrowings on Heartland’s consolidated balance sheet. Total FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2008, had an average rate of 3.71% and an average maturity of 4.00 years.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Heartland banks evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Heartland banks upon extension of credit, is based upon management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment and income-producing commercial properties. Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written are conditional commitments issued by the Heartland banks to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At March 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007, commitments to extend credit aggregated $604.6 million and $588.7 million, and standby letters of credit aggregated $34.1 million and $36.0 million, respectively.

Contractual obligations and other commitments were presented in Heartland’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in Heartland’s contractual obligations and other commitments since that report was filed.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Bank regulatory agencies have adopted capital standards by which all bank holding companies will be evaluated. Under the risk-based method of measurement, the resulting ratio is dependent upon not only the level of capital and assets, but also the composition of assets and capital and the amount of off-balance sheet commitments. Heartland and its bank subsidiaries have been, and will continue to be, managed so they meet the well-capitalized requirements under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized under the regulatory framework, bank holding companies and banks must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios of 10%, 6% and 4%, respectively. The most recent notification from the FDIC categorized Heartland and each of its bank subsidiaries as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed each institution’s category.

Heartland's capital ratios were as follows for the dates indicated:

CAPITAL RATIOS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
March 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
Risk-Based Capital Ratios 1
                           
Tier 1 capital
 
$
256,605
   
9.92
%
 
$
253,675
   
9.74
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement
   
103,444
   
4.00
%
   
104,191
   
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
153,161
   
5.92
%
 
$
149,484
   
5.74
%
Total capital
 
$
327,031
   
12.65
%
 
$
325,016
   
12.48
%
Total capital minimum requirement
   
206,888
   
8.00
%
   
208,382
   
8.00
%
Excess
 
$
120,143
   
4.65
%
 
$
116,634
   
4.48
%
Total risk-adjusted assets
 
$
2,586,099
         
$
2,604,771
       
Leverage Capital Ratios 2
                           
Tier 1 capital
 
$
256,605
   
7.96
%
 
$
253,675
   
8.01
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement 3
   
128,987
   
4.00
%
   
126,644
   
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
127,618
   
3.96
%
 
$
127,031
   
4.01
%
Average adjusted assets (less goodwill and other intangible assets)
 
$
3,224,686
         
$
3,166,102
       

(1)
Based on the risk-based capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve, a bank holding company is required to maintain a Tier 1 capital to risk-adjusted assets ratio of 4.00% and total capital to risk-adjusted assets ratio of 8.00%.

(2)
The leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets.

(3)
Management of Heartland has established a minimum target leverage ratio of 4.00%.  Based on Federal Reserve guidelines, a bank holding company generally is required to maintain a leverage ratio of 3.00% plus additional capital of at least 100 basis points.

Commitments for capital expenditures are an important factor in evaluating capital adequacy. Minnesota Bank & Trust, Heartland’s tenth de novo , began operations on April 15, 2008, in Edina, Minnesota, located in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area. The capital structure of this new bank is very similar to that used when Heartland formed its more recent de novo banks in the West. Heartland’s initial investment was $12.8 million, or 80%, of the $16.0 million initial capital. At March 31, 2008, all of Heartland’s investment, along with all of the subscribing minority shareholders, had been deposited into an escrow account. All minority stockholders entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the sale, transfer or other disposition of their shares in Minnesota Bank & Trust and allows, but does not require, Heartland to repurchase the shares from investors five years from the date of opening.

Summit Bank & Trust began operations on November 1, 2006, in the Denver, Colorado collar community of Broomfield. The capital structure of this new bank is very similar to that used when New Mexico Bank & Trust and Arizona Bank & Trust were formed. Heartland’s initial investment was $12.0 million, or 80%, of the $15.0 million initial capital. All minority stockholders entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the sale, transfer or other disposition of their shares in Summit Bank & Trust and requires Heartland to repurchase the shares from investors five years from the date of opening. The stock will be valued by an independent third party appraiser with the required purchase by Heartland at the appraised value, not to exceed 18x earnings, or a minimum return of 6% on the original investment amount, whichever is greater. Through March 31, 2008, Heartland accrued the amount due to the minority shareholders at 6%. The obligation to repay the original investment is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of the minority shareholder. The remainder of the obligation to the minority shareholders is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of Heartland.

In February of 2003, Heartland entered into an agreement with a group of Arizona business leaders to establish a new bank in Mesa. The new bank began operations on August 18, 2003, as Arizona Bank & Trust. Heartland’s initial investment in Arizona Bank & Trust was $12.0 million, which reflected an ownership percentage of 86%. After completion of the Bank of the Southwest acquisition, Heartland’s ownership percentage had increased to 90%. All minority stockholders have entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the sale, transfer or other disposition of their shares and requires Heartland to repurchase the shares from the investors five years from the date of opening, which will be in August of 2008. The stock will be valued by an independent third party appraiser with the required purchase by Heartland at the appraised value, not to exceed 18x earnings, or a minimum return of 6% on the original investment amount, whichever is greater. Through March 31, 2008, Heartland accrued the amount due to the minority shareholders at 6%. The obligation to repay the original investment is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of the minority shareholder. The remainder of the obligation to the minority shareholders is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of Heartland.

Heartland continues to explore opportunities to expand its umbrella of independent community banks through mergers and acquisitions as well as de novo and branching opportunities. Although the vast majority of its expansion has been in the West, Heartland continues to pursue attractive growth markets wherever it can identify professional and experienced banking talent. Future expenditures relating to expansion efforts, in addition to those identified above, are not estimable at this time.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to Heartland’s ability to maintain a cash flow, which is adequate to meet maturing obligations and existing commitments, to withstand fluctuations in deposit levels, to fund operations and to provide for customers’ credit needs. The liquidity of Heartland principally depends on cash flows from operating activities, investment in and maturity of assets, changes in balances of deposits and borrowings and its ability to borrow funds in the money or capital markets.

Investing activities from continuing operations used cash of $33.8 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $75.2 million during the first three months of 2007. The proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was $53.0 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $53.2 million during the first three months of 2007. Purchases of securities used cash of $93.5 million during the first three months of 2008 while $23.0 million was used for securities purchases during the first three months of 2007. A larger portion of the proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was used to fund loan growth during the first three months of 2007. Net loans and leases experienced a decrease of $7.6 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to an increase of $99.2 million during the first three months of 2008.

Financing activities from continuing operations provided cash of $29.8 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $80.6 million during the first three months of 2007. During the first three months of 2008, there was a net increase in deposit accounts of $44.6 million compared to $68.9 million during 2007. Activity in short-term borrowings used cash of $128.0 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to providing of cash of $30.5 million during the first three months of 2007. Cash proceeds from other borrowings were $124.3 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $690 thousand during the first three months of 2007. Repayment of other borrowings used cash of $7.4 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $14.4 million during the first three months of 2007.

Total cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $7.4 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $5.8 million during the first three months of 2007. Cash used for the payment of income taxes was $1.2 million during the first three months of 2008 compared to $7.8 million during the first three months of 2007. The larger payment in 2007 resulted from the sale of ULTEA during the fourth quarter of 2006.

The totals previously discussed did not include the cash flows related to the discontinued operations at the Broadus branch. Net cash provided from investing activities of discontinued operations of the Broadus branch was $2.5 million during the first three months of 2007. Financing activities from the discontinued operations of the Broadus branch used cash of $607 thousand during the first three months of 2007. Relative to operating activities, cash provided from the discontinued operations of the Broadus branch was $7 thousand during the first three months of 2007.

Management of investing and financing activities, and market conditions, determine the level and the stability of net interest cash flows. Management attempts to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates to the extent possible, so that balance sheet growth is the principal determinant of growth in net interest cash flows.

Heartland’s short-term borrowing balances are dependent on commercial cash management and smaller correspondent bank relationships and, as such, will normally fluctuate. Heartland believes these balances, on average, to be stable sources of funds; however, it intends to rely on deposit growth and additional FHLB borrowings in the future.

In the event of short-term liquidity needs, the bank subsidiaries may purchase federal funds from each other or from correspondent banks and may also borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank. Additionally, the subsidiary banks' FHLB memberships give them the ability to borrow funds for short- and long-term purposes under a variety of programs.

At March 31, 2008, Heartland’s revolving credit agreement with third-party banks provided a maximum borrowing capacity of $60.0 million, of which $30.0 million had been borrowed. Upon renewal on April 28, 2008, the total maximum borrowing capacity was $40.0 million. The revolving credit agreement contains specific covenants which, among other things, limit dividend payments and restrict the sale of assets by Heartland under certain circumstances. Also contained within the agreement are certain financial covenants, including the maintenance by Heartland of a maximum nonperforming assets to total loans ratio, minimum return on average assets ratio and maximum funded debt to total equity capital ratio. In addition, Heartland and each of its bank subsidiaries must remain well capitalized, as defined from time to time by the federal banking regulators. At March 31, 2008, Heartland was in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Heartland’s market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk resulting from its core banking activities of lending and deposit gathering. Interest rate risk measures the impact on earnings from changes in interest rates and the effect on current fair market values of Heartland’s assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. The objective is to measure this risk and manage the balance sheet to avoid unacceptable potential for economic loss.

Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate market risk. Exposure to market risk is reviewed on a regular basis by the asset/liability committees at the banks and, on a consolidated basis, by the Heartland board of directors. Darling Consulting Group, Inc. has been engaged to provide asset/liability management position assessment and strategy formulation services to Heartland and its bank subsidiaries. At least quarterly, a detailed review of Heartland’s and each of its bank subsidiaries’ balance sheet risk profile is performed. Included in these reviews are interest rate sensitivity analyses, which simulate changes in net interest income in response to various interest rate scenarios. This analysis considers current portfolio rates, existing maturities, repricing opportunities and market interest rates, in addition to prepayments and growth under different interest rate assumptions. Selected strategies are modeled prior to implementation to determine their effect on Heartland’s interest rate risk profile and net interest income. Although management has entered into derivative financial instruments to mitigate the exposure Heartland’s net interest margin has in a downward rate environment, it does not believe that Heartland’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures have been managed to-date in 2008 changed significantly when compared to 2007.

