HTLF - HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC. REPORTS QUARTERLY AND YEAR TO DATE RESULTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30 2020

Dubuque, IA, Oct. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highlights and Developments

(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to the financial tables for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) today reported the following quarterly results:

1. net income available to common stockholders of $45.5 million, or $1.23 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, compared to $34.6 million, or $0.94 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2019.
2. excluding tax-effected provision for credit losses of $1.3 million and tax-effected acquisition, integration and restructuring costs of $905,000, adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) was $47.8 million, or $1.29 of adjusted earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $39.9 million (non-GAAP) or $1.08 of adjusted earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP), for the third quarter of 2019, which excluded tax-effected provision for credit losses of $4.1 million and tax-effected acquisition, integration and restructuring costs of $1.2 million.
3. return on average common equity was 10.90% and return on average assets was 1.19% for the third quarter of 2020, compared to 8.91% and 1.12%, respectively, for the same quarter in 2019.
4. return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) of 16.11% and adjusted return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) of 16.86% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 13.78% and 15.76%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2019.

Heartland reported the following results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

1. net income available to common stockholders of $95.7 million or $2.59 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $111.3 million or $3.11 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
2. excluding tax-effected provision for credit losses of $39.5 million and tax-effected acquisition, integration and restructuring costs of $2.5 million, adjusted net income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) was $137.7 million, or $3.73 of adjusted earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP), for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $125.3 million (non-GAAP), or $3.50 of adjusted earnings per diluted common share (non-GAAP), for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which excluded tax-effected provision for credit losses of $9.3 million and tax-effected acquisition, integration and restructuring costs of $4.8 million.
3. return on average common equity was 7.90% and return on average assets was 0.90% for the first nine months of 2020, compared to 10.33% and 1.27%, respectively, for the same period in 2019.
4. return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) of 12.10% and adjusted return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) of 17.08% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 16.13% and 18.05%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

"Heartland set a new record of $45.5 million for quarterly net income available to common stockholders during the third quarter of 2020, an increase of $10.9 million or 32% over the same quarter of 2019. Earnings per diluted common share totaled $1.23, an increase of $0.29 or 31% from $0.94 in the third quarter of 2019," said Bruce K. Lee, Heartland's president and chief executive officer.

Responses to COVID-19

In the first quarter of 2020, Heartland implemented and continues to operate under its pandemic management plan. While the measures described below remain in effect, Heartland’s pandemic management plan continues to evolve in response to the recent developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. To assure workplace and employee safety and business resiliency while providing relief and support to customers and communities facing challenges from the impacts of the pandemic, the following measures are in place:

1. employees who can work from home continue to do so, and those employees who are working in bank offices have been placed on rotating teams to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
2. all in-person events and large meetings are canceled and have transitioned to virtual meetings;
3. employees receive an increase in time off and enhanced health care coverage related to testing and treatments for COVID-19;
4. Heartland has installed and requires the use of personal protective equipment in bank offices;
5. Heartland has implemented and extended a 20% wage premium for certain customer-facing employees,
6. Heartland has provided direct guaranteed loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (the ‘‘SBA’’) to customers through Heartland’s participation in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the ‘‘CARES Act’’) and originated $1.2 billion of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (‘‘PPP’’);
7. Heartland has participated in the CARES Act SBA loan payment and deferral program for existing SBA loans; and
8. Heartland has contributed $1.5 million to support communities served by Heartland and its subsidiary banks, including recent donations of $260,000 to local schools.

"We are proud of our recent contributions to local schools to help teachers and students learn in a safe and healthy environment. We continue to support the communities in which we live and work during this pandemic," Lee said.

The continued economic disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will make it difficult for some customers to repay the principal and interest on their loans, and Heartland's subsidiary banks have been working with customers to modify the terms of certain existing loans.

The following table shows the total loan exposure as of September 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, to customer segment profiles that Heartland currently believes will be more heavily impacted by COVID-19, dollars in thousands:

As of September 30, 2020, of the approximately $1.11 billion of loans modified under COVID-19 relief programs, $860.0 million of loans have returned to full payment status, $133.0 million of loans remain in the original deferral status, and second loan modifications have been made on approximately $122.0 million of loans in Heartland's portfolio. Approximately 69% of the second loan modifications are principal and interest deferments for 90 days, and the remainder are primarily interest-only payments for 90 days.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Heartland's financial condition and results of operations will depend on the severity and duration of the pandemic, related restrictions on business and consumer activity, and the availability of government programs to alleviate the economic stress of the pandemic. See Heartland's "Safe Harbor Statement" below.

