form 10q filed 093006
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

For quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

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

Commission File Number: 0-24724

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

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).   Yes   No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the classes of Registrant's common stock as of the latest practicable date: As of November 3, 2006, the Registrant had outstanding 16,535,065 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share.



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

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



PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
September 30, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
   
(Unaudited)
   
ASSETS
               
Cash and due from banks
 
$
42,304
   
$
40,422
 
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
   
3,179
     
40,599
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
45,483
     
81,021
 
Securities:
               
Trading, at fair value
   
1,476
     
515
 
Available for sale, at fair value (cost of $591,227 at September 30, 2006, and $528,647 at
December 31, 2005)
   
 
591,627
     
 
527,252
 
Loans held for sale
   
42,561
     
40,745
 
Gross loans and leases:
               
Loans and leases
   
2,122,156
     
1,953,066
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(30,684
)
   
(27,791
)
Loans and leases, net
   
2,091,472
     
1,925,275
 
Assets under operating leases
   
-
     
40,644
 
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
   
106,937
     
92,769
 
Other real estate, net
   
1,450
     
1,586
 
Goodwill
   
39,817
     
35,398
 
Intangible assets, net
   
9,198
     
9,159
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
32,962
     
32,804
 
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale
   
51,122
     
-
 
Other assets
   
39,484
     
31,164
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
3,053,589
   
$
2,818,332
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES:
               
Deposits:
               
Demand
 
$
367,133
   
$
352,707
 
Savings
   
813,573
     
754,360
 
Time
   
1,110,478
     
1,011,111
 
Total deposits
   
2,291,184
     
2,118,178
 
Short-term borrowings
   
239,531
     
255,623
 
Other borrowings
   
243,987
     
220,871
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
   
47,424
     
-
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
29,480
     
35,848
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
   
2,851,606
     
2,630,520
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 184,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)
   
-
     
-
 
Series A Junior Participating preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 16,000 shares; none issued or outstanding)
   
 
-
     
 
-
 
Common stock (par value $1 per share; authorized, 20,000,000 shares; issued 16,556,745 shares at September 30, 2006, and 16,547,482 shares at December 31, 2005)
   
 
16,557
     
 
16,547
 
Capital surplus
   
37,679
     
40,256
 
Retained earnings
   
148,251
     
135,112
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
194
     
(1,011
)
Treasury stock at cost (26,479 shares at September 30, 2006, and 157,067 shares at December 31, 2005)
   
(698
)
   
(3,092
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
201,983
     
187,812
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
3,053,589
   
$
2,818,332
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
INTEREST INCOME:
                               
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
$
44,191
   
$
34,649
   
$
123,254
   
$
97,105
 
Interest on securities:
                               
Taxable
   
4,591
     
3,329
     
12,465
     
10,427
 
Nontaxable
   
1,441
     
1,385
     
4,338
     
4,043
 
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments
   
123
     
44
     
424
     
148
 
Interest on interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
   
4
     
62
     
16
     
209
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
   
50,350
     
39,469
     
140,497
     
111,932
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Interest on deposits
   
17,056
     
11,446
     
44,995
     
30,910
 
Interest on short-term borrowings
   
2,721
     
1,379
     
6,927
     
3,775
 
Interest on other borrowings
   
3,348
     
2,797
     
9,543
     
7,800
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
   
23,125
     
15,622
     
61,465
     
42,485
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
   
27,225
     
23,847
     
79,032
     
69,447
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
1,381
     
1,375
     
4,043
     
4,362
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
   
25,844
     
22,472
     
74,989
     
65,085
 
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service charges and fees
   
3,120
     
2,437
     
8,459
     
6,984
 
Loan servicing income
   
1,150
     
823
     
3,188
     
2,207
 
Trust fees
   
1,774
     
1,588
     
5,332
     
4,788
 
Brokerage commissions
   
271
     
185
     
883
     
663
 
Insurance commissions
   
179
     
129
     
456
     
395
 
Securities gains, net
   
67
     
60
     
428
     
93
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities, net
   
53
     
(3
)
   
61
     
(11
)
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(76
)
   
-
     
(76
)
   
-
 
Gain on sale of loans
   
551
     
796
     
1,678
     
1,972
 
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
   
-
     
24
     
-
     
6
 
Income on bank owned life insurance
   
250
     
216
     
769
     
714
 
Other noninterest income
   
199
     
716
     
427
     
1,210
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
   
7,538
     
6,971
     
21,605
     
19,021
 
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
   
13,125
     
11,437
     
38,714
     
33,625
 
Occupancy
   
1,834
     
1,435
     
5,392
     
4,543
 
Furniture and equipment
   
1,601
     
1,622
     
5,018
     
4,526
 
Outside services
   
2,273
     
2,043
     
6,958
     
5,930
 
Advertising
   
1,099
     
799
     
3,238
     
2,363
 
Intangible assets amortization
   
260
     
254
     
726
     
761
 
Other noninterest expense
   
3,106
     
2,916
     
11,307
     
8,086
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE
   
23,298
     
20,506
     
71,353
     
59,834
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
   
10,084
     
8,937
     
25,241
     
24,272
 
Income taxes
   
3,304
     
2,828
     
7,937
     
7,689
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
   
6,780
     
6,109
     
17,304
     
16,583
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
                               
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
   
151
     
298
     
427
     
616
 
Income taxes
   
57
     
115
     
162
     
237
 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
   
94
     
183
     
265
     
379
 
NET INCOME
 
$
6,874
   
$
6,292
   
$
17,569
   
$
16,962
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.38
   
$
1.06
   
$
1.03
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED
 
$
0.41
   
$
0.38
   
$
1.05
   
$
1.01
 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.09
   
$
0.08
   
$
0.27
   
$
0.24
 
                                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
   
 
 
Common
Stock
 
 
 
Capital
Surplus
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Treasury
Stock
 
 
 
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2005
 
$
16,547
   
$
40,446
   
$
117,800
   
$
2,889
   
$
(1,900
)
 
$
175,782
 
Net income
                   
16,962
                     
16,962
 
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale arising during the period
                           
 
(3,189
 
)
           
 
(3,189
 
)
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
 
(93
 
)
           
 
(93
 
)
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during the period, net of realized losses of $262
                           
 
335
             
 
335
 
Income taxes
                           
1,089
             
1,089
 
Comprehensive income
                                           
15,104
 
Cash dividends declared:
                                               
Common, $0.24 per share
                   
(3,942
)
                   
(3,942
)
Purchase of 261,895 shares of common stock
                                   
(5,209
)
   
(5,209
)
Issuance of 188,999 shares of common stock
           
(502
)
                   
3,584
     
3,082
 
Commitments to issue common stock
           
361
                             
361
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
 
$
16,547
   
$
40,305
   
$
130,820
   
$
1,031
   
$
(3,525
)
 
$
185,178
 
                                                 
Balance at January 1, 2006
 
$
16,547
   
$
40,256
   
$
135,112
   
$
(1,011
)
 
$
(3,092
)
 
$
187,812
 
Net income
                   
17,569
                     
17,569
 
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale arising during the period
                           
 
2,147
             
 
2,147
 
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
 
(352
 
)
           
 
(352
 
)
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during the period, net of realized gains of $97
                           
 
136
             
 
136
 
Income taxes
                           
(726
)
           
(726
)
Comprehensive income
                                           
18,774
 
Cash dividends declared:
                                               
Common, $0.27 per share
                   
(4,430
)
                   
(4,430
)
Purchase of 142,368 shares of common stock
                                   
(3,357
)
   
(3,357
)
Issuance of 282,219 shares of common stock
   
10
     
(3,207
)
                   
5,751
     
2,554
 
Commitments to issue common stock
           
630
                             
630
 
Balance at September 30, 2006
 
$
16,557
   
$
37,679
   
$
148,251
   
$
194
   
$
(698
)
 
$
201,983
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                 
   
Nine Months Ended
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
 
$
17,569
   
$
16,962
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
5,942
     
5,350
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
4,043
     
4,362
 
Net amortization of premium on securities
   
785
     
2,354
 
Securities gains, net
   
(428
)
   
(93
)
(Increase) decrease in trading account securities
   
(961
)
   
35
 
Loss on impairment of equity securities
   
76
     
-
 
Stock-based compensation
   
630
     
-
 
Loans originated for sale
   
(207,328
)
   
(208,031
)
Proceeds on sales of loans
   
207,190
     
194,855
 
Net gain on sales of loans
   
(1,678
)
   
(2,650
)
Increase in accrued interest receivable
   
(5,037
)
   
(3,529
)
Increase in accrued interest payable
   
1,528
     
631
 
Other, net
   
(8,561
)
   
(8,278
)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations
   
13,770
     
1,968
 
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations
   
9,825
     
9,535
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
   
23,595
     
11,503
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from the maturity of time deposits
   
-
     
1,178
 
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
   
9,158
     
18,160
 
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale
   
59,892
     
112,697
 
Purchase of securities available for sale
   
(123,709
)
   
(81,128
)
Net increase in loans and leases
   
(125,904
)
   
(137,162
)
Capital expenditures
   
(18,366
)
   
(16,418
)
Net cash and cash equivalents paid in acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash received
   
(15,015
)
   
-
 
Proceeds on sale of OREO and other repossessed assets
   
1,869
     
2,103
 
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations
   
(212,075
)
   
(100,570
)
Net cash used by investing activities - discontinued operations
   
(7,773
)
   
(22,627
)
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   
(219,848
)
   
(123,197
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
   
39,240
     
16,983
 
Net increase in time deposit accounts
   
89,313
     
82,630
 
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
   
16,601
     
(34,467
)
Proceeds from other borrowings
   
71,661
     
59,731
 
Repayments of other borrowings
   
(47,315
)
   
(23,803
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(3,357
)
   
(5,209
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
936
     
1,643
 
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options
   
388
     
-
 
Dividends paid
   
(4,430
)
   
(3,942
)
Net cash provided by financing activities - continuing operations
   
163,037
     
93,566
 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities - discontinued operations
   
(2,322
)
   
15,332
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   
160,715
     
108,898
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(35,538
)
   
(2,796
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
81,021
     
73,749
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
 
$
45,483
   
$
70,953
 
Supplemental disclosures:
               
Cash paid for income/franchise taxes
 
$
8,131
   
$
9,127
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
59,908
   
$
44,232
 
Acquisitions:
               
Net assets acquired
 
$
13,061
   
$
-
 
Cash paid for purchase of stock
 
$
18,081
   
$
-
 
Cash acquired
 
$
3,066
   
$
-
 
Net cash paid for acquisitions
 
$
(15,015
)
 
$
-
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, included in Heartland Financial USA, Inc.’s ("Heartland") Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2006. Accordingly, footnote disclosures, which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements, have been omitted.