The core interest rate risk analysis utilized by Heartland examines the balance sheet under rates up/down scenarios that are neither too modest nor too extreme. All rate changes are ramped over a 12-month horizon based upon a parallel yield curve shift and then maintained at those levels over the remainder of the simulation horizon. Using this approach, management is able to see the effect that both a gradual change of rates (year 1) and a rate shock (year 2 and beyond) could have on Heartland’s net interest margin. Starting balances in the model reflect actual balances on the “as of” date, adjusted for material and significant transactions. Pro-forma balances remain static. This enables interest rate risk embedded within the existing balance sheet structure to be isolated as growth assumptions can make interest rate risk. The most recent reviews at March 31, 2008 and 2007, provided the following results:


   
2008
       
2007
   
   
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands )
 
%
Change
From
Base
       
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands)
 
%
Change
From
Base
   
                           
Year 1
                         
Down 200 Basis Points
$
 104,734
 
 (1.74
)
%
 
$
 101,324
 
 (3.20
)
%
Base
$
 106,589
 
       
$
 104,671
       
Up 200 Basis Points
$
 105,483
 
 (1.04
)
%
 
$
 103,445
 
 (1.17
)
%
                           
Year 2
                         
Down 200 Basis Points
$
 97,045
 
 (8.95
)
%
 
$
 97,887
 
 (6.48
)
%
Base
$
 107,886
 
 1.22
 
%
 
$
 106,616
 
 1.86
 
%
Up 200 Basis Points
$
 107,882
 
 1.21
 
%
 
$
 104,472
 
 (0.19
)
%

Heartland’s use of derivative financial instruments relates to the management of the risk that changes in interest rates will affect its future interest income or interest expense. Heartland is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative instruments, which has been minimized by entering into the contracts with large, stable financial institutions. The estimated fair market values of these derivative instruments are presented in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Heartland’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective as of March 31, 2008. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Heartland in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Heartland’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which Heartland or its subsidiaries is a party other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses. While the ultimate outcome of current legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these legal actions should not have a material effect on Heartland's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to Heartland from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, in Heartland’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to that section of Heartland’s Form 10-K for disclosures regarding the risks and uncertainties related to Heartland’s business.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF ISSUER SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information about purchases by Heartland and its affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, of equity securities that are registered by Heartland pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:


 
 
 
Period
(a)
 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(b)
 
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
(c)
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (1)
(d)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs (1)
01/01/08-
01/31/08
 20,211
 $17.52
 20,211
 $5,697,618
02/01/08-
02/29/08
 41,472
 $19.16
 41,472
 $4,531,002
03/01/08-
03/31/08
 67,386
 $18.75
 67,386
 $4,247,087
 
Total:
 129,069
 $18.69
 129,069
 N/A

(1)  
Effective April 17, 2007, Heartland’s board of directors authorized management to acquire and hold up to 250,000 shares of common stock as treasury shares at any one time. Effective January 24, 2008, Heartland’s board of directors authorized an expansion of the number of treasury shares at any one time to 500,000.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None

 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits

10.1
Form of Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan effective November 13, 2001, between the subsidiaries of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and their selected officers, including four subsequent amendments effective January 1, 2002, May 1, 2002, September 16, 2003 and December 31, 2007. These plans are in place at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank & Trust Co., First Community Bank, Riverside Community Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank and New Mexico Bank & Trust.
 
10.2
Form of Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan effective January 20, 2004, between the subsidiaries of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and their selected officers, including a subsequent amendment effective December 31, 2007. These plans are in place at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank & Trust Co., First Community Bank, Riverside Community Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank and New Mexico Bank & Trust.
 
10.3
Form of Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan effective December 31, 2007, between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and selected officers of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
10.4
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and The Northern Trust Company and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of April 28, 2008.
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 
 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned there unto duly authorized.

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
(Registrant)


Principal Executive Officer


-----------------------
By: Lynn B. Fuller
President and Chief Executive Officer
 

 
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer


-----------------------
By: John K. Schmidt
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: May 12, 2008




Exhibit 10.1
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN


THIS PLAN is made and entered into this 13th day of November, 2001, by and between Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, a state-chartered commercial bank with principal offices and place of business in the State of Iowa (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”), and the employee selected to participate in this Plan (the “Participant”), and amends and restates in its entirety any existing Universal Life Split-Dollar Agreement or Whole Life Split-Dollar Agreement previously executed by and between the Corporation and any Participant.


INTRODUCTION

The Corporation desires to attract and retain key executives by providing death benefits for the participating executive’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries (while employed and post-retirement) and further motivate them to increase the value of the Corporation.  As an additional employment benefit for the participating executives, the Corporation is willing to pay the premiums due on a life insurance policy or policies (the “Policy”) including all supplemental riders or endorsements to such Policy insuring the Participants, on the terms and conditions set forth below.  The Corporation and Participant hereto have taken all necessary action to cause the Insurer to issue the Policy, and shall take any further action, which may be necessary to cause the Policy to conform to the provisions of this Plan.

Article 1
Definitions

1.1            Total Compensation means the Participant’s base salary and bonus for purposes of this Plan, as set forth on Exhibit A.

1.2            Baseline Benefit means the Participant’s Total Compensation times two (2).

1.3            Indexed Baseline Benefit means the Baseline Benefit indexed at 5% per year, compounded annually, until Disability, Normal Retirement or Early Retirement of the Participant.  However, if the Participant is disabled prior to Normal Retirement then the Participant’s Indexed Baseline Benefit will be the Baseline Benefit indexed at 5% per year until the date of Disability.  The first indexing shall be effective on January 1 following the date set forth on Exhibit A.

1.4            Normal Retirement means the Participant’s retirement at age sixty-five (65) or later.

1.5            Early Retirement means the Participant’s retirement between the ages of fifty-five (55) and sixty-five (65) provided there are ten (10) years of service, as defined by the Heartland Retirement Plan, provided to Corporation.

1.6            Disability means, if the Participant is covered by a Corporation-sponsored disability policy, total disability as defined in such policy without regard to any waiting period.  If the Corporation does not have in place a long-term disability plan, this shall mean the Participant is no longer capable of performing his or her job in the same manner as he or she performed the job in the past as determined by a medical doctor approved by the Corporation.

1.7            Change of Control has that meaning stated in Exhibit D attached hereto.

1.8            Compensation Committee means either the Compensation Committee designated from time to time by the Corporation’s Board of Directors or a majority of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Article 2
Participation

2.1            Eligibility to Participate .  The Compensation Committee in its sole discretion shall designate from time to time Participants that are eligible to participate in this Plan.  The Compensation Committee will not designate a Participant as eligible unless the eligible executive has been employed by the Corporation for at least three years.

2.2            Participation .  The eligible executive may participate in this Plan by executing an Election to Participate, as set forth in Exhibit A, and a Split-Dollar Endorsement for each Policy, as set forth in Exhibit B.  The Split-Dollar Endorsement shall bind the Participant and his or her beneficiaries, assigns and transferees to the terms and conditions of this Plan.  An executive’s participation is limited to only Policies where he or she is the insured.

2.3            Disability.   (A) Subject to Article 9, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (B) of this Section 2.3, if the Participant’s employment with the Corporation is terminated because of the Participant’s Disability, the Corporation shall maintain the Policy in full force and effect and, in no event, shall the Corporation amend, terminate or otherwise abrogate the Participant’s interest in the Policy.  However, the Corporation may replace the Policy with a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit provided under this Plan and the Corporation and the Participant shall execute a new Split-Dollar Policy Endorsement.  The Policy or any comparable policy shall be subject to the claims of the Corporation’s creditors.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (A) of this Section 2.3, upon the disabled Participant’s gainful employment with an entity other than the Corporation, the Corporation shall have no further obligation to the disabled Participant, and the disabled Participant’s rights pursuant to the Plan shall cease.  In the event the disabled Participant’s rights are terminated hereunder and the Corporation decides to maintain the Policy, the Corporation shall be the direct beneficiary of the entire death proceeds of the Policy.

2.4            Early Retirement/Normal Retirement .  Subject to Article 9, after the Participant’s Early Retirement or Normal Retirement date, provided the Participant was in the continuous employ of the Corporation, the Corporation shall maintain the Policy in full force and effect and in no event shall the Corporation amend, terminate or otherwise abrogate the Participant’s interest in the Policy.  However, the Corporation may replace the Policy with a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit under this Plan provided the Corporation and the Participant execute a new Split-Dollar Policy Endorsement.  The Policy or any comparable policy shall be subject to the claims of the Corporation’s creditors.

Article 3
Policy Ownership/Interests

3.1            Participant’s Interest .  With respect to each Policy, the Participant, or the Participant’s assignee, shall have the right to designate the beneficiary of an amount of death proceeds equal to the Indexed Baseline Benefit.  The Participant shall also have the right to elect and change settlement options with the consent of the Corporation and the Insurer.

3.2            Designation of Beneficiary .  The Participant may select the beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the portion of Policy proceeds to which the Participant is entitled hereunder, by specifying the same in a written notice to the Corporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B or other form acceptable to the Corporation.  The Participant may change the designation from time to time by providing a new written notice to the Corporation.  If no Participant designation is made or if the named beneficiary predeceases Participant or is not in existence at Participant’s death, any death proceeds payable will be paid to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate.  The Corporation will take what action is necessary by way of endorsement beneficiary designation with reference to this split-dollar life insurance Plan or other action necessary for the beneficiaries designated by the Participant to be the beneficiaries of the Policy.

3.3            Corporation’s Interest .   The Corporation shall own the Policy and shall have the right to exercise all incidents of ownership, except as may otherwise be provided herein.  With respect to each Policy, the Corporation shall be the direct beneficiary of the remaining death proceeds of the Policy after the Participant’s Interest is determined according to Section 3.1.  If the Corporation secures a loan from the Insurer using the Policy as collateral, the Corporation shall pay interest charges on such loan.  If the Corporation so encumbers the Policy, other than by a policy loan from the Insurer, then, upon the death of the Participant or upon the election of the Participant hereunder to purchase the Policy from the Corporation, the Corporation shall promptly take all action necessary to secure the release or discharge of such encumbrance.
 
Article 4
Premiums
4.1            Payment of Premiums .  On or before the due date of each Policy premium, or within the grace period provided therein, the Corporation shall pay the full amount of the premium to the Insurer, and shall, upon request, promptly furnish the Participant evidence of timely payment of such premium.

4.2            Economic Benefit .  The Corporation shall annually determine the economic benefit attributable to the Participant based on the amount of the current term rate for the Participant's age multiplied by the aggregate death benefit payable to the Participant's beneficiary.  The "current term rate" is the minimum amount required to be imputed under Revenue Rulings 64-328 and 66-110, or any subsequent applicable authority.  The Corporation shall annually impute the economic benefit to the Participant.