2020 Developments

Adoption of ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)"

On January 1, 2020, Heartland adopted ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)," commonly referred to as "CECL." The impact of Heartland's adoption of CECL ("Day 1") resulted in the following:

1. an increase of $12.1 million to the allowance for credit losses related to loans, which included a reclassification of $6.0 million of purchased credit impaired loan discount on previously acquired loans, and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $4.6 million, net of taxes of $1.5 million;
2. an increase of $13.6 million to the allowance for unfunded commitments and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $10.2 million, net of taxes of $3.4 million, and
3. established an allowance for credit losses for Heartland's held to maturity debt securities of $158,000 and a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings totaling $118,000, net of taxes of $40,000.

Entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger with AIM Bancshares, Inc.

On October 19, 2020, Heartland entered into an Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “amended and restated merger agreement”) relating to the acquisition of AIM Bancshares, Inc. (“AIM”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, AimBank, headquartered in Levelland, Texas. The amended and restated merger agreement amends and restates the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 11, 2020 between Heartland and AIM (the “original merger agreement”). The original merger agreement was amended and restated to address certain regulatory concerns raised by the Federal Reserve Board during its review of the transaction contemplated by the original merger agreement. In response to discussions with the Federal Reserve Board, AIM and Heartland agreed that they could better serve the goals of the transaction and more easily address regulatory concerns if they adopted two sequential mergers described in the next paragraph. AIM and Heartland also agreed to adjust the cash component of the merger consideration based on increases in AIM’s adjusted tangible common equity as a result of gains in AIM’s “available-for-sale” securities portfolio, an increase in AIM’s retained earnings and gains in AIM’s “held-to-maturity” securities portfolio since the date of the original merger agreement. A holdback provision was added to the amended and restated merger agreement as a result of a certain litigation proceedings. Certain other provisions of the original merger agreement were revised to reflect other changes in economic terms and the significantly delayed closing date of the transaction.

In the first merger, AIM will merge with and into AimBank, and holders of shares of AIM common stock will receive one share of AimBank common stock for each share of AIM common stock owned by such holders.  In the second merger, which will occur immediately following the consummation of the AIM/AimBank merger, AimBank will merge with and into Heartland’s wholly owned subsidiary, First Bank & Trust. In the second merger transaction, all issued and outstanding shares of AimBank common stock will be exchanged for shares of Heartland common stock and cash. As a result, each share of AimBank common stock received by shareholders of AIM in the first merger will be exchanged for 207.0 shares of Heartland common stock and $685.00 of cash. The transaction value will change due to fluctuations in the price of Heartland common stock and is subject to certain potential adjustments as set forth in the amended and restated merger agreement, including but not limited to adjustments based on changes in the adjusted tangible common equity of AIM. Heartland expects this transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2020. As of September 30, 2020, AimBank had total assets of approximately $1.85 billion, which included $1.14 billion of gross loans outstanding, and approximately $1.60 billion of deposits.

Entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement with Johnson Financial Group, Inc.

On June 9, 2020, Arizona Bank & Trust (“AB&T”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heartland headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, entered into a purchase and assumption agreement, pursuant to which AB&T will acquire certain assets and will assume substantially all of the deposits and certain other liabilities of Johnson Bank’s Arizona operations, which includes four banking centers. Johnson Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Financial Group, Inc. headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin. Johnson Insurance Services is not a part of this transaction.

Under the terms of the purchase and assumption agreement, AB&T will acquire Johnson Bank's Arizona banking centers, which had deposits of approximately $392.2 million and loans of approximately $183.8 million as of September 30, 2020. The actual amount of deposits assumed and loans acquired will be determined at closing, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2020 and is subject to certain potential adjustments as set forth in the purchase and assumption agreement.

"We are looking forward to completing the acquisitions of AimBank and four Johnson Bank branches in the fourth quarter," commented Lynn B. Fuller, Heartland's executive operating chairman.

Branch Optimization

In the third quarter of 2020, Heartland's subsidiary banks approved plans to consolidate six branch locations, which included one branch in the Midwest region, four branches in the Western region and one in the Southwestern region and resulted in $1.2 million of fixed asset write-downs. The branch consolidations are expected to be completed in early 2021. Heartland continues to review its branch network for optimization and consolidation opportunities, which may result in additional write-downs of fixed assets in future periods.

