form10q033109.htm

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

FORM 10-Q

                        þ         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
        THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

    For quarterly period ended March 31, 2009

                             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  þ  No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    
                                Yes ¨   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 þ                                       Non-accelerated filer ¨    Smaller reporting company ¨
                       (Do not check if a 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  þ

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, 2009, the Registrant had outstanding 16,294,828 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, 2009
  
December 31, 2008
   
(Unaudited)
    
ASSETS
                
Cash and due from banks
  
$
86,235
    
$
48,977
  
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    
1,026
      
2,326
  
Cash and cash equivalents
    
87,261
      
51,303
  
Securities:
                
Trading, at fair value
    
1,560
      
1,694
  
Available for sale, at fair value (cost of $972,103 for March 31, 2009, and $875,143 for December 31, 2008)
    
                   974,711
      
871,686
  
Held to maturity, at cost (fair value of $27,828 for March 31, 2009, and $26,326 for December 31, 2008)
    
29,901
      
30,325
  
Loans held for sale
    
18,263
      
19,695
  
Loans and leases:
                
Held to maturity
    
2,356,391
      
2,405,001
  
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    
(37,277
)
    
(35,651
)
Loans and leases, net
    
2,319,114
      
2,369,350
  
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
    
119,569
      
120,500
  
Other real estate, net
    
29,317
      
11,750
  
Goodwill, net
    
40,207
      
40,207
  
Other intangible assets, net
    
9,606
      
8,079
  
Cash surrender value on life insurance
    
54,581
      
54,431
  
Other assets
    
46,010
      
51,248
  
TOTAL ASSETS
  
$
3,730,100
    
$
3,630,268
  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                
LIABILITIES:
                
Deposits:
                
Demand
  
$
409,921
    
$
383,061
  
Savings
    
1,185,756
      
1,128,312
  
Time
    
1,193,044
      
1,128,859
  
Total deposits
    
2,788,721
      
2,640,232
  
Short-term borrowings
    
117,766
      
210,184
  
Other borrowings
    
477,640
      
437,833
  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    
30,496
      
33,396
  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    
3,414,623
      
3,321,645
  
EQUITY:
                
Preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 102,302 shares; none issued or outstanding)
    
-
      
-
  
Series A Junior Participating preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 16,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)
    
-
      
-
  
Series B Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 81,698 shares;  issued, 81,698 shares)
    
76,279
      
75,578
  
Common stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 16,611,671 shares)
    
16,612
      
16,612
  
Capital surplus
    
43,865
      
43,827
  
Retained earnings
    
180,927
      
177,753
  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    
1,287
      
(1,341
)
Treasury stock at cost (316,843 shares at March 31, 2009, and 337,181 shares at December 31, 2008, respectively)
    
(6,454
)
    
(6,826
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    
312,516
      
305,603
  
Noncontrolling interest
    
2,961
      
3,020
  
TOTAL EQUITY
    
315,477
      
308,623
  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  
$
3,730,100
    
$
3,630,268
  
 
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, 2009
  
March 31, 2008
INTEREST INCOME:
                
Interest and fees on loans and leases
  
$
39,483
    
$
42,899
  
Interest on securities and other:
                
Taxable
    
8,421
      
6,615
  
Nontaxable
    
1,883
      
1,647
  
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments
    
1
      
131
  
Interest on interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    
1
      
5
  
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
    
49,789
      
51,297
  
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                
Interest on deposits
    
14,122
      
17,096
  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    
212
      
2,186
  
Interest on other borrowings
    
4,378
      
4,277
  
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
    
18,712
      
23,559
  
NET INTEREST INCOME
    
31,077
      
27,738
  
Provision for loan and lease losses
    
6,665
      
1,761
  
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
    
24,412
      
25,977
  
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                
Service charges and fees
    
2,887
      
2,615
  
Loan servicing income
    
2,786
      
1,296
  
Trust fees
    
1,697
      
2,021
  
Brokerage and insurance commissions
    
881
      
892
  
Securities gains, net
    
2,965
      
362
  
Loss on trading account securities
    
(286
)
    
(207
)
Impairment loss on securities
    
-
      
(86
)
Gains on sale of loans
    
1,808
      
504
  
Income on bank owned life insurance
    
130
      
463
  
Other noninterest income
    
(106
)
    
614
  
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
    
12,762
      
8,474
  
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
                
Salaries and employee benefits
    
16,433
      
14,793
  
Occupancy
    
2,375
      
2,344
  
Furniture and equipment
    
1,647
      
1,768
  
Outside services
    
3,217
      
2,510
  
Advertising
    
583
      
795
  
Intangible assets amortization
    
235
      
236
  
Other noninterest expenses
    
3,796
      
3,318
  
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
    
28,286
      
25,764
  
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    
8,888
      
8,687
  
Income taxes
    
2,819
      
2,420
  
NET INCOME
  
$
6,069
    
$
6,267
  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax
    
59
      
-
  
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO HEARTLAND
  
$
6,128
    
$
6,267
  
Preferred dividends and discount
    
(1,336
)
    
-
  
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  
$
4,792
    
$
6,267
  
                 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – BASIC
  
$
0.29
    
$
0.38
  
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE – DILUTED
  
$
0.29
    
$
0.38
  
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
  
$
0.10
    
$
0.10
  
                 
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, 2009
  
March 31, 2008
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                
Net income
  
$
6,069
    
$
6,267
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                
Depreciation and amortization
    
2,292
      
2,352
  
Provision for loan and lease losses
    
6,665
      
1,761
  
Net amortization of premium on securities
    
1,165
      
(219
)
Securities gains, net
    
(2,965
)
    
(362
)
Decrease in trading account securities
    
134
      
102
  
Loss on impairment of securities
    
-
      
86
  
Stock-based compensation
    
229
      
288
  
Loans originated for sale
    
(291,652
)
    
(78,906
)
Proceeds on sales of loans
    
294,892
      
80,867
  
Net gains on sales of loans
    
(1,808
)
    
(504
)
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
    
715
      
2,433
  
Decrease in accrued interest payable
    
(1,383
)
    
(1,923
)
Other, net
    
(2,243
)
    
(4,820
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    
12,110
      
7,422
  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
    
75,687
      
23,288
  
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale
    
38,890
      
29,734
  
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities held to maturity
    
549
      
9
  
Purchase of securities available for sale
    
(209,862
)
    
(93,517
)
Net decrease in loans and leases
    
24,936
      
7,579
  
Capital expenditures
    
(1,140
)
    
(1,227
)
Proceeds on sale of OREO and other repossessed assets
    
982
      
316
  
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    
(69,958
)
    
(33,818
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                
Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
    
