Form 10k filed 031607

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

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
 
Commission File Number: 0-24724

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

Delaware
42-1405748
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer identification number)

1398 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(563) 589-2100
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock $1.00 par value
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-know seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes     No X

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes     No X

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ( )

The index to exhibits follows the signature page.

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 in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).     Yes     No X

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the last sales price quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System on June 30, 2006, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $285,749,290.* Such figures include 2,065,097 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock held in a fiduciary capacity by the trust department of the Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.

* Based on the last sales price of the Registrant's common stock on June 30, 2006, and reports of beneficial ownership filed by directors and executive officers of Registrant and by beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Registrant; however, such determination of shares owned by affiliates does not constitute an admission of affiliate status or beneficial interest in shares of Registrant's common stock.

As of March 14, 2007, the Registrant had issued and outstanding 16,482,443 shares of common stock, $1.00 per value per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.




HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
Form 10-K Annual Report
Table of Contents

Part I
 
Page
     
Item 1.
Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
A.
General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
B.
Market Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
C.
Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
D.
Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
E.
Internet Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
F.
Supervision and Regulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
G
Governmental Monetary Policy and Economic Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
Item 1A.
Risk Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
Item 2.
Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
     
Part II
 
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
89
Item 9B.
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
     
Part III
 
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
Item 11.
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
     
Part IV
 
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
95
 




PART I.

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland"), reincorporated in the state of Delaware in 1993, is a multi-bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA"). Heartland has nine bank subsidiaries in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana and Colorado, (collectively, the "Bank Subsidiaries"). All nine Bank Subsidiaries are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). The Bank Subsidiaries listed below operate a total of 54 banking locations.

*
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Dubuque, Iowa, is chartered under the laws of the State of Iowa. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries: DB&T Insurance, Inc., a multi-line insurance agency and DB&T Community Development Corp., a partner in low-income housing and historic rehabilitation projects.
*
Galena State Bank and Trust Company, Galena, Illinois, is chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois.
*
First Community Bank, Keokuk, Iowa, is chartered under the laws of the State of Iowa.
*
Riverside Community Bank, Rockford, Illinois, is chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois.
*
Wisconsin Community Bank, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, is chartered under the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
*
New Mexico Bank & Trust, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is chartered under the laws of the State of New Mexico.
*
Rocky Mountain Bank, Billings, Montana, is chartered under the laws of the State of Montana.
*
Arizona Bank & Trust, Chandler, Arizona, is chartered under the laws of the State of Arizona.
*
Summit Bank & Trust, Broomfield, Colorado is chartered under the laws of the State of Colorado.

Heartland has eight active non-bank subsidiaries as listed below.

*
Citizens Finance Co. is a consumer finance company with offices in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
*
Summit Acquisition Corporation is the one-bank holding company for Summit Bank & Trust in Colorado.
*
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust II, Heartland Financial Capital Trust II, Heartland Financial Statutory Trust III, Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV, Heartland Financial Statutory Trust V and Rocky Mountain Statutory Trust I are special purpose trust subsidiaries of Heartland formed for the purpose of the offering of cumulative capital securities.

All of Heartland’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned, except for Arizona Bank & Trust, of which Heartland owned 91% of the capital stock on December 31, 2006 and Summit Acquisition Corporation, of which Heartland owned 81% of the capital stock on December 31, 2006. Summit Acquisition Corporation owned 99% of Summit Bank & Trust on December 31, 2006.

The Bank Subsidiaries provide full service retail banking in the communities in which they are located. Deposit products offered by the Bank Subsidiaries include checking and other demand deposit accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, health savings accounts and other time deposits. The deposits in the Bank Subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC to the full extent permitted by law. Loans include commercial and industrial, agricultural, real estate mortgage, consumer, home equity, credit cards and lines of credit. Other products and services include VISA debit cards, automated teller machines, on-line banking, safe deposit boxes and trust services. The principal service of the Bank Subsidiaries consists of making loans to and accepting deposits from businesses and individuals. These loans are made at the offices of the Bank Subsidiaries. The Bank Subsidiaries also engage in activities that are closely related to banking, including investment brokerage.

Operating Strategy

Heartland’s operating strategy is based upon a community banking model with three major components:

1.  
Develop strong community banks:

*
Establish community bank names and images
*
Encourage community involvement and leadership
*
Maintain active boards of directors chosen from the local community
*
Retain local presidents and decision-making

 
  2.
Provide resources for revenue enhancement:

*
Develop and implement a wide array of financial products and services for all Bank Subsidiaries
*
Improve Bank Subsidiary funding costs by reducing higher-cost certificates of deposit; increasing the percentage of lower-cost transaction accounts such as checking, savings and money market accounts; emphasizing relationship banking and capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities
*
Emphasize greater use of non-traditional sources of income, including trust and investment services, insurance and consumer finance
*
Evaluate and acquire state-of-the-art technology when the expected return justifies the cost

 
  3.
Provide customer-transparent cost savings:

*
Centralize back office support functions so Bank Subsidiaries operate as efficiently as possible

Management believes the personal and professional service offered to customers provides an appealing alternative to the "megabanks" resulting from mergers and acquisitions in the financial services industry. While Heartland employs a community banking philosophy, management believes Heartland’s size, combined with its complete line of financial products and services, is sufficient to effectively compete in the respective market areas. To remain price competitive, management also believes Heartland must manage expenses and gain economies of scale by centralizing back office support functions. Although each of Heartland’s subsidiaries operates under the direction of its own board of directors, Heartland has standard operating policies regarding asset/liability management, liquidity management, investment management, lending policies, and deposit structure management.

Another component of the operating strategy is to encourage all directors, officers and employees to maintain a strong ownership interest in Heartland. Since 1996, Heartland has provided an employee stock purchase plan. During 2006, Heartland employees purchased 26,451 shares under the plan. As of December 31, 2006, employees, officers, and directors owned approximately 30% of Heartland’s outstanding common stock.

Acquisition and Expansion Strategy

Heartland’s strategy is to increase profitability and diversify its market area and asset base by expanding existing subsidiaries, by establishing de novo banks and through acquisitions. Heartland continually seeks and evaluates opportunities to establish branches, loan production offices, or other business facilities as a means of expanding its presence in current or new market areas. Heartland acquires established financial services organizations, primarily commercial banks or thrifts, when suitable candidates are identified and acceptable business terms can be negotiated. Heartland has also formed de novo banking institutions in locations determined to have market potential and suitable management candidates with banking expertise and a philosophy similar to Heartland’s.

Heartland has focused on markets with growth potential in the Midwest and Western regions of the United States as it evaluates expansion and acquisition opportunities. In August 2003, Heartland and a group of investors opened Arizona Bank & Trust, a de novo banking operation, followed with a second location in 2004 and a third location in 2005. Additional expansion at Arizona Bank & Trust included the acquisition of Bank of the Southwest, a financial institution providing retail and commercial banking services in Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona during 2006. Heartland combined the acquired assets and deposit accounts into Arizona Bank & Trust in May of 2006. Heartland took another step toward expanding its Western presence in June of 2004 when it acquired Rocky Mountain Bancorporation, Inc., the one-bank holding company of Rocky Mountain Bank. Headquartered in Billings, Montana, Rocky Mountain Bank had assets of $439 million at December 31, 2006, with nine branch locations throughout the state. In November of 2006, Heartland and a group of investors opened Summit Bank & Trust, a de novo banking operation in Broomfield, Colorado. The capital structure of Heartland’s ninth state-chartered bank was very similar to that used when Arizona Bank & Trust was formed. Heartland’s initial investment was $12.0 million, or 80% of the targeted $15.0 million initial capital. One of Heartland’s strategic goals is to expand its presence in the Western markets to 50% of Heartland’s total assets, thereby balancing the growth in its Western markets with the stability of the Midwestern markets.

Lending Activities

General

The Bank Subsidiaries provide a range of commercial and retail lending services to businesses and individuals. These credit activities include agricultural, commercial, residential real estate, consumer loans and commercial leases.

The Bank Subsidiaries market their services to qualified lending customers. Lending officers actively solicit the business of new companies entering their market areas as well as long-standing members of the Bank Subsidiaries' respective business communities. Through professional service, competitive pricing, and innovative structure, the Bank Subsidiaries have been successful in attracting new lending customers. Heartland also actively pursues consumer lending opportunities. With convenient locations, advertising and customer communications, the Bank Subsidiaries have been successful in capitalizing on the credit needs of their market areas.

Commercial Loans

The Bank Subsidiaries have a strong commercial loan base, with significant growth coming from Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Wisconsin Community Bank, and Arizona Bank & Trust. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, in particular, continues to be a premier commercial lender in the tri-state area of northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. The Bank Subsidiaries' current portfolios include, but are not limited to, loans to wholesalers, hospitality industry, real estate developers, manufacturers, building contractors, business services companies and retailers. The Bank Subsidiaries provide a wide range of business loans, including lines of credit for working capital and operational purposes and term loans for the acquisition of equipment and real estate. Although most loans are made on a secured basis, loans may be made on an unsecured basis where warranted by the overall financial condition of the borrower. Terms of commercial business loans generally range from one to five years.

Bank Subsidiaries continue to seek opportunities to expand the production of loans guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. Wisconsin Community Bank is designated as a Preferred Lender by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Wisconsin Community Bank is also the only lender in Wisconsin to be granted USDA Certified Lender status for the USDA Rural Development Business and Industry loan program and was one of the top ten lenders in the nation in this program for the past three years. Management believes that making these guaranteed loans helps its local communities as well as provides Heartland with a source of income and solid future lending relationships as such businesses grow and prosper.

The Bank Subsidiaries’ commercial loans and leases are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The collateral support provided by the borrower for most of these loans and leases and the probability of repayment is based on the liquidation of the pledged collateral and enforcement of a personal guarantee, if any exists. The primary repayment risks of commercial loans and leases are that the cash flows of the borrower may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value.

Heartland understands the roles that sound credit skills and a common credit culture play in maintaining quality loan portfolios. As the credit portfolios of the Bank Subsidiaries have continued to grow, several changes have been made in their lending departments resulting in an overall increase in these departments' skill levels. In 2003, Heartland introduced the RMA Diagnostic Assessment to assess credit skills and training needs for over 80 of its credit personnel. After the initial introduction of this training tool, specific individualized training was established for existing personnel. All new lending personnel are expected to complete a similar diagnostic training program. Heartland also assists all of the commercial and agricultural lenders of the Bank Subsidiaries in the analysis and underwriting of credit through its staff in the credit administration department. This staff continues to expand as the total loans under management continue to grow.

Commercial lenders interact with their respective boards of directors each month. Heartland also utilizes an internal loan review function to analyze credits of the Bank Subsidiaries and to provide periodic reports to the respective boards of directors. Management has attempted to identify problem loans at an early date and to aggressively seek resolution of these situations.

Agricultural Loans

Agricultural loans are emphasized by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Rocky Mountain Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank’s Monroe banking center and New Mexico Bank & Trust’s Clovis banking offices.  The Bank Subsidiaries that emphasize agricultural loans do so because of their location in or around rural markets. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company maintains its status as one of the largest agricultural lenders in the State of Iowa. Agricultural loans remain balanced in proportion to the rest of Heartland's loan portfolio, constituting approximately 11% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2006. Heartland’s policies designate a primary and secondary lending area for each bank with the majority of outstanding agricultural operating and real estate loans to customers located within the primary lending area. Term loans secured by real estate are allowed within the secondary lending area.

Agricultural loans, many of which are secured by crops, machinery and real estate, are provided to finance capital improvements and farm operations as well as acquisitions of livestock and machinery. The ability of the borrower to repay may be affected by many factors outside of the borrower’s control including adverse weather conditions, loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products and the impact of government regulations. The ultimate repayment of agricultural loans is dependent upon the profitable operation or management of the agricultural entity.

The agricultural loan departments work closely with all of their customers, including companies and individual farmers, and review the preparation of budgets and cash flow projections for the ensuing crop year. These budgets and cash flow projections are monitored closely during the year and reviewed with the customers at least once annually. The Bank Subsidiaries also work closely with governmental agencies, including the Farm Services Administration, to help agricultural customers obtain credit enhancement products such as loan guarantees or interest assistance.

Residential Real Estate Mortgage Loans

Mortgage lending remains a focal point for the Bank Subsidiaries as each of them continues to build real estate lending business. As long-term interest rates remained at relatively low levels during 2006 and 2005, many customers elected mortgage loans that are fixed rate with fifteen or thirty year maturities. Heartland usually sells these loans into the secondary market but retains servicing on the majority of sold loans. Management believes that mortgage servicing on sold loans provides the Bank Subsidiaries with a relatively steady source of fee income compared to fees generated solely from mortgage origination operations. Moreover, the retention of servicing gives the Bank Subsidiaries the opportunity to maintain regular contact with mortgage loan customers.

As with agricultural and commercial loans, Heartland encourages the Bank Subsidiaries to participate in lending programs sponsored by U.S. government agencies when justified by market conditions. Beginning in 2004, Veterans Administration and Federal Home Administration loans were offered in all Bank Subsidiary markets.

Consumer Lending

The Bank Subsidiaries' consumer lending departments provide all types of consumer loans including motor vehicle, home improvement, home equity, credit cards and small personal credit lines. Consumer loans typically have shorter terms, lower balances, higher yields and higher risks of default than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and are therefore more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.

Citizens Finance Co. specializes in consumer lending and currently serves the consumer credit needs of approximately 6,500 customers in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin from its Dubuque, Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Madison and Appleton, Wisconsin; and Loves Park, Crystal Lake and Tinley Park, Illinois offices. Citizens Finance Co. typically lends to borrowers with past credit problems or limited credit histories. Heartland expects to incur a higher level of credit losses on Citizens Finance Co. loans compared to consumer loans originated by the Bank Subsidiaries. Correspondingly, returns on these loans are anticipated to be higher than those at the Bank Subsidiaries.

Trust and Investment Services

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank and Trust Company and Wisconsin Community Bank have been offering trust and investment services in their respective communities for many years. In those markets which do not yet warrant a full trust department, the sales and administration is performed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company personnel. In 2005, New Mexico Bank & Trust began offering trust and investment services. In 2003, Arizona Bank & Trust joined the list of banks offering trust and investment services. On August 31, 2004, Heartland completed its acquisition of the Wealth Management Group of Colonial Trust Company, a publicly held Arizona trust company based in Phoenix. The Wealth Management Group, Colonial Trust Company’s personal trust division, had trust assets of $154.0 million and projected annual revenues of $1.2 million at the time of the acquisition. This transaction provided a unique opportunity for Heartland to grow its trust business in the Southwestern marketplace. Colonial’s seasoned management team and strong account base, combined with Heartland’s strong support services, depth of expertise, and long track record of investment performance proved to be a winning combination as we sought to elevate the profile of Arizona Bank & Trust. As of December 31, 2006, total Heartland trust assets exceeded $1.5 billion, the vast majority of which are assets under management. Collectively, the Bank Subsidiaries provide a full complement of trust and investment services for individuals and corporations. All of the Bank Subsidiaries have targeted their trust departments as primary areas for future growth.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company is nationally recognized as a leading provider of socially responsible investment services, and it manages investment portfolios for religious and other non-profit organizations located throughout the United States. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company is also Heartland’s lead bank in providing daily valuation 401(k) plans and other retirement services, including Heartland’s retirement plan for its employees.

Heartland has formed a strategic alliance with Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc. to operate independent securities offices at all of Heartland’s bank subsidiaries. Through Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc., Heartland offers a full array of investment services including mutual funds, annuities, retirement products, education savings products, brokerage services, employer sponsored plans, and insurance products. A complete line of vehicle, property and casualty, life and disability insurance and tax-free annuities are also offered by Heartland through DB&T Insurance.

B. MARKET AREAS

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and Heartland are located in Dubuque County, Iowa, which encompasses the city of Dubuque and a number of surrounding rural communities. Citizens Finance Co. also operates within this market area, in addition to operating offices in Davenport, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Appleton, Wisconsin; Loves Park, Illinois; Tinley Park, Illinois and Crystal Lake, Illinois.

The city of Dubuque is located in northeastern Iowa, on the Mississippi River, approximately 175 miles west of Chicago, Illinois, and approximately 200 miles northeast of Des Moines, Iowa. It is strategically situated at the intersection of the state borders of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Based upon the results of the 2000 census, the city of Dubuque had a total population of approximately 58,000.

The principal offices of Heartland and Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s main bank currently occupy the same building. Due to growth in both companies, a building was acquired directly across the street from Dubuque Bank and Trust Company’s main office to serve as an operations center for Heartland. Renovation of the 60,000 square foot building was completed in the second quarter of 2004.

In addition to its main banking office, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company operates seven branch offices, all of which are located in Dubuque County. In 2004, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company opened a branch facility at a strategically located intersection on the rapidly growing northwest side of Dubuque. Additionally, during 2003, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company relocated its branch facility in Farley, Iowa, to a newly constructed building that is more convenient for its customers. As a subsidiary of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, DB&T Insurance has substantially the same market area as the parent organization.

Galena State Bank and Trust Company

Galena State Bank and Trust Company is located in Galena, Illinois, which is less than five miles from the Mississippi River, approximately 20 miles east of Dubuque and 155 miles west of Chicago. Galena operates a second office in Stockton, Illinois. Both offices are located in Jo Daviess County, which has a population of approximately 22,000, according to the 2000 census.

First Community Bank

First Community Bank’s main office is in Keokuk, Iowa, which is located in the southeast corner of Iowa near the borders of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Due to its location, First Community Bank serves customers in the tri-county region of Lee County, Iowa; Hancock County, Illinois; and Clark County, Missouri. First Community Bank has one branch office in Keokuk and another branch in the city of Carthage in Hancock County, Illinois. Keokuk is an industrial community with a population of approximately 11,000, and the population of Lee County is approximately 38,000.

Riverside Community Bank

Riverside Community Bank is located on the northeast edge of Rockford, Illinois, which is approximately 75 miles west of Chicago in Winnebago County. In addition to its main banking office, Riverside Community Bank has three branch offices, all of which are located in the Winnebago County area. Based on the 2000 census, the county had a population of 278,000, and the city of Rockford had a population of 150,000.

Wisconsin Community Bank

Wisconsin Community Bank’s main office is located in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, which is approximately 10 miles east of Madison in Dane County. Wisconsin Community Bank operates two branch offices in Madison suburbs. The Middleton branch opened in 1998, and an office in Fitchburg was opened in a newly constructed building in March 2003. According to the 2000 census, Dane County had a population of 427,000, and the village of Cottage Grove had a population of 3,800. Wisconsin Community Bank opened three offices in Sheboygan, DePere and Eau Claire, Wisconsin during 1999, operating under the name of Wisconsin Business Bank. The Sheboygan and DePere facilities are located in the northeastern Wisconsin counties of Sheboygan and Brown. The Eau Claire office was subsequently sold in the fourth quarter of 2002. During 2004, Wisconsin Business Bank changed its name to Heartland Business Bank in conjunction with its opening of a loan production office in Rockland, Massachusetts. The Rockland office was subsequently closed in 2006. Wisconsin Community Bank also acquired the Bank One Monroe, Wisconsin banking center in July of 1999. The city of Monroe, which is approximately 50 miles southwest of Madison, is located in Green County in south central Wisconsin.

New Mexico Bank & Trust

New Mexico Bank & Trust operates eight offices in or around Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. Based upon the 2000 census, the county had a population of 557,000, and the city had a population of 449,000. New Mexico Bank & Trust also operates five locations in the New Mexico communities of Clovis, Portales, and Melrose, all located in Curry County. Clovis is located in east central New Mexico, approximately 220 miles from Albuquerque, 100 miles northwest of Lubbock, Texas, and 105 miles southwest of Amarillo, Texas. In 2003, two branch offices were opened in Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County.

Arizona Bank & Trust

Arizona Bank & Trust currently operates five offices; one in Phoenix which opened in 2005, one in Mesa, Arizona, which is located 15 miles east of Phoenix, one in Tempe and two offices including the main office in Chandler, Arizona, which is located in the southern portion of metropolitan Phoenix. These cities are located in Maricopa County. Chandler’s current population is 218,000, as provided by the City of Chandler Office of Economic Development, compared to 177,000 reported in the 2000 census. The estimated population of Maricopa County in July 2001 was 3,029,000, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Rocky Mountain Bank

Rocky Mountain Bank operates from nine locations throughout the state of Montana. Rocky Mountain Bank’s main office is in Billings which is the state’s largest city and an agricultural, retail and business center. Billings is also the county seat of Yellowstone County within south-central Montana along Interstate-90. Based upon the 2000 census, the county had a population of 129,000 and the city had a population of 126,000. Six of the locations are spread primarily along the western corridor of the state of Montana.
 
Summit Bank & Trust

The main facility for Summit Bank & Trust is in Broomfield, Colorado. The city and county of Broomfield lies in the northwestern tier of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area. The population of Broomfield was estimated at 43,478 in 2005 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Broomfield is the 16th most populous city in the state of Colorado. A second location is under construction in Thornton, just north of the Denver International Airport.

C. COMPETITION

Heartland encounters competition in all areas of its business pursuits. To compete effectively, develop its market base, maintain flexibility, and keep pace with changing economic and social conditions, Heartland continuously refines and develops its products and services. The principal methods of competing in the financial services industry are through price, service and convenience.

The Bank Subsidiaries' market areas are highly competitive. Many financial institutions based in the communities surrounding the Bank Subsidiaries actively compete for customers within Heartland's market area. The Bank Subsidiaries also face competition from finance companies, insurance companies, mortgage companies, securities brokerage firms, money market funds, loan production offices and other providers of financial services. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, effective in 2000, securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act significantly changed the competitive environment in which Heartland and the Bank Subsidiaries conduct business. The financial services industry is also likely to become more competitive as technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. These technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and other financial intermediaries in the transfer of funds between parties.

Heartland competes for loans principally through the range and quality of the services it provides, with an emphasis on building long-lasting relationships. Our strategy is to delight our customers through excellence in customer service and needs-based selling. We become their trusted financial advisor. Heartland believes that its long-standing presence in the community and personal service philosophy enhance its ability to compete favorably in attracting and retaining individual and business customers. Heartland actively solicits deposit-oriented clients and competes for deposits by offering its customers personal attention, professional service and competitive interest rates.

D. EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2006, Heartland employed 959 full-time equivalent employees. Heartland places a high priority on staff development, which involves extensive training in a variety of areas, including customer service training. New employees are selected based upon their technical skills and customer service capabilities. None of Heartland's employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Heartland offers a variety of employee benefits, and management considers its employee relations to be excellent. Heartland utilizes Predictive Index software to assist with placing potential employees in new positions within Heartland and with evaluating current positions.

E.  INTERNET ACCESS

Heartland maintains an Internet site at www.htlf.com. Heartland offers its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and other reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act free of charge from its web site as soon as reasonably practical after meeting the electronic filing requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

F. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

Financial institutions, their holding companies and their affiliates are extensively regulated under federal and state law. As a result, the growth and earnings performance of Heartland may be affected not only by management decisions and general economic conditions, but also by the requirements of federal and state statutes and by the regulations and policies of various bank regulatory authorities, including the Iowa Superintendent of Banking (the “Iowa Superintendent”), the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (the “Illinois DFPR”), the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (the “New Mexico FID”), the Montana Financial Institution Division (the “Montana Division”), the Division of Banking of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (the “Wisconsin DFI”), the Arizona State Banking Department (the “Arizona Department”), the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Banking (the “Colorado Division”), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Furthermore, taxation laws administered by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities and securities laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and state securities authorities have an impact on the business of Heartland. The effect of these statutes, regulations and regulatory policies may be significant, and cannot be predicted with a high degree of certainty.

Federal and state laws and regulations generally applicable to financial institutions regulate, among other things, the scope of business, the kinds and amounts of investments, reserve requirements, capital levels relative to operations, the nature and amount of collateral for loans, the establishment of branches, mergers and consolidations and the payment of dividends. This system of supervision and regulation establishes a comprehensive framework for the respective operations of Heartland and its subsidiaries and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC-insured deposits and depositors of the Bank Subsidiaries, rather than shareholders.

The following is a summary of the material elements of the regulatory framework that applies to Heartland and its subsidiaries. It does not describe all of the statutes, regulations and regulatory policies that apply, nor does it restate all of the requirements of those that are described. As such, the following is qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable law. Any change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies may have a material effect on the business of Heartland and its subsidiaries.

The Company

General. Heartland, as the sole shareholder of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank, Galena State Bank and Trust Company, Riverside Community Bank and First Community Bank and the controlling shareholder of Arizona Bank & Trust and Summit Bank & Trust, is a bank holding company. As a bank holding company, Heartland is registered with, and is subject to regulation by, the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”). In accordance with Federal Reserve policy, Heartland is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank Subsidiaries and to commit resources to support the Bank Subsidiaries in circumstances where Heartland might not otherwise do so. Under the BHCA, Heartland is subject to periodic examination by the Federal Reserve. Heartland is also required to file with the Federal Reserve periodic reports of Heartland’s operations and such additional information regarding Heartland and its subsidiaries as the Federal Reserve may require.
 
Acquisitions, Activities and Change in Control. The primary purpose of a bank holding company is to control and manage banks. The BHCA generally requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve for any merger involving a bank holding company or any acquisition by a bank holding company of another bank or bank holding company. Subject to certain conditions (including certain deposit concentration limits established by the BHCA), the Federal Reserve may allow a bank holding company to acquire banks located in any state of the United States. In approving interstate acquisitions, the Federal Reserve is required to give effect to applicable state law limitations on the aggregate amount of deposits that may be held by the acquiring bank holding company and its insured depository institution affiliates in the state in which the target bank is located (provided that those limits do not discriminate against out-of-state depository institutions or their holding companies) and state laws that require that the target bank have been in existence for a minimum period of time (not to exceed five years) before being acquired by an out-of-state bank holding company.

The BHCA generally prohibits Heartland from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks or furnishing services to banks and their subsidiaries. This general prohibition is subject to a number of exceptions. The principal exception allows bank holding companies to engage in, and to own shares of companies engaged in, certain businesses found by the Federal Reserve to be “so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.” This authority would permit Heartland to engage in a variety of banking-related businesses, including the operation of a thrift, consumer finance, equipment leasing, the operation of a computer service bureau (including software development), and mortgage banking and brokerage. The BHCA generally does not place territorial restrictions on the domestic activities of non-bank subsidiaries of bank holding companies.

Additionally, bank holding companies that meet certain eligibility requirements prescribed by the BHCA and elect to operate as financial holding companies may engage in, or own shares in companies engaged in, a wider range of nonbanking activities, including securities and insurance underwriting and sales, merchant banking and any other activity that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines by regulation or order is financial in nature, incidental to any such financial activity or complementary to any such financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. As of the date of this filing, Heartland has not applied for approval to operate as a financial holding company.