The financial information of Heartland included herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the interim periods ended September 30, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2006.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined using net income and weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and assumed incremental common shares issued. Amounts used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, are shown in the tables below:

   
Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
Income from continuing operations
 
$
6,780
   
$
6,109
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
94
     
183
 
Net income
 
$
6,874
   
$
6,292
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share (000’s)
   
16,522
     
16,399
 
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options (000’s)
   
254
     
295
 
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share (000’s)
   
16,776
     
16,694
 
Earnings per common share - basic
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.38
 
Earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
0.41
   
$
0.38
 
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - basic
 
$
0.41
   
$
0.37
 
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted
 
$
0.40
   
$
0.37
 
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - basic
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
 
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - diluted
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.01
 

 
   
Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
9/30/06
 
9/30/05
Income from continuing operations
 
$
17,304
   
$
16,583
Income from discontinued operations
   
265
     
379
Net income
 
$
17,569
   
$
16,962
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share (000’s)
   
16,498
     
16,432
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options (000’s)
   
232
     
296
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share (000’s)
   
16,730
     
16,728
Earnings per common share - basic
 
$
1.06
   
$
1.03
Earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
1.05
   
$
1.01
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - basic
 
$
1.05
   
$
1.01
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted
 
$
1.03
   
$
0.99
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - basic
 
$
0.01
   
$
0.02
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - diluted
 
$
0.02
   
$
0.02

The circumstances surrounding the discontinued operations are discussed in Note 5.


Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, Heartland adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) (“FAS 123R”), Share-Based Payment using the “modified prospective” transition method. FAS 123R requires the measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based upon the fair value of the award on the grant date. The cost of the award is recognized in the income statement over the vesting period of the award. Under the “modified prospective” transition method, awards that are granted, modified or settled beginning at the date of adoption are measured and accounted for in accordance with FAS 123R. In addition, expense must be recognized in the income statement for unvested awards that were granted prior to the date of adoption. The expense is based on the fair value determined at the grant date. The impact of the adoption of FAS 123R on Heartland’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending on December 31, 2006, is expected to be a reduction in net income of $290 thousand or diluted earnings per share of $0.02.

Heartland’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARS”), stock awards and cash incentive awards. All employees and directors of, and service providers to, Heartland or its subsidiaries are eligible to become participants in the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, except that non-employees may not be granted incentive stock options. Under the terms of the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 1,000,000 shares have been reserved for issuance. A summary of the principal features is provided in Heartland’s 2005 Proxy Statement.

On May 18, 2005, stock awards totaling 136,500 shares were granted to key policy-making employees. These awards were granted at no cost to the employee. These awards are contingent upon the achievement of performance objectives through December 31, 2009, and completely vest on December 31, 2011. Compensation expense is being recognized ratably over the vesting period.

Options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Heartland stock on the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of grant. Vesting is generally over a five-year service period with portions of a grant becoming exercisable at three years, four years and five years after the date of grant. The 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan was adopted on May 18, 2005, which replaced the 2003 Stock Option Plan. The 2003 Stock Option Plan had previously replaced the 1993 Stock Option Plan.

Information concerning the issuance of stock options is presented in the following table:

   
Shares
 
Weighted- Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2006
 
796,650
   
$
12.70
Granted
 
130,750
     
21.60
Exercised
 
(65,825
)
   
8.09
Forfeited
 
(15,900
)
   
16.87
Outstanding at September 30, 2006
 
845,675
   
$
14.36
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006
 
$5.65
       

At September 30, 2006, the vested options totaled 438,050 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $10.38 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.87 years. The intrinsic value for the vested options as of September 30, 2006, was $6.7 million. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, was $1.2 million, and the total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, was $356 thousand.

At September 30, 2006, shares available for issuance under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan totaled 751,860.

The fair value of the 2006 stock options granted was estimated utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The grant date fair value for the 2006 options was $21.60. Significant assumptions include:

   
2006
 
Risk-free interest rate
 
4.52%
 
Expected option life
 
7 years
 
Expected volatility
 
22.00%
 
Expected dividends
 
2.00%
 

The option term of each award granted was based upon Heartland’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Expected volatility was based upon historical volatility levels and future expected volatility of Heartland’s common stock. Expected dividend yield was based on a set dividend rate. Risk free interest rate reflects the yield on the 7 year zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond. Cash received from options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, was $533 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $388 thousand.

Total compensation costs recorded were $630 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and $361 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, for stock options and the restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2006, there was $3.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan for stock options and restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized through 2011.

Prior to adopting FAS 123R, Heartland applied APB Opinion 25 in accounting for its Stock Option Plan and, accordingly, no compensation cost for its stock options was recognized in the financial statements. Pursuant to the disclosure requirements of FAS 123R, pro forma net income and earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, are presented in the following table as if compensation cost for stock options was determined under the fair value method and recognized as expense over the options’ vesting periods:


   
Three Months Ended 9/30/05
   
Nine Months Ended 9/30/05
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
         
Net income as reported
$
6,292
   
16,962
Pro forma
 
6,292
   
16,752
Earnings per share-basic as reported
$
0.38
   
1.03
Pro forma
 
0.38
   
1.01
Earnings per share-diluted as reported
$
0.38
   
1.01
Pro forma
 
0.38
   
1.00

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (“FAS 154”), replacing APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting for Changes, and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. Unless specified in an accounting standard, FAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements for changes in accounting principle and correction of errors. APB Opinion No. 20 previously provided that most changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income the cumulative effect of changing to the new principle in the period of adoption. FAS 154 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Heartland’s adoption of FAS 154 on January 1, 2006, did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments (“FAS 155”), an amendment to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 and 140. FAS 155 provides the framework for fair value remeasurement of any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. It also clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of FAS 133 and establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. FAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Earlier adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements, including financial statements for any interim period for that fiscal year. Heartland has not early-adopted the provisions of FAS 155 and does not currently anticipate that the impact of such adoption on January 1, 2007, will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 156 (“FAS 156”), Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (“FAS 140”), Accounting for Transfers and Extinguishments of Liabilities. FAS 156 requires that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and permits the entity to elect either the fair value measurement method with changes in fair value reflected in earnings or the amortization method as defined in FAS 140 for subsequent measurements. The subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value eliminates the necessity for entities that manage the risks inherent in servicing assets and servicing liabilities with derivatives to qualify for hedge accounting treatment and eliminates the characterization of declines in fair value as impairments or direct write-downs. FAS 156 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Earlier adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year, provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements for any period of that fiscal year. Heartland plans to adopt FAS 156 on January 1, 2007, and is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), which is an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This interpretation prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position must meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on the derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2006. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption should be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. The cumulative effect adjustment would not apply to those items that would not have been recognized in earnings, such as the effect of adopting FIN 48 on tax positions related to business combinations. Heartland plans to adopt FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, and is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”), Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of FAS 157 apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for all financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier adoption is permitted provided the entity has not yet issued financial statements, including financial statements for any interim period for that fiscal year. Heartland is evaluating if it will choose to early adopt FAS 157 and is assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 (“FAS 158”), Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R), which requires an employer to recognize the funded status of each of its defined pension and postretirement benefit plans as a net asset or liability on its balance sheet with an offsetting amount in accumulated other comprehensive income and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which changes occur through comprehensive income. The funded status is measured as the difference between the assets at fair value and the projected benefit obligation. An employer is also required to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income. FAS 158 also requires certain disclosures regarding the effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and the transition asset or obligation. An employer with publicly traded equity securities is required to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligation as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end financial statements is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is permitted provided early application is made for all the employer’s benefit plans. Heartland is assessing the impact of the adoption of this statement on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (“SAB 108”), Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, which expresses the SEC’s views regarding the process of quantifying misstatements in financial statements. The effects of prior year uncorrected errors include the potential accumulation of improper amounts that may result in a material misstatement on the balance sheet or the reversal of prior period errors in the current period that result in material misstatement of the current period income statement amounts. Adjustments to current or prior period financial statements would be required in the event that, after application of various approaches for assessing materiality of a misstatement in current period financial statements and consideration of all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors, a misstatement is determined to be material. SAB 108 is applicable to all financial statements issued after November 15, 2006. Heartland does not anticipate that the adoption of SAB 108 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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

In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 06-5 (“EITF 06-5”), Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance - Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulleting No. 85-4, was ratified. EITF 06-5 requires that a policyholder should consider any additional amounts included in the contractual terms of the policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract on a policy by policy basis. EITF 06-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and requires that recognition of the effects of adoption should be by a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption or a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods. Heartland is assessing the impact of the adoption of this issue on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 2: CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUM AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount of intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, are presented in the table below, in thousands:

   
September 30, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
   
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets:
                               
Core deposit intangibles
 
$
9,756
   
$
4,849
   
$
9,217
   
$
4,163
 
Mortgage servicing rights
   
5,321
     
1,831
     
4,685
     
1,422
 
Customer relationship intangible
   
917
     
116
     
917
     
75
 
Total
 
$
15,994
   
$
6,796
   
$
14,819
   
$
5,660
 
Intangible assets, net
         
$
9,198
           
$
9,159
 

Projections of amortization expense for mortgage servicing rights are based on existing asset balances and the existing interest rate environment as of September 30, 2006. What Heartland actually experiences may be significantly different depending upon changes in mortgage interest rates and market conditions. There was no valuation allowance on mortgage servicing rights at September 30, 2006, and at December 31, 2005. The fair value of Heartland’s mortgage servicing rights was estimated at $6.3 million and $5.9 million at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively.