84,304
      
4,241
  
Net increase in time deposit accounts
    
64,185
      
40,399
  
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    
(92,418
)
    
(128,040
)
Proceeds from other borrowings
    
55,050
      
124,258
  
Repayments of other borrowings
    
(15,243
)
    
(7,386
)
Purchase of treasury stock
    
(31
)
    
(2,412
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    
210
      
254
  
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options
    
2
      
8
  
Common and preferred dividends paid
    
(2,253
)
    
(1,617
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    
93,806
      
29,705
  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    
35,958
      
3,309
  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    
51,303
      
46,832
  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  
$
87,261
    
$
50,141
  
Supplemental disclosures:
                
Cash paid for income/franchise taxes
  
$
769
    
$
1,210
  
Cash paid for interest
  
$
20,095
    
$
25,482
  
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
 
 



HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
   
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
        
   
 
 
Preferred
Stock
  
 
 
Common
Stock
  
 
 
Capital
Surplus
  
 
 
Retained
Earnings
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  
 
 
Treasury
Stock
 
  
 
Non-controlling
Interest
  
 
 
Total
Equity
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
  
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during the period
                                    
 
1,450
                      
1,450
  
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                                    
 
(276
 
)
                    
 
(276
 
)
Reclassification adjustment for net derivatives gains realized in net income
                                    
 
(211
 
)
                    
 
(211
 
)
Income taxes
                                    
(1,844
)
                    
(1,844
)
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
  
                                                                 
Balance at January 1, 2009
  
$
75,578
    
$
16,612
    
$
43,827
    
$
177,753
    
$
(1,341
)
  
$
(6,826
)
  
$
3,020
    
$
308,623
  
Net income
                            
6,128
                      
(59
)
    
6,069
  
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale arising during the period
                                    
 
9,030
                      
 
9,030
  
Unrealized loss on derivatives arising during the period
                                    
 
(1,932
 
)
                    
 
(1,932
 
)
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                                    
 
(2,965
 
)
                    
 
(2,965
 
)
Reclassification adjustment for net derivatives losses realized in net income
                                    
 
23
                      
 
23
  
Income taxes
                                    
(1,528
)
                    
(1,528
)
Comprehensive income
                                                            
8,697
  
Cumulative preferred dividends accrued and discount accretion
    
 
701
                      
 
(701
 
)
                            
 
-
  
Cash dividends declared:
                                                                
Preferred, $12.50 per share
                            
(635
)
                            
(635
)
Common, $0.10 per share
                            
(1,618
)
                            
(1,618
)
Purchase of 1,913 shares of common stock
                                            
(31
)
            
(31
)
Issuance of 22,251 shares of common stock
                    
(191
)
                    
403
              
212
  
Commitments to issue common stock
                    
229
                                      
229
  
Balance at March 31, 2009
  
$
76,279
    
$
16,612
    
$
43,865
    
$
180,927
    
$
1,287
    
$
(6,454
)
  
$
2,961
    
$
315,477
  
                                                                 
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, 2008, included in Heartland Financial USA, Inc.’s ("Heartland") Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2009. 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, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending
December 31, 2009.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined using net income available to common stockholders and weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders 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  period ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, are shown in the tables below:

   
Three Months Ended
(Dollars and numbers in thousands, except per share data)
  
March 31, 2009
  
March 31, 2008
Net income attributable to Heartland
    
6,128
      
6,267
  
Preferred dividends and discount
    
(1,336
)
    
-
  
Net income available to common stockholders
  
$
4,792
      
6,267
  
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
    
16,276
      
16,378
  
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options
    
21
      
88
  
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share
    
16,297
      
16,466
  
Earnings per common share – basic
  
$
0.29
    
$
0.38
  
Earnings per common share – diluted
  
$
0.29
    
$
0.38
  
                 

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. A summary of the status of the stock options as of March 31, 2009 and 2008, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, follows:

 
 


   
2009
  
2008
   
 
 
Shares
  
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
  
 
 
Shares
  
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1
    
743,363
    
$
19.79
      
733,012
    
$
18.61
  
Granted
    
-
      
-
      
164,400
      
18.60
  
Exercised
    
(1,125
)
    
8.80
      
(3,050
)
    
11.72
  
Forfeited
    
(1,000
)
    
24.13
      
(3,750
)
    
24.99
  
Outstanding at March 31
    
741,238
    
$
19.81
      
890,612
    
$
18.60
  
Options exercisable at March 31
    
335,338
    
$
16.01
      
370,462
    
$
13.04
  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the three-month periods ended
    March 31
  
 
$
 
-
            
 
$
 
4.81
          

At March 31, 2009, the vested options totaled 335,338 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $16.01 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 4.33 years. The intrinsic value for the vested options as of March 31, 2009, was $422 thousand. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2009, was $5 thousand, and the total fair value of shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2009, was $229 thousand. At March 31, 2009, shares available for issuance under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan totaled 465,810.

No options were granted during the first quarter of 2009. 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. Significant assumptions include:

   
2008
  
Risk-free interest rate
     3.10 %
Expected option life
  
6.4 years
  
Expected volatility
     26.96 %
Expected dividends
     1.99 %

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, 2009, was $10 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $2 thousand. Cash received from options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2008, was $36 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $8 thousand.

Total compensation costs recorded were $229 thousand and $288 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for stock options, restricted stock awards and shares to be issued under the 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of March 31, 2009, there was $2.2 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 4.

Heartland now applies 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 December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (Revised 2007) Business Combinations (“FAS 141R”), which requires significant changes in the accounting and reporting for business acquisitions. Among many changes under FAS 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. FAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The adoption of FAS 141R by Heartland on January 1, 2009, had no effect on Heartland’s accompanying consolidated financial statements and its subsequent effect will depend upon the extent and magnitude of future acquisitions.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“FAS 160”), which establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary. Key changes under FAS 160 are that noncontrolling interests in a subsidiary are to 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, the resultant gain or loss is recognized and the remaining interest is remeasured at fair value on the date control is lost. Effective January 1, 2009, FAS 160 requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing consolidated minority interests and prospective application for any new minority interests. The presentation and disclosure requirements of FAS 160 have been applied for the current period and retrospectively for prior periods on Heartland’s accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161 (“FAS 161”), Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, which changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for all financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. For further detail on Heartland’s derivative instruments and hedging activities, see Note 3.

In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 107-1 (“FAS 107-1”), Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, which extends the disclosure requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to interim financial statements of publicly traded companies. FAS 107-1 is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Heartland will adopt FAS 107-1 for the period ending June 30, 2009, and does not anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.