Net Interest Income Increases and Net Interest Margin Decreases from Third Quarter of 2019

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.51% (3.55% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the third quarter of 2020, compared to 3.81% (3.85% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the second quarter of 2020 and 3.98% (4.02% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) during the third quarter of 2019.

Total interest income and average earning asset changes for the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 were:

1. Heartland recorded $131.0 million of total interest income, which was a decrease of $2.4 million or 2% from $133.4 million, based on a decrease in the average rate on earning assets, which was partially offset by an increase in average earning assets.
2. Total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis was $132.4 million, which was a decrease of $2.2 million or 2% from $134.5 million.
3. Average earning assets increased $2.77 billion or 25% to $13.87 billion compared to $11.10 billion for the third quarter of 2019, which was primarily attributable to recent acquisitions and loan growth, including PPP loans.
4. The average rate on earning assets decreased 101 basis points to 3.80% compared to 4.81%, which was primarily due to recent decreases in market interest rates and the lower yield on PPP loans, which was 2.63% for the third quarter of 2020.

Total interest expense and average interest bearing liability changes for the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 were:

1. Total interest expense was $8.5 million, a decrease of $13.6 million or 62% from $22.1 million, based on a decrease in the average interest rate paid, which was partially offset by an increase in average interest bearing liabilities.
2. The average interest rate paid on Heartland's interest bearing liabilities decreased to 0.40% compared to 1.22%, which was primarily due to recent decreases in market interest rates.
3. Average interest bearing deposits increased $966.9 million or 14% to $7.76 billion from $6.79 billion which was primarily attributable to recent acquisitions and deposit growth, including deposits from government stimulus payments and other COVID-19 relief programs.
4. The average interest rate paid on Heartland's interest bearing deposits decreased 80 basis points to 0.25% compared to 1.05%.
5. Average borrowings increased $178.3 million or 47% to $560.4 million from $382.2 million. The average interest rate paid on Heartland's borrowings was 2.49% compared to 4.27%.

Net interest income increased for the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019:

1. Net interest income totaled $122.5 million compared to $111.3 million, which was an increase of $11.2 million or 10%.
2. Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $123.9 million compared to $112.5 million, which was an increase of $11.4 million or 10%.

Noninterest Income Increases and Noninterest Expense Decreases from Third Quarter of 2019

Total noninterest income was $31.2 million during the third quarter of 2020 compared to $29.4 million during the third quarter of 2019, an increase of $1.8 million or 6%. Significant changes by noninterest income category for the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 were:

1. Net gains on sale of loans held for sale totaled $8.9 million compared to $4.7 million, which was an increase of $4.2 million or 90%, primarily due to an increase in residential mortgage loan activity in response to the recent declines in mortgage interest rates.
2. Other noninterest income was $1.7 million compared to $3.2 million, which was a decrease of $1.5 million or 46%. Commercial swap fee income totaled $16,000 compared to $1.6 million.

Total noninterest expense was $90.4 million during the third quarter of 2020 compared to $93.0 million during the third quarter of 2019, which was a decrease of $2.6 million or 3%. Significant changes within the noninterest expense category for the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 were:

1. Professional fees increased $1.5 million or 14% to $12.8 million compared to $11.3 million. Included in professional fees for the third quarter of 2020 was $1.6 million of expense for FDIC insurance assessments compared to a benefit of $911,000 in the third quarter of 2019.
2. Advertising expense decreased $1.7 million or 65% to $928,000 compared to $2.6 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction of in-person customer events.

1. Net losses on sales/valuations of assets totaled $1.8 million compared to $356,000, which was an increase of $1.4 million. The increase was primarily attributable to losses and writedowns on fixed assets associated with branch optimization activities.
2. Other noninterest expenses totaled $9.8 million compared to $12.0 million, which was a decrease of $2.2 million or 18%. The decrease was primarily attributable to reduced travel expenses and customer entertainment activities because meetings have transitioned to virtual formats.

Heartland's effective tax rate was 22.20% for the third quarter of 2020 compared to 18.66% for the third quarter of 2019. The following items impacted Heartland's third quarter 2020 and 2019 tax calculations:

1. Solar energy tax credits of $965,000 compared to $2.0 million.
2. Federal low-income housing tax credits of $195,000 compared to $281,000.
3. New markets tax credits of $75,000 compared to $0.
4. Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income of 8.48% compared to 10.08%.

