The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121590274&loc=SL5624258-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121590274&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=htlf_CounterpartiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=htlf_BacktobackLoanSwapsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Back-to-back loan swaps narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash pledged as collateral	$ 2,700,000		$ 2,700,000		$ 3,800,000
Counterparties
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash pledged as collateral	0		0		0
Back-to-Back Loan Swaps \| Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash pledged as collateral	28,600,000		28,600,000		46,500,000
Gain (loss) recognized	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Back-to-Back Loan Swaps \| Interest Rate Swaps \| Counterparties
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash pledged as collateral	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0