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

                 
   
Core
Deposit
Intangibles
 
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights
 
Customer
Relationship
Intangible
 
 
 
Total
                                 
Three months ending December 31, 2006
 
$
247
   
$
252
   
$
13
   
$
512
 
                                 
Year ending December 31,
                               
2007
   
905
     
925
     
53
     
1,883
 
2008
   
886
     
771
     
52
     
1,709
 
2009
   
787
     
617
     
50
     
1,454
 
2010
   
505
     
462
     
49
     
1,016
 
2011
   
489
     
308
     
47
     
844
 
Thereafter
   
1,088
     
155
     
537
     
1,780
 

NOTE 3: DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

On occasion, Heartland uses derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars. On April 4, 2006, Heartland entered into a three-year interest rate collar transaction on a notional amount of $50.0 million to further reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The collar was effective on April 4, 2006, and matures on April 4, 2009. This collar transaction is designated as a cash flow hedge of the overall changes in the cash flows above and below the collar strike rates associated with interest payments on certain Heartland prime-based loans that reset with changes in the prime rate. Heartland is the payer on prime at a cap strike rate of 8.95% and the counterparty is the payer on prime at a floor strike rate of 7.00%. As of September 30, 2006, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $82 thousand and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

On September 19, 2005, Heartland entered into a five-year interest rate collar transaction on a notional amount of $50.0 million to further reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The collar was effective on September 21, 2005, and matures on September 21, 2010. This collar transaction is designated as a cash flow hedge of the overall changes in the cash flows above and below the collar strike rates associated with interest payments on certain Heartland prime-based loans that reset with changes in the prime rate. Heartland is the payer on prime at a cap strike rate of 9.00% and the counterparty is the payer on prime at a floor strike rate of 6.00%. As of September 30, 2006, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as a liability of $82 thousand and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

Heartland also has an interest rate swap contract to effectively convert $25.0 million of its variable interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt. As of September 30, 2006, Heartland had an interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $25.0 million to pay a fixed interest rate of 4.35% and receive a variable interest rate of 4.61% based on $25.0 million of indebtedness. Payments under the interest rate swap contract are made monthly. This contract expired on November 1, 2006. The fair market value of the interest rate swap contract was recorded as an asset of $47 thousand as of September 30, 2006, and is accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

There was no ineffectiveness recognized on these cash flow hedge transactions for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006. All components of the derivative instruments’ gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

On July 8, 2005, Heartland entered into a two-year interest rate floor transaction on prime at a strike level of 5.5% on a notional amount of $100.0 million. All changes in the fair market value of this hedge transaction of $4 thousand flowed through Heartland’s income statement under the other noninterest income category as net expense during the first nine months of 2006 since it is accounted for as a free-standing derivative. As of September 30, 2006, this floor contract had a fair market value of $14 thousand.

By using derivatives, Heartland is exposed to credit risk if counterparties to derivative instruments do not perform as expected. Heartland minimizes this risk by entering into derivative contracts with large, stable financial institutions and Heartland has not experienced any losses from counterparty nonperformance on derivative instruments.


NOTE 4: ACQUISITIONS

On May 15, 2006, Heartland’s acquisition of Bank of the Southwest was completed. Immediately upon completion, the acquired entity became a part of Arizona Bank & Trust, Heartland’s de novo bank chartered in 2003. As of the acquisition date, total assets at Bank of the Southwest were $63.2 million, total loans were $52.4 million and total deposits were $44.4 million. The purchase price was $18.1 million, all in cash. The resultant acquired core deposit intangible of $539 thousand is being amortized over a period of eight years. The remaining excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired of $5.1 million was recorded as goodwill.

NOTE 5: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On October 24, 2006, Heartland announced its intention to sell its fleet leasing subsidiary, ULTEA, Inc., to ALD International Group Holdings GmbH. There is a dispute concerning the parties’ original intent regarding certain financial terms of the proposed transaction and Heartland has filed a declaratory judgment action in an Iowa state court to seek a resolution. Heartland still believes it is probable that it will exit the fleet leasing management business, although it cannot, at this time, precisely forecast when or with whom it will close a sale of ULTEA, or determine the financial impact of a sale or of its current dispute with ALD.
 
Heartland has been informed that ALD intends to file suit against Heartland in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining Heartland from selling ULTEA to any person or entity other than ALD.  ALD has further indicated its intent to file a complaint against Heartland in the same court for breach of contract and requesting various forms of alternative relief, including specific performance and money damages.

Since negotiations were underway and highly probable for the sale of ULTEA on September 30, 2006, the financial statements reflect the pending sale. The assets and liabilities of ULTEA have been classified as discontinued operations held for sale on the balance sheet for the current period and the results of operations of ULTEA have been reflected on the income statement as discontinued operations for both the current and prior periods reported. Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is set forth below with dollars in thousands:

     
As of
September 30, 2006
 
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale:
       
Cash and due from banks
 
$
256
 
Loans and leases
   
6,074
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(24
)
Loans and leases, net
   
6,050
 
Assets under operating leases
   
40,456
 
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
   
726
 
Goodwill
   
214
 
Bank owned life insurance
   
706
 
Other assets
   
2,714
 
Total assets of discontinued operations held for sale
 
$
51,122
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale:
       
Short-term borrowings
 
$
38,000
 
Other borrowings
   
308
 
Accrued expenses and liabilities
   
9,116
 
Total liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
 
$
47,424
 
 

 
         
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
Revenues from discontinued operations:
                               
Interest income
 
$
122
   
$
326
   
$
388
   
$
454
 
Interest expense
   
617
     
496
     
1,794
     
1,116
 
Net interest income
   
(495
)
   
(170
)
   
(1,406
)
   
(662
)
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
(2
)
   
20
     
(7
)
   
33
 
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
   
(493
)
   
(190
)
   
(1,399
)
   
(695
)
Noninterest income
   
4,277
     
4,210
     
12,777
     
11,979
 
Noninterest expense
   
3,633
     
3,722
     
10,951
     
10,668
 
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
   
151
     
298
     
427
     
616
 
Income taxes
   
57
     
115
     
162
     
237
 
Income from discontinued operations
 
$
94
   
$
183
   
$
265
   
$
379
 
                                 



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

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT 

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

Heartland’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. The factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of Heartland and its subsidiaries are detailed in the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A. of Part I of Heartland’s 2005 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2006. In addition to the risk factors described in that section, there are other factors that may impact any public company, including Heartland, which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of Heartland and its subsidiaries. These additional factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

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

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

GENERAL

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

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, was $6.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to net income of $6.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2005, an increase of $582 thousand or 9%. Return on average equity was 13.93% and return on average assets was 0.91% for the third quarter of 2006, compared to 13.65% and 0.91%, respectively, for the same quarter in 2005.

On October 24, 2006, Heartland announced its intention to sell its fleet leasing subsidiary, ULTEA, Inc., to ALD International Group Holdings GmbH. There is a dispute concerning the parties’ original intent regarding certain financial terms of the proposed transaction and Heartland has filed a declaratory judgment action in an Iowa state court to seek a resolution. Heartland still believes it is probable that it will exit the fleet leasing management business, although it cannot, at this time, precisely forecast when or with whom it will close a sale of ULTEA, or determine the financial impact of a sale or of its current dispute with ALD.
 
Heartland has been informed that ALD intends to file suit against Heartland in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining Heartland from selling ULTEA to any person or entity other than ALD.  ALD has further indicated its intent to file a complaint against Heartland in the same court for breach of contract and requesting various forms of alternative relief, including specific performance and money damages.
Since negotiations were underway and highly probable for the sale of ULTEA on September 30, 2006, the financial statements reflect the pending sale. The assets and liabilities of ULTEA have been classified as discontinued operations held for sale on the balance sheet for the current period and the results of operations of ULTEA have been reflected on the income statement as discontinued operations for both the current and prior periods reported. This past quarter, Heartland also closed the office of HTLF Capital Corp., its investment banking subsidiary, as its two officers left employment with the company to join another investment bank. These events represent Heartland’s commitment to focus resources on its core banking and consumer finance businesses.

On May 15, 2006, the acquisition of Bank of the Southwest was completed and the bank became a part of Arizona Bank & Trust, Heartland’s de novo bank chartered in 2003 and located in Phoenix, Arizona. As of the acquisition date, total assets at Bank of the Southwest were $63.2 million, total loans were $52.4 million and total deposits were $44.4 million. The purchase price was $18.1 million, all in cash. The resultant acquired core deposit intangible of $539 thousand is being amortized over a period of eight years. The remaining excess purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired of $5.1 million was recorded as goodwill.

Heartland’s net interest margin improved during the third quarter of 2006 by fourteen basis points to 4.17% over the same quarter of 2005. Contributing to this improvement was the Company’s continued expansion into the Western states where net interest margins tend to be higher than those earned in the Midwestern states. During the third quarter of 2006, net interest income increased $3.4 million or 14% compared to the same quarter in 2005, due primarily to growth in earning assets. Average earning assets went from $2.43 billion during the third quarter of 2005 to $2.67 billion during the same quarter in 2006, a change of $242.5 million or 10%. Noninterest income increased by $567 thousand or 8% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter in 2005. Recorded in other noninterest income during the third quarter of 2005 was the forgiveness of $500 thousand in debt as Heartland fulfilled the job creation requirements of its Community Development Block Grant Loan Agreement with the City of Dubuque. Exclusive of this one-time income item, noninterest income increased $1.1 million or 16% during the periods under comparison. The categories experiencing the largest increases were service charges and fees and loan servicing income. For the third quarter of 2006, noninterest expense increased $2.8 million or 14% in comparison with the same period in 2005. The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $1.7 million or 15% during the third quarter of 2006 in comparison to the third quarter of 2005. This growth in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily the result of additional staffing at the holding company to provide support services to the growing number of bank subsidiaries, the addition of branches at New Mexico Bank & Trust and Arizona Bank & Trust, the acquisition of the Bank of the Southwest, and the formation of our newest bank, Summit Bank & Trust, which opened in early November 2006 in Broomfield, Colorado, after beginning operations in October 2005 as a loan production office under the Rocky Mountain Bank umbrella.

