Agricultural loans, many of which are secured by crops, machinery and real estate, are provided to finance capital improvements and farm operations as well as acquisitions of livestock and machinery. Agricultural loans present unique credit risks relating to adverse weather conditions, loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products and the impact of government regulations. The ultimate repayment of agricultural loans is dependent upon the profitable operation or management of the agricultural entity.

In underwriting agricultural loans, the lending officers of the Banks work closely with their customers to review budgets and cash flow projections for the ensuing crop year. These budgets and cash flow projections are monitored closely during the year and reviewed with the customers at least annually. The Banks also work closely with governmental agencies, including the FSA, to help agricultural customers obtain credit enhancement products such as loan guarantees, or interest assistance.assistance and crop insurance.

MortgageHeartland’s residential real estate mortgage lending remains a focal point for Heartland as we continue to strengthen ourbusiness experienced low and declining profitability over the past several years, and competitive changes have evolved in the residential real estate lending business. As long-term interest ratesmarket, which would have remained at low levelsrequired significant investments in technology and process changes for Heartland to remain competitive in this space. In response, Heartland decided to fully outsource its legacy residential real estate mortgage lending business, which was completed during the past several years, many customers have electedfourth quarter of 2018, by entering into arrangements with third parties to offer residential mortgage loans thatto customers in many of our markets. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2019, Heartland's Dubuque Bank and Trust Company subsidiary sold substantially all of its mortgage servicing rights portfolio. Residential mortgage loans originated after the transition through third parties are fixed rate with fifteen- year or thirty-year maturities. We generally sell thesenot being serviced by us.

With our acquisition in 2018 of First Bank & Trust in Lubbock, Texas, we acquired its wholly owned mortgage subsidiary, PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation. PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation was not included in the outsourcing changes and continues to provide mortgage loans to customers in Texas and has expanded to also serve the mortgage needs of our customers in several of our southwestern markets. PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation continues to service the loans it sells into the secondary market and retain servicing rights. We believe that mortgage servicing on loans sold in the secondary market provides a relatively steady source of fee income compared to fees generated solely from mortgage origination operations. Moreover, the retention of servicing provides an opportunity to maintain ongoing contact with borrowers and to cross-sell a wide variety of additional services such as checking, savings, consumer loans, wealth management and investment products.market. At December 31, 2017,2019, residential real estate mortgage loans serviced by PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation, primarily for government sponsored entities ("GSEs"GSE"), totaled $3.56 billion.$616.7 million.

A wide variety of retail banking services are delivered through our 118115 banking centers. Services include checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts ("IRAs"), health savings accounts ("HSAs") and consumer credit cards. Brokerage services, including fixed rate annuity products are also provided in many locations. Consumer lending services of the Banks include a broad array of consumer loans, including motor vehicle, home improvement, home equity lines of credit ("HELOC"), fixed rate home equity and personal lines of credit. Consumer loans typically have shorter terms, lower balances, higher yields and higher risks of default than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and are therefore more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.

Our Banks continue to enhance our retail customers' banking experience through the addition of secure electronic banking options including on-line account opening and mobile banking. Our retail customers receive high-touch service in our banking center locations and further enjoy the convenience of on-line bill pay, mobile deposit, and 24-hour access to account detail. As technology advances, we are committed to offering our customers the convenience of online and mobile delivery channels with the security they expect.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Illinois Bank & Trust, Wisconsin Bank & Trust, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust, CitywideIn most markets where the Banks Minnesota Bank & Trust and Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Company offeroperate, trust and investment services are offered to customers in their respective communities.the community. In the Heartland markets that do not yet warrant a full trust department, the sales and administration of trust and investment services is performed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company personnel. As of December 31, 2017,2019, total trust assets under management were $2.31$3.03 billion. Collectively, the Banks provide a full complement of trust, investment and financial planning services for individuals and corporations. Heartland also specializes in Retirement Plan Services, offering business clients customized 401(k), 403(b) and Profit Sharing plans.

Heartland has contracted with LPL Financial Institution Services, a division of LPL Financial, to operate independent securities brokerage offices at allthe majority of the Banks. Through LPL Financial, Heartland offers a full array of investment services including mutual funds, annuities, retirement products, education savings products, brokerage services, employer sponsored plans and insurance products. A complete line of vehicle, property and casualty, life and disability insurance is also offered by Heartland through DB&T Insurance, Inc. and Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Insurance Services.

Heartland is a geographically diversified company with a Midwestern and Western franchise, which balances the risk of regional economic fluctuations. In general, we view our Midwest markets as stable with slower growth prospects and the West as offering greater opportunities for growth accompanied by the potential of wider economic swings. We strive to balance the growth in our Western markets with the stability of our Midwestern markets. The following table sets forth certain information about the offices and total deposits of each of the Banks as of December 31, 2017,2019, (dollars in thousands):

We face direct competition for deposits, loans and other financial related services. To compete effectively, develop our market share, maintain flexibility and keep pace with changing economicconsumer preferences, business and socialeconomic conditions, we continuously refine and develop our banking products and services. We have found the principal methods of competing in the financial services industry are through personal service, product selection, convenience and technology.

The market areas of the Banks are highly competitive, and our competitors are comprised of other commercial banks, credit unions, thrifts, stock brokers, mutual fund companies, mortgage companies and loan production offices, insurance companies and on-line providers and other non-bank financial service companies. Some of these competitors are local, while others are regional, national or global.

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, effective in 2000, securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. As a result of the enactment of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") in 2010, substantial changes to the regulation of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries have occurred, significantly changing the regulatory environment in which we operate. The Dodd-Frank Act originally mandated certain enhanced prudential standards for bank holding companies with greater than $50 billion in total consolidated assets as well as company-run stress tests for firms with greater than $10 billion in assets. On May 24, 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the "Economic Growth Act") was signed into law. The Economic Growth Act exempted bank holding companies under $100 billion in assets from these requirements immediately upon enactment. This change shifts the increased costs of these requirements to bank holding companies with assets of $100 billion or more, removing a deterrent to merger and acquisition activity by institutions that were approaching $50 billion in assets.

The financial services industry is also likely to face heightened competition as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. These technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and other financial intermediaries in the transfer of funds between parties.

We believe we are positioned to compete for loans effectively through the array and quality of the credit services we provide, and the high-touch, customer-centric way in which we provide them. We invest in building long-lasting customer relationships, and our strategy is to serve our customers above and beyond their expectations through excellence in customer service and providing banking solutions that are tailored to our customers’ needs. We believe that our long-standing presence and commitment to the communities we serve and the personal service we emphasize enhance our ability to compete favorably in attracting and retaining consumer and business customers. We continue to attract deposit-oriented customers by offering personal attention, combined with contemporary electronic banking convenience, professional service and competitive interest rates. The breadth of our product suite, coupled with our superior customer service, allows us to compete favorably with our larger competitors.

At December 31, 2017,2019, Heartland employed 2,0081,908 full-time equivalent employees, none of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Financial institutions, their holding companies, and their affiliates are extensively regulated under federal and state law. As a result, the growth and earnings performance of Heartland may be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of federal and state statutes and by the regulations and policies of various bank regulatory authorities. Both the scope of the laws and regulations and the intensity of the supervision to which Heartland is subject have increased in recent years because of the increase in Heartland's asset size and the industry response to the financial crisis, as well as other factors such as technological and market changes. Regulatory enforcement and fines have also increased across the banking and financial services sector. Many of these changes have occurred as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations. While the regulatory environment has entered a period of rebalancing of the post financial crisis framework, notably with the passage of the Economic Growth Act, Heartland expects that its business will remain subject to extensive regulation and supervision.

