Basis of Presentation (Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to Heartland	$ 9,556	$ 13,957	$ 22,044	$ 26,798
Preferred dividends and discount	(205)	(1,021)	(613)	(2,042)
Net income available to common stockholders	$ 9,351	$ 12,936	$ 21,431	$ 24,756
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	16,907	16,474	16,900	16,482
Assumed incremental common shares issued for common stock equivalents	297	244	293	240
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	17,204	16,718	17,193	16,722
Earnings per common share — basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.55	$ 0.79	$ 1.27	$ 1.50
Earnings per common share — diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.54	$ 0.77	$ 1.25	$ 1.48
Number of antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	105	500	105	500