In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 115-2 (“FAS 115-2”), Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, which revises the guidance for determining whether an impairment is other than temporary for debt securities, requires bifurcation of any other than temporary impairment between the amount representing credit loss and the amount related to all other factors and requires additional disclosures on other than temporary impairment of debt and equity securities. FAS 115-2 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Heartland will adopt FAS 115-2 for the period ending June 30, 2009, and does not anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued Staff Position FAS 157-4 (“FAS 157-4”), Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are not Orderly , which provides additional guidance on estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability, provides guidance on circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements in annual and interim reporting periods.  FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Heartland will adopt FAS 157-4 for the period ending June 30, 2009, and does not anticipate that the adoption will have a material impact on its 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, 2009, and December 31, 2008, are presented in the table below, in thousands:

   
March 31, 2009
  
December 31, 2008
   
Gross Carrying Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Gross Carrying Amount
  
Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets:
                                
Core deposit intangibles
  
$
9,757
    
$
7,301
    
$
9,757
    
$
7,092
  
Mortgage servicing rights
    
9,321
      
2,994
      
7,799
      
3,233
  
Customer relationship intangible
    
1,177
      
354
      
1,177
      
329
  
Total
  
$
20,255
    
$
10,649
    
$
18,733
    
$
10,654
  
Unamortized intangible assets
          
$
9,606
            
$
8,079
  

Projections of amortization expense for mortgage servicing rights are based on existing asset balances and the existing interest rate environment as of March 31, 2009. 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, 2009, or December 31, 2008. The fair value of Heartland’s mortgage servicing rights was estimated at $8.6 million and $6.2 million at March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, 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, 2009
  
$
544
    
$
4,812
    
$
76
    
$
5,432
  
                                 
Year ending December 31,
                                
2010
    
466
      
433
      
101
      
1,000
  
2011
    
450
      
361
      
99
      
910
  
2012
    
422
      
289
      
55
      
766
  
2013
    
405
      
216
      
45
      
666
  
2014
    
169
      
144
      
43
      
356
  
Thereafter
    
-
      
72
      
404
      
476
  

NOTE 3: 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 matured on April 4, 2009. Heartland was the payer on prime at a cap strike rate of 8.95% and the counterparty was the payer on prime at a floor strike rate of 7.00%. As of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $185 thousand and $636 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, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $1.9 million and $2.1 million, 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 had an effective date of February 1, 2007, and matured on January 7, 2009. Should 3-month LIBOR have exceeded 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty would have paid Heartland the amount of interest that exceeded 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 was mirrored in the cap transaction. As of December 31, 2008, this cap transaction had no fair 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 had an effective date of February 1, 2007, and matured on March 17, 2009. Should 3-month LIBOR have exceeded 5.5% on a reset date, the counterparty would have paid Heartland the amount of interest that exceeded 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 was mirrored in the cap transaction. As of December 31, 2008, this cap transaction had no fair 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, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $36 thousand and $46 thousand, respectively.

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, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the fair market value of this cap transaction was recorded as an asset of $4 thousand and $8 thousand, respectively.

In addition to the four cap transactions, Heartland entered into the following three forward-starting interest rate swap transactions to effectively convert $65.0 million of its variable interest rate subordinated debentures (issued in connection with the trust preferred securities of Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV, V and VII) to fixed interest rate debt. For accounting purposes, these three swap transactions are designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, 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 swaps.

The first swap transaction was executed on January 28, 2009, on a notional amount of $25.0 million with an effective date of March 17, 2010, and an expiration date of March 17, 2014. Under this interest rate swap contract, Heartland will pay a fixed interest rate of 2.58% and receive a variable interest rate equal to 3-month LIBOR. As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of this swap transaction was recorded as a liability of $149 thousand.

The second  swap transaction was executed on February 4, 2009, on a notional amount of $20.0 million with an effective date of January 7, 2010, and an expiration date of January 7, 2020. Under this interest rate swap contract, Heartland will pay a fixed interest rate of 3.35% and receive a variable interest rate equal to 3-month LIBOR. As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of this swap transaction was recorded as a liability of $615 thousand.

The third  swap transaction was executed on February 4, 2009, on a notional amount of $20.0 million with an effective date of March 1, 2010, and an expiration date of March 1, 2017. Under this interest rate swap contract, Heartland will pay a fixed interest rate of 3.22% and receive a variable interest rate equal to 3-month LIBOR. As of March 31, 2009, the fair value of this swap transaction was recorded as a liability of $530 thousand.

For the collar, cap and swap 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 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 and 2009.

The April 4, 2006 collar transaction did not meet the retrospective hedge effectiveness test at March 31, 2009. The failure was on the full $50.0 million notional amount that 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 Heartland’s prime-based loans. The failure of this hedge relationship was caused by paydowns, which reduced the designated loan pool from $50.0 million to $38.7 million. This hedge failure resulted in the recognition of a loss of $282 thousand during the first quarter of 2009, which consists of the mark to market loss on the collar transaction of $463 thousand and a reclass of unrealized gains out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $181 thousand.

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 reclass of unrealized losses out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $14 thousand. During the first quarter of 2009, the mark to market adjustment on this collar transaction was recorded as a loss of $49 thousand.

A portion of the September 19, 2005 collar transaction also did not meet the retrospective hedge effectiveness test at June 30, 2007. 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 Rocky Mountain Bank’s prime-based loans. The failure of this hedge relationship was caused by the sale of its Broadus branch, which reduced the designated loan pool from $14.3 million to $7.5 million. This hedge failure resulted in the recognition of a loss of $51 thousand during the quarter ended June 30, 2007, which consists of the mark to market loss on the collar transaction of $36 thousand and a reclass of unrealized losses out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $15 thousand. On August 17, 2007, the $14.3 million portion of the September 19, 2005, collar transaction was redesignated and met the requirements for hedge accounting treatment. Since the fair value of the collar transaction was zero on the redesignation date, a mark to market gain of $36 thousand was recorded as other noninterest income during the period from June 30, 2007, to August 17, 2007. The redesignated collar transaction did not meet the retrospective hedge effectiveness test at December 31, 2008. The failure of the redesignated hedge was caused by paydowns, which reduced the redesignated loan pool from $14.3 million to $10.4 million. The hedge failure resulted in the recognition of a gain of $347 thousand, during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, which consisted of mark to market gain on the collar transaction of $348 thousand and reclassification of unrealized loss out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $1 thousand. During the first quarter of 2009, the mark to market adjustment on this collar transaction was recorded as a loss of $64 thousand.