As a bank holding company with subsidiary banks chartered under the laws of teneleven different states, Heartland is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"). Each of the Banks is regulated by the FDIC as its principal federal regulator and one of the following as its state regulator: the Arizona State Banking Department (the "Arizona Department"); the California Department of Business Oversight, Division of Financial Institutions (the "California Division"); the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Banking (the "Colorado Division"); the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (the "Illinois DFPR"); the Iowa Superintendent of Banking (the "Iowa Superintendent"); the State Bank Commissioner of Kansas Division of Banking (the "Kansas Division"); the Minnesota Department of Commerce: Division of Financial Institutions (the "Minnesota Division"); the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (the "Montana Division"); the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (the "New Mexico FID"); the Texas Department of Banking (the "Texas Division"); and the Division of Banking of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (the "Wisconsin DFI").

Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions regulate, among other things, the scope of business, the kinds and amounts of investments, reserve requirements, capital levels, the establishment of branches, mergers and consolidations and the payment of dividends. This system of supervision and regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for the respective operations of Heartland and its subsidiaries and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC-insured deposits and depositors, consumers, the stability of the Banks,financial system in the United States, and the health of the national economy, rather than stockholders.

The followingFederal and state banking regulators regularly examine Heartland and its subsidiaries to evaluate their financial condition and monitor their compliance with laws and regulatory policies. Following those exams, Heartland and the Banks are assigned supervisory ratings. These ratings are considered confidential supervisory information and disclosure to third parties is not allowed without permission of the issuing regulator. Violations of laws and regulations or deemed deficiencies in risk management practices may be incorporated into these supervisory ratings. A downgrade in these ratings could limit Heartland’s ability to pursue acquisitions or conduct other expansionary activities for a summaryperiod of time, require new or additional regulatory approvals before engaging in certain other business activities or investments, affect a subsidiary bank’s deposit insurance assessment rate, and impose additional recordkeeping and corporate governance requirements, as well as generally increase regulatory scrutiny of Heartland.

This section summarizes material elements of the regulatory framework that applies to Heartland and its subsidiaries. It does not describe all of the applicable statutes, regulations and regulatory policies that apply, to us, nor does it disclose all of the requirements

Most of the changes required by the Dodd-FrankEconomic Growth Act applicable to bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in assets were effective upon adoption or have been effectively implemented by interim rules and regulatory policy statements. Furthermore, as required by the Economic Growth Act, in November 2019, the Federal Reserve and FDIC adopted rules further changetailoring their supervision and regulation of large bank holding companies with more than $100 billion in applicable law,assets.

The federal banking agencies indicated through interagency guidance that the capital planning and risk management practices of institutions with total assets less than $100 billion would continue to be reviewed through the regular supervisory process, which may have a material effect onoffset the businessimpact of the relief from stress testing and risk management requirements provided by the Economic Growth Act.

Heartland, as the sole shareholder of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank, Wisconsin Bank & Trust, Illinois Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust, Citywide Banks, Minnesota Bank & Trust, Morrill & JanesBank of Blue Valley, Premier Valley Bank and First Bank & Trust, Company and Premier Valley Bank, is a bank holding company. As a bank holding company, Heartland is registered with, and is subject to regulation, supervision and examination by, the Federal Reserve under the BHCA. In accordance with Federal Reserve policy, Heartland is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to the Banks and to commit resources to support the Banks in circumstances where Heartland might not otherwise do so. In addition, under the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has backup enforcement authority over a depository institution holding company, such as Heartland, if the conduct or threatened conduct of the holding company poses a risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund, although such authority may not be used if the holding company is in sound condition and does not pose a foreseeable and material risk to the insurance fund.

Under the BHCA, Heartland is subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve. Supervision and examinations are confidential, and the outcomes of these actions will not be made public. Heartland is also required to file with the Federal Reserve periodic reports of Heartland's operations and such additional information regarding Heartland and its subsidiaries as the Federal Reserve may require.

The BHCA generally prohibits Heartland from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks, or furnishing services to banks and their subsidiaries. This general prohibition is subject to a number of exceptions. The principal exception allows bank holding companies to engage in, and to own shares of companies engaged in, certain businesses found by the Federal Reserve to be "so closely related to banking ... as to be a proper incident thereto." This authority permits bank holding companies, such as Heartland, to engage in a variety of banking-related businesses, including consumer finance, equipment leasing, mortgage banking, brokerage and the operation of a computer service bureau (which may engage in software development). Under the Dodd-Frank Act, however, any non-bank subsidiary would be subject to regulation no less stringent than the regulation applicable to the lead bank of the bank holding company. The BHCA generally does not place territorial restrictions on the domestic activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies.

Additionally, bank holding companies that meet certain eligibility requirements prescribed by the BHCA andmay elect to operate as financial holding companies which may engage in, or own shares in companies engaged in, a wider range of nonbanking activities. As of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Heartland has not applied for approval to operate as a financial holding company.

Federal law also prohibits any person or persons acting in concert from acquiring "control" of an FDIC-insured institution or its holding company without prior notice to the appropriate federal bank regulator or any other company from acquiring "control" without Federal Reserve approval to become a bank holding company. "Control" is conclusively presumed to exist upon the acquisition of 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a bank or bank holding company, but may exist at 10% ownership levels for public companies, such as Heartland, and under certain other circumstances. Each of the Banks is generally subject to similar restrictions on changes in control under the law of the state granting its charter.

Bank holding companies and their subsidiary financial institutions are required to maintain minimum levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve and FDIC regulations. These requirements include quantitative measures that assign risk weightings to assets and off-balance sheet items and define and set minimum regulatory capital adequacy guidelines, separate fromratios. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary, actions by the federal banking regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of a bank holding company and its subsidiaries. Federal banking regulators are required by law to take prompt action when institutions are viewed as engaging in unsafe or unsound practices or do not meet certain minimum capital requirements. In addition to theother potential actions, failure to meet regulatory capital requirements would result in limitations on capital distributions as well as executive bonuses. The Federal Reserve, FDIC and applicable state banking regulators may determine that a banking organization, based on its size, complexity or risk profile, must maintain a higher level of capital in order to subsidiary financial institutions. Ifoperate in a safe and sound manner. In addition, if a bank holding company is not well-capitalized, it will have difficulty engaging in acquisition transactions, and, if its capital levels fall below the minimum required levels, a bank holding company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.transactions.

capital, the allowance for loan losses, other qualifying perpetual preferred stock, certain hybrid capital instruments, qualifying term subordinated debt and unrealized gains on equity securities.certain trust preferred securities not otherwise included in Tier 1 capital. Risk weighted assets include the sum of specific assets of an institution multiplied by risk weightings for each asset class.

If an institution grows beyond $15 billion in assets and makes an acquisition,as a result of mergers or acquisitions, it loses its ability to include trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital is phased out. However, thecapital. Previously issued trust preferred securities issued byare excluded from Tier 1 capital but remain included in Tier 2 capital. Heartland had $13.21 billion of assets as a holding company with less than $15of December 31, 2019, and classified $145.2 million of trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital. On February 11, 2020, Heartland announced the planned acquisition of AIM Bancshares, Inc., which had $1.78 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019. With the completion of this pending acquisition, Heartland is grandfatheredexpected to exceed $15.0 billion in assets, and Heartland will no longer be able to include its trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital. However, Heartland expects to remain well-capitalized under all regulatory capital by the Dodd-Frank Act.ratio requirements after its assets exceed $15.0 billion.