Article 5
Assignment

Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, any Participant shall have the right to absolutely and irrevocably assign by gift all of his or her right, title and interest in and to this Plan and to the Policy to an assignee.  This right shall be exercisable by the execution and delivery to the Corporation of a written assignment, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, which by this reference is made a part hereof.  Upon receipt of such written assignment executed by a Participant and duly accepted by the assignee thereof, the Corporation shall consent thereto in writing, and shall thereafter treat the Participant’s assignee as the sole owner of all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in and to this Plan and in and to the Policy.  Thereafter, the Participant shall have no right, title or interest in and to this Plan or the Policy, all such rights being vested in and exercisable only by such assignee.

Article 6
Insurer

The Insurer shall be fully discharged from its obligations under the Policy by payment of the Policy death benefit to the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the Policy, subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy.  In no event shall the Insurer be considered a party to this Plan, or any modification or amendment hereof.  No provision of this Plan, nor of any modification or amendment hereof, shall in any way be construed as enlarging, changing, varying or in any other way affecting the obligations of the Insurer as expressly provided in the Policy, except insofar as the provisions hereof are made a part of the Policy by the beneficiary designation executed by the Corporation and filed with the Insurer in connection herewith.  The Insurer shall have the right to rely on the Corporation’s representations with regard to any definitions, interpretations or Policy interests as specified under this Plan.

Article 7
Claims Procedure

7.1            Claims Procedure .  The Corporation shall notify any person or entity that makes a claim under this Plan (the “Claimant”) in writing, within 90 days of Claimant’s written application for benefits, of his or her eligibility or non-eligibility for benefits under the Plan.  If the Corporation determines that the Claimant is not eligible for benefits or full benefits, the notice shall set forth (1) the specific reasons for such denial, (2) a specific reference to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based, (3) a description of any additional information or material necessary for the Claimant to perfect his or her claim, and a description of why it is needed, (4) an explanation of this Plan's claims review procedure and other appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to have the claim reviewed and (5) a time within which review must be requested.  If the Corporation determines that there are special circumstances requiring additional time to make a decision, the Corporation shall notify the Claimant of the special circumstances and the date by which a decision is expected to be made, and may extend the time for up to an additional 90 days.

7.2            Review Procedure .  If the Claimant is determined by the Corporation not to be eligible for benefits, or if the Claimant believes that he or she is entitled to greater or different benefits, the Claimant shall have the opportunity to have such claim reviewed by the Corporation by filing a petition for review with the Corporation within 60 days after receipt of the notice issued by the Corporation.  Said petition shall state the specific reasons, which the Claimant believes entitle him or her to benefits or to greater or different benefits.  Within 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the petition, the Corporation shall afford the Claimant (and counsel, if any) an opportunity to present his or her position to the Corporation in writing, and the Claimant (or counsel) shall have the right to review the pertinent documents.  The Corporation shall notify the Claimant of its decision in writing within the 60-day period, stating specifically the basis of its decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant and the specific provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based.  If, because of the need for a hearing, the 60-day period is not sufficient, the decision may be deferred for up to another 60 days at the election of the Corporation, but notice of this deferral shall be given to the Claimant.

Article 8
Amendments and Termination

8.1            Amendment or Termination of Plan .  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.3, 2.4, 8.2 and 8.4, the Corporation has the unilateral right at any time (i) to amend or terminate the Plan, except this Plan shall not be amended or terminated within twelve (12) months prior to a Change of Control without the Participant’s written consent or (ii) to exercise its right to surrender the Policy.

8.2            Amendment or Termination of Plan Upon Change of Control .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if there should be a Change of Control in Corporation, then the Indexed Baseline Benefit under this Plan shall be frozen as of the date the Change of Control occurs.  Further, Corporation shall pay or create a vehicle to pay, or cause the successor in interest to repay any outstanding loans and to pay to Insurer the amount of premium necessary to acquire in full (endow) enough insurance coverage to pay the Indexed Baseline Benefit as then frozen and the Corporation’s premium payments under the Policy.  There will be no further indexing of dollar amounts under this Plan in the event of the Change of Control.  Further, as of the date of the Change of Control, all amounts due to Participant under this Plan shall be fully vested and shall not be subject to subsequent events including, but not limited to, the termination of employment of the Participant.

8.3            Automatic Termination .  Subject to Sections 8.2 and 8.4, this Plan shall automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

                       8.3.1 The bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of the Corporation;
8.3.2   The Participant’s termination of employment with the Corporation (for reasons other than death, Early Retirement, Normal Retirement, Disability or Change of Control).

8.3.3   The Participant’s cessation of full-time employee status with the Corporation prior to age 55; or
 
                       8.3.4 The Participant’s violation of the terms of Article 9.
8.4            Disposition of the Policy on Termination of the Plan During the Participant’s Lifetime .  If the Plan is terminated, the Corporation shall give notice as set forth below.
 
                        8.4.1 Unless the Plan is terminated under Sections 8.3.2, 8.3.3 or 8.3.4 above, for sixty (60) days after the date the Participant receives notice from the Corporation of the termination of this Plan during the Participant's lifetime, the Participant shall have the assignable option to purchase the Policy from the Corporation.  The purchase price for the Policy shall be the greater of the total amount of the premium payments made by the Corporation hereunder or the cash value of the Policy, less any indebtedness secured by the Policy which remains outstanding as of the date of such termination, including interest on such indebtedness.  Upon receipt of such amount, the Corporation shall transfer all of its right, title and interest in and to the Policy to the Participant or his or her assignee, by the execution and delivery of an appropriate instrument of transfer.
 
                       8.42  If the Participant or his or her assignee fails to exercise such option within such sixty (60) day period, then the Corporation may enforce any of its ownership rights under the policy.  Thereafter, neither the Participant, the Participant’s assignee nor the assignee’s heirs, assigns or beneficiaries shall have any further interest in and to the Policy, either under the terms thereof or under this Plan.

 
Article 9
 
Non-Compete

For purposes of this Plan a Participant may not engage in any competitive practices or activity prior to or after Early Retirement or Normal Retirement for a period of two years, in an area within a 50-mile radius of any branch or location of the Corporation now or hereafter existing, without the express written consent of the Corporation.  A Participant shall not divulge to any person, firm or corporation, or use on Participant’s own behalf, any information, acquired by Participant during Participant’s employment with the Corporation, concerning the Corporation’s accounts, clients, customers, policyholders, expiration lists or business or information of any kind whatsoever owned by the Corporation.  Furthermore, for purposes of this Plan, the Participant shall be deemed to compete with the Corporation, if as hereinafter provided, the Participant (i) competes directly with the Corporation; (ii) is or becomes financially or beneficially interested in any person and/or business who or which competes with the Corporation; however, ownership of not more than five percent (5%) of any class of securities traded actively over-the-counter or through a stock exchange shall not violate this condition (ii); or (iii) acts directly or indirectly, as broker, consultant, agent, lender, guarantor or salesman for or on behalf of any person or business who or which competes with the Corporation.

A violation of this paragraph shall cause the Plan to be terminated.

 
Article 10
 
Miscellaneous

10.1            Amendment and Restatement of Other Insurance Plans .  This Plan supersedes and replaces the Corporation sponsored death benefit arrangement previously paid for by the Corporation and such arrangement is amended and restated as of the effective date of this Plan.  Specifically, the Executive Death Benefit Only Plan (DBO) is amended and restated.

10.2            Effect of Plan on Employment .  This Plan shall not be construed as a contract or policy of employment nor does it restrict the right of the Corporation to discharge the Participant or the right of the Participant to terminate employment.

10.3            Binding Effects .  This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Corporation and its successors and assigns, and the Participant, his or her successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and beneficiaries.

10.4            Governing Law .  This Plan, and the rights of the parties hereunder, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa.

10.5            Notices .  Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Plan shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same.  If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party’s last known address as shown on the records of the Corporation.  The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

10.6            Suicide, Misstatement or Fraud .  The Corporation shall not pay any benefit under this Plan if the Participant:

10.6.1   Commits suicide within two years (i) after the date of this Plan or (ii) issuance of the Policy, whichever occurs later;

10.6.2   Has made any material misstatement of fact or committed fraud (as determined by the Insurer) on any application for life insurance benefits provided by the Corporation under this Plan; or

10.6.3   Should die while engaged in any activity or under circumstances that are listed as exclusions in the Policy.

10.7            Entire Plan .  This Plan constitutes the entire Plan between the Corporation and the Participant as to the subject matter hereof.  No rights are granted to the Participant by virtue of this Plan other than those specifically set forth herein.

10.8            Administration .  The Corporation shall have powers that are necessary to administer this Plan, including but not limited to:

10.8.1  
Interpreting the provisions of the Plan;

10.8.2  
Establishing and revising the method of accounting for the Plan;

10.8.3  
Maintaining a record of benefit payments; and

10.8.4  
Establishing rules and prescribing any forms necessary or desirable to administer the Plan.

10.9            Designated Fiduciary .  For purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1975, if applicable, the Corporation is hereby designated as the named fiduciary and plan administrator under this Plan.  The named fiduciary shall have authority to control and manage the operation and administration of this Plan, and it shall be responsible for establishing and carrying out a funding policy and method consistent with the objectives of this Plan.  The named fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the plan including the employment of advisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation executes this Plan as of the date indicated above.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

By: __________________________
 
                                                        Title: _________________________                                                    



AMENDMENT 1
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN


Effective January 1, 2002, Article 1.1 is amended as follows:

Total Compensation means the Participant’s base salary, bonus and commissions for purposes of this plan, as set forth on Exhibit A.


AMENDMENT 2
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
DATED NOVEMBER 13, 2001


THIS AMENDMENT is made and executed on this 1st day of May, 2002, by and between Dubuque Bank and Trust Company located in the State of Iowa, (the “Corporation”) and the employee selected to participate (the “Participant”) in the SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN (the “Plan”) executed on November 13, 2001.

The undersigned hereby amends, in part, said Plan for the purpose of revising the definition of disability and claims and review procedures contained in the Plan.  Therefore,

Section 1.6 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Section 1.6 as follows:

1.6          Disability means the Participant’s suffering a sickness, accident or injury which has been determined by the carrier of any individual or group disability insurance policy covering the Participant, or by the Social Security Administration, to be a disability rendering the Participant totally and permanently disabled.  Upon request of the Corporation, the Participant must submit proof to the Corporation of the carrier’s or Social Security Administration’s determination.

Article 7 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Article 7 as follows:

Article 7
Claims and Review Procedures

7.1          Claims Procedure .  A Participant or beneficiary (the “Claimant”) who has not received benefits under the Plan that he or she believes should be paid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:

7.1.1                              Initiation – Written Claim .  The Claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Corporation a written claim for the benefits.

7.1.2                              Timing of Corporation Response.   The Corporation shall respond to such Claimant within 90 days after receiving the claim.  If the Corporation determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Corporation can extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 90-day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Corporation expects to render its decision.

