Form 11-K FYE 12/31/03

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
 
OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For transition period __________ to __________
 

Commission File Number: 33-76228
 

          A.  Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
          B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
1398 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001


REQUIRED INFORMATION
 
The Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Accordingly, the audited financial statements prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 11-K are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 11-K.


SIGNATURES

The Plan

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
     
  HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
 
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
     
Date: March 29, 2004 By:   /s/ John K. Schmidt
 
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
 
     

 
 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

EXHIBIT INDEX
TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 11-K


 Exhibit No.  Description
   
 23  Auditor's Consent
 99.1  Financial Statements