Net income for the first nine months of 2006 was $17.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, an increase of $607 thousand or 4% from the net income of $17.0 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, recorded for the first nine months of 2005. Return on average equity was 12.23% and return on average assets was 0.81% for the first nine months of 2006, compared to 12.62% and 0.84%, respectively, for the same period in 2005.

As previously disclosed, Heartland and Wisconsin Community Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary, were defendants in a lawsuit regarding a breach of contract claim relating to the 2002 sale of Wisconsin Community Bank’s Eau Claire branch. Heartland and Wisconsin Community Bank filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff. The matters were tried in the State of Wisconsin Circuit Court, St. Croix County, in December, 2005. On May 3, 2006, Heartland was notified by the court that a verdict was entered awarding the plaintiff $2.4 million for its original claim and awarding Heartland $286 thousand for its counterclaim against the plaintiff. During the first quarter of 2006, Heartland recorded the pre-tax judgment of $2.4 million as noninterest expense and the $286 thousand award as a loan loss recovery. The net after tax adjustment to net income for this one-time event was $1.3 million. Exclusive of this expense, Heartland’s net income for the first nine months of 2006 was $18.9 million, or $1.13 per diluted share, an increase of $1.9 million or 11 percent over the first nine months of 2005. Because of the non-recurring nature of this expense, Heartland believes that this pro-forma presentation is important for investors to understand Heartland’s financial performance for the first nine months of 2006. Heartland has filed an appeal to the court ruling and recently learned that the plaintiff subsequently filed a cross-appeal.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, net interest margin improved by eighteen basis points to 4.22% when compared to the same period in 2005. Heartland’s expansion into the West has been a contributing factor to this improvement in the Company’s net interest margin. Net interest income increased $9.6 million or 14% during the first nine months of 2006 over the same period in 2005. Average earning assets during the first nine months of 2006 grew by $206.1 million or 9% over the first nine months of 2005. For the first nine months of 2006, noninterest income increased $2.6 million or 14% over the same period in 2005. Exclusive of the forgiveness of debt recorded during 2005, noninterest income increased $3.1 million or 17% for the nine-month period. In addition to the aforementioned categories, trust fees and securities gains were contributors to this improvement. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, noninterest expense increased $11.5 million or 19% when compared to the same nine-month period in 2005. Again, the largest contributor to this increase was salaries and employee benefits, which grew by $5.1 million or 15% during this nine-month comparative period. Total full-time equivalent employees increased to 953 at September 30, 2006, from 894 at September 30, 2005. The $2.4 million judgment against Heartland and a bank subsidiary recorded during the first quarter of 2006 was also a major factor in the increase in noninterest expense for the nine-month comparative period. Exclusive of the judgment, noninterest expense increased $9.1 million or 15% in comparison to the first nine months of 2005.

At September 30, 2006, total assets exceeded $3.0 billion, an increase of $235.3 million or 11% annualized since year-end 2005. Heartland continues to channel its resources into expansion of its banking franchise. In the first nine months of 2006, Heartland completed the acquisition of Bank of the Southwest in Phoenix, Arizona; opened one new branch location in Chandler, Arizona and two new branch locations in the Albuquerque, New Mexico market; opened a new finance company office in the Chicago market; broke ground for new branch locations in Madison, Wisconsin and Santa Fe, New Mexico; and filed an application for a new bank charter in the Denver market. Each of these new locations is viewed as strategic investments in future growth and profitability. This expansion activity, with a continued preference for the West, builds toward Heartland’s goal of an equal distribution of assets between the Midwest and Western markets.

Total loans and leases were $2.1 billion at September 30, 2006, an increase of $169.1 million or 12% annualized since year-end 2005. The May 15, 2006, acquisition of Bank of the Southwest accounted for $50.9 million or 30% of this growth. The commercial and commercial real estate loan category grew by $148.2 million or 15% annualized. Exclusive of the $21.0 million in commercial and commercial real estate loans acquired in the Bank of the Southwest acquisition, this loan category increased by $127.2 million or 13% annualized. In order to provide the investing community with a perspective on how the nine-month growth in both loans and deposits equates to performance on an annualized basis, throughout this report we have reflected the growth rates on these two categories as an annualized percentage. This annualized number was calculated by multiplying the growth percentage for the first nine months of the year by 1.33.

Total deposits at September 30, 2006, were $2.3 billion, an increase of $173.0 million or 11% annualized since year-end 2005. The acquisition of Bank of the Southwest accounted for $44.4 million or 26% of this growth. Demand deposits experienced a $14.4 million or 5% annualized increase with the Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributing $17.0 million in demand deposit balances at closing. Savings deposit balances increased by $59.2 million or 10% annualized. At closing, the Bank of the Southwest accounted for $17.4 million in savings deposit balances. Brokered time deposits increased $2.1 million or 2% and other time deposit balances increased $97.2 million or 15% annualized since year-end 2005. The Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributed $10.0 million in other time deposit balances. Of particular note is that a large portion of the growth in time deposits occurred in deposits from our local markets.

RECENT REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

The Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 (“Regulatory Relief Act”) was signed into law on October 13, 2006. The stated purpose of the Regulatory Relief Act is to provide regulatory relief and improve productivity for insured depository institutions. Among other things, the Regulatory Relief Act: (i) requires the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in consultation with the other federal banking regulators, to jointly promulgate regulations to implement the bank broker-dealer exceptions enacted in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and makes savings associations subject to the same broker-dealer registration requirements as banks; (ii) authorizes the Federal Reserve to pay interest on reserve balances maintained at the Federal Reserve Banks; (iii) authorizes the Federal Reserve to lower the reserve requirement for transaction accounts to 0%; (iv) enhances the authority of a national bank or state member bank to make community development investments and increases (from 10% to 15%) the maximum amount of unimpaired capital and surplus that a national bank or member bank may invest in investments designed to promote the public welfare; (v) increases the asset threshold (from $250 million to $500 million) for well-capitalized and well-managed banks eligible for 18-month (rather than 12-month) examinations; (vi) enhances the power of the federal banking agencies to enforce conditions imposed in writing in connection with the approval of applications and written agreements; (vii) clarifies the jurisdiction of the various state regulators over banks with branches in more than one state; and (viii) directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies on the currency transaction report filing system to determine whether and to what extent the filing rules for currency transaction reports are burdensome and whether such requirements should be modified to reduce such perceived burdens.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The process utilized by Heartland to estimate the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is considered a critical accounting policy for Heartland. The allowance for loan and lease losses represents management’s estimate of identified and unidentified probable losses in the existing loan portfolio. Thus, the accuracy of this estimate could have a material impact on Heartland’s earnings. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is determined using factors that include the overall composition of the loan portfolio, general economic conditions, types of loans, loan collateral values, past loss experience, loan delinquencies, and potential losses from identified substandard and doubtful credits. Nonperforming loans and large non-homogeneous loans are specifically reviewed for impairment and the allowance is allocated on a loan by loan basis as deemed necessary. Homogeneous loans and loans not specifically evaluated are grouped into pools to which a loss percentage, based on historical experience, is allocated. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is monitored on an ongoing basis by the loan review staff, senior management and the banks’ boards of directors. Specific factors considered by management in establishing the allowance included the following:
 
*
Heartland has continued to experience growth in more complex commercial loans as compared to relatively lower-risk residential real estate loans.
   
*
During the last several years, Heartland has entered new markets in which it had little or no previous lending experience.

There can be no assurances that the allowance for loan and lease losses will be adequate to cover all loan losses, but management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses was adequate at September 30, 2006. While management uses available information to provide for loan and lease losses, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio and the need for future additions to the allowance will be based on changes in economic conditions. Even though there have been various signs of emerging strength in the economy, it is not certain that this strength will be sustainable. Should the economic climate deteriorate, borrowers may experience difficulty, and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and delinquencies could rise and require further increases in the provision for loan and lease losses. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan and lease losses carried by the Heartland subsidiaries. Such agencies may require Heartland to make additional provisions to the allowance based upon their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 4.17% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to 4.03% for the third quarter of 2005. Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $28.1 million during the third quarter of 2006, an increase of $3.4 million or 14% from the $24.7 million recorded during the third quarter of 2005. Contributing to this improvement was the Company’s continued expansion into the Western states of New Mexico, Montana, Arizona and Colorado, where net interest margins tend to be higher than those earned in the Midwestern states. Average earning assets went from $2.43 billion during the third quarter of 2005 to $2.67 billion during the same quarter in 2006, a change of $242.5 million or 10%. Also contributing to this improvement was a shift in balances to loans from securities. The percentage of average loans to total average assets increased from 69% during the third quarter of 2005 to 71% during the third quarter of 2006.

For the first nine months of 2006, net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 4.22% compared to 4.04% for the same nine months of 2005. Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis was $81.7 million during the first nine months of 2006, an increase of $9.8 million or 14% from the $71.9 million recorded during the first nine months of 2005. Average earning assets during the first nine months of 2006 had grown by $206.0 million or 9% over the first nine months of 2005. The aforementioned expansion into the West, along with a shift in balances to loans from securities, has been a contributing factor in the improvement in net interest margin. For the nine month comparative period, the percentage of average loans to total average assets increased from 69% in 2005 to 71% in 2006.