Further, federal law and regulations provide various incentives for financial institutions to maintain regulatory capital at levels in excess of minimum regulatory requirements. For example, a financial institution generally must be "well-capitalized" to engage in acquisitions, and well-capitalized institutions may qualify for exemptions from prior notice or application requirements otherwise applicable to certain types of activities and may qualify for expedited processing of other required notices or applications. Additionally, one of the criteria that determines a bank holding company's eligibility to operate as a financial holding company is a requirement that both the holding company and all of its financial institution subsidiaries be "well-capitalized." Under current federal regulations, inIn order to be "well-capitalized" a financial institution must maintain a Total CapitalLeverage Ratio of 10.0%5.0% or greater, a Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 6.0% or greater and a Leverage Ratio of 5.0% or greater. In order to be "well-capitalized" under the new Basel III Rules, a bank or bank holding company will be required to have a Total Capital Ratio of 10.0%6.5% or greater, a Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Leverage Ratio of 5.0% or greater, and a Common Equity Tier 1Total Capital Ratio of 6.5%10.0% or greater. As of December 31, 2017,2019, Heartland had regulatory capital in excess of the Federal Reserve requirements for well-capitalized bank holding companies.companies

All of the Banks are state chartered, non-member banks, which means that they are all formed under state law and are not members of the Federal Reserve System. As a result, each Bank is subject to direct regulation by the banking authorities in the state in which it was chartered, as well as by the FDIC as its primary federal regulator.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company is an Iowa-chartered bank. As an Iowa-chartered bank, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Iowa Superintendent, the chartering authority for Iowa banks.

Illinois Bank & Trust is an Illinois-chartered bank. As an Illinois-chartered bank, Illinois Bank & Trust is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Illinois DFPR, the chartering authority for Illinois banks.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a Wisconsin-chartered bank. As a Wisconsin-chartered bank, Wisconsin Bank & Trust is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Wisconsin DFI, the chartering authority for Wisconsin banks.

New Mexico Bank & Trust is a New Mexico-chartered bank. As a New Mexico-chartered bank, New Mexico Bank & Trust is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the New Mexico FID, the chartering authority for New Mexico banks.

Arizona Bank & Trust is an Arizona-chartered bank. As an Arizona-chartered bank, Arizona Bank & Trust is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Arizona Department, the chartering authority for Arizona banks.

Rocky Mountain Bank is a Montana-chartered bank. As a Montana-chartered bank, Rocky Mountain Bank is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Montana Division, the chartering authority for Montana banks.

Citywide Banks is a Colorado-chartered bank. As a Colorado-chartered bank, Citywide Banks is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Colorado Division, the chartering authority for Colorado banks.

Minnesota Bank & Trust is a Minnesota-chartered bank. As a Minnesota-chartered bank, Minnesota Bank & Trust is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Minnesota Division, the chartering authority for Minnesota banks.

Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Companyof Blue Valley is a Kansas-chartered bank. As a Kansas-chartered bank, Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Companyof Blue Valley is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Kansas Division, the chartering authority for Kansas banks.

Premier Valley Bank is a California-chartered bank. As a California-chartered bank, Premier Valley Bank is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the California Division, the chartering authority for California banks.

The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures the deposits, up to $250,000 per depositor, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the commercial banking and thrift industries.

As FDIC-insured institutions, the Banks are required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC using a risk-based assessment system based upon average total consolidated assets minus tangible equity of the insured bank.

The Dodd-Frank Act directed that the minimum deposit insurance fund reserve ratio would increase from 1.15% to 1.35% by September 30, 2020, and that the cost of the increase will be borne by depository institutions with assets of $10 billion or more. This requirement was met effective September 30, 2018, at which time the FDIC's reserve ratio exceeded 1.35%.

The Dodd-Frank Act also provides the FDIC with discretion to determine whether to pay rebates to insured depository institutions when its deposit insurance reserves exceed certain thresholds. Previously, the FDIC was required to give rebates to depository institutions equal to the excess once the reserve ratio exceeded 1.50%, and was required to rebate 50% of the excess over 1.35% but not more than 1.50% of insured deposits. In July 2016, the FDIC implemented rules for the reserve ratio requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the rules, banks with assets of less than $10 billion will receive assessment credits for the portion of their assessments that contribute to the increase in the reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35%. The FDIC will apply the credits each quarter that the bank's reserve ratio is at or above 1.38% to offset the regular deposit insurance assessments. The Banks had credits applied to their FDIC insurance assessments starting in the second half of 2019, and at December 31, 2019, the Banks had $1.2 million of credits remaining that will be applied to their FDIC insurance assessments in future periods.

In addition, all institutions with deposits insured by the FDIC arewere required to pay assessments to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation ("FICO"), an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Savings Association Insurance Fund. Since December 31, 2013, theThe assessment rate for the first quarter of 2019 was 0.01450%0.0140% of total deposits. These assessments will continue untilassets. The assessment rate for the Financing Corporationsecond quarter of 2019 was 0.0120% of total assets and was the final assessment payable as all outstanding FICO bonds mature in 2019.were then retired.

Each of the Banks is required to pay supervisory assessments to its respective state banking regulator to fund the operations of that agency. In general, the amount of the assessment is calculated on the basis of each institution's total assets. During 2017,2019, the Banks paid supervisory assessments totaling $920,000.$1.2 million.

Federal law also provides the federal banking regulators with broad power to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The extent of the regulators' powers depends on whether the institution in question is "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" or "critically undercapitalized," in each case as defined by regulation. Depending upon the capital category to which an institution is assigned, the regulators' corrective powers include: (i) requiring the institution to submit a capital restoration plan; (ii) limiting the institution's asset growth and restricting its activities; (iii) requiring the institution to issue additional capital stock (including additional voting stock) or to be acquired; (iv) restricting transactions between the institution and its affiliates; (v) restricting the interest rate the institution may pay on deposits; (vi) ordering a new election of directors of the institution; (vii) requiring that senior executive officers or directors be dismissed; (viii) prohibiting the institution from accepting deposits from correspondent banks; (ix) requiring the institution to divest certain subsidiaries; (x) prohibiting the payment of principal or interest on subordinated debt; and (xi) ultimately, appointing a receiver for the institution.

As of December 31, 2017:2019: (i) none of the Banks was subject to a directive from its primary federal regulator to increase its capital; (ii) each of the Banks exceeded its minimum regulatory capital requirements under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; (iii) each of the Banks was "well-capitalized," as defined by applicable regulations; and (iv) eachnone of the Banks were subject to a directive to maintain capital higher than the regulatory capital requirements, as discussed below under the caption "Safety and Soundness Standards,Standards." complied with the directive.

Under federal law, institutions insured by the FDIC may be liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with the default of commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institutions or any

assistance provided by the FDIC to commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institutions in danger of default. Because Heartland controls each of the Banks, the Banks are commonly controlled for purposes of these provisions of federal law.

The Bank Secrecy Act, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "PATRIOT Act") and other related federal laws and regulations require financial institutions, including the Banks, to implement policies and procedures relating to anti-money laundering, customer identification and due diligence requirements and the reporting of certain types of transactions and suspicious activity. In May 2016, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network published a final rule that requires financial institutions to develop policies, procedures and practices to prevent and deter money laundering. The program must be a written board-approved program that is reasonably designed to identify and verify the identities of beneficial owners of legal entity customers at the time a new account is opened. The program must, at a minimum (1) provide for a system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance; (2) designate a compliance officer; (3) establish an ongoing employee training program; and (4) implement an independent audit function to test programs. Financial institutions mustwere required to comply with the new rule beginning May 11, 2018. This rule will increasehas increased compliance costs for the Banks.

The primary source of funds for Heartland is dividends from the Banks. In general, the Banks may only pay dividends either out of their historical net income after any required transfers to surplus or reserves have been made or out of their retained earnings.

The payment of dividends by any financial institution is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations, and a financial institution generally is prohibited from paying any dividends if, following payment thereof, the institution would be undercapitalized. As described above, each of the Banks exceeded its minimum capital requirements under applicable guidelines as of December 31, 2017.2019.

As of December 31, 2017,2019, approximately $242.3$331.5 million was available in retained earnings at the Banks for payment of dividends to Heartland under the regulatory capital requirements to remain well-capitalized. Notwithstanding the availability of funds for dividends, however, the FDIC and state regulators may reduce or prohibit the payment of dividends by the Banks.