7.1.3                              Notice of Decision .  If the Corporation denies part or all of the claim, the Corporation shall notify the Claimant in writing of such denial.  The Corporation shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant.  The notification shall set forth:

(a)   The specific reasons for the denial,

(b)   A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based,

(c)   A description of any additional information or material necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed,

(d)   An explanation of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, and

(e)   A statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

7.2          Review Procedure .  If the Corporation denies part or all of the claim, the Claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Corporation of the denial, as follows:

7.2.1                              Initiation – Written Request .  To initiate the review, the Claimant, within 60 days after receiving the Corporation’s notice of denial, must file with the Corporation a written request for review.

7.2.2                              Additional Submissions – Information Access .  The Claimant shall then have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim.  The Corporation shall also provide the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.

7.2.3                              Considerations on Review .  In considering the review, the Corporation shall take into account all materials and information the Claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

7.2.4                              Timing of Corporation Response .  The Corporation shall respond in writing to such Claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review.  If the Corporation determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Corporation can extend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Corporation expects to render its decision.

7.2.5                              Notice of Decision .  The Corporation shall notify the Claimant in writing of its decision on review.  The Corporation shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant.  The notification shall set forth:

(a)   The specific reasons for the denial,

(b)   A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based,

(c)   A statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits, and

(d)   A statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).




IN WITNESS OF THE ABOVE, the Corporation executes this Second Amendment as of the date indicated above.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

By:  ________________________                                                    


Title:________________________                                 


AMENDMENT 3
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
DATED NOVEMBER 13, 2001


THIS AMENDMENT is made and executed this 16th day of September, 2003, by and between DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, located in the State of Iowa, (the “Corporation”) and the employee selected to participate (the “Participant”) in the SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN (the “Plan”) executed on November 13, 2001.

The undersigned hereby amends, in part, said Plan for the purposes of (i) correcting the reference to the Heartland Financial Retirement Plan in the Early Retirement definition;  (i) ending the Participant’s Interest at age 90; and (iii) recognizing that the participation in the plan terminates upon the events listed in the Automatic Termination provision.  Therefore,

Section 1.5 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new section 1.5, as follows:

 
1.5
Early Retirement means the Participant’s retirement between the ages of fifty-five (55) and sixty-five (65) provided there are ten (10) years of continuous service, as defined by the Heartland Financial Retirement Plan, provided to Corporation.


Section 3.1 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Section 3.1, as follows:

 
3.1
Participant’s Interest.  With respect to each Policy, the Participant, or the Participant’s assignee, shall have the right to designate the beneficiary of an amount of death proceeds equal to the Indexed Baseline Benefit.  The Participant shall also have the right to elect and change settlement options with the consent of the Corporation and the Insurer.  The Participant’s Interest shall cease upon the Participant’s ninetieth (90th) birthday.


Section 8.3 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Section 8.3, as follows:

8.3  
Automatic Termination.  Subject to Sections 8.2 and 8.4, participation in this Plan shall automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

8.3.1  
The bankruptcy, receivership, or dissolution of the Corporation;

8.3.2  
The Participant’s termination of employment with the Corporation (for reasons other than death, Early Retirement, Normal Retirement, Disability or Change of Control).

8.3.3  
The Participant’s cessation of full-time employee status with the Corporation prior to age 55; or

8.3.4  
The Participant’s violation of the terms of Article 9.


IN WITNESS OF THE ABOVE, the Corporation executes this Third Amendment as of the date indicated above.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

By:     _________________________________

Title:  _________________________________


AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO THE
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN


THIS AMENDMENT, is effective as of December 31, 2007 by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company (the “Corporation”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Corporation maintains the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan dated November 13, 2001, as amended (the “Plan);

WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to amend the Plan effective as of December 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Article 8.1 of the Plan reserves to the Corporation the right to amend the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Participants in the Plan listed on Exhibit E hereto are hereby executing this Amendment to consent to the Amendment in the event such consent is required pursuant to Article 8.1 of the Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

FIRST :  Article 1 of the Plan is hereby amended to add the following new section:

1.9   Net at Risk Amount means the total proceeds payable from the Policy minus the cash surrender value of the Policy as of the date of the Participant’s death.

SECOND :  Article 3.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto, at the end thereof, the following:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Participant listed on Exhibit E hereto, the Participant’s interest as set forth above shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $1,000,000 or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the “Net at Risk Amount” (as defined herein).

In the event a Participant ceases to be a full-time employee and becomes a part-time employee, as determined by the Corporation’s standard practices, the Participant’s interest as set forth herein shall be frozen at the amount in effect immediately prior to the date of such change.

THIRD :  Article 3.2 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto, at the end thereof, the following:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may transfer ownership of the Policy or any permitted replacement Policy to a grantor trust to which the Corporation is a party.

FOURTH :  Article 10 of the Plan is hereby amended to add the following new section:
10.10   Professional Fees Following Change of Control .  If the Participant incurs legal fees or other expenses on or after the date of a Change of Control in an effort to enforce or obtain the benefits of this Plan, the Corporation, shall, regardless of the outcome of such effort, reimburse the Participant for such legal fees and other expenses in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

FIFTH :  The Plan is hereby further amended by adding at the end thereof the attached Exhibit E, which is a list of Participants affected by this Amendment.

SIXTH :  The Plan, as hereinabove amended shall remain in full force and effect.


[Signature Page Follows]



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of December 31, 2007.

DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY



By:  ___________________________                                                              
Its:  ___________________________                                                              


PARTICIPANTS      _________________________________
                                                                 _________________________________
                                                          _________________________________
                                                                 _________________________________
                                             

 


[End of Participant signatures]

EXHIBIT A
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE


I, «Name», an eligible employee as determined in Section 2.1 of the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan (the “Plan”) dated November 13, 2001, hereby elect to become a Participant of the Plan in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Plan.

I acknowledge that I have read the Plan document and agree to be bound by its terms, including the covenant not to compete in Article 9 of the Plan.

For purposes of measuring my initial Baseline Benefit under the Plan, my Total Compensation (for purposes of the Plan only) is $«Comp».  The first indexing of my Baseline Benefit is/was January 1, «Year».



Executed this ______ day of _____________________, 20___.


_____________________________                                        ______________________________
Witness signature                                                                           Participant signature

_____________________________                                        ______________________________
Witness printed name                                                                    Participant printed name

 

 
EXHIBIT B
SPLIT-DOLLAR POLICY ENDORSEMENT TO
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
 SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

Policy No. «PolicyNo»                                                                                                           Insured: «Name»

Supplementing and amending the application for insurance to Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (“Insurer”) on June 8, 2001, the applicant requests and directs that:

BENEFICIARIES

1.   Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, a state-chartered commercial bank located in Dubuque, Iowa (the “Corporation”), shall be the direct beneficiary of the remaining death proceeds after payment of any amounts due the Insured’s beneficiaries in paragraph (2) of this endorsement.

2.   The beneficiary of an amount equal to the Indexed Baseline Benefit, as defined in the Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan (the “Plan”) dated November 13, 2001 between the Insured and Corporation, shall be designated by the Insured or the Insured’s transferee, subject to the provisions of paragraph (5) of this endorsement.

OWNERSHIP

3.      The Owner of the Policy shall be the Corporation.  The Owner shall have all ownership rights in the Policy except as may be specifically granted to the Insured or the Insured’s transferee in paragraph (4) of this endorsement.

4.      The Insured or the Insured’s transferee shall have the right to assign his or her rights and interests in the Policy with respect to that portion of the death proceeds designated in paragraph (2) of this endorsement, and to exercise all settlement options with respect to such death proceeds.

5.      Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) of this endorsement, the Insured or the Insured’s transferee shall have no rights or interests in the Policy with respect to that portion of the death proceeds designated in paragraph (2) of this endorsement if the Plan terminates pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Plan.

MODIFICATION OF ASSIGNMENT PROVISIONS OF THE POLICY

Upon the death of the Insured, the interest of any collateral assignee of the Owner of the Policy designated in paragraph (3) of this endorsement shall be limited to the portion of the proceeds described in paragraph (1) of this endorsement.

OWNERS AUTHORITY

The Insurer is hereby authorized to recognize the Owner’s claim to rights hereunder without investigating the reason for any action taken by the Owner, including its statement of the amount of premiums it has paid on the Policy.  The signature of the Owner shall be sufficient for the exercise of any rights under this endorsement and the receipt of the Owner for any sums received by it shall be a full discharge and release therefore to the Insurer.  The Insurer may rely on a sworn statement in form satisfactory to it furnished by the Owner, its successors or assigns, as to their interest, and any payments made pursuant to such statement shall discharge the Insurer accordingly.  The Owner accepts and agrees to this split-dollar policy endorsement.

Any transferee’s rights shall be subject to this endorsement.

The undersigned is signing in a representative capacity and warrants that he or she has the authority to bind the entity on whose behalf this document is being executed.

Signed at _____________________, Iowa, this _______ day of ______________, 2001.

DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By:    ________________
                         
Title: ________________                                   
 
 
ACCEPTANCE AND BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

The Insured accepts and agrees to the foregoing and, subject to the rights of the Owner as stated above, designates the following as beneficiary(s) of the portion of the proceeds described in paragraph (2) of this endorsement:

 
Primary Beneficiary:  _________________________________________________________
(Please print)
Relationship: ___________________________________________

Contingent Beneficiary (if no Primary Beneficiary exists at the time of death of Insured):  ________________________________________________________________________
(Please print)
Relationship: ____________________________________ _________

Signed at _____________________, Iowa, this ________ day of _____________, 2001.

THE INSURED:                                                                                     WITNESSED BY:

___________________________________                              _______________________________
Signature of Participant                                                                      Printed Name of Witness

_______________________________
Signature of Witness

 

 
EXHIBIT C

IRREVOCABLE ASSIGNMENT OF SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE PLAN


THIS ASSIGNMENT, dated this _______day of ___________________, _______.

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the undersigned (the “Assignor”) is the Participant party to that certain Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan (the “Plan”), dated as of ______________, by and between the undersigned and Dubuque Bank and Trust Company (the “Corporation”), which Plan confers upon the undersigned certain rights and benefits with regard to one or more policies of insurance insuring the Assignor's life; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of said Plan, the Assignor retained the right, exercisable by the execution and delivery to the Corporation of a written form of assignment, to absolutely and irrevocably assign all of the Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to said Plan to an assignee; and

WHEREAS, the Assignor desires to exercise said right;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Assignor, without consideration, and intending to make a gift, hereby absolutely and irrevocably assigns, gives, grants and transfers to ___________________, (the “Assignee”) all of the Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to the Plan and said policies of insurance, intending that, from and after this date, the Plan be solely between the Corporation and the Assignee and that hereafter the Assignor shall neither have nor retain any right, title or interest therein.