On a tax-equivalent basis, interest income in the third quarter of 2006 totaled $51.3 million compared to $40.3 million in the third quarter of 2005, an increase of $11.0 million or 27%. For the first nine months of 2006, interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $28.8 million or 25 percent over the same period in 2005. More than half of the loans in Heartland’s commercial and agricultural loan portfolios are floating rate loans, thus increases in the national prime rate, as experienced during the first half of 2006, have an immediate positive impact on interest income.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2006 was $23.1 million compared to $15.6 million in the third quarter of 2005, an increase of $7.5 million or 48%. On a nine-month comparative basis, interest expense increased $19.0 million or 45%. As rates continued to move upward during the first half of 2006, Heartland experienced some movement in deposit balances from lower yielding accounts into higher yielding money market and certificate of deposit accounts.

Heartland manages its balance sheet to minimize the effect a change in interest rates has on its net interest margin. Heartland will continue to work toward improving both its earning asset and funding mix through targeted organic growth strategies, which we believe will result in additional net interest income. Our net interest income simulations reflect an asset sensitive posture leading to stronger earnings performance in a rising interest rate environment. The expected benefits associated with an inherently asset sensitive balance sheet will be delayed if rates continue to rise as a highly competitive environment is expected to place undue pressure on deposit costs. Eventually, in a rapidly rising interest rate environment, funding costs should stabilize while asset yields continue to improve. Alternatively, Heartland’s net interest income would likely decline in a falling rate environment. In order to reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on net interest income, Heartland entered into a two-year floor transaction on a notional $100.0 million in July 2005, a five-year collar transaction on a notional $50.0 million in September 2005 and an additional three-year collar transaction on a notional $50.0 million in April 2006. Additionally, in August 2006 Heartland entered into a leverage structured wholesale repurchase agreement transaction. This wholesale repurchase agreement is in the amount of $50.0 million bearing a variable interest rate that changes quarterly to the 3-month LIBOR rate plus 29.375 basis points. Embedded within this contract is an interest floor option that results when the 3-month LIBOR rate falls to 4.40% or lower. If that situation occurs, the rate paid will be decreased by two times the difference between the 3-month LIBOR rate and 4.40%. In no case will the rate paid fall below 0.00%. In order to effectuate this wholesale repurchase agreement, a $55.0 million government agency bond was acquired. On the date of the contract, the interest rate on the securities was equivalent to the interest rate being paid on the repurchase agreement contract.

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



ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, TAX EQUIVALENT YIELDS AND RATES1
For the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
   
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
EARNING ASSETS
                                           
Securities:
                                           
Taxable
 
$
426,368
   
$
4,591
   
4.27
%
 
$
390,530
   
$
3,329
   
3.38
%
Nontaxable1
   
131,289
     
2,200
   
6.65
     
123,660
     
2,131
   
6.84
 
Total securities
   
557,657
     
6,791
   
4.83
     
514,190
     
5,460
   
4.21
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
286
     
4
   
5.55
     
6,470
     
62
   
3.80
 
Federal funds sold
   
8,269
     
123
   
5.90
     
5,108
     
44
   
3.42
 
Loans and leases:
                                           
Commercial and commercial real estate1
   
1,461,223
     
28,996
   
7.87
     
1,253,099
     
21,188
   
6.71
 
Residential mortgage
   
231,036
     
3,842
   
6.60
     
245,876
     
3,697
   
5.97
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate1
   
237,689
     
4,756
   
7.94
     
236,249
     
4,154
   
6.98
 
Consumer
   
193,018
     
4,892
   
10.06
     
182,114
     
4,137
   
9.01
 
Direct financing leases, net
   
14,109
     
219
   
6.16
     
14,215
     
212
   
5.92
 
Fees on loans
   
-
     
1,627
   
-
     
-
     
1,351
   
-
 
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(30,467
)
   
-
   
-
     
(27,021
)
   
-
   
-
 
Net loans and leases
   
2,106,608
     
44,332
   
8.35
     
1,904,532
     
34,739
   
7.24
 
Total earning assets
   
2,672,820
     
51,250
   
7.61
     
2,430,300
     
40,305
   
6.58
 
NONEARNING ASSETS
   
312,411
     
-
   
-
     
317,331
     
-
   
-
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
2,985,231
   
$
51,250
   
6.81
%
 
$
2,747,631
   
$
40,305
   
5.82
%
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Interest bearing deposits
                                           
Savings
 
$
801,758
   
$
5,223
   
2.58
%
 
$
757,885
   
$
3,035
   
1.59
%
Time, $100,000 and over
   
225,206
     
2,459
   
4.33
     
218,204
     
1,811
   
3.29
 
Other time deposits
   
868,849
     
9,374
   
4.28
     
759,421
     
6,600
   
3.45
 
Short-term borrowings
   
228,854
     
2,721
   
4.72
     
199,306
     
1,379
   
2.75
 
Other borrowings
   
228,727
     
3,348
   
5.81
     
214,747
     
2,797
   
5.17
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,353,394
     
23,125
   
3.90
     
2,149,563
     
15,622
   
2.88
 
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Noninterest bearing deposits
   
361,556
     
-
   
-
     
339,494
     
-
   
-
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
74,544
     
-
   
-
     
75,668
     
-
   
-
 
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
   
436,100
     
-
   
-
     
415,162
     
-
   
-
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
195,737
     
-
   
-
     
182,906
     
-
   
-
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
2,985,231
   
$
23,125
   
3.07
%
 
$
2,747,631
   
$
15,622
   
2.26
%
Net interest income1
         
$
28,125
                 
$
24,683
       
Net interest income to total earning assets1
                 
4.17
%
                 
4.03
%
Interest bearing liabilities to earning assets
   
88.05
%
                 
88.45
%
             
                                             
1 Tax equivalent basis is calculated using an effective tax rate of 35%.
 


ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, TAX EQUIVALENT YIELDS AND RATES1
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
   
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
 
Average Balance
 
 
Interest
 
 
Rate
EARNING ASSETS
                                           
Securities:
                                           
Taxable
 
$
404,779
   
$
12,465
   
4.12
%
 
$
405,330
   
$
10,427
   
3.44
%
Nontaxable1
   
131,109
     
6,657
   
6.79
     
119,558
     
6,221
   
6.96
 
Total securities
   
535,888
     
19,122
   
4.77
     
524,888
     
16,648
   
4.24
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
477
     
16
   
4.48
     
7,006
     
209
   
3.99
 
Federal funds sold
   
11,387
     
424
   
4.98
     
7,158
     
148
   
2.76
 
Loans and leases:
                                           
Commercial and commercial real estate1
   
1,413,626
     
80,199
   
7.59
     
1,213,944
     
58,633
   
6.46
 
Residential mortgage
   
225,824
     
10,983
   
6.50
     
233,488
     
10,604
   
6.07
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate1
   
227,566
     
13,503
   
7.93
     
228,331
     
11,788
   
6.90
 
Consumer
   
186,793
     
13,811
   
9.89
     
177,170
     
11,509
   
8.69
 
Direct financing leases, net
   
13,839
     
628
   
6.07
     
14,348
     
589
   
5.49
 
Fees on loans
   
-
     
4,490
   
-
     
-
     
4,245
   
-
 
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(29,292
)
   
-
   
-
     
(26,286
)
   
-
   
-
 
Net loans and leases
   
2,038,356
     
123,614
   
8.11
     
1,840,995
     
97,368
   
7.07
 
Total earning assets
   
2,586,108
     
143,176
   
7.40
     
2,380,047
     
114,373
   
6.42
 
NONEARNING ASSETS
   
302,830
     
-
   
-
     
303,767
     
-
   
-
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
2,888,938
   
$
143,176
   
6.63
%
 
$
2,683,814
   
$
114,373
   
5.70
%
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Interest bearing deposits
                                           
Savings
 
$
785,680
   
$
13,657
   
2.32
%
 
$
754,389
   
$
7,628
   
1.35
%
Time, $100,000 and over
   
220,731
     
6,650
   
4.03
     
193,859
     
4,498
   
3.10
 
Other time deposits
   
821,898
     
24,688
   
4.02
     
751,529
     
18,784
   
3.34
 
Short-term borrowings
   
219,399
     
6,927
   
4.22
     
203,872
     
3,775
   
2.48
 
Other borrowings
   
227,518
     
9,543
   
5.61
     
207,299
     
7,800
   
5.03
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,275,226
     
61,465
   
3.61
     
2,110,948
     
42,485
   
2.69
 
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                           
Noninterest bearing deposits
   
347,300
     
-
   
-
     
325,503
     
-
   
-
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
74,392
     
-
   
-
     
67,725
     
-
   
-
 
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
   
421,692
     
-
   
-
     
393,228
     
-
   
-
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
192,020
     
-
   
-
     
179,638
     
-
   
-
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
2,888,938
   
$
61,465
   
2.84
%
 
$
2,683,814
   
$
42,485
   
2.12
%
Net interest income1
         
$
81,711
                 
$
71,888
       
Net interest income to total earning assets1
                 
4.22
%
                 
4.04
%
Interest bearing liabilities to earning assets
   
87.98
%
                 
88.69
%
             
                                             
1 Tax equivalent basis is calculated using an effective tax rate of 35%.

 
PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
 
The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision charged to expense to provide, in Heartland’s opinion, an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses. The provision for loan losses remained constant at $1.4 million during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter of 2005. During the first nine months of 2006, the provision for loan losses was $4.0 million, a decrease of $319 thousand or 7% over the same period in 2005. The adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses is determined by management using factors that include the overall composition of the loan portfolio, general economic conditions, types of loans, loan collateral values, past loss experience, loan delinquencies, substandard credits, and doubtful credits. For additional details on the specific factors considered, refer to the critical accounting policies and allowance for loan and lease losses sections of this report. 


NONINTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
   
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
 
Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service charges and fees
 
$
3,120
   
$
2,437
   
$
683
     
28
%
Loan servicing income
   
1,150
     
823
     
327
     
40
 
Trust fees
   
1,774
     
1,588
     
186
     
12
 
Brokerage commissions
   
271
     
185
     
86
     
46
 
Insurance commissions
   
179
     
129
     
50
     
39
 
Securities gains, net
   
67
     
60
     
7
     
12
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities, net
   
53
     
(3
)
   
56
     
1867
 
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(76
)
   
-
     
(76
)
   
(100
)
Gain on sale of loans
   
551
     
796
     
(245
)
   
(31
)
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
   
-
     
24
     
(24
)
   
(100
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
   
250
     
216
     
34
     
16
 
Other noninterest income
   
199
     
716
     
(517
)
   
(72
)
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
 
$
7,538
   
$
6,971
   
$
567
     
8
%


   
Nine Months Ended
   
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
 
Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                               
Service charges and fees
 
$
8,459
   
$
6,984
   
$
1,475
     
21
%
Loan servicing income
   
3,188
     
2,207
     
981
     
44
 
Trust fees
   
5,332
     
4,788
     
544
     
11
 
Brokerage commissions
   
883
     
663
     
220
     
33
 
Insurance commissions
   
456
     
395
     
61
     
15
 
Securities gains, net
   
428
     
93
     
335
     
360
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities, net
   
61
     
(11
)
   
72
     
655
 
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(76
)
   
-
     
(76
)
   
(100
)
Gain on sale of loans
   
1,678
     
1,972
     
(294
)
   
(15
)
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
   
-
     
6
     
(6
)
   
(100
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
   
769
     
714
     
55
     
8
 
Other noninterest income
   
427
     
1,210
     
(783
)
   
(65
)
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
 
$
21,605
   
$
19,021
   
$
2,584
     
14
%

Noninterest income increased by $567 thousand or 8% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter in 2005. Recorded in other noninterest income during the third quarter of 2005 was the forgiveness of $500 thousand in debt as Heartland fulfilled the job creation requirements of its Community Development Block Grant Loan Agreement with the City of Dubuque. Exclusive of this one-time income item, noninterest income increased $1.1 million or 16% during the periods under comparison. The categories experiencing the largest increases were service charges and fees and loan servicing income. For the first nine months of 2006, noninterest income increased $2.6 million or 14% over the same period in 2005. Exclusive of the forgiveness of debt recorded during 2005, noninterest income increased $3.1 million or 17% for the nine-month period. In addition to the aforementioned categories, trust fees and securities gains were contributors to this improvement.

Service charges and fees increased $683 thousand or 28% during the quarters under comparison. On a nine-month comparative basis, service charges and fees increased $1.5 million or 21%. Overdraft fees recorded during the third quarter of 2006 were $1.4 million compared to $1.1 million during the third quarter of 2005, comprising $280 thousand or 40% of the increase in service charges and fees. For the first nine months of 2006, overdraft fees were $3.9 million compared to $3.2 million during the same first nine months of 2005, comprising $631 thousand or 43% of the increase in service charges and fees. During 2004, an overdraft privilege feature was added to our retail checking account product line. Early in 2006, this same feature was added to our business checking account product line. The expansion of this feature into the business product line, along with growth in the number of checking accounts, resulted in the increased overdraft fees. Included in service charges and fees are the fees recorded at HTLF Capital Corp., which were $271 thousand during the third quarter of 2006 compared to $42 thousand during the third quarter of 2005. On a nine-month comparative basis, the fees recorded by HTLF Capital Corp. were $497 thousand during 2006 and $165 thousand during 2005. These fees are recorded when transactions close and, as a result, can vary significantly from any one reporting period to the next. In June of 2006, the officers of HTLF Capital Corp. left employment with Heartland to join an investment bank. Subsequently, management decided to close the operations of this subsidiary.

Loan servicing income increased $327 thousand or 40% during the third quarter of 2006 and $981 thousand or 44% during the first nine months of 2006. Servicing fees on commercial loans comprised $208 thousand or 64% of the change for the quarter and $672 thousand or 69% for the nine-month period.

Trust fees improved $186 thousand or 12% during the third quarter of 2006 and $544 thousand or 11% during the first nine months of 2006. These increases were attributable to two factors. During the second quarter of 2006, the fee schedule for trust services was adjusted upward. Additionally, the market value of trust assets increased from $1.3 billion at September 30, 2005, to $1.5 billion at September 30, 2006, upon which a large portion of trust fees are based.

During the nine-month period ended on September 30, 2006, securities gains recorded totaled $428 thousand compared to securities gains of $93 thousand recorded during the same period in 2005. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2006, an impairment loss on equity securities of $76 thousand was recorded while no impairment losses on equity securities were recorded during 2005.

Gains on sale of loans decreased $245 thousand or 31% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter in 2005. On the nine-month comparative basis, gains on sale of loans decreased $294 thousand or 15%. During the third quarter of 2006, the volume of mortgage loans sold into the secondary market decreased.



NONINTEREST EXPENSE
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Three Months Ended
   
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
 
Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
13,125
   
$
11,437
   
$
1,688
     
15
%
Occupancy
   
1,834
     
1,435
     
399
     
28
 
Furniture and equipment
   
1,601
     
1,622
     
(21
)
   
(1
)
Outside services
   
2,273
     
2,043
     
230
     
11
 
Advertising
   
1,099
     
799
     
300
     
38
 
Intangible assets amortization
   
260
     
254
     
6
     
2
 
Other noninterest expense
   
3,106
     
2,916
     
190
     
7
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
$
23,298
   
$
20,506
   
$
2,792
     
14
%

 
   
Nine Months Ended
   
   
Sept. 30, 2006
 
Sept. 30, 2005
 
 
Change
 
 
% Change
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
38,714
   
$
33,625
   
$
5,089
     
15
%
Occupancy
   
5,392
     
4,543
     
849
     
19
 
Furniture and equipment
   
5,018
     
4,526
     
492
     
11
 
Outside services
   
6,958
     
5,930
     
1,028
     
17
 
Advertising
   
3,238
     
2,363
     
875
     
37
 
Intangible assets amortization
   
726
     
761
     
(35
)
   
(5
)
Other noninterest expense
   
11,307
     
8,086
     
3,221
     
40
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
$
71,353
   
$
59,834
   
$
11,519
     
19
%

For the third quarter of 2006, noninterest expense increased $2.8 million or 14% in comparison with the same period in 2005. Salaries and employee benefits expense made up $1.7 million or 60% of this change. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006, noninterest expense increased $11.5 million or 19% when compared to the same nine-month period in 2005. Salaries and employee benefits expense comprised $5.1 million or 44% of the change for the nine-month comparative period. The $2.4 million judgment against Heartland and a bank subsidiary recorded during the first quarter of 2006 was also a major factor in the increase in noninterest expense for the nine-month comparative period. Exclusive of the judgment, noninterest expense increased $9.1 million or 15% in comparison to the first nine months of 2005. Also included in noninterest expense during the first nine months of 2006 was $982 thousand in costs associated with the formation of a new bank subsidiary in Denver, Colorado.

The largest component of noninterest expense, salaries and employee benefits, increased $1.7 million or 15% during the third quarter of 2006 in comparison to the third quarter of 2005. This growth in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily the result of additional staffing at the holding company to provide support services to the growing number of bank subsidiaries, the addition of branches at New Mexico Bank & Trust and Arizona Bank & Trust, the acquisition of the Bank of the Southwest, and the new bank being formed in Broomfield, Colorado, which began operations in October 2005 as a loan production office under the Rocky Mountain Bank umbrella. During the nine-month comparative period, salaries and employee benefits grew $5.1 million or 15%. In addition to staffing increases as a result of the expansion efforts, merit increases for all salaried employees are made on January 1 of each year. Total full-time equivalent employees increased to 953 at September 30, 2006, from 894 at September 30, 2005. The acquisition of the Bank of the Southwest was responsible for 12 of the full-time equivalent employees at September 30, 2006.

Occupancy and furniture and equipment expense, in aggregate, increased $378 thousand or 12% for the quarters under comparison and $1.3 million or 15% for the nine-month periods under comparison. These increases were primarily the result of the expansion efforts.

Fees for outside services increased by $230 thousand or 11% for the quarters under comparison and $1.0 million or 17% for the nine months under comparison. These increases were primarily related to the expansion efforts underway.

Advertising costs increased $300 thousand or 38% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005 and $875 thousand or 37% during the first nine months of 2006 compared to the first nine months of 2005, primarily as a result of the implementation of a demand deposit acquisition program by a third party provider, which costs approximately $250 thousand each quarter. Management expects to discontinue this program during the fourth quarter of 2006.

Other noninterest expense increased $190 thousand or 7% for the quarters under comparison and $3.2 million or 40% for the nine months under comparison. Exclusive of the $2.4 million judgment recorded during the first nine months of 2006, other noninterest expense increased $840 thousand or 10% in comparison to the first nine months of 2005. The following types of expenses classified in the other noninterest expense category that contributed to the increase were supplies, telephone, software maintenance, software amortization, seminars and other staff expense. These expenses grew primarily as a result of Heartland’s expansion efforts.


INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Heartland’s effective tax rate was 32.84% for the third quarter of 2006 compared to 31.87% during the third quarter of 2005. On a nine-month comparative basis, Heartland’s effective tax rate was 31.55% during 2006 and 31.85% during 2005. The two primary contributors to the variations in our effective tax rates during the periods were changes in the amount of tax-exempt income and tax credits. Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income was 16.32% during the third quarter of 2006 compared to 16.81% during the same quarter of 2005. For the nine-month periods ended on September 30, 2006 and 2005, tax-exempt income as a percentage of pre-tax income was 19.38% and 18.21%, respectively. Income taxes recorded during the first nine months of 2005 included anticipated low-income housing and historic rehabilitation tax credits totaling $436 thousand for the year. During the first nine months of 2006, these anticipated credits had decreased to approximately $225 thousand for the year.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Total loans and leases were $2.1 billion at September 30, 2006, an increase of $169.1 million or 12% annualized since year-end 2005. The acquisition of Bank of the Southwest accounted for $50.9 million or 30% of this growth. The Heartland subsidiary banks experiencing notable loan growth since year-end 2005 were Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank and Wisconsin Community Bank. The commercial and commercial real estate loan category grew by $148.2 million or 15% annualized. Exclusive of the $21.0 million in commercial and commercial real estate loans acquired in the Bank of the Southwest acquisition, this loan category increased by $127.2 million or 13% annualized. Heartland continues to experience a shift in the mix of its loan portfolio with commercial and commercial real estate loans now comprising 68% of the total loan portfolio.