An additional portion of the September 19, 2005 collar transaction did not meet the retrospective hedge effectiveness test at March 31, 2009. 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 New Mexico Bank & Trust’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 $11.6  million. This hedge failure resulted in the recognition of a gain of $68 thousand during the first quarter of 2009, which consists of the mark to market loss on the collar transaction of $64 thousand and a reclass of unrealized gains out of other comprehensive income to earnings of $132 thousand.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the change in net unrealized gains of $1.9 million for derivatives designated as cash flow hedges is separately disclosed in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, before income taxes of $720 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 shareholders’ equity, before income taxes of $541 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, 2009, the change in net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges reflects a reclassification of $23 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 $92 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 4: 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. The Level 3 securities of $120 thousand are 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 fair 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, 2009, 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 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, 2009, 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.
 
Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate represents property acquired through foreclosures and settlements of loans. Property acquired is carried at the lower of the principal amount of the loan outstanding at the time of acquisition, plus any acquisition costs, or the estimated fair value of the property, less disposal costs. Heartland considers third party appraisals as well as independent fair value assessments from realtors or persons involved in selling OREO in determining the fair value of particular properties. Accordingly, the valuation of OREO is subject to significant external and internal judgment. Heartland also periodically reviews OREO to determine whether the property continues to be carried at the lower of its recorded book value or fair value of the property, less disposal costs.
 
 
The table below presents, in thousands, Heartland’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2009, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall:
 
 
   
Total Fair Value
March 31, 2009
  
 
Level 1
  
 
Level 2
  
 
Level 3
                                 
Trading securities
  
$
1,560
    
$
1,560
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
Available-for-sale securities
    
974,711
      
253,901
      
720,690
      
120
  
Derivative assets
    
2,073
      
-
      
2,073
      
-
  
Total assets at fair value
  
$
978,344
    
$
255,461
    
$
722,763
    
$
120
  
                                 
Derivative liabilities
    
1,253
      
-
      
1,253
      
-
  
Total liabilities at fair value
  
$
1,253
    
$
-
    
$
1,253
    
$
-
  

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

   
Fair Value
  
Balance at January 1, 2009
   $ 120  
Purchases
     -  
Redemptions
     -  
Balance at March 31, 2009
   $ 120  


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

   
 
Carrying Value at March 31, 2009
    
Quarter Ended March 31, 2009
  
   
Total
    
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
Total
Losses
  
                               
Impaired loans
   $ 31,765     $ -     $ -     $ 31,765     $ 807  
OREO
     29,317       -       -       29,317       12  
 
 
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 2008 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2009. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

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 experienced an increase in net charge-offs and nonperforming loans during the most recent quarters.
   
*
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.

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, 2009. 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.
 
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 $6.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $6.3 million earned during the first quarter of 2008. Net income available to common stockholders was $4.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, compared to $6.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share, earned during the first quarter of 2008. Return on average common equity was 8.26 percent and return on average assets was 0.53 percent for the first quarter of 2009, compared to 10.72 percent and 0.77 percent, respectively, for the same quarter in 2008.

Earnings for the first quarter of 2009 were positively affected by increased net interest income, loan servicing income, securities gains and gains on sale of loans. The growth in these areas was partially offset by an increase in the loan loss provision, which was $6.7 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2008. Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.94 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to 3.88 percent for the first quarter of 2008 and 3.79 percent for the fourth quarter of 2008.

During the first quarter of 2009, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $3.4 million or 12 percent compared to the same quarter in 2008. Average earning assets increased $335.3 million or 11 percent during the comparable quarterly periods. Noninterest income was $12.8 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $8.5 million during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of $4.3 million or 51 percent. Contributing to this increase was a $1.5 million increase in loan servicing income, $1.3 million increase in gains on sale of loans and $2.6 million increase in securities gains. For the first quarter of 2009, noninterest expense totaled $28.3 million, an increase of $2.5 million or 10 percent from the $25.8 million recorded during the same quarter in 2008. The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $1.6 million or 11 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to the opening of Minnesota Bank & Trust and additional staffing at Summit Bank & Trust and at Heartland’s operations center. The other noninterest expense category to experience a significant increase during the quarters under comparison was outside services, primarily as a result of higher FDIC assessments.

At March 31, 2009, total assets had increased $99.8 million or 11 percent annualized since year-end 2008. Total loans and leases were $2.36 billion at March 31, 2009, compared to $2.41 billion at year-end 2008, a decrease of $48.6 million or 8 percent annualized. 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 four. The only loan category to experience growth during the first quarter of 2009 was the agricultural and agricultural real estate loans.

Total deposits grew to $2.79 billion at March 31, 2009, an increase of $148.5 million or 22 percent annualized since year-end 2008. This growth was weighted more heavily in Heartland’s Midwestern markets, which were responsible for nearly 58 percent of the growth. Demand deposits increased $26.9 million or 28 percent annualized since year-end 2008. Savings deposit balances experienced an increase of $57.4 million or 20 percent annualized since year-end 2008 and time deposits, exclusive of brokered deposits, experienced an increase of $71.0 million or 26 percent annualized since year-end 2008.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.94 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to 3.88 percent for the first quarter of 2008 and 3.79 percent for the fourth quarter of 2008. Success at growing net interest margin during the quarter was a direct result of disciplined pricing. Management is committed to maintaining margin near the 4 percent level and will not compete for loans or deposits strictly for the sake of growth.

Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $32.1 million during the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $3.4 million or 12 percent from the $28.7 million recorded during the first quarter of 2008. Contributing to this increase was the $335.3 million or 11 percent growth in average earning assets over the comparable quarterly period.

On a tax-equivalent basis, interest income in the first quarter of 2009 totaled $50.8 million compared to $52.2 million in the first quarter of 2008, a decrease of $1.4 million or 3 percent. Nearly half of Heartland’s commercial and agricultural loan portfolios consist of 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 3.25 percent for the first three months of 2009. During the first three months of 2008, the national prime interest rate decreased from 7.25 percent on January 1, 2008, to 5.25 percent at March 31, 2008. A large portion of Heartland’s floating rate loans that reprice immediately with a change in national prime have interest rate floors that are currently in effect. Additionally, Heartland has two $50.0 million derivative transactions on the loan portfolio that are at their floor interest rates. One of these derivative transactions matured on April 4, 2009.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2009 was $18.7 million compared to $23.6 million in the first quarter of 2008, a decrease of $4.9 million or 21 percent, as higher rate certificates of deposit rolled over at lower rates. Approximately 47 percent of Heartland’s certificate of deposit accounts will mature within the next six months at a weighted average rate of 2.81 percent.

Heartland attempts to manage its balance sheet to minimize the effect that a change in interest rates has on its net interest margin. Heartland plans to 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 a well-balanced and manageable interest rate posture. Management supports a pricing discipline in which the focus is less on price and more on the unique value provided to business and retail clients. Item 3 of this Form 10-Q contains additional information about the results of Heartland’s most recent net interest income simulations. Note 3 to the quarterly financial statements contains a detailed discussion of the derivative instruments Heartland has utilized to manage its interest rate risk.
 