____________________________
                    Assignor

 

 
ACCEPTANCE OF ASSIGNMENT


The undersigned Assignee hereby accepts the above assignment of all right, title and interest of the Assignor therein in and to the Plan, by and between such Assignor and the Corporation, and the undersigned hereby agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of said Plan, as if the original Participant party thereto.



____________________________
                 Assignee



 
Dated:_____________





CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT

The undersigned Corporation hereby consents to the foregoing assignment of all of the right, title and interest of the Assignor in and to the Plan, by and between the Assignor and the Corporation, to the Assignee designated therein.  The undersigned Corporation hereby agrees that from and after the date hereof, the undersigned Corporation, shall look solely to such Assignee for the performance of all obligations under said Plan which were heretofore the responsibility of the Assignor, shall allow all rights and benefits provided therein to the Assignor to be exercised only by said Assignee, and shall hereafter treat said Assignee in all respects as if the original Participant party thereof.


Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

By_________________________
                 President

 
                                                                                                Dated:__________________



 
EXHIBIT D

 
CHANGE OF CONTROL


 
Change of Control shall mean:

(i)   The consummation of the acquisition by a person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended  (the “1934 Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Corporation or Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (“Heartland”), Corporation’s Parent; or

(ii)   The individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or Heartland (the “Board”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Boards, unless the election, or nomination for election by the stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of a majority of either Board and such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of either Board; or

(iii)    Approval by stockholders of the Corporation or Heartland of: (1) a merger or consolidation if the stockholders, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not, as a result of such merger or consolidation, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Corporation or Heartland outstanding immediately before such merger or Corporation; Corporation or Heartland outstanding immediately before such merger or Corporation; or (2) a complete liquidation or dissolution or an Plan for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or Heartland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Corporation or Heartland are acquired by: (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained for employees of the entity; or (2) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders in the same proportion as their ownership of stock immediately prior to such acquisition.


EXHIBIT E
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

Participant
MassMutual Policy Number
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   




Exhibit 10.2

DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

Pursuant to due authorization by its Board of Directors, the undersigned, DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a corporation located in DUBUQUE, IOWA, did constitute, establish and adopt the following Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan (the “Plan”), effective January 1, 2005.

The purpose of this Plan is to attract, retain, and reward Employees, by dividing the death proceeds of certain life insurance policies, which are owned by the Company on the lives of the participating Employees, with the designated beneficiary of each insured participating Employee. The Company will pay the life insurance premiums from its general assets.


ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings specified:

1.1  
Beneficiary ” means each designated person, or the estate of a deceased Participant, entitled to benefits, if any, upon the death of a Participant.

1.2  
Beneficiary Designation Form ” means the most recent form accepted by the Plan Administrator of the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan, dated November 13, 2001, unless a Participant completes, signs and returns to the Plan Administrator of the Plan a separate form to designate one or more Beneficiaries.

1.3  
Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company as from time to time constituted.

1.4  
Change of Control ” means:

(i)  
The consummation of the acquisition by a person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company or Heartland Financial USA, Inc.  (“Heartland”), Company’s Parent; or

(ii)  
The individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board of Directors of the Company or Heartland (the “Board”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Boards, unless the election, or nomination for election by the stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of a majority of either Board and such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of either Board; or

(iii)  
 Approval by stockholders of the Company or Heartland of: (1) a merger or consolidation if the stockholders, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not, as a result of such merger or consolidation, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or Heartland outstanding immediately before such merger or Company; or (2) a complete liquidation or dissolution or a plan for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or Heartland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company or Heartland are acquired by:  (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more employee benefit plans maintained for employees of the entity; or (2) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders in the same proportion as their ownership of stock immediately prior to such acquisition.

1.5  
Company ” means DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY and any of its subsidiaries (now in existence or hereafter formed or acquired) that have been selected by the Board to participate in the Plan and have adopted the Plan as a sponsor.

1.6  
Company’s Interest ” means the benefit set forth in Section 3.2.

1.7  
Compensation ” means the Participant’s total base annual salary, bonus and commissions for the previous twelve (12) months, at the earliest of: (i) the date of the Participant’s death; (ii) the date of the Participant’s Disability; (iii) the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date; (iv) the date of the Participant’s Early Retirement; (v) upon Change of Control.

1.8  
Disability ” means the Participant’s suffering a sickness, accident or injury which has been determined by the insurance carrier of any individual or group disability insurance policy covering the Participant, or by the Social Security Administration, to be a disability rendering the Participant totally and permanently disabled.  Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Participant must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of the insurance carrier’s or Social Security Administration’s determination.

1.9  
Early Retirement ” means the Participant’s retirement between the ages of fifty-five (55) and sixty-five (65) provided there are ten (10) years of continuous service, as defined by the Heartland Financial Retirement Plan, provided to the Company.

1.10  
Election to Participate ” means the form required by the Plan Administrator of an eligible Employee to indicate acceptance of participation in this Plan.

1.11  
Employee ” means an active employee of the Company.

1.12  
Insured ” means the individual Participant whose life is insured.

1.13  
Insurer ” means the insurance company issuing the life insurance policy on the life of the Insured.

1.14  
 “ Net Death Proceeds ” means the total death proceeds of the Policy minus the cash surrender value.

1.15  
Normal Retirement Age ” means the Participant attaining age 65.

1.16  
Normal Retirement Date ” means the later of the Normal Retirement Age or the date of Termination of Employment for any reason other than Termination for Cause.

1.17  
Participant ” means an Employee (i) who has been employed by the Company for at least three years; (ii) who is selected to participate in the Plan, (iii) who elects to participate in the Plan, (iv) who signs an Election to Participate and a Beneficiary Designation Form, (v) whose signed Election to Participant and Beneficiary Designation Form are accepted by the Plan Administrator, (vi) who commences participation in the Plan, and (vii) whose Participation has not terminated.

1.18  
Participant’s Interest ” means the benefit set forth in Section 3.1.

1.19  
Policy ” means the individual insurance policy or policies adopted by the Plan Administrator for purposes of insuring a Participant’s life under this Plan.

1.20  
Plan Administrator ” means the plan administrator described in Article 10.

1.21  
Termination of Employment ” means the termination of Participant’s full-time service to the Company before Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than (i) death; (ii) Disability; (iii) Early Retirement; or (iv) a leave of absence approved by the Company.

1.22  
Termination for Cause ” means that the Participant's employment with the Company has been or is terminated by the Board for any of the following reasons:

(a)  
Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties; or

(b)  
Commission of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or

(c)  
Fraud, disloyalty, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or significant Company policy committed in connection with the Participant's employment and resulting in an adverse effect on the Company; or

(d)  
Issuance by the Company’s banking regulators of an order for removal of the Participant.
 
ARTICLE 2
PARTICIPATION

2.1  
Selection by Plan Administrator .  Participation in the Plan shall be limited to those Employees of the Company selected by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, to participate in the Plan.
 
 
2.2   
Enrollment Requirements .  As a condition to participation, each selected Employee shall complete, execute and return to the Plan Administrator (i) an Election to Participate, and (ii) a Beneficiary Designation Form.  In addition, the Plan Administrator shall establish from time to time such other enrollment requirements as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary.

2.3   
Eligibility; Commencement of Participation .  Provided an Employee selected to participate in the Plan has met all enrollment requirements set forth in this Plan and required by the Plan Administrator, that Employee will become a Participant, be covered by the Plan and will be eligible to receive benefits at the time and in the manner provided hereunder, subject to the provisions of the Plan.

2.4   
Termination of Participation .  A Participant’s rights under this Plan shall automatically cease and his or her participation in this Plan shall automatically terminate, if any of the following events occur:  (i) if there is a Termination for Cause; (ii) if the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than Early Retirement, Disability (except as set forth in Section 2.5(b)) or a leave of absence approved by the Company; or (iii) upon the Participant’s ninetieth (90 th ) birthday.  In the event that the Company decides to maintain the Policy after the Participant’s termination of participation in the Plan, the Company shall be the direct beneficiary of the entire death proceeds of the Policy.

2.5   
Disability .

 
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.5, if the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated because of the Participant’s Disability, the Company shall maintain the Policy in full force and effect and, in no event, shall the Company amend, terminate or otherwise abrogate the Participant’s Interest in the Policy.  Notwithstanding, the Company may replace the Policy with a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit provided under this Plan.

 
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 2.5, upon the disabled Participant’s gainful employment with an entity other than the Company, the Company shall have no further obligation to the disabled Participant, and the disabled Participant’s rights pursuant to the Plan shall cease.  In the event the disabled Participant’s rights are terminated hereunder and the Company decides to maintain the Policy, the Company shall be the direct beneficiary of the entire death proceeds of the Policy.

2.6  
Retirement .  If the Participant remains in the continuous employ of the Company, upon the Participant’s Early Retirement or Normal Retirement Date, the Company shall maintain the Policy in full force and effect and in no event shall the Company amend, terminate or otherwise abrogate the Participant’s Interest in the Policy.  Notwithstanding, the Company may replace the Policy with a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit under this Plan.

ARTICLE 3
POLICY OWNERSHIP/INTERESTS

3.1  
Participant’s Interest .  The Participant, or the Participant’s assignee, shall have the right to designate the Beneficiary of an amount of death proceeds equal to the lesser of (i) one million dollars ($1,000,000) or (ii) two (2) times Compensation less any death proceeds provided to the Participant’s beneficiary or beneficiaries under the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan, dated November 13, 2001, not to exceed the Net Death Proceeds, subject to:

(a)  
Forfeiture of Participant’s rights upon Termination of Employment;
(b)  
Forfeiture of Participant’s rights upon Termination for Cause;
(c)  
Forfeiture of Participant’s rights upon gainful employment following Disability;
(d)  
Forfeiture of Participant’s rights upon attaining age ninety (90);
(e)  
Termination of the Plan and the corresponding forfeiture of rights for all Participants or any one Participant in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof; and
(f)  
Forfeiture of the Participant’s rights and interest hereunder that the Company may reasonably consider necessary to conform with applicable law (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).

3.2   
Company's Interest .  The Company shall own the Policy and shall have the right to exercise all incidents of ownership except that the Company shall not sell, surrender or transfer ownership of a Policy so long as a Participant has an interest in the Policy as described in Section 3.1.  This provision shall not impair the right of the Company, subject to Article 9, to terminate this Plan nor shall it impair the right of the Company to replace the Policy with a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit under this Plan.  With respect to each Policy, the Company shall be the beneficiary of the remaining death proceeds of the Policy after the Participant’s Interest is determined according to Section 3.1.
 