The Federal Reserve regulates transactions betweenamong Heartland and its subsidiaries. Generally, the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, limit lending and certain other "covered transactions" as well as other transactions between the Banks and their affiliates.affiliates, including Heartland and its subsidiaries and for the primary purpose of protecting the interests of the Banks. The aggregate amount of covered transactions"covered transactions" a Bank may enter into with an affiliate may not exceed 10% of the capital

"Covered transactions withtransactions" between each Bank and its affiliates are also subject to collateralization requirements and must be conducted on arm’s length terms. Covered transactions"Covered transactions" include (a) a loan or extension of credit by a Bank, including derivative contracts, (b) a purchase of securities issued to a Bank, (c) a purchase of assets by a Bank unless otherwise exempted by the Federal Reserve, (d) acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate to the Bank as collateral for a loan, and (e) the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit by a Bank on behalf of an affiliate.

The Banks are subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on extensions of credit to Heartland and its subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or other securities of Heartland and its subsidiaries and the acceptance of the stock or other securities of Heartland or its subsidiaries as collateral for loans made by the Banks. Certain limitations and reporting requirements are also placed on extensions of credit by each of the Banks to its directors and officers, to directors and officers of Heartland and its subsidiaries, to principal stockholders of Heartland and to "related interests" of such directors, officers and principal stockholders. In addition, federal law and regulations may affect the terms upon which any person who is a director or officer of Heartland or any of its subsidiaries or a principal stockholder of Heartland may obtain credit from banks with which the Banks maintain correspondent relationships.

The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines that establish operational and managerial standards to promote the safety and soundness of federally insured depository institutions. The guidelines set forth standards for internal controls, information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits, vendor and model risk management, asset quality and earnings. In general, the safety and soundness guidelines prescribe the goals to be achieved in each area, and each institution is responsible for establishing its own procedures to achieve those goals. If an institution fails to comply with any of the standards set forth in the guidelines, the institution's primary federal regulator may require the institution to submit a plan for achieving and maintaining compliance. If an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan, or fails in any material respect to implement a compliance plan that has been accepted by its primary federal regulator, the regulator is required to issue an order directing the institution to cure the deficiency. Until the deficiency cited in the regulator's order is cured, the regulator may restrict the institution's rate of growth, require the institution to increase its capital, restrict the rates the institution pays on deposits or require the institution to take any action the regulator deems appropriate under the circumstances. Noncompliance with the standards established by the safety and soundness guidelines may also constitute grounds for other enforcement action by the federal banking regulators, including cease and desist orders and civil money penalty assessments.

In June 2016, the Federal Reserve Board issued supervisory guidance for assessing risk management for supervised institutions with total consolidated assets of less than $50 billion ("SR 16-11"). This guidance provides four key areas to evaluate in assessing a risk management system: board and senior management oversight of risk management; policies, procedures and limits; risk monitoring and management information systems and internal controls. In August 2017, the Federal Reserve Board issued a proposed guidance addressing supervisory expectations of boards of directors that includes a proposal to further revise and align the supervisory expectations of boards of directors in areas beyond risk management with the board expectations set forth in SR 16-11.

Each of the Banks has the authority, pursuant to the laws under which it is chartered, to establish branches anywhere in the state in which its main office is located, subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

Federal law permits state and national banks to merge with banks in other states subject to: (i) regulatory approval; (ii) federal and state deposit concentration limits; and (iii) state law limitations requiring the merging bank to have been in existence for a minimum period of time (not to exceed five years) prior to the merger.

Each of the Banks generally is permitted to make investments and engage in activities directly or through subsidiaries as authorized by the laws of the state under which it is chartered. However, under federal law and FDIC regulations, FDIC-insured state banks are prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, from making or retaining equity investments of a type, or in an amount, that are not permissible for a national bank. Federal law and FDIC regulations also prohibit FDIC-insured state banks and their subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, from engaging as principal in any activity that is not permitted for a national bank, unless the bank meets, and continues to meet, its minimum regulatory capital requirements and the FDIC determines the activity would not pose a significant risk to the deposit insurance fund of which the bank is a member.

In July 2010, the federal banking agencies issued guidance that applies to all banking organizations supervised by the agencies. Pursuant to the guidance, to be consistent with safety and soundness principles, Heartland's incentive compensation arrangements should: (1) appropriately balance risk and financial reward; (2) be compatible with effective controls and risk management; and (3) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by Heartland's board of directors.

In addition, in March 2011, the federal banking agencies, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, released a proposed rule intended to ensure that regulated financial institutions design their incentive compensation arrangements to account for risk. In May 2016, financial regulators proposed a rule replacing the 2011 proposed rule. While the proposed 2011 proposed rule was principles-based, the new proposed rule is prescriptive in nature and is intended to prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that could encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing excessive compensation or could lead to material financial loss. The new proposed rule would require financial institutions to consider compensation arrangements for "senior executive officers" and "significant risk takers" against several factors, and would require that such arrangements contain both financial and non-financial measures of performance. Until a final rule is issued, it is not clear whether and how this rule will ultimately impact the Banks.

The Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") imposes a continuing and affirmative obligation on each of the Banks to help meet the credit needs of their respective communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, in a safe and sound manner. The FDIC and the respective state regulators regularly assess the record of each Bank in meeting the credit needs of its community. Applications for additional acquisitions would beare subject to evaluation of the effectiveness of the Banks' in meeting their Community Reinvestment ActCRA requirements.

The CFPBConsumer Finance Protection Bureau ("CFPB") has undertaken numerous rule-making and other initiatives, including issuing informal guidance and taking enforcement actions against certain financial institutions. The CFPB’s rulemaking, examination and enforcement authority has affected and will continue to significantly affect financial institutions involved in the provision of consumer financial products and services.

The CFPB has also been publishing complaints submitted by consumers regarding consumer financial products and services in a publicly-accessible online portal. In June 2015, theThe CFPB also began publishingpublishes complaint narratives from consumers that opted to have their narratives made public. The publication of complaint narratives could affect the Banks in the following ways: (i) complaint data might be used by the CFPB to make decisions regarding regulatory, enforcement or examination issues; and (ii) the publication of such narratives may have a negative effect on the reputation of those institutions that are the subject of complaints.

EachMortgage loans held at each of the Banks, iswhich were made prior to the outsourcing of Heartland’s legacy mortgage lending business, and mortgage loans originated by PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation are subject to a number of laws and rules affecting residential mortgages, including the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act ("HMDA") and Regulation C and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ("RESPA") and Regulation X. In recent years, the CFPB and other federal agencies have proposed and finalized a number of rules affecting residential mortgages. These rules implement the Dodd-Frank Act amendments to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Truth in Lending Act ("TILA") and RESPA. The final rules, among other things, impose requirements regarding procedures to ensure compliance with "ability to repay" requirements, policies and procedures for servicing mortgages, and additional rules and restrictions regarding mortgage loan originator compensation and qualification and registration requirements for individual loan originator employees. These rules also impose new or revised disclosure requirements, including a new integrated mortgage origination disclosure that combines disclosures currently required under TILA and RESPA.

The HMDA and Regulation C requiresrequire lenders to report certain information regarding home loans. In October 2015, the CFPB issued a final rule amending Regulation C which, among other things, revisesloans and includes tests for determining what financial institutions and credit transactions are covered under HMDA and imposes reporting requirements for new data points identified in the Dodd-Frank Act or identified by the CPFB as necessary to carry out the purposes of HMDA. The final ruleRegulation C requires more detailed information from lenders and requires lenders to deliver certain information aboutthe reporting on mortgage loan underwriting and pricing.