The table below sets forth certain information relating to Heartland’s average consolidated balance sheets and reflects the yield on average earning 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 yields 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 RATES1
For the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
(Dollars in thousands)
  
   
2009
    
2008
  
   
Average Balance
    
Interest
    
Rate
    
Average Balance
    
Interest
    
Rate
  
EARNING ASSETS
                                    
Securities:
                                    
Taxable
   $ 759,985     $ 8,421       4.49 %   $ 556,859     $ 6,615       4.78 %
Nontaxable1
     160,147       2,720       6.89       145,942       2,421       6.67  
Total securities
     920,132       11,141       4.91       702,801       9,036       5.17  
Interest bearing deposits
     634       1       0.64       432       5       4.66  
Federal funds sold
     785       1       0.52       19,006       131       2.77  
Loans and leases:
                                                
Commercial and commercial real estate1
     1,693,796       26,142       6.26       1,623,511       28,597       7.08  
Residential mortgage
     236,878       3,449       5.90       224,902       3,701       6.62  
Agricultural and agricultural real estate1
     256,059       4,092       6.48       228,964       4,324       7.60  
Consumer
     231,328       4,973       8.72       198,469       4,931       9.99  
Direct financing leases, net
     5,544       68       4.97       8,788       133       6.09  
Fees on loans
     -       966       -       -       1,382       -  
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
     (35,600 )     -       -       (32,658 )     -       -  
Net loans and leases
     2,388,005       39,690       6.74       2,251,976       43,068       7.69  
Total earning assets
     3,309,556     $ 50,833       6.23 %     2,974,215     $ 52,240       7.06 %
NONEARNING ASSETS
     349,648                       295,319                  
TOTAL ASSETS
   $ 3,659,204                     $ 3,269,534                  
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                                
Interest bearing deposits
                                                
Savings
   $ 1,116,314     $ 4,524       1.64 %   $ 827,988     $ 4,035       1.96 %
Time, $100,000 and over
     394,948       3,238       3.32       308,760       3,547       4.62  
Other time deposits
     769,443       6,360       3.35       845,308       9,514       4.53  
Short-term borrowings
     170,826       212       0.50       301,616       2,186       2.91  
Other borrowings
     467,232       4,378       3.80       354,290       4,277       4.86  
Total interest bearing liabilities
     2,918,763       18,712       2.60 %     2,637,962       23,559       3.59 %
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                                
Noninterest bearing deposits
     393,615                       356,578                  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
     32,858                       39,850                  
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
     426,473                       396,428                  
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
     313,968                       235,144                  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   $ 3,659,204                     $ 3,269,534                  
Net interest income1
           $ 32,121                     $ 28,681          
Net interest spread1
                     3.63 %                     3.47 %
Net interest income to total earning assets1
                     3.94 %                     3.88 %
Interest bearing liabilities to earning assets
     88.19 %                     88.69 %                
                                                 
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 management’s opinion, an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses. During the first quarter of 2009, the provision for loan losses was $6.7 million compared to $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2008. Additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the first quarter of 2009 were driven by a variety of factors including deterioration of economic conditions, downgrades in internal risk ratings, reductions in appraised values and higher levels of charge-offs, primarily in Heartland’s Western markets of Arizona, Montana and Colorado.

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 as of March 31, 2009, was at a level commensurate with the overall risk exposure of the loan portfolio. However, if economic conditions should become more 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

The table below shows Heartland’s noninterest income for the quarters indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
    
   
March 31, 2009
  
March 31, 2008
  
 Change
  
% Change
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                                
Service charges and fees, net
  
$
2,887
    
$
2,615
    
$
272
      
10
%
Loan servicing income
    
2,786
      
1,296
      
1,490
      
115
  
Trust fees
    
1,697
      
2,021
      
(324
)
    
(16
)
Brokerage and insurance commissions
    
881
      
892
      
(11
)
    
(1
)
Securities gains, net
    
2,965
      
362
      
2,603
      
719
  
Loss on trading account securities, net
    
(286
)
    
(207
)
    
(79
)
    
(38
)
Impairment loss on securities
    
-
      
(86
)
    
86
      
100
  
Gains on sale of loans
    
1,808
      
504
      
1,304
      
259
  
Income on bank owned life insurance
    
130
      
463
      
(333
)
    
(72
)
Other noninterest income
    
(106
)
    
614
      
(720
)
    
(117
)
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
  
$
12,762
    
$
8,474
    
$
4,288
      
51
%

Noninterest income was $12.8 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $8.5 million during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of $4.3 million or 51 percent. The categories experiencing the largest increases for the comparative quarters were loan servicing income, securities gains and gains on sale of loans.

Service charges and fees increased $272 thousand or 10 percent during the quarters under comparison. Service charges on checking and savings accounts, including overdraft fees, recorded during the first quarter of 2009 were $1.9 million compared to $1.7 million during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of $200 thousand or 12 percent. These fees were affected by increased service charges on commercial checking accounts as the earnings credit rate applied to the balances maintained in these accounts had significantly decreased during the first quarter of 2009 in comparison to the first quarter of 2008  and the resultant earnings credit was  not sufficient to cover the activity charges. Interchange revenue from activity on bank debit cards, along with surcharges on ATM activity, resulted in service charges and fees of $791 thousand during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $586 thousand during the first quarter of 2008, an increase of $205 thousand or 35 percent.

Loan servicing income increased $1.5 million or 115 percent during the quarters under comparison. This increase was largely due to an increase in service fees collected on the mortgage loans Heartland sold into the secondary market while retaining servicing. Heartland’s portfolio of mortgage loans serviced for others totaled $868.6 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $660.4 million at March 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2009, Heartland banks originated $305 million in new and refinanced mortgage loans to 1,600 borrowers. Additionally, Heartland assisted nearly 200 customers with modifications to their existing mortgage loans to help them stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure during this time of financial stress.

Trust fees decreased $324 thousand or 16 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter in 2008. A large portion of trust fees are based upon the market value of the trust assets, which was $1.30 billion at March 31, 2009, compared to $1.64 billion at March 31, 2008.

Securities gains totaled $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $362 thousand during the first quarter of 2008 as securities designed to outperform in a declining rate environment were sold during the first quarter of 2009 and replaced with securities that are expected to outperform as rates rise.

Gains on sale of loans totaled $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $504 thousand during the first quarter of 2008. As long-term mortgage loan rates fell below 5.00 percent during the first quarter of 2009, refinancing activity significantly increased on 15- and 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans. Heartland normally elects to sell these types of loans into the secondary market and retains the servicing on these loans.