Total Assets Increase, Total Loans Increase and Deposits Increase Since December 31, 2019

Total assets were $15.61 billion at September 30, 2020, an increase of $2.40 billion or 18% from $13.21 billion at year-end 2019. Securities represented 33% and 26% of total assets at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Total loans held to maturity were $9.10 billion at September 30, 2020, and $8.37 billion at December 31, 2019, which was an increase of $731.7 million or 9%. Loan changes by category were:

1. Commercial and business lending, which includes commercial and industrial, Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP"), and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, increased $923.1 million or 23% to $4.93 billion at September 30, 2020, compared to $4.00 billion at December 31, 2019. Excluding $1.13 billion of PPP loans, commercial and business lending decreased $205.0 million or 5% since year-end 2019.
2. Commercial real estate lending, which includes non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction loans, increased $54.5 million or 2% to $2.58 billion at September 30, 2020 from $2.52 billion at year-end 2019.
3. Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans totaled $508.1 million at September 30, 2020, compared to $565.8 million at December 31, 2019, which was a decrease of $57.8 million or 10%.

1. Residential mortgage loans decreased $130.4 million or 16% to $701.9 million at September 30, 2020, from $832.3 million at December 31, 2019.

1. Consumer loans decreased $57.7 million or 13% to $385.7 million at September 30, 2020, compared to $443.3 million at December 31, 2019.

Total deposits were $12.77 billion as of September 30, 2020, compared to $11.04 billion at year-end 2019, an increase of $1.72 billion or 16%. Deposit changes by category were:

1. Demand deposits increased $1.48 billion or 42% to $5.02 billion at September 30, 2020, compared to $3.54 billion at December 31, 2019.

1. Savings deposits increased $434.7 million or 7% to $6.74 billion at September 30, 2020, from $6.31 billion at December 31, 2019.

1. Time deposits decreased $190.7 million or 16% to $1.00 billion at September 30, 2020 from $1.19 billion at December 31, 2019.

Growth in non-time deposits was positively impacted by federal government stimulus payments and other COVID-19 relief programs.

Provision and Allowance

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans
Provision expense for credit losses for loans for the third quarter of 2020 was $4.7 million, which was a decrease of $20.3 million from $25.0 million recorded in the prior quarter and a decrease of $460,000 from $5.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2019. The provision expense for the third quarter of 2020 was impacted by several factors, including:

1. decreases in balances of loans held to maturity of $147.2 million from the prior quarter;
2. modest changes in credit quality marked by delinquencies of 0.17% of total loans and nonpass loans of 8.7% of total loans for the third quarter compared to delinquencies of 0.22% of total loans and nonpass loans of 8.1% of total loans for the second quarter;
3. consistent macroeconomic outlook compared to the second quarter of 2020, and
4. the charge off of one $5.9 million commercial and industrial loan originated in California for which no specific reserve was previously established.

Heartland's allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $103.4 million and $70.4 million at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. The following items have impacted Heartland's allowance for credit losses for loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

1. The allowance for credit losses for loans increased $12.1 million after the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020.
2. Provision expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, totaled $49.6 million.
3. Net charge offs of $28.7 million have been recorded for the first nine months of 2020, which included $21.3 million of net charge offs for the third quarter. During the third quarter of 2020, Heartland charged off $13.9 million on individually assessed loans with principal balances of $17.1 million that had been specifically reserved in the second quarter of 2020 in addition to the charge off of the $5.9 million loan previously described.

Heartland expects that net charge offs could remain elevated in future periods as customers’ ability to repay loans is adversely impacted by economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Unfunded Commitments
Heartland's allowance for unfunded commitments totaled $13.9 million after the adoption of CECL on January 1, 2020. Unfunded commitments declined $84.8 million or 3% during the quarter to $2.98 billion at September 30, 2020, and as a result, Heartland recorded a benefit to provision for credit losses for unfunded loan commitments of $3.1 million. At September 30, 2020, the allowance for unfunded commitments was $14.3 million.

Total Provision and Allowance for Lending Related Credit Losses
The total provision for lending related credit losses was $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2020. The total allowance for lending related credit losses was $117.7 million at September 30, 2020, which was 1.29% of loans as of September 30, 2020.