ARTICLE 4
PREMIUMS

4.1   
Premium Payment .  The Company shall pay all premiums due on all Policies.

4.2   
Economic Benefit .  The Plan Administrator shall determine the economic benefit attributable to any Participant based on the amount of the current term rate for the Participant's age multiplied by the aggregate death benefit payable to the Participant's Beneficiary.  The "current term rate" is the minimum amount required to be imputed under Internal Revenue Notice 2002-8, or any subsequent applicable authority.

4.3   
Imputed Income .  The Company shall impute the economic benefit to the Participant on an annual basis, by adding the economic benefit to the Participant’s W-2, or if applicable, Form 1099.


 
ARTICLE 5
 
BENEFICIARIES

5.1   
Beneficiary . Each Participant shall have the right, at any time, to designate a Beneficiary(ies) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan to a beneficiary upon the death of a Participant.  The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other plan of the Company in which the Participant participates.

5.2   
Beneficiary Designation; Change .  A Participant shall designate a Beneficiary by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form, and delivering it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.  The Participant's beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Participant or if the Participant names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved.  A Participant shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures, as in effect from time to time.  Upon the acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled.  The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Participant and accepted by the Plan Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

5.3   
Acknowledgment .  No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until received, accepted and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.

5.4   
No Beneficiary Designation .  If the Participant dies without a valid designation of beneficiary, or if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Participant, then the Participant’s surviving spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary.  If the Participant has no surviving spouse, the benefits shall be made payable to the personal representative of the Participant's estate.

5.5   
Facility of Payment .  If the Plan Administrator determines, in its discretion, that a benefit is to be paid to a minor, to a person declared incompetent, or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct payment of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person.  The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit.  Any payment of a benefit shall be a payment for the account of the Participant and the Participant’s Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan for such payment amount.

ARTICLE 6
ASSIGNMENT

Any Participant may irrevocably assign without consideration all or part of such Participant’s Interest in this Plan to any person, entity or trust.  In the event a Participant shall transfer all or part of such Participant’s Interest, then all or part of that Participant's Interest in this Plan shall be vested in his or her transferee, who shall be substituted as a party hereunder, and that Participant shall have no further interest in this Plan.

ARTICLE 7
INSURER

The Insurer shall be bound only by the terms of its given Policy.  Any payments the Insurer makes or actions it takes in accordance with a Policy shall fully discharge it from all claims, suits and demands of all persons relating to that Policy.  The Insurer shall not be bound by or deemed to have notice of the provisions of this Plan.  The Insurer shall have the right to rely on the Plan Administrator’s representations with regard to any definitions, interpretations or Policy interests as specified under this Plan.
 
ARTICLE 8
CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURE

8.1   
Claims Procedure .  A Participant or Beneficiary (“claimant”) who has not received benefits under the Plan that he or she believes should be paid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:

       8.1.1
Initiation – Written Claim .  The claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Plan Administrator a written claim for the benefits.

8.1.2 
Timing of Plan Administrator Response .  The Plan Administrator shall respond to such claimant within 90 days after receiving the claim.  If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator can extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 90-day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision.

8.1.3  
Notice of Decision .  If the Plan Administrator denies part or all of the claim, the Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing of such denial.  The Plan Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant.  The notification shall set forth:

(a)  
The specific reasons for the denial;
(b)  
A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;
(c)  
A description of any additional information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed;
(d)  
An explanation of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures; and
(e)  
A statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

8.2   
Review Procedure .  If the Plan Administrator denies part or all of the claim, the claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Plan Administrator of the denial, as follows:

8.2.1 
Initiation – Written Request .  To initiate the review, the claimant, within 60 days after receiving the Plan Administrator’s notice of denial, must file with the Plan Administrator a written request for review.

8.2.2 
Additional Submissions – Information Access .  The claimant shall then have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim.  The Plan Administrator shall also provide the claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

8.2.3 
Considerations on Review .  In considering the review, the Plan Administrator shall take into account all materials and information the claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

8.2.4 
Timing of Plan Administrator’s Response .  The Plan Administrator shall respond in writing to such claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review.  If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator can extend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision.

8.2.5  
Notice of Decision .  The Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision on review.  The Plan Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant.  The notification shall set forth:

(a)  
The specific reasons for the denial;
(b)  
A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;
(c)  
A statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant’s claim for benefits; and
(d)  
A statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).


ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

9.1  
Amendment or Termination of Plan .  Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.5, 2.6, 9.2 and 9.4, the Company has the unilateral right at any time (i) to amend or terminate the Plan, except this Plan shall not be amended or terminated within twelve (12) months prior to a Change of Control without the Participant’s written consent or (ii) to exercise its right to surrender the Policy.

9.2  
Amendment or Termination of Plan Upon Change of Control .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if there should be a Change of Control in the Company, then the Participant’s Interest under this Plan shall be frozen as of the date the Change of Control occurs.  Further, the Company shall pay or create a vehicle to pay, or cause the successor in interest to repay any outstanding loans and to pay to Insurer the amount of premium necessary to acquire in full (endow) enough insurance coverage to pay the Participant’s Interest as then frozen and the Company’s premium payments under the Policy.  Further, as of the date of the Change of Control, all amounts due to Participant under this Plan shall be fully vested and shall not be subject to subsequent events including, but not limited to, the termination of employment of the Participant.

9.3  
Automatic Termination .  Subject to Sections 3.1, 9.2 and 9.4, participation in this Plan shall automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

9.3.1  
The bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of the Company;

9.3.2  
The Participant’s violation of the terms of Article 11.

9.4  
Disposition of the Policy on Termination of the Plan During the Participant’s Lifetime .  If the Plan is terminated, the Company shall give notice as set forth below.

9.4.1 
Unless the Participant’s interest in the Plan is terminated under Section 3.1 or 9.3 above, for sixty (60) days after the date the Participant receives notice from the Company of the termination of this Plan during the Participant’s lifetime, the Participant shall have the assignable option to purchase the Policy from the Company.  The purchase price for the Policy shall be the greater of the total amount of the premium payments made by the Company hereunder or the cash value of the Policy, less any indebtedness secured by the Policy which remains outstanding as of the date of such termination, including interest on such indebtedness.  Upon receipt of such amount, the Company shall transfer all of its rights, title and interest in and to the Policy to the Participant or his or her assignee, by the execution and delivery of an appropriate instrument of transfer.

9.4.2 
If the Participant or his or her assignee fails to exercise such option within such sixty (60) day period, then the Company may enforce any of its ownership rights under the policy.  Thereafter, neither the Participant, the Participant’s assignee nor the assignee’s heirs, assigns or beneficiaries shall have any further interest in and to the Policy, either under the terms thereof or under this Plan.


ARTICLE 10
ADMINISTRATION

10.1  
Plan Administrator Duties .  This Plan shall be administered by a Plan Administrator which shall consist of the Board, or such committee or persons as the Board may choose.  Members of the Plan Administrator may be Participants under this Plan.  The Plan Administrator shall also have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan and (ii) decide or resolve any and all ques­tions including interpretations of this Plan, as may arise in connection with the Plan.

10.2  
Agents .  In the administration of this Plan, the Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, (including acting through a duly appointed representative), and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company.

10.3  
Binding Effect of Decisions .  The decision or action of the Plan Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Plan.

10.4  
Indemnity of Plan Administrator .  The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Plan Administrator against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator or any of its members.

10.5  
Information .  To enable the Plan Administrator to perform its functions, the Company shall supply full and timely information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the Compensation of its Participants, the date and circumstances of the retirement, Disability, death or Termination of Employment of its Participants, and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably require.

10.6  
Suicide, Misstatement or Fraud .  The Company shall not pay any benefit under this Plan if the Participant:

10.6.1  
Commits suicide within two years (i) after the date of this Plan or (ii) issuance of the Policy, whichever occurs later;

10.6.2  
Has made any material misstatement of fact or committed fraud (as determined by the Insurer) on any application for life insurance benefits provided by the Company under this Plan; or

10.6.3  
Should die while engaged in any activity or under circumstances that are listed as exclusions in the Policy.


ARTICLE 11
NON-COMPETE

11.1   
Non-Compete .  For purposes of this Plan, a Participant may not engage in any competitive practices or activity prior to or after Early Retirement or Normal Retirement for a period of two years, in an area within a 50-mile radius of any branch or location of the Company or Heartland now or hereafter existing, without the express written consent of the Company or Heartland.  A Participant shall not divulge to any person, firm or corporation, or use on Participant’s own behalf, any information, acquired by Participant during Participant’s employment with the Company or Heartland, concerning the Company or Heartland’s accounts, clients, customers, policyholders, expiration lists or business or information of any kind whatsoever owned by the Company or Heartland.  Furthermore, for purposes of this Plan, the Participant shall be deemed to compete with the Company or Heartland, if as hereinafter provided, the Participant (i) competes directly with the Company or Heartland; (ii) is or becomes financially or beneficially interested in any person and/or business who or which competes with the Company; however, ownership of not more than five percent (5%) of any class of securities traded actively over-the-counter or through a stock exchange shall not violate this condition (ii); or (iii) acts directly or indirectly, as broker, consultant, agent, lender, guarantor or salesman for or on behalf of any person or business who or which competes with the Company or Heartland.

A violation of this section shall cause the Participant’s interest in the Plan to be terminated.


ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS

12.1   
Binding Effect .  This Plan shall bind each Participant and the Company, their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees and any Beneficiary.

12.2   
No Guarantee of Employment .  This Plan is not an employment policy or contract. It does not give a Participant the right to remain an Employee of the Company, nor does it interfere with the Company's right to discharge a Participant.  It also does not require a Participant to remain an Employee nor interfere with a Participant's right to terminate employment at any time.

12.3  
Applicable Law .  The Plan and all rights hereunder shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of Iowa, except to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America.

12.4  
Reorganization .  The Company shall not merge or consolidate into or with another company, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another company, firm or person unless such succeeding or continuing company, firm or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Company under this Plan.  Upon the occurrence of such event, the term “Company” as used in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the successor or survivor company.

12.5  
Notice .  Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Plan Administrator under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail, to the address below:

Director of Human Resources
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
1398 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
 
Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark or the receipt for registration or certification.
 

Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to a Participant under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by mail, to the last known address of the Participant.