Federal law also prohibits any person or company from acquiring “control” of an FDIC-insured depository institution or its holding company without prior notice to the appropriate federal bank regulator. “Control” is conclusively presumed to exist upon the acquisition of 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a bank or bank holding company, but may arise under certain circumstances at 10% ownership.

Capital Requirements. Bank holding companies are required to maintain minimum levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve capital adequacy guidelines. If capital levels fall below the minimum required levels, a bank holding company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.

The Federal Reserve’s capital guidelines establish the following minimum regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies: (i) a risk-based requirement expressed as a percentage of total assets weighted according to risk; and (ii) a leverage requirement expressed as a percentage of total assets. The risk-based requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8% and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets of 4%. The leverage requirement consists of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3% for the most highly rated companies, with a minimum requirement of 4% for all others. For purposes of these capital standards, Tier 1 capital consists primarily of permanent stockholders’ equity less intangible assets (other than certain loan servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships). Total capital consists primarily of Tier 1 capital plus certain other debt and equity instruments that do not qualify as Tier 1 capital and a portion of Heartland’s allowance for loan and lease losses.

The risk-based and leverage standards described above are minimum requirements. Higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. For example, the Federal Reserve’s capital guidelines contemplate that additional capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk, or the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities or securities trading activities. Further, any banking organization experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions (i.e., Tier 1 capital less all intangible assets), well above the minimum levels. As of December 31, 2006, Heartland had regulatory capital in excess of the Federal Reserve’s minimum requirements.

Dividend Payments. Heartland’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders may be affected by both general corporate law considerations and policies of the Federal Reserve applicable to bank holding companies. As a Delaware corporation, Heartland is subject to the limitations of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which allows Heartland to pay dividends only out of its surplus (as defined and computed in accordance with the provisions of the DGCL) or if Heartland has no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Additionally, policies of the Federal Reserve caution that a bank holding company should not pay cash dividends unless its net income available to common shareholders over the past year has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends and the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve also possesses enforcement powers over bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries to prevent or remedy actions that represent unsafe or unsound practices or violations of applicable statutes and regulations. Among these powers is the ability to proscribe the payment of dividends by banks and bank holding companies.

Federal Securities Regulation. Heartland’s common stock is registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Consequently, Heartland is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading and other restrictions and requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

The Bank Subsidiaries

General. Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and First Community Bank are Iowa-chartered banks. As Iowa-chartered banks, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and First Community Bank are subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Iowa Superintendent, the chartering authority for Iowa banks.

Galena State Bank and Trust Company and Riverside Community Bank are Illinois-chartered banks. As Illinois-chartered banks, Galena State Bank and Trust Company and Riverside Community Bank are subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the Illinois DFPR, the chartering authority for Illinois banks.

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

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

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

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

The deposit accounts of the Bank Subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund. As FDIC-insured institutions, each of the Bank Subsidiaries also is subject to the examination, supervision, reporting and enforcement requirements of the FDIC, designated by federal law as the primary federal regulator of state-chartered FDIC-insured banks that, like the Bank Subsidiaries, are not members of the Federal Reserve System.

Deposit Insurance. As FDIC-insured institutions, the Bank Subsidiaries are required to pay deposit insurance premium assessments to the FDIC. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system under which insured depository institutions are assigned to one of four risk assessment categories based upon their respective levels of capital, supervisory evaluations and other financial factors. Institutions that are well-capitalized and exhibit minimal or no supervisory weaknesses pay the lowest premium while institutions that are less than adequately capitalized and considered of substantial supervisory concern pay the highest premium. An institution’s risk-classification is determined by the FDIC.

For the past several years, FDIC insurance assessments ranged from 0% to 0.27% of total deposits. Pursuant to regulatory amendments adopted by the FDIC, effective January 1, 2007, insurance assessments will range from 0.05% to 0.43% of total deposits (unless subsequently adjusted by the FDIC). FDIC-insured institutions that were in existence as of December 31, 1996, and paid an FDIC-insurance assessment prior to that date (“eligible institutions”), as well as successors to eligible institutions, will be entitled to a credit that may be applied to offset insurance premium assessments due for assessment periods beginning on and after January 1, 2007. The amount of an eligible institution’s assessment credit will be equal to the institution’s pro rata share (based on its assessment base as of December 31, 1996, as compared to the aggregate assessment base of all eligible institutions as of December 31, 1996) of the aggregate amount the FDIC would have collected if it had imposed an assessment of 10.5 basis points on the combined assessment base of all institutions insured by the FDIC as of December 31, 2001. Subject to certain statutory limitations, an institution’s assessment credit may be applied to offset the full amount of premiums assessed in 2007, but may not be applied to more than 90% of the premiums assessed in 2008, 2009 or 2010. The FDIC will track the amount of an institution’s assessment credit and automatically apply it to the institution’s premium assessment to the maximum extent permitted by federal law.

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Rocky Mountain Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank, Galena State Bank and Trust Company, Riverside Community Bank, First Community Bank and New Mexico Bank & Trust are eligible institutions. In aggregate, the total assessment credit for these Heartland banks totals $1.2 million. Arizona Bank & Trust and Summit Bank & Trust are neither eligible institutions nor successors to eligible institutions and, therefore, will not be entitled to an assessment credit.

FICO Assessments.   The Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is a mixed-ownership governmental corporation chartered by the former Federal Home Loan Bank Board pursuant to the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation Recapitalization Act of 1987 to function as a financing vehicle for the recapitalization of the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. FICO issued 30-year non-callable bonds of approximately $8.2 billion that mature by 2019. Since 1996, federal legislation has required that all FDIC-insured depository institutions pay assessments to cover interest payments on FICO’s outstanding obligations. These FICO assessments are in addition to amounts assessed by the FDIC for deposit insurance. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the FICO assessment rate was approximately 0.01% of deposits.

Supervisory Assessments. Each of the Bank Subsidiaries is required to pay supervisory assessments to its respective state banking regulator to fund the operations of that agency. In general, the amount of the assessment is calculated on the basis of each institution’s total assets. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Bank Subsidiaries paid supervisory assessments totaling $385 thousand.

Capital Requirements. Banks are generally required to maintain capital levels in excess of other businesses. Under federal regulations, the Bank Subsidiaries are subject to the following minimum capital standards: (i) a leverage requirement consisting of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3% for the most highly-rated banks with a minimum requirement of at least 4% for all others; and (ii) a risk-based capital requirement consisting of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8% and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets of 4%. In general, the components of Tier 1 capital and total capital are the same as those for bank holding companies discussed above.

The capital requirements described above are minimum requirements. Higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual institutions. For example, federal regulations provide that additional capital may be required to take adequate account of, among other things, interest rate risk or the risks posed by concentrations of credit, nontraditional activities or securities trading activities. The FDIC’s approval of deposit insurance for Summit Bank & Trust is conditioned upon Summit Bank & Trust maintaining a Tier 1 capital to assets ratio of not less than 8% for the first three years of operation.

Further, federal law and regulations provide various incentives for financial institutions to maintain regulatory capital at levels in excess of minimum regulatory requirements. For example, a financial institution that is “well-capitalized” may qualify for exemptions from prior notice or application requirements otherwise applicable to certain types of activities and may qualify for expedited processing of other required notices or applications. Additionally, one of the criteria that determines a bank holding company’s eligibility to operate as a financial holding company is a requirement that all of its financial institution subsidiaries be “well-capitalized.” Under federal regulations, in order to be “well-capitalized” a financial institution must maintain a ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 10% or greater, a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets of 6% or greater and a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 5% or greater.

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

As of December 31, 2006: (i) none of the Bank Subsidiaries was subject to a directive from its primary federal regulator to increase its capital to an amount in excess of the minimum regulatory capital requirements; (ii) each of the Bank Subsidiaries exceeded its minimum regulatory capital requirements under applicable capital adequacy guidelines; and (iii) each of the Bank Subsidiaries was “well-capitalized,” as defined by applicable regulations. As of December 31, 2006, Summit Bank & Trust (i) met the 8% capital to assets ratio established by the FDIC as a condition to Summit Bank & Trust’s deposit insurance; and (ii) was “well-capitalized,” as defined by applicable regulations.

Liability of Commonly Controlled Institutions. Under federal law, institutions insured by the FDIC may be liable for any loss incurred by, or reasonably expected to be incurred by, the FDIC in connection with the default of commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institutions or any assistance provided by the FDIC to commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institutions in danger of default. Because Heartland controls each of the Bank Subsidiaries, the Bank Subsidiaries are commonly controlled for purposes of these provisions of federal law.

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

The payment of dividends by any financial institution is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations, and a financial institution generally is prohibited from paying any dividends if, following payment thereof, the institution would be undercapitalized. As described above, each of the Bank Subsidiaries exceeded its minimum capital requirements under applicable guidelines as of December 31, 2006. Further, First Community Bank may not pay dividends in an amount that would reduce its capital below the amount required for the liquidation account established in connection with First Community Bank’s conversion from the mutual to the stock form of ownership in 1991. As of December 31, 2006, approximately $92.4 million was available to be paid as dividends by the Bank Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the availability of funds for dividends, however, the FDIC may prohibit the payment of any dividends by the Bank Subsidiaries. In addition, Summit Bank & Trust is subject to the FDIC’s prohibition on the payment of dividends during the first three years of a bank’s operations, allowing cash dividends to be paid only from net operating income, and prohibiting the payment of dividends until an appropriate allowance for loan and lease losses has been established and overall capital is adequate.

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

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

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

Federal law permits state and national banks to merge with banks in other states subject to: (i) regulatory approval; (ii) federal and state deposit concentration limits; and (iii) state law limitations requiring the merging bank to have been in existence for a minimum period of time (not to exceed five years) prior to the merger. The establishment of new interstate branches or the acquisition of individual branches of a bank in another state (rather than the acquisition of an out-of-state bank in its entirety) is permitted only in those states the laws of which expressly authorize such expansion.

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

Federal Reserve System. Federal Reserve regulations, as presently in effect, require depository institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts), as follows: for transaction accounts aggregating $45.8 million or less, the reserve requirement is 3% of total transaction accounts; and for transaction accounts aggregating in excess of $45.8 million, the reserve requirement is $1.119 million plus 10% of the aggregate amount of total transaction accounts in excess of $45.8 million. The first $8.5 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempted from the reserve requirements. These reserve requirements are subject to annual adjustment by the Federal Reserve. The Bank Subsidiaries are in compliance with the foregoing requirements.

G. GOVERNMENTAL MONETARY POLICY AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

Heartland’s earnings are affected by the policies of regulatory authorities, including the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve System’s monetary policies have significantly affected the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue doing so in the future. Changing economic and money market conditions prompted by the actions of monetary and fiscal authorities may cause changes in interest rates, credit availability, and deposit levels that are beyond Heartland’s control. Future policies of the Federal Reserve System and other authorities cannot be predicted, nor can their effect on future earnings.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, stockholders or prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factors:

Our business is concentrated in and dependent upon the continued growth and welfare of the various markets that we serve.

We operate over a wide area, including markets in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana and Colorado and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to changes in the economic conditions in those areas. Our success depends upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in those areas. Although our customers’ business and financial interests may extend well beyond our market areas, adverse economic conditions that affect our specific market area could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We may experience difficulties in managing our growth and our growth strategy involves risks that may negatively impact our net income.

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

 
·
potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of banks and businesses we acquire;
 
·
exposure to potential asset quality issues of the acquired bank or related business;
 
·
difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of banks and businesses we acquire;
 
·
potential disruption to our business;
 
·
potential diversion of our management’s time and attention; and
 
·
the possible loss of key employees and customers of the banks and businesses we acquire.

In addition to acquisitions, we may expand into additional communities or attempt to strengthen our position in our current markets by undertaking additional de novo bank formations or branch openings. Based on our experience, we believe that it generally takes up to two years for new banking facilities to first achieve operational profitability, due to the impact of organization and overhead expenses and the start-up phase of generating loans and deposits. To the extent that we undertake additional branching and de novo bank and business formations, we are likely to continue to experience the effects of higher operating expenses relative to operating income from the new operations, which may have an adverse effect on our levels of reported net income, return on average equity and return on average assets.

Our market and growth strategy relies heavily on our management team, and the unexpected loss of key managers may adversely affect our operations.

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

The banking and financial services business in our markets is highly competitive. Our competitors include large regional banks, local community banks, thrifts, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, finance companies, money market mutual funds, credit unions and other non-bank financial service providers. Increased competition in our markets may result in a decrease in the amounts of our loans and deposits, reduced spreads between loan rates and deposit rates or loan terms that are more favorable to the borrower. Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow and remain profitable.

Interest rates and other conditions impact our results of operations.

Our profitability is in part a function of the spread between the interest rates earned on investments and loans and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Like most banking institutions, our net interest spread and margin will be affected by general economic conditions and other factors, including fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government, that influence market interest rates and our ability to respond to changes in such rates. At any given time, our assets and liabilities will be such that they are affected differently by a given change in interest rates. As a result, an increase or decrease in rates, the length of loan terms or the mix of adjustable and fixed rate loans in our portfolio could have a positive or negative effect on our net income, capital and liquidity. We measure interest rate risk under various rate scenarios and using specific criteria and assumptions. A summary of this process, along with the results of our net interest income simulations is presented at “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included under Item 7A of Part II of this Form 10-K. Although we believe our current level of interest rate sensitivity is reasonable and effectively managed, significant fluctuations in interest rates may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We must effectively manage our credit risk.

There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers, risks of nonpayment, risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral and risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions. We attempt to minimize our credit risk through prudent loan application approval procedures, careful monitoring of the concentration of our loans within specific industries and periodic independent reviews of outstanding loans by our credit review department. However, we cannot assure you that such approval and monitoring procedures will reduce these credit risks.

Commercial loans make up a significant portion of our loan portfolio.

Commercial loans were $1.48 billion (including $1.10 billion of commercial real estate loans), or approximately 69% of our total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006. Our commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Most often, this collateral is accounts receivable, inventory, machinery or real estate. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers. The other types of collateral securing these loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

Our loan portfolio has a large concentration of commercial real estate loans, which involve risks specific to real estate value.

Commercial real estate lending is a large portion of our commercial loan portfolio. These loans were $1.10 billion, or approximately 74% of our total commercial loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006. The market value of real estate can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in the geographic area in which the real estate is located. Although a significant portion of such loans are secured by real estate as a secondary form of collateral, adverse developments affecting real estate values in one or more of our markets could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Additionally, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of the control of the borrower or lender could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties.

If the loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled during a time when market conditions are declining or have declined, then we may not be able to realize the amount of security that we anticipated at the time of originating the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Our commercial real estate loans also include commercial construction loans, including land acquisition and development. Construction, land acquisition and development lending involve additional risks because funds are advanced based upon estimates of costs and the estimated value of the completed project. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, as well as the market value of the completed project and the effects of governmental regulation on real property, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds required to complete a project and the related loan-to-value ratio. As a result, commercial construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower to sell or lease the property, rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest. If our appraisal of the value of the completed project proves to be overstated, we may have inadequate security for the repayment of the loan upon completion of construction of the project.

Our agricultural loans may involve a greater degree of risk than other loans, and the ability of the borrower to repay may be affected by many factors outside of the borrower’s control.

At December 31, 2006, agricultural real estate loans totaled $151.7 million, or 7%, of our total loan and lease portfolio. Payments on agricultural real estate loans are dependent on the profitable operation or management of the farm property securing the loan. The success of the farm may be affected by many factors outside the control of the borrower, including adverse weather conditions that prevent the planting of a crop or limit crop yields (such as hail, drought and floods), loss of livestock due to disease or other factors, declines in market prices for agricultural products (both domestically and internationally) and the impact of government regulations (including changes in price supports, subsidies and environmental regulations). In addition, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may significantly affect the successful operation of the farm. If the cash flow from a farming operation is diminished, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired. The primary crops in our market areas are corn, soybeans, peanuts and wheat. Accordingly, adverse circumstances affecting these crops could have an adverse effect on our agricultural real estate loan portfolio.

We also originate agricultural operating loans. At December 31, 2006, these loans totaled $82.0 million, or 4%, of our total loan and lease portfolio. As with agricultural real estate loans, the repayment of operating loans is dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property. Likewise, agricultural operating loans involve a greater degree of risk than lending on residential properties, particularly in the case of loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as farm equipment or assets such as livestock or crops. The primary livestock in our market areas include dairy cows, hogs and feeder cattle. In these cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation.

Our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans may result in lower yields and profitability.

One- to four-family residential mortgage loans comprised $225.3 million, or 10%, of our loan and lease portfolio at December 31, 2006, and are secured primarily by properties located in the Midwest. These loans result in lower yields and lower profitability for us and are generally made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayments from his or her employment and the value of the property securing the loan.

Our consumer loans generally have a higher degree of risk of default than our other loans.

At December 31, 2006, consumer loans totaled $194.7 million, or 9%, of our total loan and lease portfolio. Consumer loans typically have shorter terms and lower balances with higher yields as compared to one- to four-family residential loans, but generally carry higher risks of default. Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on these loans. Citizens Finance loans totaled $37.4 million at December 31, 2006, or 19% of the total consumer loan portfolio.

Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb probable losses in our loan portfolio.

We established our allowance for loan losses in consultation with management of the Bank Subsidiaries and maintain it at a level considered adequate by management to absorb probable loan losses that are inherent in the portfolio. The amount of future loan losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, which may be beyond our control, and such losses may exceed current estimates. At December 31, 2006, our allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.40% and as a percentage of total non-performing loans was approximately 356%. Although management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb losses on any existing loans that may become uncollectible, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty, and we cannot assure you that our allowance for loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future. Loan losses in excess of our reserves may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our continued pace of growth may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.

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

Government regulation can result in limitations on our operations.

We operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to supervision and regulation by a number of governmental regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the various state agencies where we have a bank presence. Regulations adopted by these agencies, which are generally intended to provide protection for depositors and customers rather than for the benefit of stockholders, govern a comprehensive range of matters relating to ownership and control of our shares, our acquisition of other companies and businesses, permissible activities for us to engage in, maintenance of adequate capital levels and other aspects of our operations. These bank regulators possess broad authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law. The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry could change at any time and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Increased regulation could increase our cost of compliance and adversely affect profitability. For example, new legislation or regulation may limit the manner in which we may conduct our business, including our ability to offer new products, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory interest spreads.

We have a continuing need for technological change and we may not have the resources to effectively implement new technology.

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

System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.

The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or a similar catastrophic event, as well as from security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins, phishing and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. Although we, with the help of third-party service providers, intend to continue to implement security technology and establish operational procedures to prevent such damage, there can be no assurance that these security measures will be successful. In addition, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we and our third-party service providers use to encrypt and protect customer transaction data. A failure of such security measures could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, customer or employee fraud and data processing system failures and errors.

Employee errors and employee or customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers or improper use of confidential information. It is not always possible to prevent employee errors and misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors could also subject us to financial claims for negligence.

We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks, including data processing system failures and errors and customer or employee fraud. Should our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

As of December 31, 2006, Heartland had no unresolved staff comments.
 

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

The following table is a listing of Heartland’s principal operating facilities:

 
Name and Main Facility Address
Main Facility
Square Footage
Main Facility
Owned or Leased
Number of Locations
       
Banking Subsidiaries
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
1398 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
 
 
59,500
 
 
Owned
 
 
8
       
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
971 Gear Street
Galena, IL 61036
 
 
18,000
 
 
Owned
 
 
3
       
Riverside Community Bank
6855 E. Riverside Blvd.
Rockford, IL 60114
 
 
8,000
 
 
Owned
 
 
4
       
First Community Bank
320 Concert Street
Keokuk, IA 52632
 
 
6,000
 
 
Owned
 
 
3
       
Wisconsin Community Bank
580 North Main Street
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
 
 
6,000
 
 
Owned
 
 
6
       
New Mexico Bank & Trust
320 Gold NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
 
 
11,400
 
Lease term
through 2011
 
 
15
       
Arizona Bank & Trust
1000 N. 54th Street
Chandler, AZ 85226
 
 
8,500
 
 
Owned
 
 
5
       
Rocky Mountain Bank
2615 King Avenue West
Billings, MT 59102
 
 
16,600
 
 
Owned
 
 
9
       
Summit Bank & Trust
2002 E. Coalton Road
Broomfield, CO 80027
 
 
14,000
 
 
Owned
 
 
1
       
Non-Bank Subsidiaries
     
Citizens Finance Co.
1275 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
 
 
Leased from
DB&T
 
 
8
       

The principal office of Heartland is located in Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's main office.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are certain legal proceedings pending against Heartland and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2006, that are ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business. 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 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of 2006 to a vote of security holders.


PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Heartland's common stock was held by approximately 1,500 stockholders of record as of March 9, 2007, and approximately 1,600 additional stockholders held shares in street name. The common stock of Heartland has been quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System since May 2003 under the symbol “HTLF”. Prior to quotation on the Nasdaq National Market System, the common stock of Heartland was traded on the over-the-counter market.

For the periods indicated, the following table shows the range of reported prices per share of Heartland's common stock in the Nasdaq National Market System. These quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail markups, markdowns, or commissions and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Heartland Common Stock
   
     
Calendar Quarter
High
Low
     
2006:
   
First
$ 23.60
$ 20.11
Second
  26.67
  22.55
Third
 27.86
 24.16
Fourth
 31.08
 25.10
     
2005:
   
First
$ 21.31
$ 18.37
Second
   21.22
 19.06
Third
  20.99
 19.04
Fourth
  21.74
 18.84
     

Cash dividends have been declared by Heartland quarterly during the past two years ending December 31, 2006. The following table sets forth the cash dividends per share paid on Heartland's common stock for the past two years:

Calendar Quarter
2006
2005
     
First
$ .09
$ .08
Second
  .09
  .08
Third
  .09
  .08
Fourth
  .09
  .09


Heartland's ability to pay dividends to stockholders is largely dependent upon the dividends it receives from the Bank Subsidiaries, and the Bank Subsidiaries are subject to regulatory limitations on the amount of cash dividends they may pay. See "Business - Supervision and Regulation - Heartland - Dividend Payments" and "Business - Supervision and Regulation - The Bank Subsidiaries - Dividend Payments" for a more detailed description of these limitations.

Heartland has issued junior subordinated debentures in several private placements. Under the terms of the debentures, Heartland may be prohibited, under certain circumstances, from paying dividends on shares of its common stock. Heartland’s revolving credit agreement also contains specific covenants which, among other things, limit dividend payments by Heartland under certain circumstances. None of these circumstances currently exist.
 

The following table provides information about purchases by Heartland and its affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended December 31, 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)
 
10/01/06-
10/31/06
 
7,001
 
$27.85
 
7,001
 
$4,421,909
 
11/01/06-
11/30/06
 
264
 
$27.75
 
264
 
$4,455,330
 
12/01/06-
12/31/06
 
16,626
 
$27.82
 
16,626
 
$5,000,000
 
Total:
 
23,891
 
$27.83
 
23,891
 
N/A

(1)  
On October 19, 2004, Heartland’s board of directors increased the dollar value of its common stock that management is authorized to acquire and hold as treasury shares from $4.0 million to $5.0 million at any one time.

The following table and graph show a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for Heartland Financial USA, Inc., the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Bank Stock Index. Figures for our common stock represent inter-dealer quotations, without retail markups, markdowns or commissions and do not necessarily represent actual transactions. Heartland became listed on Nasdaq in May, 2003. The table and graph were prepared at our request by Research Data Group, Inc.


Cumulative Total Return Performance
 
12/31/01
12/31/02
12/31/03
12/31/04
12/31/05
12/31/06
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
$100.00
$138.47
$227.43
$250.16
$274.42
$370.10
Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.)
$100.00
$71.97
$107.18
$117.07
$120.50
$137.02
Nasdaq Bank Index
$100.00
$59.14
$89.11
$103.85
$130.57
$166.05

 

 

COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DECEMBER 31, 2001

*Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends





ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                               
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
   
2003
   
2002
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA
                                       
Interest income
 
$
192,539
   
$
153,404
   
$
121,394
   
$
99,517
   
$
100,012
 
Interest expense
   
86,210
     
59,462
     
43,298
     
37,312
     
41,029
 
Net interest income
   
106,329
     
93,942
     
78,096
     
62,205
     
58,983
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
3,886
     
6,533
     
4,846
     
4,183
     
3,553
 
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
   
102,443
     
87,409
     
73,250
     
58,022
     
55,430
 
Noninterest income
   
29,087
     
25,474
     
23,205
     
22,167
     
15,575
 
Noninterest expenses
   
94,521
     
80,770
     
68,852
     
54,704
     
47,557
 
Income taxes
   
11,989
     
9,859
     
7,718
     
7,990
     
7,279
 
Income from continuing operations
   
25,020
     
22,254
     
19,885
     
17,495
     
16,169
 
Discontinued operations:
                                       
Income from discontinued operations (including gain on sale of $20 in 2006 and $2,602 in 2002)
   
602
     
763
     
585
     
371
     
4,416
 
Income taxes
   
520
     
291
     
218
     
147
     
1,718
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
82
     
472
     
367
     
224
     
2,698
 
Net income
 
$
25,102
   
$
22,726
   
$
20,252
   
$
17,719
   
$
18,867
 
                                         
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
                                       
Net income - diluted
 
$
1.50
   
$
1.36
   
$
1.26
   
$
1.16
   
$
1.28
 
Income from continuing operations - diluted1
   
1.50
     
1.33
     
1.24
     
1.15
     
1.09
 
Cash dividends
   
0.36
     
0.33
     
0.32
     
0.27
     
0.27
 
Dividend payout ratio
   
23.53
%
   
23.82
%
   
24.87
%
   
23.09
%
   
20.81
%
Book value
 
$
12.65
   
$
11.46
   
$
10.69
   
$
9.29
   
$
8.40
 
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
   
16,734,989
     
16,702,146
     
16,084,557
     
15,258,440
     
14,783,554
 
                                         
BALANCE SHEET DATA
                                       
Investments and federal funds sold
 
$
617,119
   
$
567,002
   
$
553,284
   
$
451,753
   
$
424,514
 
Loans held for sale
   
50,381
     
40,745
     
32,161
     
25,678
     
23,167
 
Total loans and leases, net of unearned
   
2,147,845
     
1,953,066
     
1,772,954
     
1,322,549
     
1,152,069
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
29,981
     
27,791
     
24,973
     
18,490
     
16,091
 
Total assets
   
3,058,242
     
2,818,332
     
2,629,055
     
2,018,366
     
1,785,979
 
Total deposits
   
2,311,657
     
2,118,178
     
1,983,846
     
1,492,488
     
1,337,985
 
Long-term obligations
   
224,523
     
220,871
     
196,193
     
173,958
     
161,379
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
209,711
     
187,812
     
175,782
     
140,923
     
124,041
 
                                         
EARNINGS PERFORMANCE DATA
                                       
Return on average total assets
   
0.86
%
   
0.84
%
   
0.87
%
   
0.95
%
   
1.13
%
Return on average stockholders’ equity
   
12.86
     
12.55
     
12.82
     
13.46
     
16.44
 
Net interest margin ratio1,2
   
4.18
     
4.04
     
3.91
     
3.86
     
4.13
 
Earnings to fixed charges:
                                       
Excluding interest on deposits
   
2.60
x
   
2.97
x
   
3.19
x
   
3.61
x
   
3.44
x
Including interest on deposits
   
1.43
     
1.55
     
1.64
     
1.69
     
1.58
 
                                         
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
                                       
Nonperforming assets to total assets
   
0.34
%
   
0.60
%
   
0.41
%
   
0.32
%
   
0.29
%
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
   
0.39
     
0.77
     
0.56
     
0.42
     
0.39
 
Net loan and lease charge-offs to average loans and leases
   
0.11
     
0.18
     
0.16
     
0.14
     
0.16
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases
   
1.40
     
1.42
     
1.41
     
1.40
     
1.40
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans and leases
   
356.11
     
185.37
     
251.62
     
333.11
     
358.77
 
                                         
CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL RATIOS
                                       
Average equity to average assets
   
6.66
%
   
6.68
%
   
6.77
%
   
7.03
%
   
6.86
%
Total capital to risk-adjusted assets
   
11.18
     
10.61
     
10.82
     
12.42
     
11.86
 
Tier 1 leverage
   
7.74
     
7.66
     
7.26
     
8.07
     
8.24
 
     
1
 
Excludes the discontinued operations of ULTEA and the related gain on sale in 2006 and operations of our Eau Claire branch and the related gain on sale in 2002.
2
 
Tax equivalent using a 35% tax rate for all periods presented.


ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following presents management’s discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") as of the dates and for the periods indicated. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data, Heartland’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto and other financial data appearing elsewhere in this report. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heartland and its subsidiaries. All of Heartland’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned except for Arizona Bank & Trust, of which Heartland was a 91% owner on December 31, 2006, and an 86% owner on December 31, 2005 and 2004; Summit Bank & Trust, of which Heartland was an 80% owner on December 31, 2006; and Summit Acquisition Corporation of which Heartland was a 99% owner on December 31, 2006.

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 this Form 10-K. 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.

OVERVIEW

Heartland is a diversified financial services holding company providing full-service community banking through nine banking subsidiaries with a total of 54 banking locations in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana and Colorado. In addition, Heartland has separate subsidiaries in the consumer finance, insurance and investment management businesses. Heartland's primary strategy is to balance its focus on increasing profitability with asset growth and diversification through acquisitions, de novo bank formations and branch openings.

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, fees and gains on 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 and provision for loan and lease losses.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $25.1 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, an increase of $2.4 million or 10% from the net income of $22.7 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, recorded for 2005. Return on average equity was 12.86% and return on average assets was 0.86% for 2006, compared to 12.55% and 0.84%, respectively, for 2005. During the first quarter of 2006, a pre-tax judgment of $2.4 million was recorded as noninterest expense, while a $286,000 award under a counterclaim was recorded as a loan loss recovery. The net after tax effect to net income for this one-time event was $1.3 million. Exclusive of this expense, Heartland’s net income for 2006 was $26.4 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, an increase of $3.7 million or 16% over 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 2006.

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 $540 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.

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 $286,000 for its counterclaim against the plaintiff in a lawsuit regarding a breach of contract claim relating to the 2002 sale of Wisconsin Community Bank’s Eau Claire branch. Heartland recorded the judgments in the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Heartland has filed an appeal to the court ruling and the plaintiff subsequently filed a cross-appeal. We do not expect any resolution on this issue for some time.

The sale of ULTEA Inc., Heartland’s fleet leasing subsidiary, to ALD Automotive was completed on December 22, 2006. Total assets of ULTEA at the date of sale were $50.3 million. The attached financial statements reflect the results of operations of ULTEA on the consolidated statements of income as discontinued operations for both the current and prior periods. During 2006, income from operations of this discontinued subsidiary included the $20,000 pre-tax gain recorded as a result of the sale. This past year, 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 strategic divestitures represent Heartland’s commitment to focus resources on its core banking and consumer finance businesses.

The improved earnings during 2006 were primarily due to the $12.4 million or 13% growth in net interest income. Average earning assets increased $220.5 million or 9% from $2.41 billion during 2005 to $2.63 billion during 2006. Noninterest income increased $3.6 million or 14% during 2006 compared to 2005. The categories experiencing the largest increases were service charges and fees, loan servicing income, trust fees, brokerage and insurance commissions and securities gains. Also contributing to the increased earnings during 2006 was a $2.6 million or 41% reduction in the provision for loan and lease losses resulting from the positive resolution of a significant portion of nonperforming and nonaccrual loans, along with a $1.2 million or 34% decline in net charge-offs. For 2006, noninterest expense increased $13.8 million or 17% when compared to 2005. The largest contributor to this increase was salaries and employee benefits, which grew by $6.1 million or 13% during this one-year comparative period. This growth in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily the result of additional staffing at Heartland’s operations center 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 Summit Bank & Trust, which began operations in October 2005 as a loan production office under the Rocky Mountain Bank umbrella. The $2.4 million judgment recorded during the first quarter of 2006 was also a major factor in the increase in noninterest expense for the one-year comparative period. Exclusive of the judgment, noninterest expense increased $11.4 million or 14% in comparison to 2005. Costs associated with the expansion efforts have also contributed to increases in occupancy, advertising and other noninterest expense during both the one-year comparative periods.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2005, was $22.7 million, an increase of $2.4 million or 12%, over the $20.3 million recorded for 2004. Earnings per diluted share was $1.36 for 2005, compared to $1.26 for 2004, an increase of $.10 or 8%. Return on average equity was 12.55% and return on average assets was 0.84% for 2005, compared to 12.82% and 0.87%, respectively, for 2004. The improved earnings were primarily due to the $15.7 million or 20% growth in net interest income. Average earning assets increased from $2.07 billion during 2004 to $2.41 billion during 2005, an increase of $341.5 million or 17%. Noninterest income improved $2.3 million or 10%, driven primarily by service charges and fees, trust fees and other noninterest income. Partially offsetting these increases was the $1.7 million or 35% additional provision for loan and lease losses and the $11.9 million or 17% increase in noninterest expense during 2005. Expansion efforts completed during 2005 included the opening of one banking location at each of the following Bank Subsidiaries: Arizona Bank & Trust, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank and Riverside Community Bank. Also contributing to the increased earnings for 2005, compared to 2004, was a full year of earnings at the acquired Rocky Mountain Bank. This acquisition was completed on June 1, 2004, therefore only seven months of their earnings were included in the 2004 results. Rocky Mountain Bank’s contribution to net income during 2005 was $2.8 million compared to $2.3 million during the last seven months of 2004.

At December 31, 2006, total assets exceeded $3.0 billion, an increase of $239.9 million or 9% since year-end 2005. Total loans and leases were $2.1 billion at December 31, 2006, an increase of $194.8 million or 10% since year-end 2005. The May 15, 2006, acquisition of Bank of the Southwest by Arizona Bank & Trust accounted for $50.9 million or 26% of this growth. The Heartland subsidiary banks experiencing notable loan growth since year-end 2005 were New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Rocky Mountain Bank. The commercial and commercial real estate loan category grew by $179.7 million or 14%. 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 $158.7 million or 12%. Total deposits at December 31, 2006, were $2.3 billion, an increase of $193.5 million or 9% since year-end 2005. The acquisition of Bank of the Southwest accounted for $44.4 million or 23% of this growth. All of Heartland’s subsidiary banks except for First Community Bank and Galena State Bank and Trust Company experienced growth in deposits since year-end 2005 with 70% of the growth occurring in our banks located in the West. Demand deposits experienced an $18.8 million or 5% increase with the Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributing $17.0 million in demand deposit balances at closing. Savings deposit balances increased by $68.6 million or 9%. At closing, the Bank of the Southwest accounted for $17.4 million in savings deposit balances. Brokered time deposits decreased $45.0 million or 31% while other time deposit balances increased $151.1 million or 17% since year-end 2005. The Bank of the Southwest acquisition contributed $10.0 million in other time deposit balances. Of particular note is that we were able to replace a large portion of the maturing brokered time deposits with deposits from our local markets. As interest rates moved upward during the first half of the year and remained at those levels, many deposit customers 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 to retain existing deposit customers, as well as to attract new customers.

At December 31, 2005, total assets reached $2.82 billion, an increase of $189.3 million or 7% since year-end 2004. Total loans and leases were $1.95 billion at December 31, 2005, an increase of $180.1 million or 10% since year-end 2004. All of Heartland’s subsidiary banks experienced loan growth since year-end 2004, with major contributions from Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Galena State Bank and Trust Company. All loan categories increased during 2005, with $142.0 million or 79% of the total loan growth in the commercial and commercial real estate category. Total deposits at December 31, 2005, were $2.12 billion, an increase of $134.3 million or 7% since year-end 2004. Except for Wisconsin Community Bank and First Community Bank, all of Heartland’s subsidiary banks increased deposits during 2005. Demand deposit balances increased by $29.7 million or 9% and time deposit balances increased by $101.1 million or 11% during the year. Two of Heartland’s newer de novo banks, New Mexico Bank & Trust and Arizona Bank & Trust, were the most successful at attracting demand deposits during 2005. Also experiencing meaningful growth in demand deposits in 2005 was Rocky Mountain Bank. Over half of the growth in the time deposit category occurred at Heartland’s largest subsidiary bank, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company. All of the other Heartland subsidiary banks, except for Wisconsin Community and First Community Bank, experienced growth in time deposits, with more significant growth occurring at New Mexico Bank & Trust and Rocky Mountain Bank. Of particular note is that substantially all of the growth in time deposits occurred in deposits from local markets, as total brokered deposits ended 2005 at $145.5 million, an increase of $4.5 million or less than 4% since year-end 2004.
 
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 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 December 31, 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.

The table below estimates the theoretical range of the 2006 allowance outcomes and related changes in provision expense assuming either a reasonably possible deterioration in loan credit quality or a reasonably possible improvement in loan credit quality.

THEORETICAL RANGE OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
       
Allowance for loan and lease losses at December 31, 2006
$
29,981
 
Assuming deterioration in credit quality:
     
Addition to provision
 
2,461
 
Resultant allowance for loan and lease losses
$
32,442
 
Assuming improvement in credit quality:
     
Reduction in provision
 
(974
)
Resultant allowance for loan and lease losses
$
29,007
 

The assumptions underlying this sensitivity analysis represent an attempt to quantify theoretical changes that could occur in the total allowance for loan and lease losses given various economic assumptions that could impact inherent loss in the current loan and lease portfolio. It further assumes that the general composition of the allowance for loans and lease losses determined through Heartland’s existing process and methodology remains relatively unchanged. It does not attempt to encompass extreme and/or prolonged economic downturns, systemic contractions to specific industries, or systemic shocks to the financial services sector. The addition to provision was calculated based upon the assumption that, under an economic downturn, a certain percentage of loan balances in each rating pool would migrate from its current loan grade to the next lower loan grade. The reduction in provision was calculated based upon the assumption that, under an economic upturn, a certain percentage of loan balances in each rating pool would migrate from its current loan grade to the next higher loan grade. The estimation of the percentage of loan balances that would migrate from its current rating pool to the next was based upon Heartland’s experiences during previous periods of economic movement.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities. As such, net interest income is affected by changes in the volume and yields on earning assets and the volume and rates paid on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is the ratio of tax equivalent net interest income to average earning assets.

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 4.18% during 2006 compared to 4.04% for 2005. Heartland’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, has been a contributing factor to the improvement of the net interest margin. During 2006, 40% of Heartland’s average earning assets were situated in the West compared to 37% during 2005. The tax equivalent interest rate paid on earning assets increased 95 basis points while the interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities increased 93 basis points.

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 4.04% for 2005 compared to 3.91% for 2004. This improvement was also driven by the expansion out West, as 37% of Heartland’s average earning assets were situated in the West during 2005 compared to 30% during 2004. Growth in average noninterest bearing deposits was $51.9 million or 19%, primarily due to the deposit growth at New Mexico Bank &Trust. Also contributing to this improvement was management’s ability to lag increases in interest rates paid on the Bank Subsidiaries’ interest bearing deposit accounts as the federal funds increased throughout the year. The tax equivalent interest rate paid on earning assets increased 50 basis points while the interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities increased 44 basis points.

Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $12.6 million or 13% during 2006 and $16.4 million or 20% during 2005. Fluctuations in net interest income between years is related to changes in the volume of average earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, combined with changes in average yields and rates of the corresponding assets and liabilities as demonstrated in the tables at the end of this section. The percentage of average loans to total average assets increased from 68% during 2004 to 69% during 2005 and 70% during 2006.

On a tax-equivalent basis, interest income was $196.1 million during 2006 compared to $156.7 million during 2005, an increase of $39.4 million or 25%. This increase was primarily caused by the increase in interest rates during the first six months of 2006. The national prime interest rate increased at 25 basis point increments throughout the first six months of the year going from 7.25% on January 1, 2006, to 8.25% on July 1, 2006. More than half of the loans in Heartland’s commercial and agricultural loan portfolios are floating rate loans, thus changes in the national prime rate have an impact on Heartland’s interest income more quickly than if the loan portfolio consisted of more fixed rate loans.

Interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, was $156.7 million during 2005 compared to $124.2 million during 2004, an increase of $32.6 million or 26% during 2005. Rocky Mountain Bank’s portion of this interest income was $22.0 million in 2005 and $12.3 million during the seven months of operations under the Heartland umbrella during 2004. The increase in interest income resulted from the $341.5 million or 17% growth in earning assets, as well as the steady rises that have occurred in the prime interest rate since the first quarter of 2004. The national prime interest rate escalated 300 basis points during 2005, ending the year at 7.25%.

Interest expense for 2006 was $86.2 million compared to $59.5 million during 2005, an increase of $26.7 million or 45%. As rates moved upward during the first half of 2006 and continued at those levels during the remainder of the year, Heartland experienced some movement in deposit balances from lower yielding accounts into higher yielding money market and certificate of deposit accounts. The targeted federal funds rate increased in 25 basis point increments going from 4.25% at the beginning of the year to 5.25% on June 29, 2006, and remained at the 5.25% level for the remainder of the year. Approximately 68% of Heartland’s certificate of deposit accounts will mature within the next twelve months at a weighted average rate of 4.64%.

Interest expense during 2005 was $59.5 million compared to $43.3 million during 2004, an increase of $16.2 million or 37%. Rocky Mountain Bank’s portion of this interest expense was $6.7 million during 2005 and $3.4 million during 2004. The increases in interest expense in 2005 resulted from the growth in interest-bearing deposit accounts, as well as the rising rate environment. The federal funds rate began increasing on June 30, 2004, in 25 basis points increments, from its abnormally low rate of 1.00% 2.25% at year-end 2004. These 25 basis point incremental increases continued throughout all of 2005 to end the year at 4.25%. Rates on Heartland’s deposit accounts do not immediately reprice as a result of increases in the federal funds rate, but continual increases in the federal funds rate, as experienced during the last half of 2004 and throughout 2005, does place pressure on the rates paid on these products to maintain existing balances.

Heartland manages its balance sheet to minimize the effect a change in interest rates has on its net interest margin. During 2007, 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. Prior to implementation of these transactions, Heartland’s interest rate risk model suggested that a 200 basis point downward shift in rates over a two-year period would decrease Heartland’s net interest margin by 9%. Current modeling suggests that the same 200 basis point downward shift in interest rates would decrease Heartland’s net interest margin by 6%.

On February 5, 2007, Heartland entered into two interest rate cap transactions on a total notional amount of $45.0 million to reduce the potentially negative impact an upward rate environment would have on net interest income. These two-year contracts were acquired with the counterparty as the payer on 3-month LIBOR at a cap strike rate of 5.50% and were designated as a cash flow hedge against the LIBOR based variable-rate interest payments on Heartland’s subordinated debentures associated with two of its trust preferred capital securities. The cost of these derivative transactions was $90 thousand.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to Heartland’s average consolidated balance sheets and reflects the yield on average earning assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities for the years indicated. Dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities derives such yields and costs. Average balances are derived from daily balances, and nonaccrual loans are included in each respective loan category.




ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, TAX EQUIVALENT YIELDS AND RATES 1
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
   
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
EARNING ASSETS
                                                             
Securities:
                                                             
Taxable
 
$
419,625
   
$
17,594
 
4.19
%
 
$
400,993
   
$
13,896
 
3.47
%
 
$
373,727
   
$
13,401
   
3.59
%
Nontaxable 1
   
131,149
     
8,843
 
6.74
     
121,227
     
8,481
 
7.00
     
98,195
     
7,037
   
7.17
 
Total securities
   
550,774
     
26,437
 
4.80
     
522,220
     
22,377
 
4.28
     
471,922
     
20,438
   
4.33
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
555
     
22
 
3.96
     
6,994
     
277
 
3.96
     
6,653
     
227
   
3.41
 
Federal funds sold
   
12,034
     
645
 
5.36
     
13,785
     
475
 
3.45
     
10,412
     
175
   
1.68
 
Loans and leases:
                                                             
Commercial and commercial real estate 1
   
1,432,003
     
109,814
 
7.67
     
1,236,324
     
81,411
 
6.58
     
1,039,055
     
61,090
   
5.88
 
Residential mortgage
   
230,043
     
15,050
 
6.54
     
233,717
     
14,223
 
6.09
     
196,267
     
11,643
   
5.93
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate 1
   
230,218
     
18,476
 
8.03
     
228,949
     
15,892
 
6.94
     
199,591
     
13,081
   
6.55
 
Consumer
   
188,468
     
18,743
 
9.94
     
178,142
     
15,718
 
8.82
     
150,842
     
12,324
   
8.17
 
Direct financing leases, net
   
13,913
     
839
 
6.03
     
14,250
     
790
 
5.54
     
13,713
     
819
   
5.97
 
Fees on loans
   
-
     
6,099
 
-
     
-
     
5,576
 
-
     
-
     
4,353
   
-
 
Less: allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(29,801
)
   
-
 
-
     
(26,659
)
   
-
 
-
     
(22,221
)
   
-
   
-
 
Net loans and leases
   
2,064,844
     
169,021
 
8.19
     
1,864,723
     
133,610
 
7.17
     
1,577,247
     
103,310
   
6.55
 
Total earning assets
   
2,628,207
     
196,125
 
7.46
     
2,407,722
     
156,739
 
6.51
     
2,066,234
     
124,150
   
6.01
 
NONEARNING ASSETS 
                                                             
Total nonearning assets
   
301,495
     
-
 
-
     
300,774
     
-
 
-
     
266,885
     
-
   
-
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
2,929,702
   
$
196,125
 
6.69
%
 
$
2,708,496
   
$
156,739
 
5.79
%
 
$
2,333,119
   
$
124,150
   
5.32
%
INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                                             
Interest bearing deposits:
                                                             
Savings
 
$
792,875
   
$
19,167
 
2.42
%
 
$
754,086
   
$
10,991
 
1.46
%
 
$
670,758
   
$
5,890
   
0.88
%
Time, $100,000 and over
   
225,874
     
9,498
 
4.20
     
201,377
     
6,505
 
3.23
     
152,787
     
3,957
   
2.59
 
Other time deposits
   
837,335
     
34,628
 
4.14
     
758,448
     
25,887
 
3.41
     
651,611
     
21,001
   
3.22
 
Short-term borrowings
   
226,943
     
9,866
 
4.35
     
201,142
     
5,373
 
2.67
     
167,665
     
2,414
   
1.44
 
Other borrowings
   
229,020
     
13,051
 
5.70
     
211,558
     
10,706
 
5.06
     
190,200
     
10,036
   
5.28
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
   
2,312,047
     
86,210
 
3.73
     
2,126,611
     
59,462
 
2.80
     
1,833,021
     
43,298
   
2.36
 
NONINTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
                                                             
Noninterest bearing deposits
   
351,239
     
-
         
330,379
     
-
         
278,432
     
-
       
Accrued interest and other liabilities
   
71,292
     
-
         
70,470
     
-
         
63,753
     
-
       
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
   
422,531
                 
400,849
                 
342,185
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
   
195,124
     
-
         
181,036
     
-
         
157,913
     
-
       
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
2,929,702
   
$
86,210
 
2.94
%
 
$
2,708,496
   
$
59,462
 
2.20
%
 
$
2,333,119
   
$
43,298
   
1.86
%
                                                               
Net interest income 1
         
$
109,915
               
$
97,277
               
$
80,852
       
Net interest income to total earning assets 1
               
4.18
%
               
4.04
%
                 
3.91
%
Interest bearing liabilities to earning assets
   
87.97
%
               
88.32
%
               
88.71
%
             
                                                               
1 Tax equivalent basis is calculated using an effective tax rate of 35%.

The following table allocates the changes in net interest income to differences in either average balances or average rates for earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. The changes have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and change due to rate. Interest income is measured on a tax equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate.





ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
2006 Compared to 2005
 
2005 Compared to 2004
 
2004 Compared to 2003
   
Change Due to
 
Change Due to
 
Change Due to
   
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net
EARNING ASSETS / INTEREST INCOME
                                                                       
Investment securities:
                                                                       
Taxable
 
$
646
   
$
3,052
   
$
3,698
   
$
978
   
$
(483
)
 
$
495
   
$
1,658
   
$
2,643
   
$
4,301
 
Tax-exempt
   
694
     
(332
)
   
362
     
1,651
     
(207
)
   
1,444
     
1,303
     
(345
)
   
958
 
Interest bearing deposits
   
(255
)
   
-
     
(255
)
   
12
     
38
     
50
     
(19
)
   
72
     
53
 
Federal funds sold
   
(60
)
   
230
     
170
     
57
     
243
     
300
     
(247
)
   
67
     
(180
)
Loans and leases
   
14,339
     
21,072
     
35,411
     
18,830
     
11,470
     
30,300
     
24,099
     
(6,878
)
   
17,221
 
TOTAL EARNING ASSETS
   
15,364
     
24,022
     
39,386
     
21,528
     
11,061
     
32,589
     
26,794
     
(4,441
)
   
22,353
 
                                                                         
LIABILITIES / INTEREST EXPENSE
                                                                       
Interest bearing deposits:
                                                                       
Savings
   
565
     
7,611
     
8,176
     
732
     
4,369
     
5,101
     
1,251
     
(159
)
   
1,092
 
Time, $100,000 and over
   
791
     
2,202
     
2,993
     
1,258
     
1,290
     
2,548
     
316
     
(79
)
   
237
 
Other time deposits
   
2,693
     
6,048
     
8,741
     
3,443
     
1,443
     
4,886
     
4,522
     
(2,766
)
   
1,756
 
Short-term borrowings
   
689
     
3,804
     
4,493
     
482
     
2,477
     
2,959
     
352
     
185
     
537
 
Other borrowings
   
884
     
1,461
     
2,345
     
1,127
     
(457
)
   
670
     
3,035
     
(671
)
   
2,364
 
TOTAL INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES
   
5,622
     
21,126
     
26,748
     
7,042
     
9,122
     
16,164
     
9,476
     
(3,490
)
   
5,986
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
$
9,742
   
$
2,896
   
$
12,638
   
$
14,486
   
$
1,939
   
$
16,425
   
$
17,318
   
$
(951
)
 
$
16,367
 

PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision charged to expense to provide, in Heartland management’s opinion, an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses. 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. The provision for loan losses during 2006 was $3.9 million compared to $6.5 million in 2005, a decrease of $2.6 million or 41%. The positive resolution of a significant portion of our nonperforming and nonaccrual loans, along with a $1.2 million or 34% decline in net charge-offs during 2006 compared to 2005, contributed to the reduction in the provision for loan losses during 2006. The provision for loan losses was $6.5 million during 2005 compared to $4.8 million in 2004, an increase of $1.7 million or 35%. This increase resulted from the loan growth experienced along with the downgrading of a few large credits and higher than historical charge-offs at Citizens Finance Co. as a result of the change in bankruptcy laws.
 
NONINTEREST INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
% Change
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2006/
2005
 
2005/
2004
Service charges and fees, net
 
$
11,199
   
$
9,323
   
$
8,666
   
20
   
8
 
Loan servicing income
   
4,279
     
3,093
     
2,585
   
38
   
20
 
Trust fees
   
7,258
     
6,530
     
4,968
   
11
   
31
 
Brokerage and insurance commissions
   
1,871
     
1,401
     
1,857
   
34
   
(25
)
Securities gains, net
   
553
     
198
     
1,861
   
179
   
(89
)
Gain (loss) on trading account securities
   
141
     
(11
)
   
54
   
1382
   
(120
)
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(76
)
   
-
     
-
   
-
   
-
 
Gains on sale of loans
   
2,289
     
2,572
     
2,186
   
(11
)
 
18
 
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
   
-
     
39
     
92
   
(100
)
 
(58
)
Income on bank-owned life insurance
   
1,151
     
1,022
     
1,112
   
13
   
(8
)
Other noninterest income
   
422
     
1,307
     
(176
)
 
(68
)
 
843
 
Total noninterest income
 
$
29,087
   
$
25,474
   
$
23,205
   
14
   
10
 

The table shows Heartland’s noninterest income for the years indicated. Total noninterest income increased $3.6 million or 14% during 2006 and $2.3 million or 10% during 2005. The noninterest income categories contributing significantly to the improvement during 2006 were service charges and fees, loan servicing income and trust fees.  Recorded in other noninterest income during the third quarter of 2005 was the forgiveness of $500,000 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 $4.1 million or 16% during 2006. The noninterest income categories reflecting significant improvement during 2005 were service charges and fees, loan servicing income, trust fees and other noninterest income, while securities gains were significantly reduced. Rocky Mountain Bank recorded noninterest income of $2.5 million during 2005 and $1.5 million during its seven months of operations under the Heartland umbrella of community banks during 2004.

Service charges and fees increased $1.9 million or 20% during 2006 and $657 thousand or 8% during 2005. Rocky Mountain Bank recorded services charges and fees of $1.3 million during 2005 compared to $683 thousand during the seven months of 2004 of operations under the Heartland umbrella. 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 increase of overdraft fees. Overdraft fees were $5.3 million during 2006 compared to $4.3 million during 2005 and $4.0 million during 2004. Also included in service charges and fees were the fees recorded at HTLF Capital Corp., which were $502 thousand during 2006 compared to $181 thousand during 2005 and $255 thousand during 2004. These fees were recorded when transactions closed and, as a result, could 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 $1.2 million or 38% during 2006 and $508 thousand or 20% during 2005. Servicing fees on commercial loans totaled $2.5 million during 2006, $1.7 million during 2005 and $1.1 million during 2004.  Included in this category are service fees collected on the mortgage loans Heartland sold into the secondary market, while retaining servicing. Heartland’s mortgage loan servicing portfolio grew from $575.2 million at December 31, 2004, to $582.7 million at December 31, 2005, and $602.7 million at December 31, 2006, generating mortgage loan servicing fees of $1.5 million for 2006 and 2005 and $1.4 million for 2004.