Nonperforming Assets and Loan Delinquencies Decrease Since December 31, 2019

Nonperforming assets decreased $1.7 million or 2% to $85.9 million or 0.55% of total assets at September 30, 2020, compared to $87.6 million or 0.66% of total assets at December 31, 2019. Nonperforming loans were $80.7 million or 0.89% of total loans at September 30, 2020, compared to $80.7 million or 0.96% of total loans at December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, loans delinquent 30-89 days were 0.17% of total loans compared to 0.33% of total loans at December 31, 2019. COVID-19 payment deferral and loan modification programs could delay the recognition of net charge-offs, delinquencies and nonaccrual status for loans that would have otherwise moved into past due or nonaccrual status.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains references to financial measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes the non-GAAP measures are helpful for investors to analyze and evaluate Heartland's financial condition and operating results. However, these non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, because non-GAAP measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare the non-GAAP measures in this press release with other companies' non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure may be found in the financial tables in this press release.

Below are the non-GAAP measures included in this press release, management's reason for including each measure and the method of calculating each measure:

1. Annualized return on average tangible common equity is net income available to common stockholders plus core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, net of tax, divided by average common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
2. Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent, adjusts net interest income for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
3. Efficiency ratio, fully tax equivalent, expresses noninterest expenses as a percentage of fully tax-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income. This efficiency ratio is presented on a tax-equivalent basis which adjusts net interest income and noninterest expenses for the tax favored status of certain loans, securities, and tax credit projects. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results as it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources and excludes specific items as noted in reconciliation contained in this press release.
4. Net interest income, fully tax equivalent, is net income adjusted for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
5. Tangible book value per common share is total common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by common shares outstanding, net of treasury. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
6. Tangible common equity ratio is total common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by total assets less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength.
7. Annualized return on average tangible common equity is net income excluding intangible amortization calculated as (1) net income excluding tax-effected core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, divided by (2) average common equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
8. Adjusted net income, adjusted return on average tangible common equity and adjusted diluted earnings per share exclude tax-effected provision for credit losses and acquisition, integration and restructuring costs. Management believes the presentation of these non-GAAP measures are useful to compare net income, return on average tangible common equity and earnings per share results excluding the variability of credit loss provisions and acquisition, integration and restructuring costs.

Conference Call Details
Heartland will host a conference call for investors at 5:00 p.m. EDT today. To participate, dial 866-928-9948 at least five minutes before the start time. A replay will be available until October 25, 2021, by logging on to www.htlf.com .

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with assets of $15.61 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment, insurance and consumer finance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 113 banking locations serving 82 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at www.htlf.com .

Safe Harbor Statement
This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Any statements about Heartland’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Heartland’s operations or performance. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words ‘‘believe”, “expect’’, ‘‘intent”, “anticipate’’, ‘‘plan”, “estimate’’, ‘‘project”, ‘‘will”, ‘‘would”, ‘‘could”, ‘‘should’’, “may”, “view”, “opportunity”, “potential”, or similar expressions that are used in this release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management. Although Heartland has made these statements based on management’s experience and best estimate of future events, the ability of Heartland to predict results or the actual effect of plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and there may be events or factors that management has not anticipated. Therefore, the accuracy and achievement of such forward-looking statements and estimates are subject to a number of risks, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which are detailed below and in the risk factors in Heartland's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), include, among others:

1. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Heartland and U.S. and global financial markets;