12.6   
Entire Agreement .  This Plan, along with a Participant’s Election to Participate, Beneficiary Designation Form and any agreement in writing between the Company and any Participant, constitute the entire agreement between the Company and the Participant as to the subject matter hereof.  No rights are granted to the Participant under this Plan other than those specifically set forth herein.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company executes this Plan as of the date indicated above.

DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

By  ______________________________________

Title  ____________________________________


 
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PLAN


THIS AMENDMENT, is effective as of December 31, 2007 by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company (the “Company”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company maintains the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan (the “Plan”) effective January 1, 2005;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan effective as of December 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Article 9.1 of the Plan reserves to the Company the right to amend the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Participants in the Plan listed on Exhibit A hereto are hereby executing this Amendment to consent to the Amendment in the event such consent is required pursuant to Article 9.1 of the Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

FIRST :  Article 1 of the Plan is hereby amended to add the following new section:

1.23   Net at Risk Amount means the total proceeds payable from the Policy minus the cash surrender value of the Policy as of the date of the Participant’s death.

SECOND :  Article 3.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto, at the end thereof, the following:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a Participant listed on Exhibit A hereto, the Participant’s interest as set forth above shall not exceed the lesser of (i) $1,000,000 or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the “Net at Risk Amount” (as defined herein), less the “Participant’s Interest” under the amount paid pursuant to Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan (as such term is defined therein).

In the event a Participant ceases to be a full-time employee and becomes a part-time employee, as determined by the Company’s standard practices, the Participant’s interest as set forth herein shall be frozen at the amount in effect immediately prior to the date of such change.


THIRD :  Article 3.2 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto, at the end thereof, the following:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may transfer ownership of the Policy or any permitted replacement Policy to a grantor trust to which the Company is a party.

FOURTH :  Article 12 of the Plan is hereby amended to add the following new section:
12.7   Professional Fees Following Change of Control .  If the Participant incurs legal fees or other expenses on or after the date of a Change of Control in an effort to enforce or obtain the benefits of this Plan, the Company, shall, regardless of the outcome of such effort, reimburse the Participant for such legal fees and other expenses in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

FIFTH :  The Plan is hereby further amended by adding at the end thereof the attached Exhibit A, which is a list of Participants affected by this Amendment.

SIXTH :  The Plan, as hereinabove amended shall remain in full force and effect.


[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of December 31, 2007.

DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
 

By: ____________________________                                                               
Its: ____________________________                                                               
 
PARTICIPANTS
                                               ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
                                                   ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
                                               ________________________________
[End of Participant signatures]

EXHIBIT A
DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

Participant
MassMutual Policy Number
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORM

I designate the following as Beneficiary of benefits under the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan payable following my death.


 
Primary:  ____________________________________________________________________

 
___________________________________________________________________________

 
Contingent:  __________________________________________________________________

 
___________________________________________________________________________

 
Note:  To name a trust as Beneficiary, please provide the name of the trustee(s) and the exact name and date of the trust agreement.

I understand that I may change these designations of beneficiary by filing a new written designation with the Plan Administrator.  I further understand that the designations will be automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases me, or, if I have named my spouse as beneficiary and our marriage is subsequently dissolved.


Participant Name:______________________________

Participant Signature:______________________________

Date:  _____________


Witness Name:  ______________________________

Witness Signature:______________________________

Date:    _____________

 
Acknowledged by the Plan Administrator this ________ day of ___________________, 2005


By  _________________________________

Title  ________________________________
 
PARTICIPANT ELECTION FORM
 
I, __________________________________________, a designated employee as set forth in Section 2.1 of the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan dated January 1, 2005 (the “Plan”), hereby elect to become a Participant of this Plan according to Section 2.2 of the Plan.  Additionally, I acknowledge that I have read the Plan document and agree to be bound by its terms.


Executed this _____________ day of ____________________, 2005.


Printed Name:______________________________

Signature:  ______________________________

Date:  _____________

 
Acknowledged by the Plan Administrator this ________ day of ___________________, 2005.


By  _________________________________

Title  ________________________________
Exhibit 10.3

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
EXECUTIVE LIFE INSURANCE BONUS PLAN


This Plan, made and entered into effective as of December 31, 2007 by Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (the “Company”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish the Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) to provide certain Employees with bonus compensation in recognition of such Employees’ contributions to the financial success of the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Company and such Employee who is a participant in the Plan will enter into an Agreement to reflect the terms and conditions of the bonus arrangement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the material covenants and agreements contained herein, the Company does hereby establish the Plan as follows:


SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS

“Agreement” shall mean an Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan Agreement between an Employer and a Participant.  The form of each such Agreement is set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

“Change of Control” shall mean:

(i)  
The consummation of the acquisition by a person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Employer of a Participant or the Company; or

(ii)  
The individuals who, as of the date hereof, are members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board, unless the election, or nomination for election by the stockholders, of any new director, was approved by a majority vote of the Board and such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Board; or

(iii)  
Approval by the stockholders of the Employer of a Participant or the Company of (1) a merger or consolidation if the stockholders, immediately before such merger or consolidation, do not, as a result of such merger or consolidation, own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from such merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the combined voting power of the voting securities of such Employer or the Company outstanding immediately before such merger or consolidation; or (2) a complete liquidation or dissolution or a plan for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Employer or the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Employer or the Company are acquired by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one or more benefit plans maintained for employees of the entity; or (2) any corporation which, immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders in the same proportion as their ownership of stock immediately prior to such acquisition.

“Employer” shall mean the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

“Participant” shall mean an employee of an Employer who has become a participant in this Plan as provided in Section 2 hereof.

“Plan” shall mean the Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan.

“Policy” shall mean the flexible premium policy of insurance on the life of a Participant as specified in the Agreement.

SECTION 2
PARTICIPATION

An employee of an Employer shall become a Participant in this Plan as of the effective date of the Agreement entered into between such employee and the employee’s Employer.  A Participant shall remain a Participant in the Plan until termination of such Agreement.

SECTION 3
BONUS COMPENSATION
 
An Employer shall pay to each Participant, as provided in Section 4 below, for services rendered to the Employer an amount equal to the annual premium on the Policy insuring the life of such Participant as provided in the Agreement with such Participant.  Each annual premium shall be determined by the Employer to be an amount that is sufficient such that, if the Agreement remains in effect until the Participant attains age 65, the Policy will remain in force until the Participant attains age 80 under Policy interest crediting rates and Policy charges in effect as of the Effective Date of the Agreement. Each Policy shall have an initial face amount as set forth in the Agreement.  As of each January 1 beginning January 1, 2009 and prior to termination of this Agreement, the face amount of the Policy shall be increased by five percent (5%) over the face amount of the Policy immediately prior to such increase; provided, that in no event shall the face amount at any time exceed $1,000,000.

In the event a Participant shall cease to be a full-time employee of an Employer and becomes a part-time employee on or after age 55 and after the completion of 10 years of service, the Employer shall continue bonus payments hereunder as if such Participant had continued as a full-time employee.  However, the face amount of the Policy shall not be increased by 5% over the previous face amount after the Participant elects part-time status.  Premium payments will be adjusted to maintain the face amount of the Policy at the date the Participant elects part-time status until the Participant attains age 80 under Policy interest crediting rates and Policy charges in effect at the date the Participant begins part-time status.

In the event of any other change to part-time status, the bonus payments otherwise payable hereunder shall be prorated based upon the ratio of the hours to be worked by the Participant per year under the part-time arrangement with the Employer to 2,080 hours.  As a condition of continuing bonus payments, a Participant who has become a part-time employee shall sign an acknowledgement of the effect of changing to such status.

As additional bonus compensation, the Employer shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the annual premium paid hereunder.

SECTION 4
PAYMENT OF BONUS COMPENSATION
 
The bonus compensation payable to a Participant pursuant to Section 3 above representing the annual premium shall be paid by the Company directly to the insurance company that issued the Policy.  Each premium payment shall be made on or prior to the due date for such premium payment.   The additional bonus compensation provided for in the last sentence of Section 3 above shall be paid in cash to the Participant within the same calendar year but not later than sixty (60) days following each premium payment.

SECTION 5
POLICY OWNERSHIP
 
The Policy with respect to a Participant shall be purchased and owned by the Participant.  All incidents of ownership of the Policy shall belong to the Participant, including, without limitation, the right to name a beneficiary of the Policy.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may not surrender the Policy or obtain Policy loans prior to termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 6
TERMINATION
 
Subject to Section 7 below, each Agreement shall terminate as of the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s termination from employment with the Employer, including, without limitation, termination of employment on account of disability or retirement, or (ii) the Participant’s attainment of age 65.  Additionally, each Agreement may be terminated by mutual written agreement of the Employer and the Participant.

SECTION 7
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
In the event of a Change of Control, the Employer, the Company or any successor to this Plan shall pay, as provided in Section 4 above, bonus compensation in a lump sum in an amount necessary to provide the death benefit listed on Schedule 2 to the Participant’s Agreement based upon the date of the Change of Control until the date the Participant would attain age 80.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment hereunder shall not exceed an amount that would cause the Policy to cease to be a “life insurance” contract under Section 7702(a) of the Internal Revenue Code using the guideline premium requirements of Section 7702(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Additionally, the Employer, the Company or any successor to this Plan shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of such lump sum payment.  If the Participant incurs legal fees or other expenses on or after the date of a Change of Control in an effort to enforce or obtain the benefits of this Plan, the Company, shall, regardless of the outcome of such effort, reimburse the Participant for such legal fees and other expenses in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

SECTION 8
AMENDMENT
 
With respect to a current (as of 12/31/07) Participant, this Plan shall not be modified or amended without the consent of the Participant.  With respect to any future Participants, the Company may amend this Plan at any time.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed and the Employee has executed this Agreement, all as of December 31, 2007.
 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
 

 
By: ___________________________                                                              
Its: ___________________________                                                               
 
 


EXHIBIT A

EXECUTIVE LIFE INSURANCE BONUS PLAN AGREEMENT


This AGREEMENT, made and entered into effective as of December 31, 2007 by and between the Employer and _____________________ (the “Employee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Employee with bonus compensation in recognition of the Employee’s contribution to the financial success of the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to reflect the terms and conditions of the Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the material covenants and agreements contained herein, the Company and the Employee do hereby agree as follows:


SECTION 1
BONUS COMPENSATION
 
The Company shall pay to the Employee, as provided in Section 2 below, for services rendered to the Company an amount equal to the annual premium on a flexible premium policy of insurance on the life of the Employee (the “Policy”).  Each annual premium shall be determined by the Employer to be an amount that is sufficient such that, if this Agreement remains in effect until the Participant attains age 65, the Policy will remain in force until the Participant attains age 80 under Policy interest crediting rates and Policy charges in effect as of the Effective Date of this Agreement; see attached Schedule 1, which is a life insurance illustration produced for the Employee using the insurance carrier’s policy interest crediting rates and policy charges as of the Effective Date. The Policy shall have an initial face amount of ________, representing two (2) times the Employee’s calendar year 2007 compensation.   As of each January 1 beginning January 1, 2009 and prior to termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4 below, the face amount of the Policy shall be increased by five percent (5%) over the face amount of the Policy immediately prior to such increase; provided, that in no event shall the face amount at any time exceed $1,000,000.