Trust fees increased $728 thousand or 11% during 2006 and $1.6 million or 31% during 2005. During the second quarter of 2006, the fee schedule for trust services was adjusted upward. Additionally, the market value of trust assets, upon which a large portion of trust fees are based, increased from $1.2 billion at year-end 2004 to $1.4 billion at year-end 2005 and $1.6 billion at year-end 2006. The growth in trust fees during 2005 was also attributable to the accounts acquired from the Wealth Management Group of Colonial Trust Company on August 31, 2004.

During 2006, brokerage and insurance commissions increased $470 thousand or 34% as a new sales representative was hired at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and many of Heartland’s other Bank Subsidiaries began to promote brokerage and insurance services. Also contributing to the additional commissions during 2006 was Heartland’s change in the fall of 2005 to a different third party marketer of alternative investment products. This change to Independent Financial Marketing Group, Inc., IFMG, greatly enhanced the product offerings Heartland is able to provide its customers. Brokerage and insurance commissions declined $456 thousand or 25% during 2005 as Dubuque Bank and Trust Company experienced the loss of one sales representative and a reduction in the hours devoted to sales by another sales representative.

Securities gains were $553 thousand, $198 thousand and $1.9 million during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Nearly $1.0 million of the gains during 2004 were recorded during the first quarter due to the active management of our bond portfolio. As the yield curve steepened, agency securities nearing maturity were sold at a gain and replaced with a combination of like-term and longer-term agency securities that provided enhanced yields. Additionally, the partial liquidation of the available for sale equity securities portfolio resulted in $542 thousand of securities gains during the first quarter of 2004. Management elected to liquidate a majority of this portfolio and redirect those funds to its expansion efforts.

The equity securities trading portfolio recorded gains of $141 thousand during 2006 compared to losses of $11 thousand during 2005 and gains of $54 thousand during 2004. The gains and losses recorded on this portfolio were generally reflective of the overall activity in the stock market.

Impairment losses on equity securities deemed to be other than temporary totaled $76 thousand during 2006. This loss was related to the decline in market value of one of the issues of common stock held in Heartland’s available for sale equity securities portfolio. As of December 31, 2006, the market value on this particular issue of common stock was $69 thousand.
 
Gains on sale of loans were $2.3 million during 2006, $2.6 million during 2005 and $2.2 million during 2004. During low rate environments, customers frequently elect to take fifteen- and thirty-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans, which Heartland usually elects to sell into the secondary market.

The total valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights resulted in net impairment recoveries of previously recorded impairment provision totaling $39 thousand during 2005 and $92 thousand during 2004. Heartland utilizes the services of an independent third-party to perform a valuation analysis of its servicing portfolio each quarter. At December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there was no valuation allowance.

Total other noninterest income was $422 thousand during 2006 and $1.3 million during 2005. 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 was recorded in other noninterest income in 2005. During 2004, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company acquired a 99.9% ownership interest in a limited liability company that owned certified historic structures for which historic rehabilitation tax credits applied. Amortization of the investment in this limited liability company was recorded in the amount of $978 thousand during 2004, which resulted in the net noninterest income of $176 thousand expense.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
% Change
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2006/
2005
 
2005/
2004
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
51,321
   
$
45,247
   
$
38,362
   
13
   
18
 
Occupancy
   
7,320
     
5,913
     
4,879
   
24
   
21
 
Furniture and equipment
   
6,763
     
6,199
     
5,290
   
9
   
17
 
Outside services
   
9,414
     
8,312
     
7,058
   
13
   
18
 
Advertising
   
4,293
     
3,240
     
2,631
   
33
   
23
 
Core deposit premium amortization
   
987
     
1,014
     
764
   
(3)
   
33
 
Other noninterest expenses
   
14,423
     
10,845
     
9,868
   
33
   
10
 
Total noninterest expense
 
$
94,521
   
$
80,770
   
$
68,852
   
17
   
17
 
Efficiency ratio1
   
68.26
%
   
65.91
%
   
67.37
%
           
                                     
1 Noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income less security gains.

The table shows Heartland’s noninterest expense for the years indicated. Noninterest expense increased $13.8 million or 17% in 2006 and $11.9 million or 17% in 2005. Contributing to the increases in these costs during both years were expenses associated with expansion efforts. Additionally, the $2.4 million judgment against Heartland and a bank subsidiary recorded during the first quarter of 2006 was a factor in the increase in noninterest expense for 2006. Exclusive of the judgment, noninterest expense increased $11.4 million or 14% in comparison to 2005. Noninterest expense at Rocky Mountain Bank totaled $11.7 million during the twelve months of 2005 and $6.7 million during its seven months of operations under the Heartland umbrella in 2004 and also contributed to the increase in 2005.

Salaries and employee benefits, the largest component of noninterest expense, increased $6.1 million or 13% for 2006 and $6.9 million or 18% for 2005. This growth in salaries and employee benefits expense was primarily the result of additional staffing at Heartland’s operations center 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 Summit Bank & Trust, which began operations in October 2005 as a loan production office under the Rocky Mountain Bank umbrella. At Rocky Mountain Bank, salaries and employee benefits totaled $5.8 million during 2005 and $3.5 million during its first seven months as a subsidiary of Heartland in 2004. Total full-time equivalent employees increased to 959 at year-end 2006 from 909 at year-end 2005 and 853 at year-end 2004. In addition to staffing increases at the holding company to provide support services to the growing number of Bank Subsidiaries, these increases were also attributable to the opening of the new locations previously mentioned.

Occupancy and furniture and equipment expense, in aggregate, increased $2.0 million or 16% during 2006 and $1.9 million or 19% during 2005. These increases were primarily the result of the expansion efforts. Rocky Mountain Bank recorded $1.9 million of occupancy and furniture and equipment expense during 2005 compared to $1.0 million during its first seven months as a subsidiary of Heartland in 2004.

Advertising expense, which includes public relations expense, increased $1.1 million or 33% during 2006 and $609 thousand or 23% during 2005. Rocky Mountain Bank recorded advertising expense of $524 thousand during 2005 and $232 thousand during its first seven months as a subsidiary of Heartland in 2004. Other increases in this category are partially the result of Heartland’s expansion efforts. Advertising expense during 2006 also increased as a result of a demand deposit acquisition program by a third party provider, which cost approximately $250 thousand each quarter. Management discontinued this program during the fourth quarter of 2006.

Other intangibles amortization increased $250 thousand or 33% during 2005, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Rocky Mountain Bank.

Other noninterest expenses increased $3.6 million or 33% during 2006 and $1.0 million or 10% during 2005. Exclusive of the $2.4 million judgment recorded during the first quarter of 2006, other noninterest expense increased $1.2 million or 11% during 2006. Remaining unamortized issuance cost on the $25.0 million 9.60% trust preferred securities redeemed on September 30, 2004, totaled $959 thousand and were fully expensed during the third quarter of 2004. Rocky Mountain Bank had other noninterest expenses of $1.4 million during 2005 and $671 thousand during the seven months of operations as a Heartland subsidiary in 2004. The remaining increases in other noninterest expenses during 2006 and 2005 were primarily a result of Heartland’s expansion efforts and included such items as supplies, telephone, software maintenance, software amortization, continuing education and other staff expense.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense from continuing operations during 2006 increased $2.1 million or 22% when compared to 2005, resulting in an effective tax rate of 32.4% for 2006 compared to 30.7% for 2005. The higher effective tax rate during 2006 was attributable to a reduction in the amount of tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income and a reduction in the amount of low-income housing credits. The tax-equivalent adjustment for tax-exempt interest income was $3.6 million during 2006 compared to $3.3 million during 2005. Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income from continuing operations was 18.0% during 2006 compared to 19.3% during 2005. Income taxes recorded during 2005 included low-income housing tax credits totaling $412 thousand. During 2006, these credits decreased to $218 thousand for the year.

Income tax expense from continuing operations during 2005 increased $2.1 million or 28% when compared to 2004, resulting in an effective tax rate of 30.7% for 2005 compared to 28.0% for 2004. The lower effective rate during 2004 was the result of federal historic rehabilitation tax credits of $675 thousand and state historic rehabilitation tax credits of $843 thousand. No historic rehabilitation tax credits were earned by Heartland during 2005. Additionally, low-income housing credits totaled $412 thousand during 2005 compared to $485 thousand during 2004. The tax-equivalent adjustment for tax-exempt interest income was $3.3 million during 2005 compared to $2.8 million during 2004. Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income from continuing operations was 19.3% of pre-tax income during 2005 compared to 18.5% during 2004. This increase in tax-exempt interest income partially mitigated the impact reduced tax credits had on income taxes recorded during 2005.

During 2006, income taxes from discontinued operations included a $282 thousand tax provision to reflect taxes associated with the disposition of goodwill and life insurance policies at ULTEA that had not been previously recorded, as these items were appropriately treated as permanent tax differences in prior periods.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
LENDING ACTIVITIES

Heartland’s major source of income is interest on loans and leases. The table below presents the composition of Heartland’s loan portfolio at the end of the years indicated.

LOAN PORTFOLIO
December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
   
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
1,483,738
   
68.95
%
 
$
1,304,080
   
66.65
%
 
$
1,162,103
   
65.42
%
 
$
860,552
   
64.93
%
 
$
733,324
   
63.49
%
Residential mortgage
   
225,343
   
10.47
     
219,671
   
11.23
     
212,842
   
11.98
     
148,376
   
11.19
     
133,435
   
11.55
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
233,748
   
10.86
     
230,357
   
11.77
     
217,860
   
12.27
     
166,182
   
12.54
     
155,383
   
13.45
 
Consumer
   
194,652
   
9.05
     
181,019
   
9.25
     
167,109
   
9.41
     
136,601
   
10.31
     
120,591
   
10.44
 
Lease financing, net
   
14,359
   
0.67
     
21,586
   
1.10
     
16,284
   
0.92
     
13,621
   
1.03
     
12,308
   
1.07
 
Gross loans and leases
   
2,151,840
   
100.00
%
   
1,956,713
   
100.00
%
   
1,776,198
   
100.00
%
   
1,325,332
   
100.00
%
   
1,155,041
   
100.00
%
Unearned discount
   
(1,875
)
         
(1,870
)
         
(1,920
)
         
(1,836
)
         
(2,161
)
     
Deferred loan fees
   
(2,120
)
         
(1,777
)
         
(1,324
)
         
(947
)
         
(811
)
     
Total loans and leases
   
2,147,845
           
1,953,066
           
1,772,954
           
1,322,549
           
1,152,069
       
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(29,981
)
         
(27,791
)
         
(24,973
)
         
(18,490
)
         
(16,091
)
     
Loans and leases, net
 
$
2,117,864
         
$
1,925,275
         
$
1,747,981
         
$
1,304,059
         
$
1,135,978
       

The table below sets forth the remaining maturities by loan and lease category, including loans held for sale.

MATURITY AND RATE SENSITIVITY OF LOANS AND LEASES 1
As of December 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Over 1 Year
       
       
Through 5 Years
 
Over 5 Years
   
   
One Year
or Less
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Floating
Rate
 
Fixed
Rate
 
Floating Rate
 
Total
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
638,151
 
$
424,825
 
$
269,877
 
$
76,554
 
$
102,696
 
$
1,512,103
Residential mortgage
   
100,562
   
26,471
   
23,914
   
41,902
   
53,585
   
246,434
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
109,045
   
50,266
   
35,201
   
8,851
   
30,385
   
233,748
Consumer
   
38,911
   
63,495
   
12,455
   
18,222
   
62,494
   
195,577
Lease financing, net
   
4,538
   
9,139
   
-
   
682
   
-
   
14,359
Total
 
$
891,207
 
$
574,196
 
$
341,447
 
$
146,211
 
$
249,160
 
$
2,202,221
                                     
1 Maturities based upon contractual dates


Heartland experienced growth in total loans and leases during both 2006 and 2005. This growth was $194.8 million or 10% in 2006 and $180.1 million or 10% in 2005. The May 15, 2006, acquisition of Bank of the Southwest by Arizona Bank & Trust accounted for $50.9 million or 26% of this growth in 2006. The Heartland subsidiary banks experiencing notable loan growth during 2006 were New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Rocky Mountain Bank. During 2005, major contributors to the loan growth were Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Galena State Bank and Trust Company. During both years, all of the loan categories increased, with the commercial and commercial real estate loan category comprising $179.7 million or 92% of the total loan growth during 2006 and $142.0 million or 79% of the total loan growth during 2005.

Commercial and commercial real estate loans increased 14% during 2006 and 12% during 2005. 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 $158.7 million or 12%.

Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans outstanding increased $3.4 million or 1% during 2006 and $12.5 million or 6% during 2005. During 2006, growth in this category occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and Wisconsin Community Bank while the New Mexico Bank & Trust office in Clovis, New Mexico experienced payoffs on a few large credits. Nearly all of the growth during 2005 occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company.

Residential mortgage loans experienced an increase of $5.7 million or 3% during 2006 and $6.8 million or 3% during 2005. We do not anticipate continued growth in our residential mortgage loan portfolio, as many of the loans made, especially the 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans, are usually sold into the secondary market. Servicing is retained on a portion of these loans so that the Heartland bank subsidiaries have an opportunity to continue providing their customers the excellent service they expect.

Consumer loans increased $13.6 million or 8% during 2006 and $13.9 million or 8% during 2005. During both years, a majority of the growth was in home equity lines of credit. During 2006, the Western banks of New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Rocky Mountain Bank were most successful at growing this product line. During 2005, Arizona Bank & Trust, Wisconsin Community Bank and Rocky Mountain Bank were most successful at growing this product line. Also contributing to the growth in both years was Citizens Finance Co., which experienced an increase of $3.7 million or 11% during 2006 and $5.8 million or 21% during 2005. Citizens Finance Co.’s total loans comprised 19% of Heartland’s total consumer loan portfolio as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. Heartland has continued to pursue opportunities to expand its Citizens Finance Co. subsidiary, as evidenced by the December 2004 opening of an office in Crystal Lake, Illinois; May 2006 opening of an office in Tinley Park, Illinois; October 2006 opening of an office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the January 2007 opening of an office in Davenport, Iowa.
 
Loans held for sale increased $9.6 million or 24% during 2006 and $8.6 million or 27% during 2005. Activity in 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans, which are usually sold into the secondary market, made up a portion of the change during both years. The remainder of the growth in loans held for sale was commercial and commercial real estate loans at Wisconsin Community Bank that were structured to meet the USDA and SBA loan guaranty program requirements.

Although the risk of nonpayment for any reason exists with respect to all loans, specific risks are associated with each type of loan. The primary risks associated with commercial and agricultural loans are the quality of the borrower’s management and the impact of national and regional economic factors. Additionally, risks associated with commercial and agricultural real estate loans include fluctuating property values and concentrations of loans in a specific type of real estate. Repayment on loans to individuals, including those on residential real estate, are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances and deteriorating economic conditions. These risks are described in more detail in Item 1.A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K. Heartland monitors its loan concentrations and does not believe it has excessive concentrations in any specific industry.

Heartland’s strategy with respect to the management of these types of risks, whether loan demand is weak or strong, is to encourage the Heartland banks to follow tested and prudent loan policies and underwriting practices which include: (i) granting loans on a sound and collectible basis; (ii) ensuring that primary and secondary sources of repayment are adequate in relation to the amount of the loan; (iii) administering loan policies through a board of directors; (iv) developing and maintaining adequate diversification of the loan portfolio as a whole and of the loans within each loan category; and (v) ensuring that each loan is properly documented and, if appropriate, guaranteed by government agencies and that insurance coverage is adequate.
 
NONPERFORMING LOANS AND LEASES AND
OTHER NONPERFORMING ASSETS

The table below sets forth the amounts of nonperforming loans and leases and other nonperforming assets on the dates indicated.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS
December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
Nonaccrual loans and leases
 
$
8,104
   
$
14,877
   
$
9,837
   
$
5,092
   
$
3,944
 
Loans and leases contractually past due 90 days or more
   
315
     
115
     
88
     
458
     
541
 
Total nonperforming loans and leases
   
8,419
     
14,992
     
9,925
     
5,550
     
4,485
 
Other real estate
   
1,575
     
1,586
     
425
     
599
     
452
 
Other repossessed assets
   
349
     
471
     
313
     
285
     
279
 
Total nonperforming assets
 
$
10,343
   
$
17,049
   
$
10,663
   
$
6,434
   
$
5,216
 
Nonperforming loans and leases to total loans and leases
   
0.39
%
   
0.77
%
   
0.56
%
   
0.42
%
   
0.39
%
Nonperforming assets to total loans and leases plus repossessed property
   
0.48
%
   
0.87
%
   
0.60
%
   
0.48
%
   
0.45
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
   
0.34
%
   
0.60
%
   
0.41
%
   
0.32
%
   
0.29
%

Heartland regularly monitors and continues to develop systems to oversee the quality of its loan portfolio. Under Heartland’s internal loan review program, loan review officers are responsible for reviewing existing loans and leases, testing loan ratings assigned by loan officers, identifying potential problem loans and leases and monitoring the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses at the Heartland banks.

An integral part of our loan review program is a loan rating system, under which a rating is assigned to each loan and lease within the portfolio based on the borrower’s financial position, repayment ability, collateral position and repayment history. This emphasis on quality is reflected in Heartland’s credit quality figures. Heartland’s nonperforming assets to total assets was 0.34% and 0.60% at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Peer data in the Bank Holding Company Performance Reports published by the Federal Reserve Board for bank holding companies with total assets of $1 to $3 billion reported nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.44% and 0.46% for September 30, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Nonperforming loans, defined as nonaccrual loans, restructured loans and loans past due ninety days or more, were $8.4 million or 0.39% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2006, compared to $15.0 million or 0.77% of total loans and leases at December 31, 2005. The decrease in these loans was primarily attributable to the completion of workout plans on a few of the large credits, the majority of which were repaid and resulted in no charge-offs. Contributing to the increase during 2005 was a $3.4 million loan at Rocky Mountain Bank and two $1.2 million loans at New Mexico Bank & Trust. The increase during 2005 was not felt to be an indication of a trend developing and the resolution of those three credits during 2006 confirmed that fact. The nonperforming loan at Rocky Mountain Bank was not unexpected as it had been identified as a potential problem loan prior to completion of the acquisition in 2004. Because of the net realizable value of collateral, guarantees and other factors, anticipated losses on Heartland’s nonperforming loans are not expected to be significant and have been specifically provided for in the allowance for loan and lease losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses related to total nonperforming loans and leases was $301 thousand and $1.2 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Other real estate owned increased from $425 thousand at December 31, 2004, to $1.6 million at December 31, 2005. This increase primarily resulted from the repossession of one property at New Mexico Bank & Trust. That property was sold during 2006 and an additional property at nearly the same value was repossessed at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company. A sale of this property is expected to occur during 2007.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

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 increased by $2.2 million or 8% during 2006 and $2.8 million or 11% during 2005. The allowance for loan and lease losses at year-end 2006 was 1.40% of loans and 356% of nonperforming loans and leases compared to 1.42% of loans and 185% of nonperforming loans and leases at year-end 2005. A portion of the growth in the allowance for loan and lease losses occurred as a result of the expansion of the loan portfolio during both years, particularly in the more complex commercial loan category and in the new markets Heartland entered in which Heartland had little or no previous lending experience.

The amount of net charge-offs recorded by Heartland was $2.3 million during 2006 and $3.4 million during 2005. As a percentage of average loans and leases, net charge-offs were 0.11% during 2006 and 0.18% during 2005. Citizens Finance Co., Heartland's consumer finance subsidiary, experienced net charge-offs of $1.2 million during both 2006 and 2005. Net losses as a percentage of average gross loans at Citizens was 3.61% for 2006 compared to 3.94% for 2005 and 3.44% for 2004. Loans with payments past due for more than thirty days at Citizens was 4.92% of gross loans at year-end 2006 compared to 5.32% of gross loans at year-end 2005 and 4.09% at year-end 2004. The change in bankruptcy laws in 2005 adversely impacted Citizens Finance Co. as more customers elected to declare bankruptcy prior to year-end 2005.
 
ANALYSIS OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
Allowance at beginning of year
 
$
27,791
   
$
24,973
   
$
18,490
   
$
16,091
   
$
14,660
 
Charge-offs:
                                       
Commercial and commercial real estate
   
1,494
     
2,203
     
1,736
     
499
     
795
 
Residential mortgage
   
227
     
75
     
104
     
108
     
38
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
148
     
160
     
78
     
6
     
279
 
Consumer
   
2,120
     
2,141
     
1,699
     
1,779
     
2,085
 
Lease financing
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
6
 
Total charge-offs
   
3,989
     
4,579
     
3,617
     
2,392
     
3,203
 
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial and commercial real estate
   
1,031
     
544
     
345
     
112
     
836
 
Residential mortgage
   
95
     
1
     
35
     
2
     
8
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
62
     
141
     
188
     
29
     
177
 
Consumer
   
545
     
466
     
437
     
465
     
389
 
Lease financing
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total recoveries
   
1,733
     
1,152
     
1,005
     
608
     
1,410
 
Net charge-offs 1
   
2,256
     
3,427
     
2,612
     
1,784
     
1,793
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from continuing operations
   
3,886
     
6,533
     
4,846
     
4,183
     
3,553
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from discontinued operations
   
(8
)
   
31
     
-
     
-
     
(329
)
Additions related to acquisitions
   
591
     
-
     
4,249
     
-
     
-
 
Reduction related to discontinued operations
   
(23
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Adjustment for transfer to other liabilities for unfunded commitments
   
-
     
(319
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Allowance at end of year
 
$
29,981
   
$
27,791
   
$
24,973
   
$
18,490
   
$
16,091
 
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases
   
0.11
%
   
0.18
%
   
0.16
%
   
0.14
%
   
0.16
%
     
1
 
Includes net charge-offs at Citizens Finance, Heartland’s consumer finance company, of $1,215 for 2006; $1,185 for 2005; $789 for 2004; $808 for 2003 and $1,182 for 2002.

The table above summarizes activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the years indicated, including amounts of loans and leases charged off, amounts of recoveries, additions to the allowance charged to income, additions related to acquisitions and the ratio of net charge-offs to average loans and leases outstanding.

The table below shows Heartland’s allocation of the allowance for loan and lease losses by types of loans and leases and the amount of unallocated reserves.

ALLOCATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
December 31, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(Dollars in thousands)
                                                             
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
   
Amount
 
Loan / Lease Category to Gross Loans & Leases
 
Amount
 
Loan / Lease Category to Gross Loans & Leases
 
Amount
 
Loan / Lease Category to Gross Loans & Leases
 
Amount
 
Loan / Lease Category to Gross Loans & Leases
 
Amount
 
Loan / Lease Category to Gross Loans & Leases
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
18,612
 
68.95
%
 
$
17,478
 
66.65
%
 
$
15,463
 
65.42
%
 
$
9,776
 
64.93
%
 
$
8,408
 
63.49
%
Residential mortgage
   
1,688
 
10.47
     
1,593
 
11.23
     
1,357
 
11.98
     
1,224
 
11.19
     
1,328
 
11.55
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
2,075
 
10.86
     
2,526
 
11.77
     
2,857
 
12.27
     
2,926
 
12.54
     
2,239
 
13.45
 
Consumer
   
3,008
 
9.05
     
2,893
 
9.25
     
2,190
 
9.41
     
2,351
 
10.31
     
2,083
 
10.44
 
Lease financing
   
192
 
0.67
     
149
 
1.10
     
103
 
0.92
     
121
 
1.03
     
140
 
1.07
 
Unallocated
   
4,406
         
3,152
         
3,003
         
2,092
         
1,893
     
Total allowance for loan and lease losses
 
$
29,981
       
$
27,791
       
$
24,973
       
$
18,490
       
$
16,091
     


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 20% and 19% of total assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Total available for sale securities as of December 31, 2006, were $614.0 million, an increase of $86.7 million or 16% 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. As the yield curve flattened during 2005 and to provide protection in a downward interest rate environment, a portion of the securities portfolio was shifted into longer-term agency securities and higher-yielding and longer-term municipal securities.

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 December 31, 2006.

The tables below present the composition and maturities of the securities portfolio by major category. All of our U.S. government corporations and agencies securities and a majority of our mortgage-backed securities are issuances of government-sponsored enterprises.
 
SECURITIES PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
                                     
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
   
Amount
 
% of
Portfolio
 
Amount
 
% of
Portfolio
 
Amount
 
% of
Portfolio
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
296,823
 
48.23
%
 
$
234,021
 
44.38
%
 
$
219,670
 
39.74
%
Mortgage-backed securities
   
134,057
 
21.78
     
130,334
 
24.73
     
164,580
 
29.78
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
137,203
 
22.29
     
132,958
 
25.21
     
123,624
 
22.36
 
Other securities
   
47,389
 
7.70
     
29,939
 
5.68
     
44,889
 
8.12
 
Total
 
$
615,472
 
100.00
%
 
$
527,252
 
100.00
%
 
$
552,763
 
100.00
%

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE PORTFOLIO MATURITIES
December 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Within One Year
 
After One But Within Five Years
 
After Five But Within Ten Years
 
After Ten Years
 
Total
   
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
84,192
 
3.66
%
 
$
212,631
 
5.13
%
 
$
-
 
-
%
 
$
-
 
-
%
 
$
296,823
 
4.20
%
Mortgage-backed securities
   
17,136
 
5.03
     
103,524
 
3.62
     
8,393
 
5.83
     
5,004
 
5.78
     
134,057
 
4.98
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1
   
5,793
 
6.21
     
27,046
 
5.71
     
64,808
 
6.20
     
38,034
 
7.22
     
135,681
 
6.39
 
Corporate debt securities
   
22,080
 
3.57
     
-
 
-
     
-
 
-
     
-
 
-
     
22,080
 
3.57
 
Total
 
$
129,201
 
3.94
%
 
$
343,201
 
4.72
%
 
$
73,201
 
6.16
%
 
$
43,038
 
7.05
%
 
$
588,641
 
4.86
%

1
 
Rates on obligations of states and political subdivisions have been adjusted to tax equivalent yields using a 34% tax.

SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY PORTFOLIO MATURITIES
December 31, 2006
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Within One Year
 
After One But Within Five Years
 
After Five But Within Ten Years
 
After Ten Years
 
Total
   
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 1
   
-
 
-
     
-
 
-
     
-
 
-
   
$
1,522
 
8.33
%
 
$
1,522
 
8.33
%
Total
 
$
-
 
-
   
$
-
 
-
   
$
-
 
-
   
$
1,522
 
8.33
%
 
$
1,522
 
8.33
%

1
 
Rates on obligations of states and political subdivisions have been adjusted to tax equivalent yields using a 34% tax.