The table below presents the composition of the loan portfolio as of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005.

LOAN PORTFOLIO
(Dollars in thousands)
   
September 30, 2006
   
December 31, 2005
   
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
1,452,239
   
68.31
%
 
$
1,304,080
   
66.65
%
Residential mortgage
   
221,828
   
10.44
     
219,671
   
11.23
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
244,710
   
11.51
     
230,357
   
11.77
 
Consumer
   
193,058
   
9.08
     
181,019
   
9.25
 
Lease financing, net
   
14,079
   
0.66
     
21,586
   
1.10
 
Gross loans and leases
   
2,125,914
   
100.00
%
   
1,956,713
   
100.00
%
Unearned discount
   
(1,792
)
         
(1,870
)
     
Deferred loan fees
   
(1,966
)
         
(1,777
)
     
Total loans and leases
   
2,122,156
           
1,953,066
       
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(30,684
)
         
(27,791
)
     
Loans and leases, net
 
$
2,091,472
         
$
1,925,275
       

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

The allowance for loan and lease losses at September 30, 2006, was 1.45% of loans and 180% of nonperforming loans, compared to 1.42% of loans and 185% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2005. The provision for loan losses remained constant at $1.4 million during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter of 2005 and decreased $319 thousand or 7% during the first nine months of 2006 compared to the first nine months of 2005.

Nonperforming loans were $17.1 million or 0.80% of total loans and leases at September 30, 2006, compared to $15.0 million or 0.77% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2005. Loans past due ninety days or more increased to $6.4 million at September 30, 2006, from $115 thousand at year-end 2005 as a result of one large credit for which workout plans are underway. Management believes that losses on Heartland’s nonperforming loans will not be significant due to the net realizable value of collateral, guarantees and other factors. Additionally, any probable losses had been specifically provided for in the allowance for loan and lease losses.


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

ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
2006
 
2005
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
27,791
   
$
24,973
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from continuing operations
   
4,043
     
4,362
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from discontinued operations
   
(8
)
   
33
 
Recoveries on loans and leases previously charged off
   
948
     
883
 
Loans and leases charged off
   
(2,658
)
   
(2,570
)
Reclass for unfunded commitments to other liabilities
   
-
     
(319
)
Additions related to acquired bank
   
591
     
-
 
Reduction related to discontinued operations
   
(23
)
   
-
 
Balance at end of period
 
$
30,684
   
$
27,362
 
Net charge offs to average loans and leases
   
0.08
%
   
0.09
%

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

NONPERFORMING ASSETS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
As of September 30,
 
As of December 31,
   
2006
 
2005
 
2005
 
2004
Nonaccrual loans and leases
 
$
10,699
   
$
14,552
   
$
14,877
   
$
9,837
 
Loan and leases contractually past due 90 days or more
   
6,359
     
470
     
115
     
88
 
Total nonperforming loans and leases
   
17,058
     
15,022
     
14,992
     
9,925
 
Other real estate
   
1,450
     
1,532
     
1,586
     
425
 
Other repossessed assets
   
355
     
488
     
471
     
313
 
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
18,863
   
$
17,042
   
$
17,049
   
$
10,663
 
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
   
0.80
%
   
0.78
%
   
0.77
%
   
0.56
%

SECURITIES

The composition of Heartland's securities portfolio is managed to maximize the return on the portfolio while considering the impact it has on Heartland’s asset/liability position and liquidity needs. Securities represented 19% of total assets at September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005. Total available for sale securities as of September 30, 2006, were $591.6 million, an increase of $64.4 million or 12% from December 31, 2005. The majority of this increase was the result of the purchase of $55.0 million in agency securities in the third quarter of 2006 for the sole purpose of entering into the leveraged structured wholesale repurchase agreement discussed in the net interest income section of this report.

Because the decline in market value on Heartland’s debt securities portfolio are attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because Heartland has the ability to hold those investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, Heartland did not consider those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2006.


The table below presents the composition of the available for sale securities portfolio by major category as of September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005.

AVAILABLE FOR SALE SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
(Dollars in thousands)
   
September 30, 2006
   
December 31, 2005
   
Amount
Percent
 
Amount
Percent
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
298,074
   
50.38
%
 
$
234,021
   
44.38
%
Mortgage-backed securities
   
129,568
   
21.90
     
130,334
   
24.73
 
States and political subdivisions
   
135,144
   
22.84
     
132,958
   
25.21
 
Other securities
   
28,841
   
4.88
     
29,939
   
5.68
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
591,627
   
100.00
%
 
$
527,252
   
100.00
%

DEPOSITS AND BORROWED FUNDS

Total deposits at September 30, 2006, were $2.3 billion, an increase of $173.0 million or 11% annualized since year-end 2005. The acquisition of Bank of the Southwest accounted for $44.4 million or 26% of this growth. All of Heartland’s subsidiary banks experienced growth in deposits since year-end 2005 except for First Community Bank. Demand deposits experienced a $14.4 million or 5% annualized increase with the Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributing $17.0 million in demand deposit balances at closing. Even though the companywide deposit acquisition program initiated early in 2006 has not generated the results hoped for, the number of demand deposit accounts has grown, primarily as a result of a continued focus on growth in these deposits. Management will continue to focus efforts on growing demand deposit account balances with internally developed acquisition programs. We recently introduced a remote deposit capture service targeted at attracting business demand deposit accounts. This new desktop service converts checks to electronic images and transmits the images directly to the bank for deposit, thus providing our business customers with greater convenience and cost savings.

Savings deposit balances increased by $59.2 million or 10% annualized. At closing, the Bank of the Southwest accounted for $17.4 million in savings deposit balances. Brokered time deposits increased $2.1 million or 2% and other time deposit balances increased $97.2 million or 15% annualized since year-end 2005. The Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributed $10.0 million in other time deposit balances. Of particular note is that a large portion of the growth in time deposits occurred in deposits from our local markets. As interest rates have continued to move upward, many deposit customers have shifted a portion of their lower yielding deposit balances into higher yielding money market and certificate of deposit accounts. The Heartland bank subsidiaries have priced these products competitively in order to retain existing deposit customers, as well as to attract new customers.

Short-term borrowings generally include federal funds purchased, treasury tax and loan note options, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances. These funding alternatives are utilized in varying degrees depending on their pricing and availability. During the first nine months of 2006, the amount of short-term borrowings decreased by $16.1 million or 6%.

All of the bank subsidiaries provide repurchase agreements to their customers as a cash management tool, sweeping excess funds from demand deposit accounts into these agreements. This source of funding does not increase the bank’s reserve requirements, nor does it create an expense relating to FDIC premiums on deposits. Although the aggregate balance of these retail repurchase agreements is subject to variation, the account relationships represented by these balances are principally local. These balances were $182.0 million at year-end 2005 and $153.4 million at September 30, 2006. One large municipal account at New Mexico Bank & Trust can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Typically, the balances in this account increase during the last quarter of the year and then decline during the first quarter of the next year as tax proceeds are dispersed.

Also included in short-term borrowings are Heartland’s credit lines with unaffiliated banks. Under these revolving credit lines, Heartland may borrow up to $75.0 million. At September 30, 2006, a total of $69.0 million was outstanding on these credit lines compared to $60.8 million at December 31, 2005.

Other borrowings include all debt arrangements Heartland and its subsidiaries have entered into with original maturities that extend beyond one year. These borrowings increased $23.1 million or 10% since year-end 2005. Included in other borrowings is the $50.0 structured wholesale repurchase agreement entered into in August of 2006. Also included in other borrowings are the bank subsidiaries’ borrowings from the FHLB. All of the Heartland banks own stock in the FHLB of Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, Seattle or San Francisco, enabling them to borrow funds from their respective FHLB for short- or long-term purposes under a variety of programs. Total FHLB borrowings at September 30, 2006, decreased to $47.2 million from $151.0 million at December 31, 2005. Total FHLB borrowings at September 30, 2006, had an average rate of 4.21% and an average maturity of 3.43 years.
 
Additionally, other borrowings include the trust preferred capital securities issued by Heartland. On January 31, 2006, Heartland completed an offering of $20.0 million of variable rate cumulative trust preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in Heartland Statutory Trust V. The proceeds from the offering were used by the trust to purchase junior subordinated debentures from Heartland. The proceeds have been used as a permanent source of funding for Heartland’s nonbanking subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes, including future acquisitions. Interest is payable quarterly on April 7, July 7, October 7 and January 7 of each year. The debentures will mature and the trust preferred securities must be redeemed on January 31, 2036. Heartland has the option to shorten the maturity date to a date not earlier than January 31, 2011. For regulatory purposes, $1.6 million qualifies as Tier 1 capital and $18.4 million qualifies as Tier 2 capital.