Federal law generallyalso requires financial institutions to impose a mandatory purchase requirement for flood insurance for loans secured by certain real property located in areas with special flood hazards. In February 2019, federal regulators issued a final rule implementing the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act. The proposedfinal rule, outlines provisionswhich became effective July 1, 2019, includes rules for identifying when private flood insurance policies must be accepted and criteria to apply in determining whether certain types of coverage qualify as "flood insurance" for federal flood insurance law purposes. Until a final rule is issued, it is not clear whether and how this rule will ultimately impact the Banks.

Effective on January 10, 2014,Under Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z, was amended to require mortgage lenders, such as PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation, are required to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Mortgage lenders are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the mortgage lender to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (1) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (2) current employment status; (3) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (4) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (5) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (6) current debt obligations, alimony and child support; (7) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (8) credit history. Alternatively, the mortgage lender can originate "qualified mortgages," which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a "qualified mortgage" is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage, the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3% of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are "higher-priced" (e.g., subprime loans) have a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not "higher-priced" (e.g., prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. The Banks and PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation primarily originate compliant qualified mortgages.

In October 2014,Federal and state law contains extensive consumer privacy protection provisions. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA") requires financial institutions to periodically disclose their privacy policies and practices relating to sharing such information and, in some cases, enables retail customers to opt out of the FDIC, the Federal Reservesharing of certain information with unaffiliated third parties. Other federal and four other federal regulatory agencies issued a final rulestate laws and regulations impact Heartland’s ability to share certain information with affiliates and non-affiliates. The GLBA also requires financial institutions to implement amendmentsan information security program that includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the Securities Exchange Actsecurity and confidentiality of 1934, as amended, that impose risk retention requirements on asset-backed securities. The final rule generally requires a sponsor of an asset-backed securitization to retain not less than 5% of the credit risk of the underlying asset. Certain securitizations that are comprised of "qualified residential mortgages" are exempt from the risk retention requirements, with qualified residential mortgage defined to be consistent with the definition of qualified mortgages. The final rule for residential securitizations was effective December 24, 2015,customer records and rules for all other categories of covered asset-based securitizations were effective December 24, 2016. The operations of the Banks were not materially impacted by the final rule particularly since the Banks primarily originate qualified residential mortgages.information.

In January 2015, new legislative proposals and administration efforts regarding privacy and cybersecurity were announced which, among other things, propose a national data breach notification standard. Legislation regarding data security with respect to security breach notifications and sharing cybersecurity threat information has also been proposed. In 2015, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council ("FFIEC") developed the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool to help institutions identify their risks and determine their preparedness for cybersecurity threats.

In September 2016, the FFIEC issued a revised Information Security booklet. The revised booklet includes updated guidelines for evaluating the adequacy of information security programs (including effective threat identification, assessment and monitoring, and incident identification assessment and response), assurance reports and testing of information security programs.

NewData privacy and data protection are areas of increasing state legislative focus. For example, the California Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (the "CCPA"), which became effective on January 1, 2020, applies to for-profit businesses that conduct business in California and meet certain revenue or data collection thresholds. The CCPA will give consumers the right to request disclosure of information collected about them, and whether that information has been sold or shared with others, the right to request deletion of personal information (subject to certain exceptions), the right to opt out of the sale of the consumer’s personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. The CCPA contains several exemptions, including an exemption applicable to information that is collected, processed, sold or disclosed pursuant to the GLBA. In addition, similar laws or guidance with respect tomay be adopted by other states where Heartland does business.

Like other lenders, the Banks use credit bureau data security could impact card issuersin their underwriting activities. Use of such data is regulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"), and increase compliance costs relatedthe FCRA also regulates reporting information to credit card or debit card products. However, itbureaus, prescreening individuals for credit offers, sharing of information between affiliates, and using affiliate data for marketing purposes. Similar state laws may impose additional requirements on Heartland and its subsidiaries.

The federal banking regulators, as well as the SEC and related self-regulatory organizations, regularly issue guidance regarding cybersecurity that is currently uncertain what (if any) impact these developments will have on the Banks.intended to enhance cyber risk management among financial institutions. A financial institution is expected

The Dodd-Frank Act included provisions (known as the "Durbin Amendment"), which restrict interchange fees to those which are "reasonable and proportionate" for certain debit card issuers and limits the ability of networks and issuers to restrict debit card transaction routing. The Federal Reserve issued final rules implementing the Durbin Amendment on June 29, 2011. In the final rules, interchange fees for debit card transactions were capped at $0.21 plus five basis points in order to be eligible for a safe harbor such that the fee is conclusively determined to be reasonable and proportionate.  The interchange fee restrictions contained in the Durbin Amendment, and the rules promulgated thereunder, only apply to debit card issuers with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets. Based on estimated calculations using 2017 debit card volume, the impact ofassets at year-end. Because Heartland's assets exceeded $10 billion at December 31, 2018, it was required to comply with the Durbin Amendment would be approximately $6.0 million.effective July 1, 2019.

In additionAn investment in our securities is subject to the other informationrisks inherent in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, stockholders or prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factorsour business. The material risks and uncertainties that may adverselymanagement believes affect our business, financial results or stock price.us are described below. Additional risks and uncertainties that wemanagement is not aware of or that management currently do not know about or currently view asdeems immaterial may also impair our business or adversely impactoperations. If any of the events described in the risk factors should actually occur, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. If this were to happen, the value of our securities could decline significantly, and you could lose all or stock price.part of your investment.

Our business activities and earnings are affected by general business conditions in the United States and particularly in the states in which our Banks operate. Factors such as the volatility of interest rates, home prices and real estate values, unemployment, credit defaults, increased bankruptcies, decreased consumer spending and household income, volatility in the securities markets, and the cost and availability of capital have negatively impacted our business in the past and may adversely impact us in the future. Economic deterioration that affects household and/or corporate incomes could result in renewed credit deterioration and reduced demand for credit or fee-based products and services, negatively impacting our performance. In addition, changes in securities market conditions and monetary fluctuations could adversely affect the availability and terms of funding necessary to meet our liquidity needs.

We operate in markets in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California, and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to changes in the economic conditions in those markets. Our success depends upon the economic vitality, business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in those areas. Although our customers' business and financial interests may extend well beyond our market areas, adverse economic conditions that affect our specific market area could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us and impact the stability of our deposit funding sources. Consequently, declines in economic conditions in those markets could generally affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Although we attempt to minimize our credit risk through prudent loan application approvalunderwriting procedures carefuland by monitoring of the concentrationconcentrations of our loans, within specific industries, periodic independent reviews of outstanding loans by our loan review department and appropriate training of our credit administration staff. However, changes in the economythere can cause the assumptions

Heartland's commercial loans were $4.81$6.79 billion (including $3.16$4.37 billion of commercial real estate loans), or approximately 75%81%, of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017.2019. Our commercial loans, which tend to be larger and more complex credits than loans to individuals, are primarily madeapproved based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. If the economy weakens or if the industry in which the borrower operates weakens, our borrowers may experience depressed or sudden decreases in revenues that could hinder their cash flow and ability to repay their loans. Consequently, declines in the economy could have a material adverse impact on our earnings. Most often, thisthe underlying collateral consists of accounts receivable, inventory, machinery or real estate. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers. The other types of collateral securing these loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the customer's business and market conditions.

Commercial real estate lending, which is comprised of owner-occupied, non-owner occupied, and lot and land development loans, represents a large portion of our commercial loan portfolio. These loans were $3.16$4.37 billion, or approximately 66%52%, of our total commercial loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017.2019. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in theany of our geographic areamarkets in which the real estate is located. Adverse developments in nationwide or regional market conditions affecting real estate values could negatively affect someimpact of our commercial real estate loans, and other developments could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans typically are dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. A weaker economy has an impact on the absorption period associated with lot

Lot and land development loans. Whenloans involve additional risks because funds are advanced based upon estimates of costs and the estimated value of the completed project and also have a greater risk of default in a weaker economy because the source of repayment is reliant on the successful and timely sale of lots or land held for resale, a default on theseresale. These loans becomes a greater risk.present project completion risks, as well as the risks applicable to other commercial real estate loans. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of Heartland or the borrower could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If previously unknown or undisclosed hazardous or toxic substances are discovered, we may be liable

for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses which may materially reduce the affected property's value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review at the time of underwriting a loan secured by real property and also before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

At December 31, 2017,2019, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans totaled $244.9$533.1 million, or approximately 4%6%, of our total loan portfolio. Payments on agricultural and agricultural real estate loans are dependent on the profitable operation or management of the farm property securing the loan. If the cash flow from a farming operation is diminished, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired. Loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as farm equipment or assets such as livestock or crops may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage to or depreciation in the value of livestock.