DEPOSITS AND BORROWED FUNDS

Total average deposits experienced an increase of $163.0 million or 8% during 2006 and $290.7 million or 17% during 2005. Exclusive of $27.8 million attributable to deposits at Bank of the Southwest, growth in average deposits during 2006 was $135.2 million or 7%. Exclusive of brokered deposits, total average deposits increased $165.0 million or 9% during 2006 and $245.9 million or 15% during 2005. All of the Bank Subsidiaries experienced growth in nonbrokered deposits during both years, except for First Community Bank and Galena State Bank and Trust Company, which experienced a decrease during 2005. The addition of new banking locations in both the West and Midwest have contributed to the growth in deposits, as well as, an increased focus on attracting new deposit customers in all of the markets served by the Bank Subsidiaries. Nearly 70% of the growth experienced during both years occurred at our banks located in the West. The percentage of total average deposits in the West was 29% during 2004, 36% during 2005 and 39% during 2006.

Average demand deposits increased $20.9 million or 6% during 2006, with the Bank of the Southwest acquisition responsible for $10.6 million of this increase. 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. During 2005, average demand deposits increased $51.9 million or 19%. The Rocky Mountain Bank acquisition was responsible for $23.5 million or 45% of that growth. The other major contributors to the growth in 2005 were New Mexico Bank & Trust and Arizona Bank & Trust. The percentage of average demand deposits in the West increased from 45% in 2004 to 54% in 2005 and 57% in 2006.

Average savings deposit balances increased by $38.8 million or 5% during 2006, with the Bank of the Southwest acquisition responsible for $10.9 million of this increase. The banks experiencing more significant growth in these deposits during 2006 were Arizona Bank & Trust, Galena State Bank and Trust Company and Wisconsin Community Bank. During 2005, average savings deposit balances increased by $83.3 million or 12% with significant growth occurring at Wisconsin Community Bank, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust and Rocky Mountain Bank. The percentage of average savings deposits balances in the West increased from 29% in 2004 to 36% in 2005 and 39% in 2006.

Average time deposits increased $105.4 million or 13% during 2006 and $110.6 million or 15% during 2005. The Bank of the Southwest acquisition was responsible for $6.3 million of the growth in these deposits during 2006. As interest rates rose during 2005 and remained at those levels throughout most of 2006, many deposit customers 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 to retain existing deposit customers, as well as to attract new customers. During 2006, the majority of the growth in time deposits occurred at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank and Arizona Bank & Trust. Exclusive of Arizona Bank & Trust, these same banks were the largest contributors to the growth in this deposit category during 2005. The percentage of average time deposits in the West increased from 22% in 2004 to 29% in 2005 and 32% in 2006.

Average brokered time deposits as a percentage of total average deposits was 6% during 2006 compared to 7% during 2005 and 5% during 2004. The reliance on brokered time deposits had increased during 2005 as loan growth outpaced core deposit growth.

The table below sets forth the distribution of Heartland’s average deposit account balances and the average interest rates paid on each category of deposits for the years indicated.

AVERAGE DEPOSITS
For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
   
Average Deposits
 
Percent
of Deposits
 
Average
Interest
Rate
 
Average Deposits
 
Percent
of Deposits
 
Average
Interest
Rate
 
Average Deposits
 
Percent
of Deposits
 
Average
Interest Rate
Demand deposits
 
$
351,239
 
15.91
%
 
0.00
%
 
$
330,379
 
16.16
%
 
0.00
%
 
$
278,432
 
15.88
%
 
0.00
%
Savings
   
792,875
 
35.92
   
2.42
     
754,086
 
36.89
   
1.46
     
670,758
 
38.25
   
0.88
 
Time deposits less than $100,000
   
705,266
 
31.96
   
4.09
     
624,391
 
30.54
   
3.40
     
562,385
 
32.07
   
3.25
 
Time deposits of $100,000 or more
   
225,874
 
10.23
   
4.20
     
201,377
 
9.85
   
3.23
     
152,787
 
8.71
   
2.59
 
Brokered deposits
   
132,069
 
5.98
   
4.37
     
134,057
 
6.56
   
3.46
     
89,226
 
5.09
   
3.04
 
Total deposits
 
$
2,207,323
 
100.00
%
       
$
2,044,290
 
100.00
%
       
$
1,753,588
 
100.00
%
     
 
The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of time deposits of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2006.

TIME DEPOSITS $100,000 AND OVER
(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31, 2006
3 months or less
 
$
47,366
Over 3 months through 6 months
   
62,545
Over 6 months through 12 months
   
63,388
Over 12 months
   
62,369
   
$
235,668

Short-term borrowings generally include federal funds purchased, treasury tax and loan note options, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term FHLB advances. These funding alternatives are utilized in varying degrees depending on their pricing and availability. At year-end 2006, short-term borrowings were $275.7 million compared to $255.6 million at year-end 2005.

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 individual bank’s reserve requirements, nor does it create an expense relating to FDIC premiums on deposits. Although the aggregate balance of repurchase agreements is subject to variation, the account relationships represented by these balances are principally local. During 2006, these balances had increased $43.9 million or 24% from $182.0 million to $225.9 million, with a majority of this growth occurring at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company and New Mexico Bank & Trust. The activity at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company was the result of a few accounts that had purposefully accumulated balances for payout during the first quarter of 2007. The growth at New Mexico Bank & Trust resulted from the one large municipal account. 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. During 2005, repurchase agreement balances had increased $12.5 million or 7%, primarily due to the large municipal account at New Mexico Bank & Trust.

Also included in short-term borrowings is the revolving credit line Heartland has with four unaffiliated banks. Under this unsecured revolving credit line, Heartland may borrow up to $75.0 million at any one time. This credit line was established primarily to provide working capital to the nonbanking subsidiaries and replace similar sized lines currently in place at those subsidiaries. At December 31, 2006, a total of $35.0 million was outstanding on this credit line compared to $60.8 million at December 31, 2005. Additional borrowings were needed during 2005 to provide funding for the growth at Citizens Finance Co., the purchase of additional assets for operating leases at ULTEA and treasury stock purchases. As a result of the sale of ULTEA, the borrowings on this credit line was reduced by $25.0 million.


The following table reflects short-term borrowings, which in the aggregate have average balances during the period greater than 30% of stockholders' equity at the end of the period.

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
As of or for the years ended
December 31,
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Balance at end of period
 
$
275,694
 
$
255,623
 
$
231,475
Maximum month-end amount outstanding
   
277,604
   
266,194
   
231,475
Average month-end amount outstanding
   
258,844
   
233,051
   
187,046
Weighted average interest rate at year-end
   
4.71%
   
3.68%
   
1.88%
Weighted average interest rate for the year
   
4.35%
   
2.67%
   
1.44%

Other borrowings include all debt arrangements Heartland and its subsidiaries have entered into with original maturities that extend beyond one year. These borrowings were $224.5 million at December 31, 2006, compared to $220.9 million at December 31, 2005. Other borrowings includes the $50.0 structured wholesale repurchase agreement entered into in August of 2006 and the balances outstanding on 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.

A schedule of Heartland’s trust preferred offerings outstanding as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)

Amount
Issued
 
Issuance
Date
 
Interest
Rate
 
Interest Rate as of 12/31/06
 
Maturity
Date
 
Callable
Date
                       
$
5,000
 
08/07/00
 
10.60%
 
10.60%
 
09/07/30
 
09/07/10
 
8,000
 
12/18/01
 
3.60% over Libor
 
8.96%
 
12/18/31
 
03/18/07
 
5,000
 
06/27/02
 
3.65% over Libor
 
9.02%
 
06/30/32
 
06/30/07
 
20,000
 
10/10/03
 
8.25%
 
8.25%
 
10/10/33
 
10/10/08
 
25,000
 
03/17/04
 
2.75% over Libor
 
8.11%
 
03/17/34
 
03/17/09
 
20,000
 
01/31/06
 
1.33% over Libor
 
6.70%
 
01/31/36
 
01/31/11
$
83,000
                   

Also in other borrowings are the Bank Subsidiaries’ borrowings from the FHLB. All of the Bank Subsidiaries own FHLB stock in either 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 December 31, 2006, totaled $81.3 million, a decrease of $69.8 million or 46% from the December 31, 2005, FHLB borrowings of $151.0 million. As FHLB advances matured during the year, replacement advances were not needed as deposit growth outpaced loan growth for a good portion of the year. During 2005, these borrowings had increased $27.6 million or 22% over the December 31, 2004, total FHLB borrowings of $123.5 million. These advances were used to fund a portion of the fixed-rate commercial and residential loan growth experienced.

The following table summarizes significant contractual obligations and other commitments as of December 31, 2006:

(Dollars in thousands)
     
Payments Due By Period
   
Total
 
Less than One Year
 
One to Three Years
 
Three to Five Years
 
More than Five Years
Contractual obligations:
                             
Time certificates of deposit
 
$
1,117,277
 
$
754,436
 
$
338,410
 
$
23,551
 
$
880
Long-term debt obligations
   
224,523
   
9,801
   
75,408
   
29,887
   
109,427
Operating lease obligations
   
6,396
   
870
   
1,480
   
675
   
3,371
Purchase obligations
   
4,220
   
3,792
   
428
   
-
   
-
Other long-term liabilities
   
2,319
   
109
   
218
   
218
   
1,774
Total contractual obligations
 
$
1,354,735
 
$
769,008
 
$
415,944
 
$
54,331
 
$
115,452
                               
Other commitments:
                             
Lines of credit
 
$
651,339
 
$
532,578
 
$
77,761
 
$
19,295
 
$
21,705
Standby letters of credit
   
35,823
   
30,764
   
2,615
   
482
   
1,962
Total other commitments
 
$
687,162
 
$
563,342
 
$
80,376
 
$
19,777
 
$
23,667




CAPITAL RESOURCES

Heartland’s risk-based capital ratios, which take into account the different credit risks among banks’ assets, met all capital adequacy requirements over the past three years. Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios were 9.32% and 11.18%, respectively, on December 31, 2006, compared to 9.28% and 10.61%, respectively, on December 31, 2005, and 9.23% and 10.82%, respectively, on December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2006, Heartland’s leverage ratio, the ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets, was 7.74% compared to 7.66% and 7.26% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 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 5%, 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 are detailed in the table below.

RISK-BASED CAPITAL RATIOS 1
(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31,
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
   
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Capital Ratios:
                                   
Tier 1 capital
 
$
232,702
 
9.32
%
 
$
209,968
 
9.28
%
 
$
187,424
 
9.23
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement
   
99,878
 
4.00
%
   
90,514
 
4.00
%
   
81,251
 
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
132,824
 
5.32
%
 
$
119,454
 
5.28
%
 
$
106,173
 
5.23
%
Total capital
 
$
279,112
 
11.18
%
 
$
240,152
 
10.61
%
 
$
219,839
 
10.82
%
Total capital minimum requirement
   
199,757
 
8.00
%
   
181,028
 
8.00
%
   
162,503
 
8.00
%
Excess
 
$
79,355
 
3.18
%
 
$
59,124
 
2.61
%
 
$
57,336
 
2.82
%
Total risk-adjusted assets
 
$
2,496,960
       
$
2,262,854
       
$
2,031,286
     

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


LEVERAGE RATIOS 1
(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31,
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
   
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Capital Ratios:
                                   
Tier 1 capital
 
$
232,702
 
7.74
%
 
$
209,968
 
7.66
%
 
$
187,424
 
7.26
%
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement 2
   
120,255
 
4.00
%
   
109,637
 
4.00
%
   
103,164
 
4.00
%
Excess
 
$
112,447
 
3.74
%
 
$
100,331
 
3.66
%
 
$
84,260
 
3.26
%
Average adjusted assets
 
$
3,006,374
       
$
2,740,922
       
$
2,580,626
     

1
 
The leverage ratio is defined as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total assets.
2
 
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 an additional cushion of at least 1.00%.

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 was $12.0 million, or 80%, of the $15.0 million initial capital. All minority stockholders entered into a stock transfer agreement that imposes certain restrictions on the 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 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 a branch location in Madison, Wisconsin under the Wisconsin Community Bank umbrella with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2007. Costs related to the construction of these facilities are anticipated to be approximately $13 million in the aggregate with $6 million already expended during 2006.

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

Net cash outflows from investing activities were $221.5 million during 2006 compared to $201.6 million during 2005 and $263.0 million during 2004. Included in those totals were net cash inflows of $36.5 million during 2006 and net cash outflows of $25.8 million and $14.9 million during 2005 and 2004, respectively, as a result of the activities at ULTEA, which was sold in December of 2006 and has been classified on the financial statements as discontinued operations during all the years presented. The proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was $106.6 million during 2006 compared to $156.2 million during 2005 and $208.5 million during 2004. Purchases of securities used cash of $184.5 million during 2006 while $139.8 million was used for securities purchases during 2005 and $265.2 million during 2004. A large portion of the change in 2006 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 $153.7 million during 2006 compared to $175.8 million during 2005 and $173.1 million during 2004. Also contributing to the increase in cash outflows from investing activities during 2006 was the $15.0 million net cash and cash equivalents paid in the acquisition of Bank of the Southwest. As the yield curve steepened during the first quarter of 2004, agency securities nearing maturity were sold and replaced with a combination of like-term and longer-term agency securities that provided enhanced yields. Additionally, management purchased some longer-term municipal securities to take advantage of the unusually steep slope in the yield curve and the spread of the tax-equivalent yield on municipal securities over the yield on agency securities with the same maturities. During 2005, a portion of the proceeds from securities sales, paydowns and maturities was used to fund loan growth.

Financing activities provided cash of $159.6 million during 2006 compared to $174.0 million during 2005 and $225.0 million during 2004. Included in these totals was net cash used totaling $40.6 million during 2006 compared to net cash provided totaling $15.1 million and $182 thousand during 2005 and 2004, respectively, from the operations of ULTEA. During 2006, there was a net increase in deposit accounts of $149.0 million compared to $134.3 million during 2005 and $205.4 million during 2004. Like many banks, Heartland has had difficulty maintaining a consistent level of deposit growth from year to year as the competition for deposit balances grows. Activity in short-term borrowings provided cash of $54.2 million during 2006 compared to $5.6 million during 2005 and $28.5 million during 2004. Cash proceeds from other borrowings were $74.8 million during 2006 compared to $60.0 million during 2005 and $48.0 million during 2006. A portion of the change during 2006 was attributable to the $50.0 million wholesale repurchase agreement entered into in August of 2006. Repayments on other borrowings used cash of $69.9 million during 2006 compared to $31.9 million during 2005 and $48.6 million during 2004.

Total cash provided by operating activities was $30.1 million during 2006 compared to $34.9 million during 2005 and $39.9 million during 2004. Of these totals, the discontinued operations at ULTEA was responsible for $11.9 million, $12.7 million and $11.5 million during 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

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 December 31, 2006, Heartland’s revolving credit agreement with third-party banks provided a maximum borrowing capacity of $75.0 million, of which $35.0 million had been borrowed. A portion of this line provides funding for the operations of Citizens. At December 31, 2006, the borrowings on this line for Citizens were $15.5 million. 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 December 31, 2006, Heartland was in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

The ability of Heartland to pay dividends to its stockholders is partially dependent upon dividends paid by its subsidiaries. The Heartland banks are subject to certain statutory and regulatory restrictions on the amount they may pay in dividends. To maintain acceptable capital ratios in the Heartland banks, certain portions of their retained earnings are not available for the payment of dividends. Additionally, as described above, Heartland’s revolving credit agreement requires our Bank Subsidiaries to remain well capitalized. Retained earnings that could be available for the payment of dividends to Heartland totaled approximately $42.7 million as of December 31, 2006, under the capital requirements to remain well capitalized.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Consolidated financial data included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Presently, these principles require reporting of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, except for available for sale securities, trading securities and derivative instruments, which require reporting at fair value. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered.

In management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Rather, interest rate volatility is based on changes in the expected rate of inflation, as well as on changes in monetary and fiscal policies. A financial institution’s ability to be relatively unaffected by changes in interest rates is a good indicator of its capability to perform in today’s volatile economic environment. Heartland seeks to insulate itself from interest rate volatility by ensuring that rate-sensitive assets and rate-sensitive liabilities respond to changes in interest rates in a similar time frame and to a similar degree.
 

ITEM 7A.

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 Bank Subsidiaries 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 the 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. Although management has entered into derivative financial instruments to mitigate the exposure of Heartland’s net interest margin in a downward rate environment, it does not believe that Heartland’s primary market risk exposures and how those exposures were managed in 2006 have changed significantly when compared to 2005.

The core interest rate risk analysis utilized by Heartland examines the balance sheet under rates up/down scenarios that are neither too modest nor too extreme. All rate changes are ramped over a 12-month horizon based upon a parallel yield curve shift and then maintained at those levels over the remainder of the simulation horizon. Using this approach, management is able to see the effect that both a gradual change of rates (year 1) and a rate shock (year 2 and beyond) could have on Heartland’s net interest margin. Starting balances in the model reflect actual balances on the “as of” date, adjusted for material and significant transactions. Pro-forma balances remain static. This enables interest rate risk embedded within the existing balance sheet structure to be isolated as growth assumptions can make interest rate risk. The most recent reviews at year-end 2006 and 2005 provided the following results:
 
   
2006
       
2005
   
   
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands)
 
%
Change
From
Base
       
Net
Interest
Margin
(in thousands)
 
%
Change
From
Base
   
                           
Year 1:
                         
Down 200 Basis Points
$
101,323
 
(3.20
)
%
 
$
93,756
 
(4.61
)
%
Base
$
104,673
   
 
   
$
98,289
       
Up 200 Basis Points
$
103,443
 
(1.17
)
%
 
$
98,783
 
0.50
 
%
                 
 
       
Year 2:
                         
Down 200 Basis Points
$
97,887
 
(6.48
)
%
 
$
89,170
 
(9.28
)
%
Base
$
106,617
 
1.86
 
%
 
$
101,958
 
3.73
 
%
Up 200 Basis Points
$
104,471
 
(0.19
)
%
 
$
102,856
 
4.65
 
%

Heartland’s use of derivative financial instruments in managing the risks associated with 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 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

Heartland does enter into financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and may require collateral from the borrower. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Heartland to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party up to a stated amount and with specified terms and conditions. These commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are not recorded on the balance sheet until the instrument is exercised.



The table below summarizes the scheduled maturities of market risk sensitive assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2006.

 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Table of Market Risk Sensitive Instruments
 
December 31, 2006 (Dollars in thousands)
 
MATURING IN:
 
 
2007
 
 
2008
 
 
2009
 
 
2010
 
 
2011
 
 
Thereafter
 
 
TOTAL
 
 
Average Interest Rate
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
ASSETS
                                                     
 
Fed funds sold and other short-term investments
 
 
$
 
1,390
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
1,390
 
 
5.06
 
%
 
 
$
 
1,390
 
Trading
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
1,568
   
 
1,568
 
 
-
     
 
1,568
 
Securities available for sale
   
 
129,201
   
 
113,578
   
 
122,722
   
 
50,665
   
 
56,236
   
 
141,548
   
 
613,950
 
 
4.86
     
 
613,950
 
Securities held to maturity
                                 
 
1,522
   
 
1,522
 
 
8.33
     
 
1,513
 
Loans and leases(1):
                                                     
 
Fixed rate loans
   
 
282,428
   
 
193,306
   
 
165,166
   
 
119,686
   
 
96,038
   
 
146,211
   
 
1,002,835
 
 
7.52
     
 
990,195
 
Variable rate loans
   
 
604,784
   
 
150,706
   
 
67,912
   
 
63,685
   
 
59,144
   
 
249,160
   
 
1,195,391
 
 
8.24
     
 
1,190,734
 
Loans and leases
   
 
887,212
   
 
344,012
   
 
233,078
   
 
183,371
   
 
155,182
   
 
395,371
   
 
2,198,226
         
 
2,180,929
 
Total Market Risk Sensitive Assets
 
 
$
 
1,017,803
 
 
$
 
457,590
 
 
$
 
355,800
 
 
$
 
234,036
 
 
$
 
211,418
 
 
$
 
540,009
 
 
$
 
2,816,656
       
 
$
 
2,799,350
 
LIABILITIES
                                                     
 
Savings
 
 
$
 
822,915
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
-
 
 
$
 
822,915
 
 
2.16
 
%
 
 
$
 
822,915
 
Time deposits:
                                                     
 
Fixed rate time certificates less than $100,000
   
 
573,320
   
 
175,936
   
 
66,163
   
 
33,283
   
 
18,493
   
 
422
   
 
867,617
 
 
4.55
     
 
867,617
 
Variable rate time certificates less than $100,000
   
 
7,817
   
 
6,175
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
13,992
 
 
3.96
     
 
13,992
 
Time deposits less than $100,000
   
 
581,137
   
 
182,111
   
 
66,163
   
 
33,283
   
 
18,493
   
 
422
   
 
881,609
         
 
881,609
 
Time deposits of $100,000 or more
   
 
173,299
   
 
40,018
   
 
9,922
   
 
6,913
   
 
5,058
   
 
458
   
 
235,668
 
 
4.70
     
 
235,668
 
Federal funds purchases, securities sold under repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings
   
 
275,694
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
275,694
 
 
4.71
     
 
275,694
 
Other borrowings:
                                                     
 
Fixed rate borrowings
   
 
9,801
   
 
24,876
   
 
532
   
 
23,442
   
 
6,445
   
 
49,631
   
 
114,727
 
 
5.01
     
 
110,724
 
Variable rate borrowings
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
50,000
   
 
-
   
 
-
   
 
59,796
   
 
109,796
 
 
7.82
     
 
109,796
 
Other borrowings
   
 
9,801
   
 
24,876
   
 
50,532
   
 
23,442
   
 
6,445
   
 
109,427
   
 
224,523
         
 
220,520
 
Total Market Risk Sensitive Liabilities
 
 
$
 
1,862,846
 
 
$
 
247,005
 
 
$
 
126,617
 
 
$
 
63,638
 
 
$
 
29,996
 
 
$
 
110,307
 
 
$
 
2,440,409
       
 
$
 
2,436,406

(1) Includes loans held for sale



ITEM 8.

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
       
December 31,
 
December 31,
   
Notes
 
2006
 
2005
ASSETS
                   
Cash and due from banks
 
4
 
$
47,753
   
$
40,422
 
Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
       
1,390
     
40,599
 
Cash and cash equivalents
       
49,143
     
81,021
 
Securities:
 
5
               
Trading, at fair value
       
1,568
     
515
 
Available for sale, at fair value (cost of $612,440 for 2006 and $528,647 for 2005)
       
613,950
     
527,252
 
Held to maturity-at cost (fair value of $1,513 for 2006 and $0 for 2005)
       
1,522
     
-
 
Loans held for sale
       
50,381
     
40,745
 
Gross loans and leases:
 
6
               
Held to maturity
       
2,147,845
     
1,953,066
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
 
7
   
(29,981
)
   
(27,791
)
Loans and leases, net
       
2,117,864
     
1,925,275
 
Assets under operating leases
       
-
     
40,644
 
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
 
8
   
108,567
     
92,769
 
Other real estate, net
       
1,575
     
1,586
 
Goodwill
       
39,817
     
35,398
 
Other intangible assets, net
 
9
   
9,010
     
9,159
 
Cash surrender value on life insurance
       
33,371
     
32,804
 
Other assets
       
31,474
     
31,164
 
TOTAL ASSETS
     
$
3,058,242
   
$
2,818,332
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                   
LIABILITIES:
                   
Deposits:
 
10
               
Demand
     
$
371,465
   
$
352,707
 
Savings
       
822,915
     
754,360
 
Time
       
1,117,277
     
1,011,111
 
Total deposits
       
2,311,657
     
2,118,178
 
Short-term borrowings
 
11
   
275,694
     
255,623
 
Other borrowings
 
12
   
224,523
     
220,871
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
       
36,657
     
35,848
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
       
2,848,531
     
2,630,520
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
 
17, 18, 19
               
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 at December 31, 2006 and at December 31, 2005; issued 16,572,080 shares at December 31, 2006 and 16,547,482 at December 31, 2005)
       
16,572
     
16,547
 
Capital surplus
       
37,963
     
40,256
 
Retained earnings
       
154,308
     
135,112
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
       
868
     
(1,011
)
Treasury stock at cost (0 shares at December 31, 2006 and 157,067 shares at December 31, 2005, respectively)
       
-
     
(3,092
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
       
209,711
     
187,812
 
                     
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
     
$
3,058,242
   
$
2,818,332
 
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
       
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
Notes
 
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
INTEREST INCOME:
                           
Interest and fees on loans and leases
 
6
 
$
168,496
   
$
133,244
   
$
103,018
 
Interest on securities:
                           
Taxable
       
17,593
     
13,896
     
13,400
 
Nontaxable
       
5,783
     
5,512
     
4,574
 
Interest on federal funds sold
       
645
     
475
     
175
 
Interest on interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
       
22
     
277
     
227
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
       
192,539
     
153,404
     
121,394
 
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                           
Interest on deposits
 
10
   
63,293
     
43,383
     
30,848
 
Interest on short-term borrowings
 
11
   
9,866
     
5,373
     
2,414
 
Interest on other borrowings
 
12
   
13,051
     
10,706
     
10,036
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
       
86,210
     
59,462
     
43,298
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
       
106,329
     
93,942
     
78,096
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
 
7
   
3,886
     
6,533
     
4,846
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
       
102,443
     
87,409
     
73,250
 
NONINTEREST INCOME:
                           
Service charges and fees, net
       
11,199
     
9,323
     
8,666
 
Loan servicing income
       
4,279
     
3,093
     
2,585
 
Trust fees
       
7,258
     
6,530
     
4,968
 
Brokerage and insurance commissions
       
1,871
     
1,401
     
1,857
 
Securities gains, net
       
553
     
198
     
1,861
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities
       
141
     
(11
)
   
54
 
Impairment loss on equity securities
       
(76
)
   
-
     
-
 
Gains on sale of loans
       
2,289
     
2,572
     
2,186
 
Valuation adjustment on mortgage servicing rights
       
-
     
39
     
92
 
Income on bank-owned life insurance
       
1,151
     
1,022
     
1,112
 
Other noninterest income
       
422
     
1,307
     
(176
)
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
       
29,087
     
25,474
     
23,205
 
NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
                           
Salaries and employee benefits
 
15
   
51,321
     
45,247
     
38,362
 
Occupancy
 
16
   
7,320
     
5,913
     
4,879
 
Furniture and equipment
 
8
   
6,763
     
6,199
     
5,290
 
Outside services
       
9,414
     
8,312
     
7,058
 
Advertising
       
4,293
     
3,240
     
2,631
 
Intangible assets amortization
 
9
   
987
     
1,014
     
764
 
Other noninterest expenses
       
14,423
     
10,845
     
9,868
 
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
       
94,521
     
80,770
     
68,852
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
       
37,009
     
32,113
     
27,603
 
Income taxes
 
14
   
11,989
     
9,859
     
7,718
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
       
25,020
     
22,254
     
19,885
 
Discontinued operations:
 