Balances outstanding on trust preferred capital securities issued by Heartland are included in total other borrowings. The following is a schedule of Heartland’s trust preferred offerings outstanding as of September 30, 2006:

Amount
Issued
Issuance
Date
Interest
Rate
Interest Rate as of
9/30/06
Maturity
Date
Callable
Date
           
$                                              5,000,000
08/07/00
10.60%
10.60%
09/07/30
09/07/10
8,000,000
12/18/01
3.60% Over Libor
8.99%
12/18/31
12/18/06
5,000,000
06/27/02
3.65% Over Libor
9.02%
06/30/32
06/30/07
20,000,000
10/10/03
8.25%
8.25%
10/10/33
10/10/08
25,000,000
3/17/04
2.75% Over Libor
8.14%
3/17/34
3/17/09
20,000,000
1/31/06
1.33% Over Libor
6.84%
1/31/36
1/31/11
$                                            83,000,000
         


CAPITAL RESOURCES

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

CAPITAL RATIOS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
September 30, 2006
   
December 31, 2005
   
Amount
Ratio
 
Amount
Ratio
Risk-Based Capital Ratios1
                           
Tier 1 capital
 
$
222,266
   
8.86
%
 
$
209,968
   
9.28
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement
   
100,351
   
4.00
%
   
90,514
   
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
121,915
   
4.86
%
 
$
119,454
   
5.28
%
Total capital
 
$
271,745
   
10.83
%
 
$
240,152
   
10.61
%
Total capital minimum requirement
   
200,702
   
8.00
%
   
181,028
   
8.00
%
Excess
 
$
71,043
   
2.83
%
 
$
59,124
   
2.61
%
Total risk-adjusted assets
 
$
2,508,773
         
$
2,262,854
       
Leverage Capital Ratios2
                           
Tier 1 capital
 
$
222,266
   
7.56
%
 
$
209,968
   
7.66
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement3
   
117,545
   
4.00
%
   
109,637
   
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
104,721
   
3.56
%
 
$
100,331
   
3.66
%
Average adjusted assets (less goodwill and other intangible assets)
 
$
2,938,630
         
$
2,740,922
       

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

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

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

Commitments for capital expenditures are an important factor in evaluating capital adequacy. In August of 2005, Heartland announced the addition of a loan production office in Denver, Colorado with the intention to use this office as a springboard to opening a full-service state chartered bank in this market. All necessary regulatory approvals were received this fall and the bank began operations as Summit Bank & Trust on November 1, 2006.  The capital structure of this new bank is very similar to that used when Arizona Bank & Trust was formed. Heartland’s initial investment is $12.0 million, or 80%, of the targeted $15.0 million initial capital. In July of 2006, all $12.0 million of Heartland’s investment had been deposited into an escrow account along with the $2.5 million deposited by the subscribing minority stockholders. All minority stockholders entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the investor's sale, transfer or other disposition of their shares in Summit Bank & Trust and requires Heartland to repurchase the shares from investors five years from the date of opening. The minimum amount payable is the amount originally paid by the minority shareholders plus a compounded annual return of 6%. The maximum amount payable will be based on the greater of the fair value of those shares based upon an appraisal performed by an independent third party or a predetermined range of multiples of the bank’s trailing twelve month earnings. Through September 30, 2006, Heartland accrued the amount due to the minority shareholders at 6%. The obligation to repay the original investment is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of the minority shareholder. The remainder of the obligation to the minority shareholders is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of Heartland.

In February of 2003, Heartland entered into an agreement with a group of Arizona business leaders to establish a new bank in Mesa. The new bank began operations on August 18, 2003, as Arizona Bank & Trust. Heartland’s initial investment in Arizona Bank & Trust was $12.0 million, which reflected an ownership percentage of 86%. After completion of the Bank of the Southwest acquisition, Heartland’s ownership percentage had increased to 91%. All minority stockholders have entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the investor's sale, transfer or other disposition of their shares and requires Heartland to repurchase the shares from the investors in 2008. The minimum amount payable is the amount originally paid by the minority shareholders plus a compounded annual return of 6%. The maximum amount payable will be based on the greater of the fair value of those shares based upon an appraisal performed by an independent third party or a predetermined range of multiples of the bank’s trailing twelve month earnings. Through September 30, 2006, Heartland accrued the amount due to the minority shareholders at 6%. The obligation to repay the original investment is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of the minority shareholder. The remainder of the obligation to the minority shareholders is payable in cash or Heartland stock or a combination of cash and stock at the option of Heartland.

Expansion projects have been initiated with completion scheduled during 2007. New Mexico Bank & Trust began construction of its third location in Santa Fe with opening targeted for the first quarter of 2007. Plans are underway for an additional Arizona Bank & Trust site in Gilbert, Arizona for completion during the second quarter of 2007. Additionally, Rocky Mountain Bank is developing plans for a new location in Billings, Montana. Summit Bank & Trust hopes to open an additional location in the community of Thornton, Colorado sometime in the second quarter of 2007. Expansion in the West is consistent with our long-range goal to have at least 50% of our assets in this fast growing region of the United States. Additionally, in the Midwest, we began construction on one branch location in Madison, Wisconsin under the Wisconsin Community Bank with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2007. Costs related to the construction of these facilities are anticipated to be approximately $18 million in the aggregate.

Heartland continues to explore opportunities to expand its umbrella of independent community banks through mergers and acquisitions as well as de novo and branching opportunities. Future expenditures relating to expansion efforts, in addition to those identified above, are not estimable at this time

LIQUIDITY

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

Net cash outflows from investing activities were $219.8 million during the first nine months of 2006, compared to $123.2 million during the same nine months of 2005, an increase in outflows of $96.6 million. During the first nine months of 2006, the proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was $59.9 million compared to $112.7 million during the first nine months of 2005, a decrease of $52.8 million. Purchases of securities used cash of $123.7 million during the first nine months of 2006 while $81.1 million was used for securities purchases during the first nine months of 2005. A large portion of this change was the purchase of $55.0 million in agency securities to facilitate the structured wholesale repurchase agreement entered into in August of 2006. The net increase in loans and leases was $125.9 million during the first nine months of 2006 compared to $137.2 million during the same nine months of 2005. Also contributing to the increase in cash outflows from investing activities during the first nine months of 2006 was the $15.0 million net cash and cash equivalents paid in the acquisition of Bank of the Southwest.

Financing activities provided cash of $160.7 million during the first nine months of 2006 while these same activities provided cash of $108.9 million during the same period in 2005. During the first nine months of 2006, there was a net increase in deposit accounts of $128.6 million compared to $99.6 million during the first nine months of 2005. Activity in short-term borrowings provided cash of $16.6 million during the first nine months of 2006 while activity in short-term borrowings used cash of $34.5 million during the same nine months of 2005. Cash proceeds from other borrowings were $71.7 million during the first nine months of 2006 compared to $59.7 million during the same nine months of 2005. A portion of this change was attributable to the $50.0 million wholesale repurchase agreement entered into in August of 2006. Repayments on other borrowings used cash of $47.3 million during the first nine months of 2006 compared to $23.8 million during the same period in 2005.

Total cash provided by operating activities was $23.6 million during the first nine months of 2006 compared to $11.5 million during the same nine months of 2005. The amount of cash received on the sales of loans increased at a greater amount than the amount of loans originated for sale during the first nine months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005.

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

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

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

At September 30, 2006, Heartland’s revolving credit agreement with third-party banks provided a maximum borrowing capacity of $75.0 million, of which $69.0 million had been borrowed. A portion of these lines provides funding for the operations of Citizens and ULTEA. At September 30, 2006, the borrowings on these lines for Citizens and ULTEA were $3.5 million and $25.0 million, respectively. The revolving credit agreement contains specific covenants which, among other things, limit dividend payments and restrict the sale of assets by Heartland under certain circumstances. Also contained within the agreement are certain financial covenants, including the maintenance by Heartland of a maximum nonperforming assets to total loans ratio, minimum return on average assets ratio and maximum funded debt to total equity capital ratio. In addition, Heartland and each of its bank subsidiaries must remain well capitalized, as defined from time to time by the federal banking regulators. At September 30, 2006, Heartland was in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Heartland’s market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk resulting from its core banking activities of lending and deposit gathering. Interest rate risk measures the impact on earnings from changes in interest rates and the effect on current fair market values of Heartland’s assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. The objective is to measure this risk and manage the balance sheet to avoid unacceptable potential for economic loss. Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate market risk. Exposure to market risk is reviewed on a regular basis by the asset/liability committees at the banks and, on a consolidated basis, by the Heartland board of directors. Darling Consulting Group, Inc. has been engaged to provide asset/liability management position assessment and strategy formulation services to Heartland and its bank subsidiaries. At least quarterly, a detailed review of Heartland’s and each of the Bank Subsidiaries’ balance sheet risk profile is performed. Included in these reviews are interest rate sensitivity analyses, which simulate changes in net interest income in response to various interest rate scenarios. This analysis considers current portfolio rates, existing maturities, repricing opportunities and market interest rates, in addition to prepayments and growth under different interest rate assumptions. Selected strategies are modeled prior to implementation to determine their effect on Heartland’s interest rate risk profile and net interest income. Through the use of these tools, Heartland has determined that the balance sheet is structured such that, during the first year of an upward shift in interest rates, the positive change in net interest margin would be minimal; whereas, in a downward shift in interest rates, the negative change in net interest margin would be more significant. In a two year horizon, the positive impact an upward shift would have on net interest margin increases to a more significant level as does the negative impact a downward shift would have on the net interest margin, all other factors being held constant. Although management has entered into derivative financial instruments to mitigate the exposure Heartland’s net interest margin has in a downward rate environment, it does not believe that Heartland’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures have been managed to-date in 2006 changed significantly when compared to 2005.

Heartland’s use of derivative financial instruments relates to the management of the risk that changes in interest rates will affect its future interest income or interest expense. Heartland is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to its derivative instruments, which has been minimized by entering into the contracts with large, stable financial institutions. The estimated fair market values of these derivative instruments are presented in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Heartland’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective as of September 30, 2006, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Heartland in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and were effective as of September 30, 2006. These disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Heartland in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Heartland’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2006, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting.



PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to Heartland from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”, in Heartland’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to that section of Heartland’s Form 10-K for disclosures regarding the risks and uncertainties related to Heartland’s business.
 
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF ISSUER SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information about purchases by Heartland and its affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended September 30, 2006, of equity securities that are registered by Heartland pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period
(a)
 
 
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
(b)
 
 
 
 
Average Price Paid per Share
(c)
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)
(d)
 
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
07/01/06-
07/31/06
 
2,542
 
$25.77
 
2,542
 
$4,073,469
08/01/06-
08/31/06
 
15,347
 
$25.36
 
15,347
 
$4,147,834
09/01/06-
09/30/06
 
24,000
 
$26.46
 
24,000
 
$4,301,916
 
Total:
 
41,889
 
$26.01
 
41,889
 
N/A


(1)  
Heartland’s board of directors has authorized management to acquire and hold $5.0 million as treasury shares at any one time.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None


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

None       

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.





SIGNATURES

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

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
(Registrant)


Principal Executive Officer

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

Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer

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

Dated: November 9, 2006