Income on bank owned life insurance was $130 thousand for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $463 thousand during the same quarter of 2008. A large portion of Heartland’s bank owned life insurance is held in a separate account product that experienced lower yields during the first quarter of 2009.

Other noninterest income decreased $720 thousand or 117 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. Losses on the market value of failed interest rate hedges totaled $261 thousand during the first quarter of 2009, whereas, during the first quarter of 2008, gains on the market value of failed interest rate hedges totaling $224 thousand were recorded. See Note 3 to Heartland’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion on these derivative transactions. Also affecting other noninterest income during the first quarter of 2008 was the initial public offering of Visa Inc., which provided Heartland with a $246 thousand pre-tax gain.

NONINTEREST EXPENSES

The table below shows Heartland’s noninterest expense for the quarters indicated.

(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
    
   
March 31, 2009
  
March 31, 2008
  
 Change
  
% Change
NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
                                
Salaries and employee benefits
  
$
16,433
    
$
14,793
    
$
1,640
      
11
%
Occupancy
    
2,375
      
2,344
      
31
      
1
  
Furniture and equipment
    
1,647
      
1,768
      
(121
)
    
(7
)
Outside services
    
3,217
      
2,510
      
707
      
28
  
Advertising
    
583
      
795
      
(212
)
    
(27
)
Intangible assets amortization
    
235
      
236
      
(1
)
    
-
  
Other noninterest expenses
    
3,796
      
3,318
      
478
      
14
  
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
  
$
28,286
    
$
25,764
    
$
2,522
      
10
%

For the first quarter of 2009, noninterest expense totaled $28.3 million, an increase of $2.5 million or 10 percent from the $25.8 million recorded during the same quarter in 2008. The noninterest expense categories experiencing the largest increases were salaries and employee benefits, outside services and other noninterest expenses.

The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $1.6 million or 11 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to the opening of Minnesota Bank & Trust in April 2008 and additional staffing at Summit Bank & Trust to grow its customer base and at Heartland’s operations center to provide support services to the bank subsidiaries. Commission expense increased $410 thousand or 65 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008 as activity in residential mortgage loans increased. Total full-time equivalent employees were 1,049 at March 31, 2009, compared to 995 at March 31, 2008.

The other category of noninterest expense to experience a significant increase during the quarters under comparison was outside services, which increased $707 thousand or 28 percent, primarily as a result of higher FDIC assessments.

Other noninterest expenses increased $478 thousand or 14 percent for the quarters under comparison, primarily as a result of costs associated with repossessed property.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Heartland’s effective tax rate was 31.71 percent for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 27.86 percent for the first quarter of 2008. Heartland’s effective tax rate during the first quarter of 2009 did not include any federal rehabilitation tax credits, whereas Heartland’s effective tax rate during the first quarter of 2008 included $208 thousand in federal rehabilitation tax credits associated with Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s ownership interests in limited liability companies that own certified historic structures. 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 21.70 percent during the first quarter of 2009 compared to 20.17 percent during the first quarter of 2008. The tax-equivalent adjustment for this tax-exempt interest income was $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2009 compared to $943 thousand during the same quarter in 2008.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At March 31, 2009, total assets had increased $99.8 million or 11 percent annualized since year-end 2008.

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Total loans and leases were $2.36 billion at March 31, 2009, compared to $2.41 billion at year-end 2008, a decrease of $48.6 million or 8 percent annualized. The only loan category to experience growth during the first quarter of 2009 was the agricultural and agricultural real estate loans, which totaled $259.3 million at March 31, 2009, an increase of $11.7 million or 19 percent annualized since year-end 2008. All of this growth occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company.

The table below presents the composition of the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008.

LOAN PORTFOLIO
(Dollars in thousands)
   
March 31, 2009
    
December 31, 2008
   
Amount
Percent
  
Amount
Percent
Commercial and commercial real estate
  
$
1,673,882
  
70.90
%
  
$
1,718,071
  
71.30
%
Residential mortgage
    
190,179
  
8.06
      
203,921
  
8.46
  
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
    
259,320
  
10.98
      
247,664
  
10.28
  
Consumer
    
232,507
  
9.85
      
234,061
  
9.72
  
Lease financing, net
    
4,989
  
0.21
      
5,829
  
0.24
  
Gross loans and leases
    
2,360,877
  
100.00
%
    
2,409,546
  
100.00
%
Unearned discount
    
(2,458
)
        
(2,443
)
    
Deferred loan fees
    
(2,028
)
        
(2,102
)
    
Total loans and leases
    
2,356,391
          
2,405,001
      
Allowance for loan and lease losses
    
(37,277
)
        
(35,651
)
    
Loans and leases, net
  
$
2,319,114
        
$
2,369,350
      


 
 
 


Loans and leases secured by real estate, either fully or partially, totaled $1.9 billion or 79% of total loans and leases at March 31, 2009. More than 60% of the non-farm, nonresidential loans are owner occupied. The largest categories within Heartland’s real estate secured loans are listed below:

(Dollars in thousands)
  
       
Residential real estate, excluding residential construction and residential lot loans
   $ 403,011  
Industrial, manufacturing, business and commercial
     356,541  
Agriculture
     192,308  
Land development and lots
     161,138  
Retail
     122,217  
Hotel, resort and hospitality
     103,883  
Office
     102,092  
Residential construction
     89,719  

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, 2009, was 1.58 percent of loans and leases and 55.52 percent of nonperforming loans, compared to 1.48 percent of loans and leases and 45.73 percent of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2008. Additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses during the first quarter of 2009 were driven by a variety of factors including deterioration of economic conditions, downgrades in internal risk ratings, reduction in appraised values and higher levels of charge-offs, primarily in Heartland’s Western markets of Arizona, Montana and Colorado.

Nonperforming loans were $67.1 million or 2.85 percent of total loans and leases at March 31, 2009, compared to $78.0 million or 3.24 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2008. Approximately 65 percent, or $43.3 million, of Heartland’s nonperforming loans are to 17 borrowers, with $10.2 million originated by Arizona Bank & Trust, $10.0 million originated by Rocky Mountain Bank, $8.3 million originated by Wisconsin Community Bank, $7.7 million originated by Summit Bank & Trust, $3.1 million originated by Riverside Community Bank, $2.5 million originated by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and $1.5 million originated by First Community Bank. The industry breakdown for these nonperforming loans was $11.0 million high-end residential, $6.5 million transportation, $6.5 million real estate financing provider, $5.0 million lot and land development and $3.8 million construction and development of commercial real estate. The remaining $10.5 million was distributed among 8 other industries. The portion of Heartland’s nonperforming loans covered by government guarantees was $3.8 million at March 31, 2009. Management continues to actively work with stressed borrowers to find solutions to their debt problems and is diligently working to find buyers for Heartland’s repossessed real estate. Unfortunately, there are no assurances that a continuation of the week economy will not result in further deterioration.