3
                       
Income from operation of discontinued subsidiary
       
602
     
763
     
585
 
Income taxes
       
520
     
291
     
218
 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
       
82
     
472
     
367
 
NET INCOME
     
$
25,102
   
$
22,726
   
$
20,252
 
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC
     
$
1.52
   
$
1.38
   
$
1.28
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED
     
$
1.50
   
$
1.36
   
$
1.26
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS-BASIC
     
$
1.52
   
$
1.36
   
$
1.25
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS-DILUTED
     
$
1.50
   
$
1.33
   
$
1.24
 
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
     
$
0.36
   
$
0.33
   
$
0.32
 
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(Dollars in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
   
 
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
                     
Net income
$
25,102
   
$
22,726
   
$
20,252
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                     
Depreciation and amortization
 
8,283
     
7,311
     
5,894
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
 
3,886
     
6,533
     
4,846
 
Provision for deferred taxes
 
(7,895
)
   
(327
)
   
(781
)
Net amortization of premium on securities
 
868
     
2,950
     
3,211
 
Securities gains, net
 
(553
)
   
(198
)
   
(1,861
)
(Increase) decrease in trading account securities
 
(1,053
)
   
6
     
552
 
Loss on impairment of equity securities
 
76
     
-
     
-
 
Stock based compensation
 
925
     
-
     
-
 
Loans originated for sale
 
(311,068
)
   
(273,750
)
   
(243,992
)
Proceeds on sales of loans
 
303,721
     
267,738
     
239,695
 
Net gain on sales of loans
 
(2,289
)
   
(2,572
)
   
(2,186
)
Increase in accrued interest receivable
 
(5,245
)
   
(2,507
)
   
(716
) 
Increase in accrued interest payable
 
3,730
     
1,474
     
1,172
 
Other, net
 
(320
)
   
(7,176
)
   
2,369
 
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
 
18,168
     
22,208
     
28,455
 
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
 
11,884
     
12,740
     
11,468
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
30,052
     
34,948
     
39,923
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
                     
Proceeds on maturities of time deposits
 
-
     
1,178
     
-
 
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
 
22,498
     
25,662
     
116,069
 
Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale
 
84,055
     
130,524
     
92,399
 
Purchase of securities available for sale
 
(182,954
)
   
(139,797
)
   
(265,197
)
Purchase of securities held to maturity
 
(1,522
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net increase in loans and leases
 
(153,736
)
   
(175,800
)
   
(173,103
) 
Capital expenditures
 
(22,624
)
   
(19,726
)
   
(18,883
) 
Net cash and cash equivalents received in acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash paid
 
(15,015
)
   
-
     
2,174
 
Net cash and cash equivalents received from sale of discontinued operation
 
9,194
     
-
     
-
 
Net cash and cash equivalents paid in acquisition of trust assets
 
-
     
-
     
(2,125
) 
Proceeds on sale of OREO and other repossessed assets
 
2,060
     
2,141
     
570
 
Net cash used by investing activities from continuing operations
 
(258,044
)
   
(175,818
)
   
(248,096
)
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations
 
36,525
     
(25,825
)
   
(14,912
) 
Net cash used by investing activities
 
(221,519
)
   
(201,643
)
   
(263,008
) 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
                     
Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
 
52,914
     
33,183
     
110,840
 
Net increase in time deposit accounts
 
96,112
     
101,149
     
94,521
 
Net increase in short-term borrowings
 
54,164
     
5,648
     
28,522
 
Proceeds from other borrowings
 
74,827
     
59,974
     
47,993
 
Repayments of other borrowings
 
(69,945
)
   
(31,931
)
   
(48,617
) 
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(4,022
)
   
(5,784
)
   
(5,254
) 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
 
1,516
     
2,007
     
1,814
 
Excess tax benefits on exercised stock options
 
559
     
-
     
-
 
Dividends paid
 
(5,906
)
   
(5,414
)
   
(5,036
) 
Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations
 
200,219
     
158,832
     
224,783
 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities from discontinued operations
 
(40,630
)
   
15,135
     
182
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
159,589
     
173,967
     
224,965
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(31,878
)
   
7,272
     
1,880
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
81,021
     
73,749
     
71,869
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
$
49,143
   
$
81,021
   
$
73,749
 
Supplemental disclosure:
                     
Cash paid for income/franchise taxes
$
10,921
   
$
11,298
   
$
2,263
 
Cash paid for interest
$
82,480
   
$
59,661
   
$
40,336
 
Acquisitions:
                     
Net assets acquired
$
13,061
   
$
--
   
$
19,961
 
Cash paid for purchase of stock
$
18,081
   
$
-
 
 
$
10,416
 
Cash acquired
$
3,066
   
$
-
 
 
$
12,590
 
Net cash received (paid) for acquisition
$
(15,015
)
 
$
-
 
 
$
2,174
 
Common stock issued for acquisition
$
-
   
$
-
 
 
$
24,082
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(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, 2004
 
$
15,262
   
$
20,065
   
$
102,584
   
$
4,794
   
$
(1,782
)
 
$
140,923
 
Net Income
                   
20,252
                     
20,252
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
                           
(2,035
)
           
(2,035
)
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
(1,861
)
           
(1,861
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives arising during the period net of realized losses of $773
                           
853
             
853
 
Income taxes
                           
1,138
             
1,138
 
Comprehensive income
                                           
18,347
 
Cash dividends declared:
                                               
Common, $.32 per share
                   
(5,036
)
                   
(5,036
)
Purchase of 290,994 shares of common stock
                                   
(5,254
)
   
(5,254
)
Issuance of 1,568,549 shares of common stock
   
1,285
     
20,381
                     
5,136
     
26,802
 
Balance at December 31, 2004
 
$
16,547
   
$
40,446
   
$
117,800
   
$
2,889
   
$
(1,900
)
 
$
175,782
 
Net Income
                   
22,726
                     
22,726
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
                           
(6,374
)
           
(6,374
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives arising during the period net of realized losses of $289
                           
337
             
337
 
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
(198
)
           
(198
)
Income taxes
                           
2,335
             
2,335
 
Comprehensive income
                                           
18,826
 
Cash dividends declared:
                                               
Common, $.33 per share
                   
(5,414
)
                   
(5,414
)
Purchase of 290,651 shares of common stock
                                   
(5,784
)
   
(5,784
)
Issuance of 240,009 shares of common stock
           
(683
)
                   
4,592
     
3,909
 
Commitments to issue common stock
           
493
                             
493
 
Balance at December 31, 2005
 
$
16,547
   
$
40,256
   
$
135,112
   
$
(1,011
)
 
$
(3,092
)
 
$
187,812
 
Net Income
                   
25,102
                     
25,102
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
                           
3,382
             
3,382
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives arising during the period, net of realized losses of $118
                           
104
             
104
 
Reclassification adjustment for net security gains realized in net income
                           
(477
)
           
(477
)
Income taxes
                           
(1,130
)
           
(1,130
)
Comprehensive income
                                           
26,981
 
Cash dividends declared:
                                               
Common, $.36 per share
                   
(5,906
)
                   
(5,906
)
Purchase of 166,259 shares of common stock
                                   
(4,022
)
   
(4,022
)
Issuance of 347,924 shares of common stock
   
25
     
(3,218
)
                   
7,114
     
3,921
 
Commitments to issue common stock
           
925
                             
925
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
 
$
16,572
   
$
37,963
   
$
154,308
   
$
868
   
$
-
   
$
209,711
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ONE
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations - Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") is a multi-bank holding company primarily operating full-service retail banking offices serving communities in and around Dubuque and Lee Counties in Iowa; Jo Daviess, Hancock and Winnebago Counties in Illinois; Dane, Green, Sheboygan and Brown Counties in Wisconsin; Bernalillo, Curry and Santa Fe Counties in New Mexico; Maricopa County in Arizona; Flathead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Powder River, Ravalli, Sanders, Sheridan and Yellowstone Counties in Montana; and Broomfield County in Colorado. The principal services of Heartland, through its subsidiaries, are FDIC-insured deposit accounts and related services, and loans to businesses and individuals. The loans consist primarily of commercial and commercial real estate, agricultural and agricultural real estate and residential real estate.

Principles of Presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Heartland and its subsidiaries: Dubuque Bank and Trust Company; Galena State Bank and Trust Company; First Community Bank; Riverside Community Bank; Wisconsin Community Bank; New Mexico Bank & Trust; Arizona Bank & Trust; Rocky Mountain Bank; Summit Acquisition Corporation, the one-bank holding company which owns Summit Bank & Trust; Citizens Finance Co.; DB&T Insurance, Inc.; DB&T Community Development Corp.; Heartland Community Development, Inc.; Heartland Financial Capital Trust II; Heartland Financial Statutory Trust II; Heartland Financial Statutory Trust III; Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV; Heartland Financial Statutory Trust V; and Rocky Mountain Statutory Trust I. All of Heartland’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned except for Arizona Bank & Trust, of which Heartland was a 91% owner on December 31, 2006 and Summit Acquisition Corporation, of which Heartland was an 81% owner on December 31, 2006. Summit Acquisition Corporation owned 99% of Summit Bank & Trust as of December 31, 2006. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The minority interest in the majority-owned subsidiaries is immaterial and included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and in other noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income. Heartland’s fleet leasing subsidiary ULTEA, Inc. was sold in 2006, and the consolidated statements of income include the results of ULTEA, Inc. as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The operations of HTLF Capital Corp., Heartland’s investment banking firm specializing in municipal financing, were closed in the third quarter of 2006.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and prevailing practices within the banking industry. In preparing such financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change relates to the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses.

Heartland and its subsidiaries operate primarily in one segment, banking, which constitutes most of its consolidated results of operations and assets. Accordingly, the results of operations and assets for separate business segments are not presented.

Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and other short-term investments. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.

Trading Securities - Trading securities represent those securities Heartland intends to actively trade and are stated at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in noninterest income.

Securities Available for Sale - Available for sale securities consist of those securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, which management intends to hold for indefinite periods of time or that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayments or other similar factors. Such securities are stated at fair value with any unrealized gain or loss, net of applicable income tax, reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Security premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted using the interest method over the period from the purchase date to the expected maturity or call date of the related security. Gains or losses from the sale of available for sale securities are determined based upon the adjusted cost of the specific security sold. Unrealized losses determined to be other than temporary are charged to operations.

Securities Held to Maturity - Securities which Heartland has the ability and positive intent to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity. Such securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for premiums and discounts that are amortized/accreted using the interest method over the period from the purchase date to the maturity date of the related security. Unrealized losses determined to be other than temporary are charged to operations.

Loans and Leases - Interest on loans is accrued and credited to income based primarily on the principal balance outstanding. Income from leases is recorded in decreasing amounts over the term of the contract resulting in a level rate of return on the lease investment. The policy of Heartland is to discontinue the accrual of interest income on any loan or lease when, in the opinion of management, there is a reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of the interest and principal, normally when a loan is 90 days past due. When interest accruals are deemed uncollectible, interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and interest accrued in prior years is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Nonaccrual loans and leases are returned to an accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates that there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely payment of interest and principal.

Under Heartland’s credit policies, all nonaccrual and restructured loans are defined as impaired loans. Loan impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except where more practical, at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Net nonrefundable loan and lease origination fees and certain direct costs associated with the lending process are deferred and recognized as a yield adjustment over the life of the related loan or lease.

Loans Held for Sale - Loans held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or market on an aggregate basis. Gains or losses on sales are recorded in noninterest income. Direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan. These deferred costs and fees are recognized in noninterest income as part of the gain or loss on sales of loans upon sale of the loan.

Mortgage Servicing and Transfers of Financial Assets - Heartland regularly sells residential mortgage loans to others on a non-recourse basis. Sold loans are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Heartland generally retains the right to service the sold loans for a fee. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, Heartland was servicing loans for others with aggregate unpaid principal balances of $602.7 million and $582.7 million, respectively.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses - The allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide for known and inherent risks in the loan and lease portfolios. The allowance is based upon a continuing review of past loan and lease loss experience, current economic conditions, volume growth, the underlying collateral value of the loans and leases and other relevant factors. Loans and leases which are deemed uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. Provisions for loan and lease losses and recoveries on previously charged-off loans and leases are added to the allowance.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments—This reserve is maintained at a level that, in the opinion of management, is adequate to absorb probable losses associated with Heartland’s commitment to lend funds under existing agreements such as letters or lines of credit. Management determines the adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments based upon reviews of individual credit facilities, current economic conditions, the risk characteristics of the various categories of commitments and other relevant factors. The reserve is based on estimates, and ultimate losses may vary from the current estimates. These estimates are evaluated on a regular basis and, as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the periods in which they become known. Draws on unfunded commitments that are considered uncollectible at the time funds are advanced are charged to the allowance. Provisions for unfunded commitment losses, and recoveries on loans previously charged off, are added to the reserve for unfunded commitments, which is included in the Other Liabilities section of the consolidated balance sheets.

Prior to June 30, 2005, the reserve for unfunded commitments was included in the allowance for loan losses. During the second quarter of 2005, approximately $319 thousand of the allowance was reclassified to establish the reserve for unfunded commitments. Prior to January 1, 2005, there was not any specific component of the allowance for loan losses ascribed to unfunded commitments, therefore this reclassification was not applied to periods prior to 2005.

Premises, Furniture and Equipment - Premises, furniture and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation of premises, furniture and equipment is determined by straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of 18 to 39 years for buildings, 15 years for land improvements and 3 to 7 years for furniture and equipment.

Other Real Estate - Other real estate represents property acquired through foreclosures and settlements of loans. Property acquired is carried at the lower of the principal amount of the loan outstanding at the time of acquisition, plus any acquisition costs, or the estimated fair value of the property, less disposal costs. The excess, if any, of such costs at the time acquired over the fair value is charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses. Subsequent write downs estimated on the basis of later valuations, gains or losses on sales and net expenses incurred in maintaining such properties are charged to other noninterest expense.

Assets under Operating Leases - Assets under operating leases, generally automobiles, were provided through ULTEA, Inc. These assets were stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation of assets under operating leases was recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease taking into account the estimated residual value. These leases were cancelable any time after the first twelve months. Rental income on these operating leases was recognized on a straight-line basis with a reset every twelve months. At December 31, 2005, gross balances of assets under operating leases were $61.9 million and accumulated depreciation on these assets was $21.3 million. Additional information about the discontinued operations of ULTEA, Inc. is included in footnote three.

Intangible Assets - Intangible assets consist of goodwill, core deposit premiums, customer relationship intangibles and mortgage servicing rights. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired subsidiaries’ net assets over their fair value. Heartland assesses goodwill for impairment annually, and more frequently in the presence of certain circumstances. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. No impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 or 2004.

Core deposit premiums are amortized over eight to ten years on an accelerated basis. Customer relationship intangibles are amortized over 22 years on an accelerated basis. Periodically, Heartland reviews the intangible assets for events or circumstances that may indicate a change in the recoverability of the underlying basis, except mortgage servicing rights which are reviewed quarterly.

Mortgage servicing rights associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are capitalized. The values of these capitalized servicing rights are amortized in relation to the servicing revenue expected to be earned. The carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based on the calculation of their fair value as performed by an outside third party. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified into certain risk characteristics including loan type, note rate, prepayment trends and external market factors. No valuation allowance was required as of December 31, 2006 and 2005.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance - Heartland and its subsidiaries have purchased life insurance policies on the life of certain officers. The one-time premiums paid for the policies, which coincide with the initial cash surrender value, are recorded as an asset. Increases or decreases in the cash surrender value, other than proceeds from death benefits, are recorded as noninterest income. Proceeds from death benefits first reduce the cash surrender value attributable to the individual policy and then any additional proceeds are recorded as noninterest income.

Income Taxes - Heartland and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Heartland and its subsidiaries file separate income or franchise tax returns as required by the various states.

Heartland has a tax allocation agreement which provides that each subsidiary of the consolidated group pay a tax liability to, or receive a tax refund from Heartland, computed as if the subsidiary had filed a separate return.

Heartland recognizes certain income and expenses in different time periods for financial reporting and income tax purposes. The provision for deferred income taxes is based on an asset and liability approach and represents the change in deferred income tax accounts during the year, including the effect of enacted tax rate changes. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce deferred tax assets if their expected realization is deemed not to be more likely than not.

Derivative Financial Instruments - Heartland uses derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management including interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars. Heartland records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows can be designated as cash flow hedges provided that certain documentation requirements are met at the inception of the hedge, and that the derivative financial instrument is highly effective in offsetting cash flows with the hedged item.

For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is initially reported in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings, while the ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative, if any, is recognized immediately in earnings. Heartland assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction.

Heartland had no fair value hedging relationships at December 31, 2006 or 2005. Derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, classified as free-standing derivatives, have all changes in the fair value recorded on the income statement through noninterest income.

Heartland does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage Heartland’s exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks, but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements of Statement 133.

Treasury Stock - Treasury stock is accounted for by the cost method, whereby shares of common stock reacquired are recorded at their purchase price. When treasury stock is reissued, any difference between the sales proceeds, or fair value when issued for business combinations, and the cost is recognized as a charge or credit to capital surplus.

Trust Department Assets - Property held for customers in fiduciary or agency capacities is not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as such items are not assets of the Heartland banks.

Earnings Per Share - Amounts used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are shown in the table below:

(Dollars and number of shares in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Income from continuing operations
 
$
25,020
 
$
22,254
 
$
19,885
Discontinued operations
                 
Income from operations of discontinued subsidiary
   
602
   
763
   
585
Income taxes
   
520
   
291
   
218
Income from discontinued operations
   
82
   
472
   
367
Net income
 
$
25,102
 
$
22,726
 
$
20,252
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share 1
   
16,508
   
16,415
   
15,869
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options 1
   
227
   
287
   
216
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share 1
   
16,735
   
16,702
   
16,085
Earnings per common share-basic
 
$
1.52
 
$
1.38
 
$
1.28
Earnings per common share-diluted
   
1.50
   
1.36
   
1.26
Earnings per share from continuing operations-basic
   
1.52
   
1.36
   
1.25
Earnings per share from continuing operations-diluted
   
1.50
   
1.33
   
1.24

1
 
In thousands.

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 December 31, 2006, was a reduction in net income of $351 thousand or diluted earnings per share of $0.02. Additional information is provided in footnote 17.

Prior to January 1, 2006, Heartland applied APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock options and, accordingly, no compensation cost for its stock options was recognized in the financial statements prior to 2006. Had Heartland determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under FAS No. 123, Heartland’s net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

(Dollars in thousands, except earnings per share data)
   
2005
 
2004
Net income as reported
 
$
22,726
 
$
20,252
Additional compensation expense
   
210
   
200
Pro forma
 
$
22,516
 
$
20,052
Earnings per share-basic as reported
 
$
1.38
 
$
1.28
Pro forma
   
1.37
   
1.26
Earnings per share-diluted as reported
   
1.36
   
1.26
Pro forma
   
1.35
   
1.25

Pro forma net income only reflects options granted in the years from 1996 through 2005. Therefore, the full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock options under FAS 123 is not reflected in the pro forma net income amounts presented above because compensation is reflected over the options’ vesting period, and compensation cost for options granted prior to January 1, 1996, was not considered.

Effect of New Financial Accounting Standards - 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 adopted the provisions of FAS 155 on January 1, 2007, and the adoption did not 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 adopted FAS 156 on January 1, 2007, and the adoption of this statement did not have a material impact 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 adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, and the adoption did not have a material impact 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 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. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have an 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.

Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ consolidated financial statements to present them on a basis comparable with the current period’s consolidated financial statements.

TWO
ACQUISITIONS

Heartland regularly explores opportunities for acquisitions of financial institutions and related businesses. Generally, management does not make a public announcement about an acquisition opportunity until a definitive agreement has been signed.

On January 12, 2006, Heartland announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Bank of the Southwest, a financial institution with offices in Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. 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 $540 thousand, as determined by an independent third party consultant, 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. The results of operations of Bank of the Southwest are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. As a result of the Bank of the Southwest acquisition, Heartland’s ownership percentage in Arizona Bank & Trust increased from 86% to 91%. Additional information on Heartland’s required repurchase of the Arizona Bank & Trust stock held by minority shareholders is included in footnote 12.

In April of 2006, Heartland entered into an agreement with a group of Colorado business leaders to establish a new bank in Broomfield, Colorado. Summit Bank & Trust opened on November 1, 2006, and Heartland funded its $12.0 million initial investment through use of its revolving credit line. Additional information on Heartland’s required repurchase of the Summit Bank & Trust stock held by minority shareholders is included in footnote 12.

THREE
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On October 24, 2006, Heartland announced its intention to sell its fleet leasing subsidiary, ULTEA, Inc., to ALD International Group Holdings GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Société Générale Group, in order to focus efforts on its core banking and consumer finance businesses. On December 22, 2006, Heartland completed the sale transaction. Total assets of ULTEA at closing were $50.3 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Heartland received proceeds of $9.2 million and assumed the deferred tax liability of $5.4 million related to ULTEA. Heartland recorded a pre-tax gain of $20 thousand that is included in the line item “income from discontinued operations” on the consolidated statements of income. ULTEA’s results of operations for all prior periods presented are also reflected in this line item.

FOUR
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The Heartland banks are required to maintain certain average cash reserve balances as a non-member bank of the Federal Reserve System. The reserve balance requirements at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $5.2 and $5.5 million, respectively.

FIVE
SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale securities as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
2006
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
299,671
   
$
1,010
   
$
(3,858
)
 
$
296,823
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
135,008
     
551
     
(1,502
)
   
134,057
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
130,671
     
5,247
     
(237
)
   
135,681
 
Corporate debt securities
   
22,076
     
4
     
-
     
22,080
 
Total debt securities
   
587,426
     
6,812
     
(5,597
)
   
588,641
 
Equity securities
   
25,014
     
402
     
(107
)
   
25,309
 
Total
 
$
612,440
   
$
7,214
   
$
(5,704
)
 
$
613,950
 

 
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
2005
                               
Securities available for sale:
                               
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
239,486
   
$
-
   
$
(5,465
)
 
$
234,021
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
131,809
     
134
     
(1,609
)
   
130,334
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
127,576
     
5,784
     
(402
)
   
132,958
 
Corporate debt securities
   
2,159
     
-
     
(27
)
   
2,132
 
Total debt securities
   
501,030
     
5,918
     
(7,503
)
   
499,445
 
Equity securities
   
27,617
     
371
     
(181
)
   
27,807
 
Total
 
$
528,647
   
$
6,289
   
$
(7,684
)
 
$
527,252
 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of held to maturity securities as of December 31, 2006 are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
2006
                               
Securities held to maturity:
                               
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
$
1,522
   
$
4
   
$
(13
)
 
$
1,513
 
Total
 
$
1,522
   
$
4
   
$
(13
)
 
$
1,513
 

All of our U.S. government corporations and agencies securities and a majority of our mortgage-backed securities are issuances of government-sponsored enterprises.

Included in the equity securities at December 31, 2006 and 2005, were shares of stock in the Federal Home Loan Banks of Des Moines, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle at an amortized cost of $12.3 million and $17.2 million, respectively. There were no unrealized gains or losses recorded on these securities as they are not readily marketable.
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale at December 31, 2006, by estimated maturity, are as follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

(Dollars in thousands)
   
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
           
Due in 1 year or less
 
$
130,180
 
$
129,201
Due in 1 to 5 years
   
345,895
   
343,200
Due in 5 to 10 years
   
71,399
   
73,201
Due after 10 years
   
39,952
   
43,039
Total
 
$
587,426
 
$
588,641

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities held to maturity at December 31, 2006, by estimated maturity, are as follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Securities held to maturity:
           
Due after 10 years
 
$
1,522
 
$
1,513
Total
 
$
1,522
 
$
1,513

As of December 31, 2006, securities with a fair value of $419.9 million were pledged to secure public and trust deposits, short-term borrowings and for other purposes as required by law.

Gross gains and losses realized related to sales of securities for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Securities sold:
                 
Proceeds from sales
 
$
22,498
 
$
25,662
 
$
116,069
Gross security gains
   
697
   
376
   
2,115
Gross security losses
   
144
   
178
   
254

During the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, Heartland incurred other than temporary impairment losses of $76, $0 and $0 thousand, respectively, on equity securities available for sale.

The following tables summarize the amount of unrealized losses, defined as the amount by which cost or amortized cost exceeds fair value, and the related fair value of investments with unrealized losses in Heartland’s securities portfolio as of December 31, 2006 and 2005. The investments were segregated into two categories: those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 or more months. The reference point for determining how long an investment was in an unrealized loss position was December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The unrealized losses in the debt security portfolio are the result of changes in interest rates and are not related to credit downgrades of the securities. Therefore, Heartland has deemed the impairment as temporary.

Unrealized Losses on Securities Available for Sale
 
December 31, 2006
                                           
   
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
   
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
14,866
 
$
(39
)
 
$
197,192
 
$
(3,819
)
 
$
212,058
 
$
(3,858
)
Mortgage-backed securities
   
20,525
   
(225
)
   
71,029
   
(1,277
)
   
91,554
   
(1,502
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
5,431
   
(57
)
   
18,117
   
(180
)
   
23,548
   
(237
)
Total debt securities
   
40,822
   
(321
)
   
286,338
   
(5,276
)
   
327,160
   
(5,597
)
Equity securities
   
732
   
(26
)
   
2,776
   
(81
)
   
3,508
   
(107
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$
41,554
 
$
(347
)
 
$
289,114
 
$
(5,357
)
 
$
330,668
 
$
(5,704
)
 
Unrealized Losses on Securities Available for Sale
 
December 31, 2005
                                           
   
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
   
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
U.S. government corporations and agencies
 
$
234,021
 
$
(5,465
)
 
$
-
 
$
-
   
$
234,021
 
$
(5,465
)
Mortgage-backed securities
   
114,122
   
(1,609
)
   
-
   
-
     
114,122
   
(1,609
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
32,311
   
(402
)
   
-
   
-
     
32,311
   
(402
)
Other debt securities
   
2,132
   
(27
)
   
-
   
-
     
2,132
   
(27
)
Total debt securities
   
382,586
   
(7,503
)
   
-
   
-
     
382,586
   
(7,503
)
Equity securities
   
5,032
   
(181
)
   
-
   
-
     
5,032
   
(181
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
 
$
387,618
 
$
(7,684
)
 
$
-
 
$
-
   
$
387,618
 
$
(7,684
)



SIX
LOANS AND LEASES

Loans and leases as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Commercial and commercial real estate
 
$
1,483,738
   
$
1,304,080
 
Residential mortgage
   
225,343
     
219,671
 
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
   
233,748
     
230,357
 
Consumer
   
194,652
     
181,019
 
Loans, gross
   
2,137,481
     
1,935,127
 
Unearned discount
   
(1,875
)
   
(1,870
)
Deferred loan fees
   
(2,120
)
   
(1,777
)
Loans, net
   
2,133,486
     
1,931,480
 
Direct financing leases:
               
Gross rents receivable
   
12,268
     
20,418
 
Estimated residual value
   
3,770
     
3,996
 
Unearned income
   
(1,679
)
   
(2,828
)
Direct financing leases, net
   
14,359
     
21,586
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
(29,981
)
   
(27,791
)
Loans and leases, net
 
$
2,117,864
   
$
1,925,275
 

Direct financing leases receivable are generally short-term equipment leases. Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2006, were as follows: $5.3 million for 2007, $4.6 million for 2008, $3.0 million for 2009, $1.9 million for 2010, $644 thousand for 2011 and $494 thousand thereafter.