The success of thea farm may be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower, including adverse weather conditions that prevent the planting of a crop or limit crop yields (such as hail, drought and floods), loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products (both domestically and internationally) and the impact of government regulations (including changes into global trade agreements, price supports, subsidies and environmental regulations). In addition, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may significantly affect the successful operation of the farm. If the cash flow from a farming operation is diminished, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired. The primary crops in our market areas are corn, soybeans, peanuts and wheat. Accordingly, adverse circumstances affecting these crops could have a negative effect on our agricultural real estate loan portfolio.

The residential mortgage loans that we hold in our loan portfolio, which totaled $624.3$597.7 million, or approximately 10%7% of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017,2019, are primarily to borrowers we believe to be credit worthy based on internal standards and guidelines. Repayment is dependent upon the borrower's ability to repay the loan and the underlying value of the collateral. If we have overestimated or improperly calculated the abilities of the borrowers to repay those loans, default rates could be high, and we could face more legal process and costs in order to enforce collection of the loan obligations. If the value of the collateral is incorrect, we could face higher losses on the loans.

We establish our allowance for loan losses in consultation with management of the Banks and maintain it at a level considered appropriate by management to absorb probable loan losses that areand risks inherent in the portfolio. TheWhile the level of allowance for loan losses reflects management's continuing evaluation of quantitative and qualitative factors including industry concentrations, loan portfolio quality and economic conditions, the amount of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, which may be beyond our control, and such losses may exceed current estimates. Despite the current stable economic and market conditions, there remains a risk of continued asset and economic deterioration. At December 31, 2017,2019, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.87%0.84% and as a percentage of total nonperforming loans was approximately 88%87%. Although we believe that the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to absorb probable losses on any existing loans that may become uncollectible, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty, and we cannot provide assurance that our allowance for loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future. Further significant provisions, or charge-offs against our allowance that result in provisions, could have a significant negative impact on our profitability. Loan losses in excess of our reserves may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our businessIn June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which replaces the current "incurred loss" model for recognizing credit losses with an "expected loss" model referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model. The new CECL standard became effective for us for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Under the CECL model, we are required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is concentrated inbased on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and dependent uponreasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the continued growth and welfarecollectability of the various marketsreported amount. This measurement takes place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the incurred loss model previously required under GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss

has been incurred. Accordingly, we expect that the adoption of the CECL model will materially affect how we serve.

We require liquidity to meetfund our deposit and debt obligations as they come due. Access to liquidityA number of factors beyond our control could be impaired by an inability to accesshave a detrimental impact on the capital marketsavailability or unforeseen outflowscosts of deposits.that funding. These include market disruptions, changes in our credit ratings or the sentiment of investors, the state of the regulatory environment and monetary and fiscal policies, declines in the value of our investment securities, loss of substantial deposits or customer relationships, financial or systemic shocks, significant counterparty failures or reputational damage. Our ability to meet current financial obligations is a function of our balance sheet structure, ability to liquidate assets and access to alternative sources of funds. Our access to deposits can be impacted by the liquidity needs of our customers as a substantial portion of our deposit liabilities are on demand, while a substantialsignificant portion of our assets are loans that cannot be sold in the same timeframe or are securities that may not be readily saleable if there is disruption in capital markets. If we become unable to obtain funds when needed, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we are required to record loans acquired through acquisitions, including purchase credit impaired loans, at fair value. Estimating the fair value of such loans requires management to make estimates based on available information and facts and circumstances on the acquisition date. Any discount, which is the excess of the amount of reasonably estimable and probable discounted future cash collections over the purchase price, is accreted into interest income over the weighted average remaining contractual life of the loans. Therefore, our net interest margins may initially increase due to the discount accretion. We expect the yields on the total loan portfolio will decline as our acquired loan portfolios pay down or mature and the corresponding accretion of the discount decreases. We expect downward pressure on our interest income to the extent that the runoff of our acquired loan portfolios is not replaced with comparable high-yielding loans. This could result in higher net interest margins and interest income in current periods and lower net interest margins and interest income in future periods.

We strive to maintain a diverse liability portfolio, and we manage deposit portfolio diversification through our asset/liability committee process. However, even with our efforts to maintain diversification, we occasionally accept larger deposit customers, and our typical deposit customers might occasionally carry larger balances. Unanticipated, significant changes in these large balances could affect our liquidity risk and pricing risk, particularly within the deposit portfolio of a single Bank, where the effects of the concentration would be greater than for Heartland as a whole. Our inability to manage deposit concentration risk could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. We anticipate that our existing capital resources will satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. However, from time to time, we raise additional capital to support continued growth, both internally and through acquisitions. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to raise additional capital if needed on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired.

The primary source of funds for Heartland is dividends from the Banks. In general, the Banks may only pay dividends either out of their historical net income after any required transfers to surplus or reserves have been made or out of their retained earnings. The payment of dividends by any financial institution is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations, and a financial institution generally is prohibited from

paying any dividends if, following payment thereof, the institution would be undercapitalized. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on Heartland's common stock and preferred stock, and to pay interest and principal on our debt.

We maintained a balance of $2.49$3.44 billion, or 25%26% of our assets, in investment securities at December 31, 2017.2019. Changes in market interest rates can affect the value of these investment securities, with increasing interest rates generally resulting in a reduction of value. Although the reduction in value from temporary increases in market rates does not affect our income until the security is sold, it does result in an unrealized loss recorded in other comprehensive income that can reduce our common stockholders’ equity. Further, we must periodically test our investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment in value. In assessing whether the impairment of investment securities is other-than-temporary, we consider the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability to retain our investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value in the near term.

The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to being able to better serve customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand our market areas. Many of our larger competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products to those that we will be able to offer, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage.

We rely on vendor and third partythird-party relationships for a variety of products and services necessary to maintain our day-to-day activities, particularly in the areas of correspondent relationships, operations, treasury management, information technology and security. This reliance exposes us to risks of those third parties failing to perform financially or failing to perform contractually or to our expectations. These risks could include material adverse impacts on our business, such as credit loss or fraud loss, disruption or interruption of business activities, cyber-attacks and information security breaches, poor performance of services affecting our customer relationships and/or reputation, and possibilities that we could be responsible to our customers for legal or regulatory violations committed by those third parties while performing services on our behalf. While we have implemented an active program of oversight to address this risk, there can be no assurance that our vendor and third partythird-party relationships will not have a material adverse impact on our business.

We rely heavily on communications and internal standardsinformation systems to conduct our business, and specifications. In addition, a significant portionas part of our operations relies heavily on the secure processing, storage and transmissionbusiness, we maintain significant amounts of personal and confidential information, such as the personal information ofdata about our customers and clients.