Other real estate owned increased to $29.3 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $11.8 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $17.5 million. A residential lot development loan originated at Rocky Mountain Bank was responsible for $12.0 million of this increase. Commercial real estate makes up $27.6 million or 94 percent of Heartland’s total other real estate owned.

Net charge-offs during the first quarter of 2009 were $5.0 million compared to $1.1 million during the first quarter of 2008. A large portion of the net charge-offs was related to commercial real estate development loans and residential lot loans, primarily in the Phoenix, Arizona market. Previously, Heartland generally recognized the charge-off on a loan when the loan was resolved, sold or transferred to other real estate owned. However, in the third quarter of 2008, Heartland began to recognize charge-offs on loans it considered impaired by writing down the loan balance to an estimated net realizable value based on the anticipated disposition value.
 
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,
   
2009
  
2008
Balance at beginning of period
  
$
35,651
    
$
32,993
  
Provision for loan and lease losses
    
6,665
      
1,761
  
Recoveries on loans and leases previously charged off
    
596
      
256
  
Loans and leases charged off
    
(5,635
)
    
(1,315
)
Balance at end of period
  
$
37,277
    
$
33,695
  
Net charge offs to average loans and leases year-to-date
    
0.21
%
    
0.05
%

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,
   
2009
  
2008
  
2008
  
2007
Nonaccrual loans and leases
  
$
67,140
    
$
38,748
    
$
76,953
    
$
30,694
  
Loan and leases contractually past due 90 days or more
    
 
-
      
 
378
      
 
1,005
      
 
1,134
  
Total nonperforming loans and leases
    
67,140
      
39,126
      
77,958
      
31,828
  
Other real estate
    
29,317
      
2,714
      
11,750
      
2,195
  
Other repossessed assets, net
    
1,501
      
494
      
1,484
      
438
  
Total nonperforming assets
  
$
97,958
    
$
42,334
    
$
91,192
    
$
34,461
  
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
    
 
2.85
 
%
    
 
1.72
 
%
    
 
3.24
 
%
    
 
1.40
 
%

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 27 percent of total assets at March 31, 2009, and 25 percent at December 31, 2008. Total available for sale securities as of March 31, 2009, were $974.7 million, an increase of $103.0 million or 12 percent from December 31, 2008. Additional securities were purchased during the first quarter of 2009 as loan growth slowed.

The table below presents the composition of the securities portfolio by major category as of March 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. More than 80 percent of Heartland’s mortgage-backed securities are issuances of government-sponsored enterprises as of March 31, 2009.

SECURITIES PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
(Dollars in thousands)
   
March 31, 2009
    
December 31, 2008
   
Amount
Percent
  
Amount
Percent
U.S. government corporations and agencies
  
 
$
 
253,901
  
 
25.23
 
%
  
 
$
 
195,356
  
 
21.62
 
%
Mortgage-backed securities
    
552,469
  
54.91
      
509,501
  
56.38
  
Obligation of states and political subdivisions
    
163,907
  
16.29
      
163,597
  
18.10
  
Other securities
    
35,895
  
3.57
      
35,251
  
3.90
  
Total securities
  
$
1,006,172
  
100.00
%
  
$
903,705
  
100.00
%

DEPOSITS AND BORROWED FUNDS

Total deposits grew to $2.79 billion at March 31, 2009, an increase of $148.5 million or 22 percent annualized since year-end 2008. With the exception of First Community Bank and Wisconsin Community Bank, all Heartland banks experienced a significant increase in deposits. This growth was weighted more heavily in Heartland’s Midwestern markets, which were responsible for nearly 58 percent of the growth. Demand deposits increased $26.9 million or 28 percent annualized since year-end 2008. Savings deposit balances experienced an increase of $57.4 million or 20 percent annualized since year-end 2008 and time deposits, exclusive of brokered deposits, experienced an increase of $71.0 million or 26 percent annualized since year-end 2008. At March 31, 2009, brokered time deposits totaled $44.6 million or 2 percent of total deposits compared to $51.5 million or 2 percent of total deposits at year-end 2008.
Heartland’s deposit increases demonstrate its ability to gain market share, as nonbrokered deposits grew at a 24 percent annualized rate. A portion of the growth in non-maturity deposits is attributable to an increased focus on commercial treasury management sales and services.

Short-term borrowings generally include federal funds purchased, treasury tax and loan note options, securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances and discount window borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank. These funding alternatives are utilized in varying degrees depending on their pricing and availability. As of March 31, 2009, the amount of short-term borrowings was $117.8 million compared to $210.2 million at year-end 2008, a decrease of $92.4 million or 44 percent, primarily due to activity in retail repurchase agreements. All of the bank subsidiaries provide retail 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 $105.4 million at March 31, 2009, compared to $170.5 million at year-end 2008.

Other borrowings include all debt arrangements Heartland and its subsidiaries have entered into with original maturities that extend beyond one year. As of March 31, 2009, the amount of other borrowings was $477.6 million, an increase of $39.8 million or 9 percent since year-end 2008. Other borrowings include structured wholesale repurchase agreements which totaled $135.0 million at March 31, 2009, and $120.0 million at year-end 2008. 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, 2009, is as follows:

 
(Dollars in thousands)

Amount
Issued
  
Issuance
Date
  
Interest
Rate
    
Interest Rate as of 3/31/09
  
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
06/30/2009
  25,000  
03/17/04
  
2.75% over Libor
       4.07 %
03/17/2034
06/17/2009
  20,000  
01/31/06
  
1.33% over Libor
       2.42 %
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
       2.74 %
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 bank, Minnesota Bank & Trust, own FHLB stock in either Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Seattle, San Francisco or Topeka, 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, 2009, totaled $224.4 million, an increase of $24.9 million or 12 percent from the December 31, 2008, FHLB borrowings of $199.5 million.
Total FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2009, had an average rate of 3.36 percent and an average maturity of 3.71 years. When considering the earliest possible call date on these advances, the average maturity is shortened to 2.30 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, 2009, and December 31, 2008, commitments to extend credit aggregated $505.8 million and $529.1 million, and standby letters of credit aggregated $27.0 million and $26.2 million, respectively.