Nearly 58% of the loan portfolio is concentrated in the Midwest States of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The remaining portion of the loan portfolio is concentrated in the Western States of New Mexico, Arizona, Montana and Colorado.

Loans and leases on a nonaccrual status amounted to $8.1 million and $14.9 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The allowance for loan and lease losses related to these nonaccrual loans was $301 thousand and $1.2 million, respectively. The average balances of nonaccrual loans for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $12.6 million, $13.8 million and $7.3 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, interest income which would have been recorded under the original terms of these loans and leases amounted to approximately $592 thousand, $1.1 million and $485 thousand, respectively, and interest income actually recorded amounted to approximately $225 thousand, $68 thousand and $88 thousand, respectively.

There were no loans and leases on a restructured status at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

Loans are made in the normal course of business to directors, officers and principal holders of equity securities of Heartland. The terms of these loans, including interest rates and collateral, are similar to those prevailing for comparable transactions and do not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility. Changes in such loans during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
 
2006
 
2005
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
28,379
   
$
35,467
 
Advances
   
43,938
     
11,936
 
Repayments
   
(21,299
)
   
(19,024
)
Balance, end of year
 
$
51,018
   
$
28,379
 


SEVEN
ALLOWANCE FOR
LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Balance at beginning of year
$
27,791
   
$
24,973
   
$
18,490
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from continuing operations
 
3,886
     
6,533
     
4,846
 
Provision for loan and lease losses from discontinued operations
 
(8
)
   
31
     
-
 
Recoveries on loans and leases previously charged off
 
1,733
     
1,152
     
1,005
 
Loans and leases charged off
 
(3,989
)
   
(4,579
)
   
(3,617
)
Adjustment for transfer to other liabilities for unfunded commitments
 
-
     
(319
)
   
-
 
Additions related to acquired bank
 
591
     
-
     
4,249
 
Reduction related to sale of discontinued operation
 
(23
)
   
-
     
-
 
Balance at end of year
$
29,981
   
$
27,791
   
$
24,973
 

EIGHT
PREMISES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

Premises, furniture and equipment as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Land and land improvements
 
$
22,782
   
$
20,059
 
Buildings and building improvements
   
82,455
     
70,773
 
Furniture and equipment
   
38,481
     
36,812
 
Total
   
143,718
     
127,644
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
(35,151
)
   
(34,875
)
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
 
$
108,567
   
$
92,769
 

Depreciation expense on premises, furniture and equipment was $6.5 million, $5.8 million and $4.8 million for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.
 

NINE
INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount of intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization at December 31, 2006 and 2005, are presented in the tables below.

(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
   
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
Amortized intangible assets
                       
Core deposit intangibles
 
$
9,757
 
$
5,095
 
$
9,217
 
$
4,163
Mortgage servicing rights
   
5,546
   
1,986
   
4,685
   
1,422
Customer relationship intangible
   
917
   
129
 
 
917
   
75
Total
 
$
16,220
 
$
7,210
 
$
14,819
 
$
5,660
Unamortized intangible assets
       
$
9,010
       
$
9,159

The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets:

     
Core
Deposit Intangibles
   
Mortgage Servicing
Rights
   
Customer Relationship Intangible
   
Total
Year ended:
                       
2007
 
$
906
 
$
1,179
 
$
53
 
$
2,138
2008
   
886
   
680
   
51
   
1,617
2009
   
787
   
567
   
50
   
1,404
2010
   
505
   
454
   
49
   
1,008
2011
   
489
   
340
   
47
   
876
Thereafter
   
1,089
   
340
   
538
   
1,967

The following table summarizes the changes in capitalized mortgage servicing rights:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
3,263
   
$
3,252
 
Originations
   
1,309
     
956
 
Amortization
   
(1,012
)
   
(984
)
Valuation adjustment
   
-
     
39
 
Balance, end of year
 
$
3,560
   
$
3,263
 

Mortgage loans serviced for others were $602.7 million and $582.7 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the mortgage loan servicing portfolio were approximately $2.9 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The fair value of Heartland’s mortgage servicing rights was estimated at $6.0 million and $5.9 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

TEN
DEPOSITS

The aggregate amount of time certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $235.7 million and $217.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 2006, the scheduled maturities of time certificates of deposit were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2007
 
$
754,436
2008
   
222,129
2009
   
76,085
2010
   
40,196
2011
   
23,551
Thereafter
   
880
   
$
1,117,277

Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Savings and money market accounts
 
$
19,167
 
$
10,991
 
$
5,890
Time certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more
   
9,498
   
6,505
   
3,957
Other time deposits
   
34,628
   
25,887
   
21,001
Interest expense on deposits
 
$
63,293
 
$
43,383
 
$
30,848


ELEVEN
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
 
$
225,880
 
$
181,984
Federal funds purchased
   
11,550
   
7,725
U.S. Treasury demand note
   
3,264
   
5,164
Notes payable to unaffiliated banks
   
35,000
   
60,750
Total
 
$
275,694
 
$
255,623

Heartland has a credit agreement with four unaffiliated banks under a revolving credit line. Under the unsecured revolving credit line, Heartland may borrow up to $75.0 million at any one time. This credit line was established primarily to provide working capital to the nonbanking subsidiaries and replace similar sized lines currently in place at those subsidiaries. At December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, $35.0 million and $60.8 million was outstanding on the revolving credit line 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 December 31, 2006, Heartland was in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

All retail repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, were due within twelve months.

Average and maximum balances and rates on aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Maximum month-end balance
 
$
277,604
 
$
266,194
 
$
231,475
Average month-end balance
   
258,844
   
233,051
   
187,046
Weighted average interest rate for the year
   
4.35%
   
2.67%
   
1.44%
Weighted average interest rate at year-end
   
4.71%
   
3.68%
   
1.88%

Dubuque Bank and Trust Company is a participant in the Borrower-In-Custody of Collateral Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which provides the capability to borrow short-term funds under the Discount Window Program. Advances under this program were collateralized by a portion of the commercial loan portfolio of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company in the amount of $229.4 million at December 31, 2006, and $263.3 million at December 31, 2005. No borrowings were utilized under the Discount Window Program during either year.

TWELVE
OTHER BORROWINGS

Other borrowings at December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Advances from the FHLB; weighted average maturity dates at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were February 2011 and October 2008, respectively; and weighted average interest rates were 4.23% and 3.96%, respectively
 
$
81,264
 
$
151,046
Wholesale repurchase agreements
   
50,000
   
-
Notes payable on leased assets with interest rates varying from 2.36% to 6.49%
   
-
   
1,230
Trust preferred securities
   
85,570
   
64,951
Obligations to repurchase minority interest shares of Arizona Bank & Trust and Summit Bank & Trust
   
6,350
   
2,234
Community Development Block Grant Loan Program with the City of Dubuque at 3.00% due January 2014
   
300
   
300
Contracts payable for purchase of real estate
   
1,039
   
1,110
Total
 
$
224,523
 
$
220,871

The Heartland banks are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Des Moines, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle. The advances from the FHLB are collateralized by the banks’ investment in FHLB stock of $6.6 and $9.0 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Additional collateral is provided by the banks’ one-to-four unit residential mortgages, commercial and agricultural mortgages and securities pledged totaling $964.8 million at December 31, 2006 and $715.7 million at December 31, 2005. Callable advances from the FHLB totaled $13.0 million as of December 31, 2006, at a weighted average rate of 3.39% with call dates during 2007. At December 31, 2005, callable advances from the FHLB totaled $24.0 million at a weighted average rate of 4.03% with $11.0 million callable during 2006.

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.

On September 30, 2004, Heartland Financial Capital Trust I, a trust subsidiary of Heartland, redeemed all of its $25.0 million 9.60% trust preferred securities and its 9.60% common securities at a redemption price equal to the $25.00 liquidation amount of each security plus all accrued and unpaid interest per security. The redeemed trust preferred securities were originally issued in 1999 and were listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “HFT”. Remaining unamortized issuance costs associated with these securities of $959 thousand were expensed under the noninterest expense category upon redemption.

Heartland currently has six wholly-owned trust subsidiaries that were formed to issue trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the offerings were used to purchase junior subordinated debentures from Heartland. The proceeds are being used for general corporate purposes. Heartland has the option to shorten the maturity date to a date not earlier than the callable dates listed in the schedule below. Heartland may not shorten the maturity date without prior approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, if required. Prior redemption is permitted under certain circumstances, such as changes in tax or regulatory capital rules. In connection with these offerings, the balance of deferred issuance costs included in other assets was $663 thousand as of December 31, 2006. These deferred costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the debentures. The majority of the interest payments are due quarterly.
 
A schedule of Heartland’s trust preferred offerings outstanding as of December 31, 2006, is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
         
Name
Amount
Issued
Interest
Rate
Interest Rate as of 12/31/06
Maturity
Date
Callable
Date
             
Rocky Mountain Statutory Trust I
$
5,155
10.60%
10.60%
09/07/2030
09/07/2010
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust II
 
8,248
3.60% over Libor
8.96%
12/18/2031
03/18/2007
Heartland Financial Capital Trust II
 
5,155
3.65% over Libor
9.02%
06/30/2032
06/30/2007
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust III
 
20,619
8.25%
8.25%
10/10/2033
10/10/2008
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV
 
25,774
2.75% over Libor
8.11%
03/17/2034
03/17/2009
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust V
 
20,619
1.33% over Libor
6.70%
01/31/2036
01/31/2011
 
$
85,570
       

For regulatory purposes, $69.6 and $62.9 million of the capital securities qualified as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Heartland has an irrevocable obligation to repurchase the common shares of Summit Bank & Trust owned by minority shareholders on November 1, 2011. The minority shareholders are obligated to sell their shares to Heartland on that same date. 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 December 31, 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. Additionally, the minority shareholders may put their shares to Heartland at any time through November 1, 2011, at an amount equal to the amount originally paid plus 6% compounded annually. The amount of the obligation as of December 31, 2006, included in other borrowings is $3.0 million.

Heartland has an irrevocable obligation to repurchase the common shares of Arizona Bank & Trust owned by minority shareholders on August 18, 2008. The minority shareholders are obligated to sell their shares to Heartland on that same date. 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 December 31, 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. Additionally, the minority shareholders may put their shares to Heartland at any time through August 18, 2008, at an amount equal to the amount originally paid plus 6% compounded annually. The amount of the obligation as of December 31, 2006, included in other borrowings is $3.3 million.

Future payments at December 31, 2006, for all other borrowings follow in the table below. Callable FHLB advances are included in the table at their maturity date.

(Dollars in thousands)
       
2007
 
$
9,801
2008
   
24,876
2009
   
50,532
2010
   
23,442
2011
   
6,445
Thereafter
   
109,427
   
$
224,523

THIRTEEN
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 December 31, 2006, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as an asset of $59 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 reduce the potentially negative impact a downward movement in interest rates would have on its net interest income. The collar has an effective date of September 21, 2005, and a maturity date of 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 whenever prime changes. 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 December 31, 2006, the fair market value of this collar transaction was recorded as a liability of $43 thousand and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

Heartland also had an interest rate swap contract to effectively convert $25.0 million of its variable interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt. As of December 31, 2005, 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 4.09% based on $25.0 million of indebtedness. Payments under the interest rate swap contract were made monthly. This contract expired on November 1, 2006. The interest rate swap contract was accounted for as a cash flow hedge.

There was no material amount of ineffectiveness recognized on these three cash flow hedge transactions for the years ending December 31, 2006, 2005 or 2004. 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 $43 thousand flowed through Heartland’s income statement under the other noninterest income category since it is accounted for as a free-standing derivative. The floor contract had no fair market value as of December 31, 2006.

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.

FOURTEEN
INCOME TAXES

Income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Current:
                     
Federal
$
17,344
   
$
9,396
   
$
7,690
 
State
 
841
     
1,081
     
1,027
 
Total current
$
18,185
   
$
10,477
   
$
8,717
 
Deferred:
                     
Federal
$
(6,114
)
 
$
(1,490
)
 
$
(802
)
State
 
438
     
1,163
     
21
 
Total deferred
$
(5,676
)
 
$
(327
)
 
$
(781
)
Total income tax expense
$
12,509
   
$
10,150
   
$
7,936
 

Income tax expense is included in the financial statements as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Income tax from continuing operations
$
11,989
   
$
9,859
   
$
7,718
 
Income tax from discontinued operations
 
520
     
291
     
218
 
Total income tax expense
$
12,509
   
$
10,150
   
$
7,936
 

The income tax provisions above do not include the effects of income tax deductions resulting from exercises of stock options in the amounts of $559 thousand, $476 thousand and $463 thousand in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which were recorded as increases to stockholders’ equity. Additionally, the income tax provisions do not include federal rehabilitation tax credits of $313 thousand in 2005 and $1.1 million in 2004, state rehabilitation tax credits of $392 thousand in 2005 and $1.4 million in 2004 and a state investment tax credit of $400 thousand in 2004, all of which were recorded as a reduction in the depreciable basis of the capitalized asset. A deferred tax asset had been recorded for the $1.4 million ($915 thousand, net of federal tax) state rehabilitation tax credits as they initially were not available until tax years 2011 and 2013. During 2005, state legislation provided for earlier availability of these credits with $489 thousand available in tax year 2005 and the remaining $1.3 million available in tax year 2006. Additionally, during 2004, $70 thousand of the $400 thousand investment tax credit was recorded as a deferred tax asset as the amount of estimated tax in the applicable state did not allow for full utilization of this credit. For tax year 2005, the amount of tax in the applicable state provided for utilization of $70 thousand of the investment tax credits and $405 thousand of the state rehabilitation credits. Temporary differences between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities result in deferred taxes. No valuation allowance was required for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005. Based upon Heartland’s level of historical taxable income and anticipated future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that Heartland will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2006 and 2005, were as follows:


(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
 
2005
Deferred tax assets:
               
Tax effect of net unrealized loss on derivatives reflected in stockholders’ equity
 
$
45
   
$
86
 
Tax effect of net unrealized loss on securities available for sale reflected in stockholders’ equity
   
-
     
528
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
   
10,880
     
10,157
 
Deferred compensation
   
1,189
     
1,336
 
Organization and acquisitions costs
   
463
     
526
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
   
805
     
596
 
State rehabilitation tax credits
   
747
     
1,577
 
Other
   
88
     
33
 
Gross deferred tax assets
 
$
14,217
   
$
14,839
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Tax effect of net unrealized gain on securities available for sale reflected in stockholders’ equity
 
$
(573
)
 
$
-
 
Securities
   
(902
)
   
(965
)
Premises, furniture and equipment
   
(3,101
)
   
(9,255
)
Lease financing
   
(2,247
)
   
(2,495
)
Tax bad debt reserves
   
(515
)
   
(517
)
Purchase accounting
   
(3,168
)
   
(3,424
)
Prepaid expenses
   
(472
)
   
(651
)
Mortgage servicing rights
   
(1,330
)
   
(1,218
)
Other
   
(140
)
   
(143
)
Gross deferred tax liabilities
 
$
(12,447
)
 
$
(18,668
)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
 
$
1,770
   
$
(3,830
)

The deferred tax liabilities related to net unrealized gains(losses) on securities available for sale and the deferred tax assets related to net unrealized losses on derivatives had no effect on income tax expense as these gains and losses, net of taxes, were recorded in other comprehensive income. Also, the $1.1 million deferred tax asset recorded during 2006 as a result of the Bank of the Southwest acquisition had no effect on income tax expense.

The actual income tax expense from continuing operations differs from the expected amounts (computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate tax rate of 35% for 2006, 2005 and 2004, to income before income taxes) as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Computed “expected” tax on income from continuing operations
 
$
12,953
   
$
11,240
   
$
9,661
 
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
                       
Nontaxable interest income
   
(1,948
)
   
(1,923
)
   
(1,684
)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
   
1,611
     
1,422
     
654
 
Nondeductible goodwill and other intangibles
   
57
     
57
     
77
 
Tax credits
   
(218
)
   
(412
)
   
(525
)
Other
   
(466
)
   
(525
)
   
(465
)
Income taxes
 
$
11,989
   
$
9,859
   
$
7,718
 
Effective tax rates
   
32.4
%
   
30.7
%
   
28.0
%


Heartland had investments in certain low-income housing projects totaling $5.1 million as of December 31, 2006, $5.4 million as of December 31, 2005, and $5.8 million as of December 31, 2004, the majority of which have been fully consolidated in the consolidated financial statements. These investments are expected to generate federal income tax credits of approximately $225 thousand for each year through 2014. A 99.9% ownership in a limited liability company was acquired in 2004 that provided a federal historic rehabilitation credit totaling $675 thousand for the tax year 2004 and state historic rehabilitation credits totaling $843 thousand for the tax years 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2002, Heartland had acquired a 99.9% ownership in a similarly structured limited liability company that provided a federal historic rehabilitation credit totaling $389 thousand for the 2002 tax year and state historic rehabilitation credits totaling $450 thousand for the tax years 2002 and 2006.

FIFTEEN
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Heartland sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan covering substantially all employees. Contributions to this plan are subject to approval by the Heartland Board of Directors. The Heartland subsidiaries fund and record as an expense all approved contributions. Costs charged to operating expenses were $2.9 million, $2.7 million, and $2.1 million for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. This plan includes an employee savings program, under which the Heartland subsidiaries make matching contributions of up to 2% of the participants’ wages. Costs charged to operating expenses with respect to the matching contributions were $578 thousand, $532 thousand, and $396 thousand for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

SIXTEEN
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Heartland leases certain land and facilities under operating leases. Minimum future rental commitments at December 31, 2006, for all non-cancelable leases were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
       
2007
 
$
870
2008
   
801
2009
   
679
2010
   
425
2011
   
250
Thereafter
   
3,371
   
$
6,396

Rental expense for premises and equipment leased under operating leases was $1.6 million, $1.7 million, and $1.3 million for 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. Occupancy expense is presented net of rental income of $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $829 thousand for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Heartland banks make various commitments and incur certain contingent liabilities that are not presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The commitments and contingent liabilities include various guarantees, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Heartland banks evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Heartland banks upon extension of credit, is based upon management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment and income-producing commercial properties. Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written are conditional commitments issued by the Heartland banks to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, commitments to extend credit aggregated $651.3 and $556.9 million, and standby letters of credit aggregated $35.8 and $25.7 million, respectively. Heartland enters into commitments to sell mortgage loans to reduce interest rate risk on certain mortgage loans held for sale and loan commitments. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, Heartland had commitments to sell residential real estate loans totaling $4.7 and $6.5 million, respectively. Heartland does not anticipate any material loss as a result of the commitments and contingent liabilities.

Heartland established a loss reserve for unfunded commitments, including loan commitments and letters of credit, during 2005 by reclassifying $319 thousand of the allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the reserve for unfunded commitments, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, was approximately $424 and $340 thousand, respectively. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is reviewed on a quarterly basis, based upon changes in the amounts of commitments, loss experience and economic conditions.

There are certain legal proceedings pending against Heartland and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2006, that are ordinary routine litigation incidental to business. 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.

SEVENTEEN
STOCK PLANS

Effective January 1, 2006, Heartland adopted the provisions of FAS 123R 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 December 31, 2006, was a reduction in net income of $351 thousand or diluted earnings per share of $0.02.

On May 18, 2005, the Heartland 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan was adopted, replacing the 2003 Stock Option Plan. Under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 1,000,000 shares have been reserved for issuance. The 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan is administered by the Nominating and Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors. 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. The 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. The Compensation Committee determines the specific employees who will be granted awards under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the type and amount of any such awards. Options may be granted that are either intended to be "incentive stock options" as defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or not intended to be incentive stock options ("non-qualified stock options"). The exercise price of stock options granted will be established by the Compensation Committee, but the exercise price for the stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date that the option is granted or, if greater, the par value of a share of stock. Each option granted is exercisable in full at any time or from time to time, subject to vesting provisions, as determined by the Compensation Committee and as provided in the option agreement, but such time may not exceed ten years from the grant date. At December 31, 2006, there were 746,110 shares available for issuance under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. At December 31, 2005, there were 866,710 shares available for issuance under the 2003 Stock Option Plan. Shares available for options forfeited under the 2003 Option Plan are transferable to shares available under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Shares available for options forfeited under the 1993 Stock Option Plan are not transferable to shares available under the 2003 Stock Option Plan or the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, SARS may also be granted. A SAR entitles the participant to receive stock equal in value to the amount by which the fair market value of a specified number of shares on the exercise date exceeds the exercise price as established by the Compensation Committee. SARS may be exercisable for up to ten years after the date of grant. No SARS have been granted under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2003 Stock Option Plan or the 1993 Stock Option Plan.

Under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, stock awards may be granted as determined by the Compensation Committee. In 2005, stock awards totaling 136,500 were granted to key policy-making employees. These stock awards were granted at no cost to the employees. These awards are contingent upon the achievement of performance objectives through December 31, 2010, and additional compensation expense will be recorded through 2010.

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. A summary of the status of the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2003 and 1993 Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, and changes during the years ended follows:

   
 
Shares
 
2006 Weighted- Average Exercise Price
 
 
Shares
 
2005 Weighted- Average Exercise Price
 
 
Shares
 
2004
Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
 
796,650
   
$
12.70
 
808,375
   
$
11.12
 
831,750
   
$
9.83
Granted
 
130,750
     
21.60
 
105,750
     
21.00
 
97,250
     
19.25
Exercised
 
(94,450
)
   
8.97
 
(112,875
)
   
8.14
 
(119,125
)
   
8.69
Forfeited
 
(17,650
)
   
17.33
 
(4,600
)
   
19.66
 
(1,500
)
   
17.78
Outstanding at end of year
 
815,300
   
$
14.46
 
796,650
   
$
12.70
 
808,375
   
$
11.12
Options exercisable at end of year
 
409,425
   
$
10.34
 
430,694
   
$
10.06
 
474,875
   
$
9.66
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year
 
$5.65
         
$6.13
         
$5.68
       

At December 31, 2006, the vested options totaled 409,425 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $10.34 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.59 years. The intrinsic value for the vested options as of December 31, 2006 was $7.6 million. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $1.9 million, and the total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $491 thousand. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, options outstanding under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2003 and 1993 Stock Option Plans had exercise prices ranging from $8 to $21.60 per share and a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 5.15 and 5.04 years, respectively.

The fair value of stock options granted was determined utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. Significant assumptions include:

   
2006
 
2005
 
2004
Risk-free interest rate
 
4.52%
 
4.00%
 
4.13%
Expected option life
 
7 years
 
10 years
 
10 years
Expected volatility
 
22.00%
 
19.75%
 
20.67%
Expected dividends
 
2.00%
 
1.52%
 
1.66%

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. The 2006 risk free interest rate reflects the yield on the 7 year zero coupon U.S. Treasury bond. Cash received from options exercised for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $736 thousand, with a related tax benefit of $559 thousand.

Total compensation costs recorded for stock options and restricted stock awards were $856 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2006. For the year ended December 31, 2005, total compensation costs recorded for restricted stock awards were $493 thousand. As of December 31, 2006 there was $3.1 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. In addition, in 2006, 1,500 shares of stock were awarded to Heartland directors in returned for services performed, and $45 thousand was recorded as compensation expense in 2006. In 2005, 1,390 shares of stock were awarded to Heartland directors in return for services performed, and $30 thousand was recorded as compensation expense.

At Heartland’s annual meeting of stockholders on May 18, 2005, the 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2006 ESPP”), was adopted, effective January 1, 2006. The 2006 ESPP replaced the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “1996 ESPP”) continuing to permit all eligible employees to purchase shares of Heartland common stock at a price of not less than 85% of the fair market value on the determination date (as determined by the Committee). A maximum of 500,000 shares is available for sale under the 2006 ESPP. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, Heartland approved a purchase price of 100% of fair market value as determined by averaging the closing price of the last five trading days in 2005 and 2004, respectively. At December 31, 2006, 26,451 shares were purchased under the 2006 ESPP at a charge of $69 thousand to Heartland’s earnings. As a result of the adoption of FAS 123R, compensation expense was recorded in 2006, because the price of the share purchases are set at the beginning of the year for purchase at the end of the year. At December 31, 2005, 14,268 shares were purchased under the 2006 ESPP at no charge to Heartland’s earnings.

During each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, Heartland acquired shares for use in the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2003 Stock Option Plan, the 2006 ESPP and the 1996 ESPP. Shares acquired totaled 166,259, 290,651 and 290,994 for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

EIGHTEEN
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On June 7, 2002, Heartland adopted a stockholders’ rights plan (the "Rights Plan"). Under the terms of the Rights Plan, on June 26, 2002, the Board of Directors distributed one purchase right for each share of common stock outstanding as of June 24, 2002. Upon becoming exercisable, each right entitles the registered holder thereof, under certain limited circumstances, to purchase one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating preferred stock at an exercise price of $85.00. Rights do not become exercisable until ten business days after any person or group has acquired, commenced, or announced its intention to commence a tender or exchange offer to acquire 15% or more of Heartland’s common stock. If the rights become exercisable, holders of each right, other than the acquirer, upon payment of the exercise price, will have the right to purchase Heartland’s common stock (in lieu of preferred shares) having a value equal to two times the exercise price. If Heartland is acquired in a merger, share exchange or other business combination or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, rights holders, other than the acquiring or adverse person or group, will be entitled to purchase the acquirer’s shares at a similar discount. If the rights become exercisable, Heartland may also exchange rights, other than those held by the acquiring or adverse person or group, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Heartland’s common stock per right held. Rights are redeemable by Heartland at any time until they are exercisable at the exchange rate of $.01 per right. Issuance of the rights has no immediate dilutive effect, does not currently affect reported earnings per share, is not taxable to Heartland or its shareholders, and will not change the way in which Heartland’s shares are traded. The rights expire on June 7, 2012.

