BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, included in the Form 10-K of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 13, 2015. Accordingly, footnote disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted.

The financial information of Heartland included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the interim period ended March 31, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined using net income available to common stockholders and weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares and assumed incremental common shares issued. Amounts used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, are shown in the table below:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars and number of shares in thousands, except per share data)	2015			2014
Net income attributable to Heartland	$	15,709		$	6,890
Preferred dividends and discount	(204		)	(204		)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	15,505		$	6,686
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	20,215			18,437
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options and non-vested restricted stock units	278			288
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	20,493			18,725
Earnings per common share — basic	$	0.77		$	0.36
Earnings per common share — diluted	$	0.76		$	0.36
Number of antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	—			95

Stock-Based Compensation

Heartland may grant, through its Nominating and Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee"), non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, restricted stock, restricted stock units and cash incentive awards, under its 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan, which was approved by stockholders in May 2012 and replaced Heartland's 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan with respect to grants after such approval, reserved 275,334 shares of common stock at March 31, 2015, for issuance under future awards that may be granted under the Plan to employees and directors of, and service providers to, Heartland or its subsidiaries.

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation" 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 based upon its fair value estimated on the date of grant and recognized in the consolidated statements of income over the vesting period of the award. The fair market value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the fair value of the underlying shares of common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model.

The amount of tax benefit (expense) related to the exercise, vesting, and forfeiture of equity-based awards reflected in additional paid-in-capital, not taxes payable, was $612,000 and $(138,000) during the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

The Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock units ("RSUs"). On January 20, 2015, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 78,220 shares of common stock, and on March 11, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 67,190 shares of common stock to selected officers. The time-based RSUs, which represent the right, without payment, to receive shares of Heartland common stock at a specified date in the future based on specific vesting conditions, vest over five years in three equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date, will be settled in common stock upon vesting, and will not be entitled to dividends until vested. The time-based RSUs vest upon a "qualified retirement" (as defined in the RSU agreement), and the retiree is required to sign a non-solicitation and non-compete agreement as a condition to vesting.

In addition to the time-based RSUs referenced in the preceding paragraph, the Compensation Committee granted performance-based RSUs with respect to 39,075 shares of common stock on March 10, 2015, and performance-based RSUs with respect to 32,645 shares of common stock on March 11, 2014, to Heartland executives and subsidiary presidents. These performance-based RSUs vest based first on performance measures tied to Heartland's earnings and loans on December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively, and then on time-based vesting conditions. For the grants awarded in 2015, the portion of the RSUs earned based on performance vest on December 31, 2017, and for the grants awarded in 2014, the portion of the RSUs earned based on performance vest on December 31, 2016, subject to employment on the respective vesting dates.

The Compensation Committee also grants RSUs under the Plan to directors as part of their compensation, to new management level employees at commencement of employment, and to other employees and service providers as incentives. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, 300 and 9,000 RSUs, respectively, were granted to directors and new employees.

A summary of the status of the RSUs as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, follows:



	2015				2014
	Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1	396,555		$	21.48	353,070		$	18.48
Granted	117,595		27.87		108,710		27.29
Vested	(126,847	)	16.66		(67,024	)	15.82
Forfeited	(2,531	)	23.82		(2,003	)	17.26
Outstanding at March 31	384,772		$	25.00	392,753		$	21.50

Total compensation costs recorded for RSUs were $1.1 million for both three month periods ended March 31, 2015, and 2014. As of March 31, 2015, there were $4.7 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the 2005 and 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plans for RSUs which are expected to be recognized through 2019.

Options

Although the Plan provides authority to the Compensation Committee to grant stock options, no options were granted during the first three months of 2015 and 2014. Prior to 2009, options were typically granted annually with an expiration date ten years after the date of grant. Vesting was 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 stock options as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, follows:



	2015				2014
	Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1	215,851		$	23.85	261,936		$	23.60
Granted	—		—		—		—
Exercised	(32,400	)	20.85		(5,000	)	19.13
Forfeited	(1,500	)	21.00		(5,500	)	26.88
Outstanding at March 31	181,951		$	24.37	251,436		$	23.62
Options exercisable at March 31	181,951		$	24.37	251,436		$	26.32

At March 31, 2015, the vested options totaled 181,951 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $24.37 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.92 years. The intrinsic value (the difference between the market price and the aggregate exercise price) for the vested options as of March 31, 2015, was $1.5 million. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $382,000.

The exercise price of stock options granted is 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. Cash received from options exercised was $676,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and $96,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Total compensation costs recorded for options were $0 for both three month periods ended March 31, 2015, and 2014. There are no unrecorded compensation costs related to options at March 31, 2015.

Subsequent Events

Heartland has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC. On April 16, 2015, Heartland entered into a definitive merger agreement with Community Bancorporation of New Mexico, Inc., parent company of Community Bank in Santa Fe, New Mexico. See Note 2, "Acquisitions," for further details of this acquisition.

Effect of New Financial Accounting Standards

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, "Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects." The amendments in ASU 2014-01 to Topic 323, "Equity Investments and Joint Ventures," provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. The amendments permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefit received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 31, 2014, and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Heartland elected to use the proportional amortization method for equity investments in qualified affordable housing projects that meet the conditions specified in ASU-2014-01. Heartland adopted this standard on January 1, 2015, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, "Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors: Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure." The amendments in ASU 2014-04 clarify that an in-substance foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (i) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (ii) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. ASU 2014-04 also requires disclosure of both the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and the recorded investment in loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. Once adopted, an entity can elect either (i) a modified retrospective transition method or (ii) a prospective transition method. The modified retrospective transition method is applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to residential mortgage loans and foreclosed residential real estate properties existing as of the beginning of the period for which the amendments of ASU 2014-04 are effective, with real estate reclassified to loans measured at the carrying value of the real estate at the date of adoption and loans reclassified to real estate measured at the lower of net carrying value of the loan or the fair value of the real estate less costs to sell at the date of adoption. The prospective transition method is applied by means of applying the amendments of ASU 2014-04 to all instances of receiving physical possession of residential real estate properties that occur after the date of adoption. Heartland adopted this standard on January 1, 2015, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity. As of March 31, 2015, Heartland had not received possession of any residential real estate properties that meet the disclosure requirements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The amendment clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard. The amendment outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” In applying the revenue model to contracts within its scope, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The amendment applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Codification. The standard also requires significantly expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early application is not permitted. Heartland intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2017, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, "Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors: Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure." The amendment clarifies how creditors are to classify certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure. The amendment requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separate from the loan before foreclosure, and (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under the claim, and (3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered for the guarantor. This amendment is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. Heartland adopted this standard on January 1, 2015, and the adoption did not have an impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, "Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items." The amendment eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Presently, an event or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. If an event or transaction meets the criteria for extraordinary classification, an entity is required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. This amended guidance will prohibit separate disclosure of extraordinary items in the income statement. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Heartland does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest-Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." The amendment intends to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs and more closely align the presentation of debt issuance costs under U.S. GAAP with the presentation under comparable IFRS standards. The cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset, except when incurred before receipt of the funding from the associated debt liability. Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt premiums or discounts. The costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Heartland adopted this standard effective March 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2014, $550,000 was reclassified from other assets to other borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.