1. Measures enacted by the U.S. federal and state governments and adopted by private businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
2. The deterioration of the U.S. economy in general and in the local economies in which Heartland conducts its operations;
3. Increasing credit losses due to deterioration in the financial condition of its borrowers, based on declining oil prices and asset and collateral values, which may continue to increase the provision for credit losses and net charge-offs of Heartland;
4. Civil unrest in the communities that Heartland serves;
5. Levels of unemployment in the geographic areas in which Heartland operates;
6. Real estate market values in these geographic areas;
7. Future natural disasters and increases to flood insurance premiums;
8. The effects of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks, acts of war or threats thereof;
9. The level of prepayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities;
10. Legislative and regulatory changes affecting banking, tax, securities, insurance and monetary and financial matters;
11. Monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board;
12. The quality or composition of the loan and investment portfolios of Heartland;
13. Demand for loan products and financial services, deposit flows and competition in Heartland’s market areas;
14. Changes in accounting principles and guidelines;
15. The timely development and acceptance of products and services, including products and services offered through alternative delivery channels such as the Internet;
16. The ability of Heartland to implement technological changes as planned and to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic delivery systems;
17. Heartland’s ability to retain key executives and employees; and
18. The ability of Heartland to successfully consummate acquisitions and integrate acquired operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting Heartland and its customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers. The COVID-19 pandemic’s severity, its duration and the extent of its impact on Heartland’s business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and prospects remain uncertain. The deterioration in general business and economic conditions and turbulence in domestic and global financial markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected Heartland’s net income, total equity and book value per common share, and continued economic deterioration could adversely affect the value of its assets and liabilities, reduce the availability of funding to Heartland, lead to a tightening of credit and increase stock price volatility. Some economists and investment banks believe that a recession or depression may result from the continued spread of COVID-19 and the economic consequences.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements made by Heartland or on its behalf, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by Heartland will not materially and adversely affect Heartland’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and may continue to be amplified by the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of varying governmental responses that affect Heartland’s customers and the economies where they operate. Please take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and except as required by applicable law, Heartland does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement. Further information concerning Heartland and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect Heartland’s financial results, is included in Heartland’s filings with the SEC.

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-
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About Heartland Financial
About Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Heartland is a diversified financial services company with assets of $15.61 billion. The Company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment, treasury management, card services, and insurance to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 113 banking locations serving 82 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland is available at www.htlf.com .

Safe Harbor Statement
This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Any statements about Heartland’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of Heartland’s operations or performance. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words ‘‘believe”, “expect’’, ‘‘intent”, “anticipate’’, ‘‘plan”, “estimate’’, ‘‘project”, ‘‘will”, ‘‘would”, ‘‘could”, ‘‘should’’, “may”, “view”, “opportunity”, “potential”, or similar expressions that are used in this release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management. Although Heartland has made these statements based on management’s experience and best estimate of future events, the ability of Heartland to predict results or the actual effect of plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and there may be events or factors that management has not anticipated. Therefore, the accuracy and achievement of such forward-looking statements and estimates are subject to a number of risks, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which are detailed below and in the risk factors in Heartland's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), include, among others:

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Heartland and U.S. and global financial markets;
• Measures enacted by the U.S. federal and state governments and adopted by private businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• The deterioration of the U.S. economy in general and in the local economies in which Heartland conducts its operations; increasing credit losses due to deterioration in the financial condition of its borrowers, based on declining oil prices and asset and collateral values, which may continue to increase the provision for credit losses and net charge-offs of Heartland;
• Civil unrest in the communities that Heartland serves;
• Levels of unemployment in the geographic areas in which Heartland operates;
• Real estate market values in these geographic areas;
• Future natural disasters and increases to flood insurance premiums;
• The effects of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks, acts of war or threats thereof;
• The level of prepayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities;
• Legislative and regulatory changes affecting banking, tax, securities, insurance and monetary and financial matters;
• Monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government including policies of the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board;
• The quality or composition of the loan and investment portfolios of Heartland;
• Demand for loan products and financial services, deposit flows and competition in Heartland’s market areas;
• Changes in accounting principles and guidelines;
• The timely development and acceptance of products and services, including products and services offered through alternative delivery channels such as the Internet;
• The ability of Heartland to implement technological changes as planned and to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic delivery systems;
• Heartland’s ability to retain key executives and employees; and
• The ability of Heartland to successfully consummate acquisitions and integrate acquired operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting Heartland and its customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers. The COVID-19 pandemic’s severity, its duration and the extent of its impact on Heartland’s business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and prospects remain uncertain. The deterioration in general business and economic conditions and turbulence in domestic and global financial markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected Heartland’s net income, total equity and book value per common share, and continued economic deterioration could adversely affect the value of its assets and liabilities, reduce the availability of funding to Heartland, lead to a tightening of credit and increase stock price volatility. Some economists and investment banks believe that a recession or depression may result from the continued spread of COVID-19 and the economic consequences.

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements made by Heartland or on its behalf, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by Heartland will not materially and adversely affect Heartland’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and may continue to be amplified by the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of varying governmental responses that affect Heartland’s customers and the economies where they operate. Please take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and except as required by applicable law, Heartland does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement. Further information concerning Heartland and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect Heartland’s financial results, is included in Heartland’s filings with the SEC.

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Contact
EVP, Chief Financial Officer
Bryan R. McKeag
BMcKeag@htlf.com
563.589.1994