In connection with the Rights Plan, Heartland designated 16,000 shares, par value $1.00 per share, of Series A Junior Participating preferred stock. These shares, if issued, will be entitled to receive quarterly dividends and a liquidation preference. There are no shares issued and outstanding and Heartland does not anticipate issuing any shares of Series A Junior Participating preferred stock except as may be required under the Rights Plan.


NINETEEN
REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DIVIDENDS

The Heartland banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Heartland banks’ financial statements. The regulations prescribe specific capital adequacy guidelines that involve quantitative measures of a bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital classification is also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Heartland banks to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, that the Heartland banks met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.

As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the FDIC categorized each of the Heartland banks as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Heartland banks must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed each institution’s category.

The Heartland banks’ actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the table below.
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Actual
 
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
   
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of December 31, 2006
                                   
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
279,112
 
11.18
%
 
$
199,757
 
8.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
75,378
 
10.96
     
55,044
 
8.0
   
$
68,806
 
10.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
20,903
 
12.55
     
13,329
 
8.0
     
16,662
 
10.0
 
First Community Bank
   
10,801
 
12.09
     
7,147
 
8.0
     
8,934
 
10.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
17,142
 
11.26
     
12,179
 
8.0
     
15,224
 
10.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
36,312
 
11.48
     
25,297
 
8.0
     
31,621
 
10.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
49,465
 
10.04
     
39,415
 
8.0
     
49,269
 
10.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
27,921
 
13.72
     
16,281
 
8.0
     
20,352
 
10.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
39,485
 
11.12
     
28,403
 
8.0
     
35,504
 
10.0
 
Summit Bank & Trust
   
13,854
 
62.38
     
1,777
 
8.0
     
2,221
 
10.0
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
232,702
 
9.32
%
 
$
99,878
 
4.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
68,008
 
9.88
     
27,522
 
4.0
   
$
41,283
 
6.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
18,833
 
11.30
     
6,665
 
4.0
     
9,997
 
6.0
 
First Community Bank
   
9,682
 
10.84
     
3,574
 
4.0
     
5,360
 
6.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
15,370
 
10.10
     
6,090
 
4.0
     
9,134
 
6.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
32,350
 
10.23
     
12,648
 
4.0
     
18,972
 
6.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
44,018
 
8.93
     
19,708
 
4.0
     
29,561
 
6.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
25,742
 
12.65
     
8,141
 
4.0
     
12,211
 
6.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
35,390
 
9.97
     
14,201
 
4.0
     
21,302
 
6.0
 
Summit Bank & Trust
   
13,660
 
61.51
     
888
 
4.0
     
1,332
 
6.0
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
232,702
 
7.74
%
 
$
120,255
 
4.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
68,008
 
8.14
     
33,406
 
4.0
   
$
41,758
 
5.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
18,833
 
8.41
     
8,954
 
4.0
     
11,193
 
5.0
 
First Community Bank
   
9,682
 
8.13
     
4,765
 
4.0
     
5,957
 
5.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
15,370
 
7.72
     
7,967
 
4.0
     
9,958
 
5.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
32,350
 
7.95
     
16,267
 
4.0
     
20,334
 
5.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
44,018
 
7.40
     
23,778
 
4.0
     
29,722
 
5.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
25,742
 
11.75
     
8,761
 
4.0
     
10,951
 
5.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
35,390
 
8.36
     
16,943
 
4.0
     
21,178
 
5.0
 
Summit Bank & Trust
   
13,660
 
106.01
     
515
 
4.0
     
644
 
5.0
 





(Dollars in thousands)
           
   
Actual
 
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
   
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
                                     
As of December 31, 2005
                                   
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
240,152
 
10.61
%
 
$
181,028
 
8.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
71,477
 
10.80
     
52,969
 
8.0
   
$
66,212
 
10.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
19,739
 
10.68
     
14,787
 
8.0
     
18,484
 
10.0
 
First Community Bank
   
10,372
 
11.41
     
7,271
 
8.0
     
9,088
 
10.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
16,451
 
11.02
     
11,937
 
8.0
     
14,922
 
10.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
33,895
 
11.11
     
24,400
 
8.0
     
30,500
 
10.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
41,749
 
10.41
     
32,096
 
8.0
     
40,120
 
10.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
13,647
 
11.97
     
9,123
 
8.0
     
11,404
 
10.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
35,564
 
11.35
     
25,063
 
8.0
     
31,328
 
10.0
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
209,968
 
9.28
%
 
$
90,514
 
4.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
63,987
 
9.66
     
26,485
 
4.0
   
$
39,727
 
6.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
17,535
 
9.49
     
7,394
 
4.0
     
11,091
 
6.0
 
First Community Bank
   
9,235
 
10.16
     
3,635
 
4.0
     
5,453
 
6.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
14,755
 
9.89
     
5,969
 
4.0
     
8,953
 
6.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
30,041
 
9.85
     
12,200
 
4.0
     
18,300
 
6.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
37,178
 
9.27
     
16,048
 
4.0
     
24,072
 
6.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
12,445
 
10.91
     
4,561
 
4.0
     
6,842
 
6.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
31,647
 
10.10
     
12,531
 
4.0
     
18,797
 
6.0
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
                                   
Consolidated
 
$
209,968
 
7.66
%
 
$
109,637
 
4.0
%
   
N/A
     
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
   
63,987
 
7.80
     
32,795
 
4.0
   
$
40,993
 
5.0
%
Galena State Bank and Trust Company
   
17,535
 
7.34
     
9,562
 
4.0
     
11,952
 
5.0
 
First Community Bank
   
9,235
 
7.69
     
4,806
 
4.0
     
6,007
 
5.0
 
Riverside Community Bank
   
14,755
 
7.52
     
7,850
 
4.0
     
9,813
 
5.0
 
Wisconsin Community Bank
   
30,041
 
7.85
     
15,314
 
4.0
     
19,142
 
5.0
 
New Mexico Bank & Trust
   
37,178
 
7.12
     
20,900
 
4.0
     
26,125
 
5.0
 
Arizona Bank & Trust
   
12,445
 
9.74
     
5,113
 
4.0
     
6,392
 
5.0
 
Rocky Mountain Bank
   
31,647
 
8.34
     
15,185
 
4.0
     
18,981
 
5.0
 

The ability of Heartland to pay dividends to its stockholders is dependent upon dividends paid by its subsidiaries. The Heartland banks are subject to certain statutory and regulatory restrictions on the amount they may pay in dividends. To maintain acceptable capital ratios in the Heartland banks, certain portions of their retained earnings are not available for the payment of dividends. Retained earnings that could be available for the payment of dividends to Heartland totaled approximately $92.4 million as of December 31, 2006, under the most restrictive minimum capital requirements. Heartland’s revolving credit agreement requires our bank subsidiaries to remain well capitalized. Retained earnings that could be available for the payment of dividends to Heartland totaled approximately $42.7 million as of December 31, 2006, under the capital requirements to remain well capitalized.

TWENTY
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Following are disclosures of the estimated fair value of Heartland’s financial instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts Heartland could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
   
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Fair Value
Financial Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
49,143
 
$
49,143
 
$
81,021
 
$
81,021
Trading securities
   
1,568
   
1,568
   
515
   
515
Securities available for sale
   
613,950
   
613,950
   
527,252
   
527,252
Securities held to maturity
   
1,522
   
1,513
   
-
   
-
Loans and leases, net of unearned
   
2,198,226
   
2,180,929
   
1,993,811
   
1,992,933
Derivatives
   
59
   
59
   
56
   
56
Financial Liabilities:
                       
Demand deposits
 
$
371,465
 
$
371,465
 
$
352,707
 
$
352,707
Savings deposits
   
822,915
   
822,915
   
754,360
   
754,360
Time deposits
   
1,117,277
   
1,117,277
   
1,011,111
   
1,011,111
Short-term borrowings
   
275,694
   
275,694
   
255,623
   
255,623
Other borrowings
   
224,523
   
220,520
   
220,871
   
220,584
Derivatives
   
43
   
43
   
143
   
143

Cash and Cash Equivalents - The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Securities - For securities either available for sale or trading, fair value equals quoted market price if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

Loans and Leases - The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The fair value of loans held for sale is estimated using quoted market prices.

Deposits - The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. If the fair value of the fixed maturity certificates of deposits is calculated at less than the carrying amount, the carrying value of these deposits is reported as the fair value.

Short-term and Other Borrowings - Rates currently available to Heartland for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing debt.

Commitments to Extend Credit, Unused Lines of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit - Based upon management’s analysis of the off balance sheet financial instruments, there are no significant unrealized gains or losses associated with these financial instruments based upon our review of the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.

Derivatives - The fair value of all derivatives was estimated based on the amount that Heartland would pay or would be paid to terminate the contract or agreement, using current rates and, when appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counter-party.
 
TWENTY-ONE
PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Condensed financial information for Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is as follows:

BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
December 31,
   
2006
 
2005
Assets:
               
Cash and interest bearing deposits
 
$
1,047
   
$
508
 
Trading securities
   
1,568
     
515
 
Securities available for sale
   
1,430
     
2,164
 
Investment in subsidiaries
   
317,937
     
267,751
 
Other assets
   
9,426
     
13,518
 
Due from subsidiaries
   
15,500
     
35,000
 
Total assets
 
$
346,908
   
$
319,456
 
                 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
               
Short-term borrowings
 
$
35,000
   
$
60,750
 
Other borrowings
   
92,220
     
67,485
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
9,977
     
3,409
 
Total liabilities
   
137,197
     
131,644
 
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
   
16,572
     
16,547
 
Capital surplus
   
37,963
     
40,256
 
Retained earnings
   
154,308
     
135,112
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
868
     
(1,011
)
Treasury stock
   
-
     
(3,092
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
209,711
     
187,812
 
Total liabilities & stockholders’ equity
 
$
346,908
   
$
319,456
 



INCOME STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
For the years ended December 31,
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Operating revenues:
                       
Dividends from subsidiaries
 
$
15,050
   
$
12,250
   
$
11,912
 
Securities gains (losses), net
   
150
     
(5
)
   
711
 
Gain (loss) on trading account securities
   
141
     
(11
)
   
54
 
Impairment loss on equity securities
   
(76
)
   
-
     
-
 
Other
   
2,326
     
2,197
     
865
 
Total operating revenues
   
17,591
     
14,431
     
13,542
 
Operating expenses:
                       
Interest
   
10,121
     
7,505
     
7,153
 
Salaries and benefits
   
376
     
798
     
48
 
Outside services
   
1,357
     
806
     
667
 
Other operating expenses
   
943
     
663
     
1,534
 
Minority interest expense
   
181
     
119
     
120
 
Total operating expenses
   
12,978
     
9,891
     
9,522
 
Equity in undistributed earnings
   
17,465
     
15,667
     
13,811
 
Income before income tax benefit
   
22,078
     
20,207
     
17,831
 
Income tax benefit
   
3,024
     
2,519
     
2,421
 
Net income
 
$
25,102
   
$
22,726
   
$
20,252
 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
   
For the years ended December 31,
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
 
$
25,102
   
$
22,726
   
$
20,252
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
                       
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
   
(17,465
)
   
(15,667
)
   
(13,811
)
(Increase) decrease in due from subsidiaries
   
19,500
     
(10,600
)
   
(11,400
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
6,568
     
(1,589
)
   
(386
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
   
4,092
     
(5,681
)
   
979
 
(Increase) decrease in trading account securities
   
(1,053
)
   
6
     
552
 
Other, net
   
1,294
     
2,336
     
1,093
 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
   
38,038
     
(8,469
)
   
(2,721
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital contributions to subsidiaries
   
(24,882
)
   
-
     
(12,701
)
Purchases of available for sale securities
   
(541
)
   
(1,093
)
   
(30
)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
   
1,467
     
200
     
3,451
 
Net cash used by investing activities
   
(23,956
)
   
(893
)
   
(9,280
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net change in short-term borrowings
   
(25,750
)
   
17,750
     
18,000
 
Proceeds from other borrowings
   
20,619
     
-
     
26,074
 
Repayments of other borrowings
   
-
     
-
     
(30,907
)
Cash dividends paid
   
(5,906
)
   
(5,414
)
   
(5,036
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(4,022
)
   
(5,784
)
   
(5,254
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
   
1,516
     
2,007
     
1,814
 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
   
(13,543
)
   
8,559
     
4,691
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
539
     
(803
)
   
(7,310
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
508
     
1,311
     
8,621
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 
$
1,047
   
$
508
   
$
1,311
 


TWENTY-TWO
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2006
 
Dec. 31
 
Sept. 30
 
June 30
 
March 31
 
Net interest income
 
$
27,297
 
$
27,225
 
$
26,543
 
$
25,264
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
(157
)
 
1,381
   
1,487
   
1,175
 
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
   
27,454
   
25,844
   
25,056
   
24,089
 
Noninterest income
   
7,482
   
7,538
   
7,149
   
6,918
 
Noninterest expense
   
23,168
   
23,298
   
23,165
   
24,890
 
Income taxes
   
4,052
   
3,304
   
2,886
   
1,747
 
Income from continuing operations
   
7,716
   
6,780
   
6,154
   
4,370
 
Discontinued operations:
                         
Income from operations of discontinued subsidiary
   
175
   
151
   
110
   
166
 
Income taxes
   
(358
)
 
57
   
42
   
63
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
   
(183
)
 
94
   
68
   
103
 
Net income
   
7,533
   
6,874
   
6,222
   
4,473
 
                           
Per share:
                         
Earnings per share-basic
 
$
0.46
 
$
0.42
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.27
 
Earnings per share-diluted
   
0.45
   
0.41
   
0.37
   
0.27
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations-basic
   
0.47
   
0.41
   
0.37
   
0.27
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations-diluted
   
0.46
   
0.40
   
0.37
   
0.26
 
Cash dividends declared on common stock
   
0.09
   
0.09
   
0.09
   
0.09
 
Book value per common share
   
12.65
   
12.22
   
11.59
   
11.49
 
Market price - high
   
31.08
   
27.86
   
26.67
   
23.60
 
Market price - low
   
25.10
   
24.16
   
22.55
   
20.11
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
16,531,998
   
16,521,527
   
16,540,587
   
16,430,504
 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
   
16,784,656
   
16,775,749
   
16,798,654
   
16,638,458
 
 
Ratios:
                         
Return on average assets
   
0.98
%   
0.91
%
 
0.87
%
 
0.65
% 
Return on average equity
   
14.62
 
 
13.93
 
 
13.10
 
 
9.56
 
Net interest margin
 
 
4.06
   
4.17
 
 
4.27
 
 
4.23
 
Efficiency ratio
   
65.16
 
 
65.45
 
 
67.39
 
 
75.61
 
 


   
2005
 
Dec. 31
 
Sept. 30
 
June 30
 
March 31
 
Net interest income
 
$
24,495
 
$
23,847
 
$
23,321
 
$
22,279
 
Provision for loan and lease losses
   
2,171
   
1,375
   
1,623
   
1,364
 
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
   
22,324
   
22,472
   
21,698
   
20,915
 
Noninterest income
   
6,453
   
6,971
   
6,040
   
6,010
 
Noninterest expense
   
20,936
   
20,506
   
19,915
   
19,413
 
Income taxes
   
2,170
   
2,828
   
2,554
   
2,307
 
Income from continuing operations
   
5,671
   
6,109
   
5,269
   
5,205
 
Discontinued operations:
                         
Income from operations of discontinued subsidiary
   
147
   
298
   
223
   
95
 
Income taxes
   
54
   
115
   
86
   
36
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
   
93
   
183
   
137
   
59
 
Net income
   
5,764
   
6,292
   
5,406
   
5,264
 
                           
Per share:
                         
Earnings per share-basic
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.33
 
$
0.32
 
Earnings per share-diluted
   
0.34
   
0.38
   
0.32
   
0.32
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations-basic
   
0.35
   
0.37
   
0.32
   
0.32
 
Earnings per share from continuing operations-diluted
   
0.34
   
0.37
   
0.32
   
0.31
 
Cash dividends declared on common stock
   
0.09
   
0.08
   
0.08
   
0.08
 
Book value per common share
   
11.46
   
11.31
   
11.11
   
10.68
 
Market price - high
   
21.74
   
20.99
   
21.22
   
21.31
 
Market price - low
   
18.84
   
19.04
   
19.06
   
18.37
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
16,367,210
   
16,398,747
   
16,420,073
   
16,479,244
 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
   
16,659,995
   
16,693,661
   
16,722,383
   
16,704,808
 
Ratios:
                         
Return on average assets
   
0.82
%
 
0.91
%
 
0.81
%
 
0.81
% 
Return on average equity
   
12.35
 
 
13.65
 
 
12.12
 
 
12.06
 
Net interest margin
   
4.04
 
 
4.03
 
 
4.07
 
 
4.02
 
Efficiency ratio
   
65.97
 
 
64.90
 
 
65.92
 
 
66.91
 






KPMG
 

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Heartland Financial USA, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
 
March 12, 2007




ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Heartland has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2006. Based on that evaluation, Heartland’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that Heartland’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurances that material information required to be disclosed is included on a timely basis in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Heartland’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Heartland’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to Heartland’s management, board of directors and stockholders regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Heartland’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of Heartland’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control -Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited Heartland’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, included herein, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting. This report follows management’s report.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes to Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2006, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely, to affect Heartland’s internal control over financial reporting.





KPMG
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.:
 
We have audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that Heartland Financial USA, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also, in our opinion, Heartland Financial USA, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2006, and our report dated March 12, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
 
March 12, 2007




ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information in the Heartland Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 16, 2007 (the "2007 Proxy Statement") under the captions "Election of Directors", "Security Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners", “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Corporate Governance and the Board of Directors” is incorporated by reference. The information regarding executive officers is included pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401 (b) and (c) of Regulation S-K and is noted below.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The term of office for the executive officers of Heartland is from the date of election until the next annual organizational meeting of the board of directors. The names and ages of the executive officers of Heartland as of December 31, 2006, offices held by these officers on that date and other positions held with Heartland and its subsidiaries are set forth below.


Name
Age
Position with Heartland and Subsidiaries and Principal Occupation
     
Lynn B. Fuller
57
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heartland; Vice Chairman of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Wisconsin Community Bank, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank, and Summit Bank & Trust; Chairman of Citizens Finance Co.
     
John K. Schmidt
47
Director, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Heartland; Vice Chairman of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank and Trust Company, First Community Bank and Riverside Community Bank; Director and Treasurer of Citizens Finance Co.
     
Kenneth J. Erickson
55
Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of Heartland; Executive Vice President, Lending, of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company; Vice Chairman of Citizens Finance Co.
     
Edward H. Everts
55
Senior Vice President, Operations and Retail Banking, of Heartland; Senior Vice President, Operations and Retail Banking of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
     
Douglas J. Horstmann
53
Senior Vice President, Lending, of Heartland; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
     
Paul J. Peckosh
61
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Group, of Heartland; Executive Vice President, Manager Wealth Management Group, of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company

Mr. Lynn B. Fuller is the brother-in-law of Mr. James F. Conlan, who is a director of Heartland. There are no other family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of Heartland.

Lynn B. Fuller has been a Director of Heartland and of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1984 and has been President of Heartland since 1987. Until 2004, Mr. Fuller had been a Director of Galena State Bank and Trust Company since its acquisition by Heartland in 1992, First Community Bank since the merger in 1994 and Riverside Community Bank since the opening of this de novo operation in 1995. He has been a Director of Wisconsin Community Bank since the purchase of Cottage Grove State Bank in 1997, New Mexico Bank & Trust since the opening of this de novo bank in 1998, Arizona Bank & Trust since the opening of this de novo bank in 2003 and Summit Bank & Trust since the opening of this de novo bank in 2006. Mr. Fuller joined Dubuque Bank and Trust Company in 1971 as a consumer loan officer and was named Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in 1985. Mr. Fuller was President of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company from 1987 until 1999 at which time he was named Chief Executive Officer of Heartland.

John K. Schmidt has been a Director of Heartland since 2001. Mr. Schmidt has been Heartland's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 1991. He has been employed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1984 and became Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's Vice President, Finance in 1986, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 1991, President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999 and Vice Chairman in 2004. Mr. Schmidt also was named Vice Chairman of Galena State Bank and Trust Company, First Community Bank and Riverside Community Bank in 2004. He is a certified public accountant and worked at KPMG LLP in Des Moines, Iowa, from 1982 until joining Dubuque Bank and Trust Company.

Kenneth J. Erickson was named Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, of Heartland in 1999. Mr. Erickson has been employed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1975, and was appointed Vice President, Commercial Loans in 1985, Senior Vice President, Lending in 1989 and Executive Vice President in 2000. He was named Vice Chairman of Citizens Finance Co. in 2004. Prior to 2004, Mr. Erickson was Senior Vice President at Citizens Finance Co.

Edward H. Everts was appointed as Senior Vice President of Heartland in 1996. Mr. Everts has been employed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company as Senior Vice President, Operations and Retail Banking since 1992. Prior to his service with Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Mr. Everts was Vice President and Lead Retail Banking Manager of First Bank, Duluth, Minnesota.

Douglas J. Horstmann was named Senior Vice President of Heartland in 1999. Mr. Horstmann has been employed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1980, was appointed Vice President, Commercial Loans in 1985, Senior Vice President, Lending in 1989, Executive Vice President, Lending in 2000 and Director, President and Chief Executive Officer in 2004. Prior to joining Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Mr. Horstmann was an examiner for the Iowa Division of Banking.

Paul J. Peckosh was appointed Senior Vice President of Heartland in 1999. Mr. Peckosh has been employed by Dubuque Bank and Trust Company since 1975, was appointed Assistant Vice President, Trust, in 1975, Vice President, Trust in 1980, Senior Vice President, Trust in 1991 and Executive Vice President, Trust in 2000. Mr. Peckosh is an attorney and graduated from the Marquette University of Law School in 1970.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information in our 2007 Proxy Statement, under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and "Executive Compensation" is incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information in our 2007 Proxy Statement, under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" is incorporated by reference.

The table below sets forth the following information as of December 31, 2006 for (i) all compensation plans previously approved by Heartland's shareholders and (ii) all compensation plans not previously approved by Heartland's shareholders:

(a) the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights;
(b) the weighted-average exercise price of such outstanding options, warrants and rights;
       (c) other than securities to be issued upon the exercise of such outstanding options, warrants and rights, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance
                      under the plans.

 
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
       
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options
Number of securities available for future issuance
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
 
797,650
 
$12.82
 
1,365,710
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
Total
797,650
$12.82
1,365,7101
       
1 Includes 865,710 shares available for use under the Heartland Long-Term Incentive Plan and 500,000 shares available for use under the Heartland Employee Stock Purchase Plan.



ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the caption "Transactions with Management" is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the caption “Relationship with Independent Auditors” is incorporated by reference.
 
PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
 
The documents filed as a part of this report are listed below:
     
   
3.
 
Exhibits
         
       
The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are included along with this Form 10-K and are listed on the “Index of Exhibits” immediately following the signature page.
         





SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 15, 2007.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.


By: /s/ Lynn B. Fuller                   /s/ John K. Schmidt
------------------------                 ------------------------
Lynn B. Fuller                John K. Schmidt
Principal Executive Officer          Executive Vice President and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Date: March 15, 2007

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 15, 2007.


/s/ Lynn B. Fuller                                 /s/ John K. Schmidt
----------------------------                           ---------------------------
Lynn B. Fuller               John K. Schmidt
President, CEO, Chairman           Executive Vice President, CFO
and Director                          and Director

/s/ James F. Conlan              /s/ Mark C. Falb
-----------------------------                         -----------------------------
James F. Conlan                                   Mark C. Falb
Director                                                 Director

/s/ Thomas L. Flynn                           /s/ John W. Cox, Jr.
----------------------------                        -----------------------------
Thomas L. Flynn                               John W. Cox, Jr.
Director                                              Director

/s/ Ronald A. Larson
-----------------------------  
Ronald A. Larson
Director




   
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
     
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
3.2
 
Bylaws of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
4.1
 
Specimen Stock Certificate of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission May 4, 1994, as amended (SEC File No. 33-76228) and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.1
 
Form of Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan effective November 13, 2001, between the Heartland subsidiaries and their selected officers who have met the three years of service requirement. These plans are in place at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank and Trust Company, First Community Bank, Riverside Community Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank and New Mexico Bank & Trust (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2003, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.2
 
Indenture between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, dated as of December 18, 2001. (Filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2002, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.3
 
Indenture between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of June 27, 2002. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s second quarter Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2002, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.4
 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan dated as of January 24, 2002. (Filed as Form S-3D on January 25, 2002, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.5
 
Stockholder Rights Agreement between Heartland Financial USA, Inc., and Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, as Rights Agent, dated as of June 7, 2002. (Filed as Form 8-K on June 11, 2002, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.6
 
Agreement to Organize and Stockholder Agreement between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and Investors in the Proposed Arizona Bank dated February 1, 2003. (Filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2003, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.7
 
Supplemental Initial Investor Agreement between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and Initial Investors in the Proposed Arizona Bank dated February 1, 2003. (Filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2003, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.8
 
Indenture by and between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of October 10, 2003. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s third quarter Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2003, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.9
 
Form of Executive Supplemental Life Insurance Plan effective January 20, 2004, between the Heartland subsidiaries and their selected officers. These plans are in place at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, Galena State Bank and Trust Company, First Community Bank, Riverside Community Bank, Wisconsin Community Bank, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Arizona Bank & Trust, Rocky Mountain Bank and Citizens Finance Co. (Filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.10
 
Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., The Northern Trust Company, Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of January 31, 2004. (Filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2004, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.11
 
First Amendment to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., The Northern Trust Company, Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of March 9, 2004. (Filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.12
 
Indenture by and between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association dated as of March 17, 2004.
     
10.13
 
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., The Northern Trust Company, Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of July 1, 2004. (Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.14
 
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., The Northern Trust Company, Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of January 30, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.15
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Policy on Director Fees and Policy on Expense Reimbursement For Directors.
     
10.16
 
Fourth Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of March 1, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2005, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.17
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.01 to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2005, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.18
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. 2006 Employee Stock Purchase Plan effective January 1, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 10.02 to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2005, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.19
 
Fifth Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of July 18, 2005. (Filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.20
 
Indenture by and between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of January 31, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
 
   
10.21
 
Form of Agreement for Heartland Financial USA, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Awards. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2006, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.22
 
Form of Agreement for Heartland Financial USA, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Restricted Stock Agreement. (Filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.23
 
Sixth Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of February 28, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.24
 
Seventh Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of March 10, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006, and incorporated herein.)
     
10.25
 
Agreement to Organize and Stockholder Agreement between Heartland Financial USA, Inc. and Investors in Summit Acquisition Corporation and Summit Bank & Trust dated as of April 1, 2006. (Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant’s second quarter Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2006, and incorporated by reference herein.)
     
10.26
 
Eighth Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement among Heartland Financial USA, Inc., Harris Trust and Savings Bank and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of October 17, 2006.
     
11
 
Statement re Computation of Per Share Earnings
     
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
23.1
 
Consent of KPMG LLP
     
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.