Contractual obligations and other commitments were presented in Heartland’s 2008 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, 2009
    
December 31, 2008
   
Amount
Ratio
  
Amount
Ratio
Risk-Based Capital Ratios1
                        
Tier 1 capital
  
$
373,814
  
13.54
%
  
$
368,101
  
13.26
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement
    
110,399
  
4.00
%
    
111,017
  
4.00
%
Excess
  
$
263,415
  
9.54
%
  
$
257,084
  
9.26
%
Total capital
  
$
418,118
  
15.15
%
  
$
413,913
  
14.91
%
Total capital minimum requirement
    
220,797
  
8.00
%
    
222,035
  
8.00
%
Excess
  
$
197,321
  
7.15
%
  
$
191,878
  
6.91
%
Total risk-adjusted assets
  
$
2,759,968
        
$
2,775,436
      
Leverage Capital Ratios2
                        
Tier 1 capital
  
$
373,814
  
10.34
%
  
$
368,101
  
10.68
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement3
    
144,603
  
4.00
%
    
137,917
  
4.00
%
Excess
  
$
229,211
  
6.34
%
  
$
230,184
  
6.68
%
Average adjusted assets (less goodwill and other intangible assets)
  
 
$
 
3,615,085
        
 
$
 
3,447,927
      

(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. Summit Bank & Trust began operations on November 1, 2006, in the Denver, Colorado suburban 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 percent on the original investment amount, whichever is greater. Through March 31, 2009, Heartland accrued the amount due to the minority stockholders at 6 percent. 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 stockholders. The remainder of the obligation to the minority stockholders is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of Heartland.

Minnesota Bank & Trust, Heartland’s tenth de novo, began operations on April 15, 2008, in Edina, Minnesota, located in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metropolitan area. Heartland’s initial investment was $13.2 million, or 80 percent, of the $16.5 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 Minnesota Bank & Trust and allows, but does not require, Heartland to repurchase the shares from investors.

On December 19, 2008, Heartland received $81.7 million through participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (CPP). The CPP was authorized by the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The TARP is designed to infuse capital into the nation’s healthiest banks to increase the flow of financing to American consumers and businesses. Funds received by Heartland were allocated to debt reduction (including $34.0 million used to extinguish debt on Heartland’s credit line), capital maintenance at its subsidiary banks and short-term investments. Heartland continutes to honor the intent of the CPP by seeking high quality lending opportunities and the potential acquisition of banks in its existing markets.

Heartland continues to explore opportunities to expand its footprint of independent community banks. Given the current issues in the banking industry and the availability of capital via the TARP, Heartland has changed its strategic growth initiatives from de novo banks and branching to acquisitions. Attention will be focused on markets Heartland currently serves, where there would be an opportunity to grow market share, achieve efficiencies and provide greater convenience for current customers. Additionally, management has asked regulators to notify them when troubled institutions surface in Heartland’s existing markets. 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 that 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.

Total cash provided by operating activities was $12.1 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $7.4 million during the first three months of 2008.

Investing activities used cash of $70.0 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $33.8 million during the first three months of 2008. The proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was $115.1 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $53.0 million during the first three months of 2008. Purchases of securities used cash of $209.9 million during the first three months of 2009 while $93.5 million was used for securities purchases during the first three months of 2008. Net loans and leases experienced a decrease of $24.9 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $7.6 million during the first three months of 2008.

Financing activities provided cash of $93.8 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $29.7 million during the first three months of 2008. There was a net increase in deposit accounts of $148.5 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $44.6 million during the same three months of 2008. Activity in short-term borrowings used cash of $92.4 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $128.0 million during the first three months of 2008. Cash proceeds from other borrowings were $55.1 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $124.3 million during the first three months of 2008. Repayment of other borrowings used cash of $15.2 million during the first three months of 2009 compared to $7.4 million during the first three months of 2008.

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.


 
 
 

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 of the banks and, on a consolidated basis, by Heartland’s executive management and 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 of Heartland’s net interest margin in a downward rate environment, it does not believe that Heartland’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures were managed to-date in 2009 have changed significantly when compared to 2008.

The core interest rate risk analysis utilized by Heartland examines the balance sheet under increasing and decreasing interest scenarios that are neither too modest nor too extreme. All rate changes are ramped over a 12-month horizon based upon a parallel shift in the yield curve 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. Due to the low interest rate environment, the simulations under a decreasing interest rate scenario were prepared using a 100 basis point shift in rates during the first quarter of 2009 instead of the 200 basis point shift used during the first quarter of 2008. The most recent reviews at March 31, 2009 and 2008, provided the following results:

   
2009
      
2008
    
   
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands)
    
%
Change
From
Base
      
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands)
    
%
Change
From
Base
    
                             
Year 1
                            
Down 100 Basis Points in 2009 and 200 Basis Points in 2008
   $ 121,335       0.69   %   $ 104,734       (1.74 ) %
Base
   $ 120,505               $ 106,589            
Up 200 Basis Points in 2009 and 2008
   $ 115,526       (4.13 ) %   $ 105,483       (1.04 ) %
                                     
Year 2
                                    
Down 100 Basis Points in 2009 and 200 Basis Points in 2008
   $ 119,401       (0.92 ) %   $ 97,045       (8.95 ) %
Base
   $ 120,530       0.02   %   $ 107,886       1.22   %
Up 200 Basis Points in 2009 and 2008
   $ 117,496       (2.50 ) %   $ 107,882       1.21   %

Heartland uses derivative financial instruments to manage the impact of changes in interest rates on its future interest income or interest expense. Heartland is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these derivative instruments, but believes it has minimized the risk of these losses by entering into the contracts with large, stable financial institutions. The estimated fair market values of these derivative instruments are presented in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Heartland does enter into financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. 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 and may require collateral from the borrower. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Heartland to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party up to a stated amount and with specified terms and conditions. These commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are not recorded on the balance sheet until the instrument is exercised.

Heartland does hold a securities trading portfolio that would also be subject to elements of market risk. These securities are carried on the balance sheet at fair value. As of March 31, 2009, these securities had a carrying value of $1.6 million or 0.05% of total assets compared to $1.7 million or 0.04% of total assets at year-end 2008.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rules 13a-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 Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) were effective as of March 31, 2009, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by Heartland in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows for 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, 2009, 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 2008 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, 2009, of its common stock:

 
 
 
 
 
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)
01/01/09-
01/31/09
 963
 $19.63
 963
 $2,244,248
02/01/09-
02/28/09
 950
 $12.78
 950
 $1,832,571
03/01/09-
03/31/09
 -
 -
 -
 $2,479,946
Total:
1,913
$16.23
1,913
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. In conjunction with participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program effective, December 19, 2008, Heartland is prohibited from any repurchase, redemption, or acquisition of its common stock, except for certain repurchases to the extent of increases in shares outstanding because of issuances under existing benefit plans.

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

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

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

Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer

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

Dated: May 11, 2009