We, our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins, phishingcustomers, regulators and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information storedthird parties, including other financial service institutions and companies engaging in data processing, have been subject to, and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. Although we, with the help of third-party service providers, intendare likely to continue to implementbe the target of cyber-attacks. These cyber-attacks include computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service information, ransomware, improper access by employees or vendors, attacks on personal emails of employees, or breaches of third party vendors that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering and monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and any other information of ours, our employees, our customers, or of third parties, and damage to our systems or other material disruptions. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate or remediate any information security technology and establish operational proceduresvulnerabilities or incidents. Despite efforts to protect our computer systems there canand implement controls, processes, policies, and other measures, we may not be no assurance that theseable to anticipate all security breaches, nor may we be able to implement guaranteed preventive measures will be successful. In addition, advancesagainst such security breaches. Cybersecurity risks for banking organizations have significantly increased in computer capabilities,recent years in part because of the proliferation of

and rapid evolution of new discoveriestechnologies, the use of the internet and telecommunication technologies to conduct financial transactions. For example, cybersecurity risks may increase in the fieldfuture as we continue to increase our mobile-payment and other internet-based products offerings and increase our internal usage of cryptographyweb-based products and applications. Given the continued and rapid evolution of cyber threats, we may not be able to anticipate or other developmentsprevent all such attacks and could result in a compromisebe held liable for any security breach or breach of the algorithms we and our third-party service providers use to encrypt and protect customer transaction data.loss. The occurrence of any failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems could result in violations of privacy and other laws, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.operations

Integral to our performance is the continued efficacy of our technical systems, operational infrastructure, relationships with third parties and the vast arrayability of associates and key executives in our employees to perform their jobs day-to-day and ongoingto support our on-going operations. Failure by any or all of these resources subjects us to risks that may vary in size, scale and scope. These risks include, but are not limited to, operational or

Employee errors and employee or customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers or improper use of confidential information. It is not always possible to prevent employee errors and misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors could also subject us to financial claims for negligence. We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks, including data processing system failures and errors and customer or employee fraud. Should our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or

exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Much of our success to date has been influenced strongly by our ability to attract and to retain senior management experienced in banking and financial services and familiar with the communities in our different market areas. Because our service areas are spread over such a wide geographical area, our management headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, is dependent on the effective leadership and capabilities of the management in our local markets for the continued success of Heartland. Our ability to retain executive officers, the current management teams and loan officers of our operating subsidiaries will continue to be important to the successful implementation of our strategy.strategy and could be difficult during times of low unemployment. It is also critical, as we grow, to be able to attract and retain qualified additional management and loan officers with the appropriate level of experience and knowledge about our market area to implement our community-based operating strategy. The unexpected loss of services of any key management personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We continually implement new lines of business and offer new products and services within existing lines of business to offer our customers a competitive array of products and services. There can be substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets for such products and services are still developing. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products or services, we may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved, and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

WeThe processes we use quantitative systems, often referred to estimate our inherent loan losses and to measure the fair value of financial instruments, as modeling, which involvewell as the inputprocesses used to estimate the effects of datechanging interest rates and other market measures on our financial condition and results of operations, depends upon the use of analytical and forecasting models. These models could reflect assumptions processingthat may not be accurate, particularly in times of market stress or other unforeseen circumstances. Even if these assumptions are adequate, the information under conditionsmodels may prove to be inadequate or inaccurate because of uncertainty,other flaws and usinglimitations in their design or their implementation. If the data outputmodels we use to guide management's decisions and oversight relating to interest rate risk and asset-liability management are inadequate, we may incur increased or unexpected losses upon changes in market interest rates or other market measures. If the models we use for determining our probable loan losses are inadequate, the allowance for loan losses may not be appropriate to support various processesfuture charge-offs. If the models we use to measure the fair value of financial instruments are inadequate, the fair value of such financial instruments may fluctuate unexpectedly or decisions. We apply various methodsmay not accurately reflect what we could realize upon sale or settlement of model design, control and validation to help ensure that the risk appurtenant ofsuch financial instruments. Any such failure in our use of models remains at an acceptable level. Improperanalytical or ineffective design, controls or use of theforecasting models could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the controls are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Under current accounting standards, goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying

Our consolidated balance sheet reflected approximately $42.2$41.4 million of deferred tax assets at December 31, 2017,2019, that represents differences in the timing of the benefit of deductions, credits and other items for accounting purposes and the benefit for tax purposes. To the extent we conclude that the value of this asset is not more likely than not to be realized, we would be obligated to record a valuation allowance against the asset, impacting our earnings during the period in which the valuation allowance is recorded. Assessing the need for, or the sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence, both negative and positive. Positive evidence necessary to overcome the negative evidence includes whether future taxable income in sufficient amounts and character within the carryback and carryforward periods is available under the tax law. When negative evidence (e.g., cumulative losses in recent years, history of operating losses or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused) exists, more positive evidence than negative evidence will be necessary. If the positive evidence is not sufficient to exceed the negative evidence, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is established. The creation of a substantial valuation allowance could have a significant negative impact on our reported results in the period in which it is recorded. The impact of the impairment of Heartland's deferred tax assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by Heartland or the Banks or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

As part of our general growth strategy, we recentlyhave acquired, several banks and may acquire, additional banks that we believe provide a strategic and geographic fit with our business. We cannot predict the number, size or timing of acquisitions. To the extent that we grow through acquisitions, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately and profitably manage this growth. Acquiring other banks and businesses will involve risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including:

The banking and financial services business in our markets is highly competitive and is currently undergoing significant change. Our competitors include large regional banks, local community banks, online banks, thrifts, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, finance companies, money market mutual funds, credit unions and other non-bank financial service providers, and increasingly these competitors provide integrated financial services over a broad geographic area. Some of our competitors may also have access to governmental programs that impact their position in the marketplace favorably. Increased competition in our markets may result in a decreasechanges in our business model, sales of certain assets or business units, decreases in the amounts of our loans and deposits, reduced spreads between loan rates and deposit rates or loan terms that are more favorable to the borrower. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow and remain profitable.

Federal and state banking laws impose a comprehensive system of supervision, regulation and enforcement on the operations of FDIC-insured institutions, their holding companies and affiliates that is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC-insured deposits and depositors of banks, rather than shareholders. These laws, and the regulations of the bank regulatory agencies issued under them, affect, among other things, the scope of our business, the kinds and amounts of investments that we and the Banks may make, reserve requirements, required capital levels relative to assets, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, our ability to merge, consolidate and acquire, dealings with our and the Banks' insiders and affiliates and our payment of dividends.

While it is anticipated that the current administration will not increase the regulatory burden on community banks and may further reduce some of the burdens associated with implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act beyond those enacted in the trueEconomic Growth Act, the ongoing impact of the new administration is impossible to predict with any certainty, and changes in existing regulations and their enforcement may require modification to Heartland's existing regulatory compliance and risk management infrastructure.

We have experienced heightened regulatory requirements and scrutiny following the global financial crisis and as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act. Although the reforms primarily targeted systemically important financial service providers, their influence filtered down in varying degrees to community banks over time and the reforms have caused our compliance and risk management processes, and the costs thereof, to increase. The Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB with broad authority to administer and enforce a new federal regulatory framework of consumer financial regulation, changing the base for deposit insurance assessments, introducing regulatory rate-setting for interchange fees charged to merchants for debit card transactions, enhancing the regulation of consumer mortgage banking, changing the methods and standards for resolution of troubled institutions, and changing the Tier 1 regulatory capital ratio calculations for bank holding companies.

The BoardIn the routine course of Governorsregulatory oversight, proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations of the Federal Reserve System regulates the supply of moneybanks and creditother financial institutions are frequently raised in the United States. Its fiscalU.S. Congress, state legislatures and monetary policies determine,before bank regulatory authorities. Similarly, proposals to change the accounting and financial reporting requirements applicable to banks and other depository financial institutions are frequently raised by the SEC, the federal banking agencies and other authorities. The likelihood of significant changes in a large part, our cost of funds for lendinglaws and investingregulations in the future and the return that can be earnedeffect such changes might have on those loans and investments, both of which affect our net interest margin. Federal Reserve Board policies can also materially affect the value of financial instruments that we hold, such as debt securities and mortgage servicing rights.operations are impossible to determine. Recent changes in the laws and regulations that apply to us have been significant. FurtherMoreover, dramatic changes in statutes, regulations or policies could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways, including limiting the types of financial services and products that we offer and/or increasing the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products.