In the event an Employee shall cease to be a full-time employee of an Employer and becomes a part-time employee on or after age 55 and after the completion of 10 years of service, the Employer shall continue bonus payments hereunder as if such Employee had continued as a full-time employee.  However, the face amount of the Policy shall not be increased by 5% over the previous face amount after the Participant elects part-time status.  Premium payments will be adjusted to maintain the face amount of the Policy at the date the Participant elects part-time status until the Participant attains age 80 under Policy interest crediting rates and Policy charges in effect at the date the Participant begins part-time status.

In the event of any other change to part-time status, the bonus payments otherwise payable hereunder shall be prorated based upon the ratio of the hours to be worked by the participant per year under the part-time arrangement with the Employer to 2,080 hours.  As a condition of continuing bonus payments, an Employee who has become a part-time employee shall sign an acknowledgement of the effect of changing to such status.

As additional bonus compensation, the Employer shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the annual premium paid hereunder.  The compensation to be paid hereunder shall be in addition to all other compensation payable by the Company to the Employee.

SECTION 2
PAYMENT OF BONUS COMPENSATION
 
The bonus compensation payable to the Employee representing the annual premium shall be paid by the Company directly to the insurance company that issued the Policy.  Each premium payment shall be made on or prior to the due date for such premium payment.  The additional bonus compensation provided for in  Section 1 above shall be paid in cash to the Employee within the same calendar year but not later than sixty (60) days following each premium payment.   The Employee acknowledges that all bonus compensation shall represent taxable income to the Employee.  The Company shall withhold, from such payment or any other compensation payable to the Employee, the applicable required tax withholding for federal, state and local income taxes and FICA taxes.

SECTION 3
POLICY OWNERSHIP
 
The Policy shall be purchased and owned by the Employee.  All incidents of ownership of the Policy shall belong to the Employee, including, without limitation, the right to name a beneficiary of the Policy.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee may not surrender the Policy or secure any Policy loan prior to termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 4
TERMINATION
 
This Agreement shall terminate as of the earlier of (i) the date of the Participant’s termination from employment with the Employer, including, without limitation, termination of employment on account of disability or retirement, or (ii) the Participant’s attainment of age 65.  Additionally, this Agreement may be terminated by mutual written agreement of the Company and the Employee.  Upon termination of this Agreement, the Company’s obligations under Sections 1 and 2 above shall cease.

SECTION 5
INSURER NOT A PARTY
 
The insurer issuing the Policy shall not be a party to this Agreement for any purpose.

SECTION 6
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan), the Employer (or any successor to this Plan) shall pay, as provided in Section 4 above, bonus compensation in a lump sum in an amount necessary to provide the death benefit listed on Schedule 2 hereto based upon the date of the Change of Control until the date the Employee would attain age 80.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment hereunder shall not exceed an amount that would cause the Policy to cease to be a “life insurance” contract under Section 7702(a) of the Internal Revenue Code using the guideline premium requirements of Section 7702(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Additionally, the Employer, the Company or any successor to this Plan shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of such lump sum payment.  If the Employee incurs legal fees or other expenses on or after the date of a Change of Control in an effort to enforce or obtain the benefits of this Plan, the Company, shall, regardless of the outcome of such effort, reimburse the Employee for such legal fees and expenses in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

SECTION 7
AMENDMENT
 
This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except in writing duly executed by the Company and the Employee.

SECTION 8
NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
 
This Agreement shall not constitute a contract for the continuing employment of the Employee by the Company or any affiliate of the Company.

SECTION 9
ASSIGNMENT
 
This Agreement may be assigned to an affiliate of the Company who becomes the employer of the Employee.



 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Agreement to be executed and the Employee has executed this Agreement, all as of December 31, 2007.
 

 
__________________________
 
 
By:  _______________________                                                              
Its:  _______________________                                                              


EMPLOYEE
                                               ___________________________





Exhibit 10.4

 
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) dated as of April 28, 2008 is among HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC., a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “ Borrower ”), each of the banks party hereto (individually, a “Bank” and collectively, the “ Banks ”) and THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as agent for the Banks (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Agent ”).
 
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks have entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 8, 2007 (as hereto amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks wish to make certain amendments to the Credit Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1.   Definitions .  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement and terms defined in the introductory paragraphs or other provisions of this Amendment shall have the respective meanings attributed to them therein.  In addition, the following terms shall have the following meanings (terms defined in the singular having a correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):
 
“Effective Date” shall mean April 28, 2008, if (i) this Amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks and (ii) the Borrower shall have performed its obligations under Section 3 hereof.
 
2.   Amendment .
 
(a)   Section 1.5(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to state in its entirety as follows:
 
“(a)           The Borrower promises to pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Bank for the period from and including the date of such Loan to, but excluding, the date such Loan shall be paid in full, (i) while such Loan is a Prime Rate Loan, for each day at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate as in effect on such day minus 0.85%; (ii) while such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, for each Interest Period relating thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate for such Loan for such Interest Period plus 1.30%; and (iii) while such Loan is a Fed Funds Rate Loan for each day, at a rate per annum equal to the Fed Funds Rate as in effect on such day plus 1.30%.
 
(b)   Section 7.5(a)(ix) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by the deletion of the number “$3,500,000” and the substitution of the number “$4,000,000” therefor.
 
(c)   The definition of “Revolving Credit Termination Date” in Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to state in its entirety as follows:
 
Revolving Credit Commitment Termination Date ” shall mean April 27, 2009, as such date may be extended pursuant to Section 1.10 .
 
(d)   Schedule 1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to state as set forth in Schedule 1 of this Amendment.
 
3.   Conditions to Effective Date .  The occurrence of the Effective Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
 
(a)   The Borrower, the Agent and the Banks shall have executed and delivered this Amendment.
 
(b)   No Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Credit Agreement, and the representations and warranties of the Borrower in Section 6 of the Credit Agreement and in Section 6 hereof shall be true and correct on and as of the Effective Date and the Borrower shall have provided to the Agent a certificate of a senior officer of the Borrower to that effect.
 
(c)   The Borrower shall have delivered a Note to U.S. Bank National Association in the amount of its Commitment as revised pursuant to this Amendment.
 
(d)   The Guarantor shall acknowledge and consent to this Amendment for purposes of its Guaranty Agreement as evidenced by its signed acknowledgment of this Amendment on the signature page hereof.
 
(e)   The Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent, on behalf of the Banks, such other documents as the Agent may reasonably request.
 
4.   Effective Date Notice .  Promptly following the occurrence of the Effective Date, the Agent shall give notice to the parties of the occurrence of the Effective Date, which notice shall be conclusive, and the parties may rely thereon; provided, that such notice shall not waive or otherwise limit any right or remedy of the Agent or the Banks arising out of any failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 3 to be satisfied.
 
5.   Ratification .  The parties agree that the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the notes have not lapsed or terminated, are in full force and effect, and are and from and after the Effective Date shall remain binding in accordance with their terms.
 
6.   Representations and Warranties .  The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the Banks that:
 
(a)   No Breach .  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment will not conflict with or result in a breach of, or cause the creation of a Lien or require any consent under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Borrower, or any applicable law or regulation, or any order, injunction or decree of any court or governmental authority or agency, or any agreement or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its property is bound.
 
(b)   Power and Action, Binding Effect .  The Borrower has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all necessary power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment; the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part; and this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, have been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
 
(c)   Approvals .  No authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or registrations with, any governmental or regulatory authority or agency or any other person are necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower of this Amendment or the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, or for the validity or enforceability thereof.
 
7.   Successors and Assigns .  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not transfer or assign any of its rights or interest hereunder.
 
8.   Governing Law .  This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Illinois.
 
9.   Counterparts .  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each party hereto may execute any one or more of such counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telecopy shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this amendment.
 
10.   Expenses .  Whether or not the effective date shall occur, without limiting the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, the Borrower agrees to pay, or to reimburse on demand, all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, modification, amendment or enforcement of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein, including the reasonable fees and expenses of Mayer Brown LLP, special counsel to the Agent, and any other counsel engaged by the Agent.
 
[Signature Page Follows]
 
 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed as of the date first above written.
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
 
By:   /s/ John K. Schmidt_
Name:   John K. Schmidt
Title:     EVP, COO & CFO
 

 
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY,
as Agent
 
By:   /s/ Lisa McDermott_
Name:  Lisa McDermott
Title:    Vice President
 

 
BANKS:
 
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY
 
By:   /s/ Lisa McDermott_
Name:  Lisa McDermott
Title:    Vice President


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:   /s/ Noel W. Licht _
Name:  Noel W. Licht
Title:    Assistant Vice President


GUARANTOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT
 

 
The undersigned Guarantor hereby acknowledges and consents to the Borrower’s execution of this Amendment.
 
CITIZENS FINANCE CO.
 
By:   /s/ John K. Schmidt_
 
Title: EVP, COO & CFO
 
 
Schedule 1
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING BANKS
 

Name of Bank
Commitment
Applicable
Lending Offices
     
The Northern Trust Company
$20,000,000
For all Loans:
50 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois  60675
 
U.S. Bank National Association
$20,000,000
For all Loans:
222nd Avenue
Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52401
 
Total Commitments
$40,000,000
 
 

    Exhibit 31.1

 
    I, Lynn B. Fuller, certify that:
 
1.                 I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Heartland Financial USA, Inc.;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purpose in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and;
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
 
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
Date:           May 12, 2008
 

 
_ /s/ Lynn B. Fuller                                                       
Lynn B. Fuller
Chief Executive Officer



    Exhibit 31.2

    I, John K. Schmidt, certify that:
 
1.                 I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Heartland Financial USA, Inc.;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purpose in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and;
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
 
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

Date:           May 12, 2008


 
/s/ John K. Schmidt                                            
John K. Schmidt
Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit 32.1


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 Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report), I, Lynn B. Fuller, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 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/ Lynn B. Fuller                                            
Lynn B. Fuller
Chief Executive Officer
May 12, 2008

Exhibit 32.2


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 Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report), I, John K. Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 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/ John K. Schmidt                                            
John K. Schmidt
Chief Financial Officer
May 12, 2008