The Federal Reserve has adopted capital adequacy guidelines that are used to assess the adequacy of capital in supervising a bank holding company. The federal banking agencies implemented final rules to establish a new comprehensive regulatory capital framework with a phase-in period beginning on January 1, 2015, and ending on January 1, 2019. The final Basel III rules and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act substantially amended the regulatory risk-based capital rules applicable to Heartland. Under Basel III, Heartland must hold a conservation buffer above the minimum capital requirement. The capital conservation buffer for 2017 is 1.25% above the minimum capital requirement, and the fully-phased in capital conservation buffer for 2019 is 2.50% above the minimum capital requirement.

Additional requirements may be imposed in the future. The Basel Committee continues to examine ways to strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks and has recently finalizedproduced, and continues to produce a packagenumber of revisionsconsultation and discussion papers which point to a significant revision of the Basel III framework, unofficially known as Basel IV. The changes are meantFramework, including improvements to improve the calculation of risk-weighted assets and the comparability of capital ratios. Federal banking regulators are expected to undertake one or more rulemakings in future years to implement these revisions in the United States. The ultimate impact on our capital and liquidity will depend on the finalimplementation of further changes in the United States rulemakings and implementation process thereafter.States.

Various federal banking laws and regulations including rules adopted by the Federal Reserve pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, impose heightened requirements on certain largelarger banks and bank holding companies. Most of these rules apply primarilyThese heightened requirements have added, and will continue to add, restrictions and complexity to our business operations, as we expand. For example, we were required to comply with the Durbin Amendment effective July 1, 2019, which imposes interchange fee restrictions to debit card issuers.

The Economic Growth Act exempted bank holding companies under $100 billion in assets from certain Dodd-Frank Act requirements that were otherwise applicable to bank holding companies with at leastgreater than $10 billion and $50 billion in total consolidated assets, but certainassets. As required by the Economic Growth Act, the federal banking agencies adopted rules also apply to banksfurther tailoring their supervision and regulation of large bank holding companies with at least $10more than $100 billion in assets. However, federal banking agencies have also indicated through interagency guidance that the capital planning and risk management practices of institutions with total consolidated assets.

We face significant legal and regulatory risks in our business, and the volume of claims and amount of damages and penalties claimed in litigation and governmental proceedings against financial institutions have increased in recent years. Reputation risk, or the risk to our earnings and capital from the resulting negative publicity, is inherent to our business. Current public uneasiness with the United States banking system heightens this risk, as banking customers often transfer news regarding consumer fraud, financial difficulties or even failure of some institutions, to fear of fraud, financial difficulty or failure of even the most secure institutions. In this climate, any negative news may become cause for curtailment of business relationships, withdrawal of funds or other actions that can have a compounding effect, and could adversely affect our operations. Substantial legal liability or significant governmental action against us could materially impact our business and financial results. Also, the resolution of a litigation or regulatory matter could result in additional accruals or exceed established accruals for a particular period, which could materially impact our results from operations for that period.

Our stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, including: actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results; recommendations by securities analysts; acquisitions or business combinations; capital commitments by or involving Heartland or our Banks; operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; new technology used or services offered by our competitors; new reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry; and changes in government regulations. General market fluctuations, industry factors and general

In order to raise capital for future acquisitions or for general corporate purposes, we may offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at a price per share that may be lower than the current price. In addition, investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, may be higher or lower than the price paid by existing stockholders.

Certain federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire Heartland, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial to Heartland’s stockholders. In addition, Heartland's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the "Rights Plan") causes it to be difficult for any person to acquire 15% or more of Heartland's outstanding stock (with certain limited exceptions) without the permission of our board of directors. The combination of these provisions may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of Heartland's common stock.

The following table is a listing of Heartland’s principal operating facilities and the home offices of each of the Banks and of Citizens Finance Parent Co. as of December 31, 2017:2019:

The corporate office of Heartland is located in Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's main office. A majority of the support functions provided to the Banks by Heartland are performed in two leased facilities: one located at 1301 Central Avenue in Dubuque, Iowa, which is leased from Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, and the other located at 700 Locust Street, SuiteSuites 300 and 400 in Dubuque, Iowa, which is leased fromIowa. In December 2019, Heartland formed a limited liability corporation with an unrelated third party.party to purchase the location on Locust Street, and Heartland has a lease with the limited liability corporation.

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which Heartland or its subsidiaries are a party at December 31, 2017,2019, 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.

The names and ages of the executive officers of Heartland, the position held by these officers with Heartland, and the positions held with Heartland subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2017, are set forth below:

Lynn B. Fuller was named Executive Operating Chairman of Heartland in 2018. Mr. Fuller has been a Director of Heartland since 1987 and of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1984 and was the Chief Executive Officer of Heartland since 1999.from 1999 to 2018. He was President of Heartland from 19871990 to 2015. Mr. Fuller has been a Director of Wisconsin Bank & Trust since 1997, New Mexico Bank & Trust since 1998, Arizona Bank & Trust since 2003, Rocky Mountain Bank since 2004, Citywide Banks since 2006, Minnesota Bank & Trust since 2008, Heritage Bank, N.A. from 2012 until its merger with Arizona Bank & Trust in 2013, and Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Companyof Blue Valley since January 2014.2013. In 2015, he was named Director of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Insurance Services.Services and Premier Valley Bank. In 2018, Mr. Fuller was named a Director of First Bank & Trust. He was a Director of Galena State Bank & Trust Co. from 1992 to 2004 and of Illinois Bank & Trust from 1995 until 2004. Mr. Fuller joined Dubuque Bank and Trust Company in 1971 as a consumer loan officer and was named Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in 1985.1987. Mr. Fuller was President of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company from 1987 until 1999 at which time he was named Chief Executive Officer of Heartland. Mr. Fuller is the father of Lynn H. Fuller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company.

Bruce K. Lee was named Chief Executive Officer of Heartland in 2018. Mr. Lee joined Heartland in 2015 as President and was elected a Director of Heartland in 2017. Mr. Lee was named a Director of Rocky Mountain Bank andfrom 2015 to 2018. Mr. Lee has been a Director of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Insurance Services since 2015. In 2017, Mr. Lee was named a Director of Citywide Banks, in 2015.2018, he was named a Director of First Bank & Trust, and in 2019, he was named a Director of Bank of Blue Valley. Prior to joining Heartland, Mr. Lee held various leadership positions at Fifth Third Bancorp from 2001 to 2013, serving most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Lee previously served as President and CEO of a Fifth Third affiliate bank in Ohio where he managed sales and service functions for retail, commercial, residential

mortgage, and investments as well as finance, human resources, and marketing. Prior to Fifth Third, Mr. Lee served as an Executive Vice President and board member for Capital Bank, a community bank located in Sylvania, Ohio.

Bryan R. McKeag joined Heartland in 2013 as Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McKeag was named Director of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Insurance Services in 2015. Prior to joining Heartland, Mr. McKeag served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer with Associated Banc-Corp in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Prior to Associated Banc-Corp, Mr. McKeag spent 9 years in various finance positions at JP Morgan and 9 years in public accounting at KPMG in Minneapolis. He is an inactive holder of the certified public accountant certification.

Andrew E. Townsend was named Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, of Heartland in 2016. Mr. Townsend joined Dubuque Bank and Trust Company in 1993 as a Loan Review Officer and was selected to join Galena State Bank as Executive Vice President, Head of Lending in 1996. In 2003, Mr. Townsend assumed the position of President and CEO of Galena State Bank and joined the bank's board of directors. He was named Deputy Chief Credit Officer of Heartland in 2013. Prior to joining Heartland, he worked at Bank One in the loan review area and had also been an examiner for the Iowa Division of Banking.