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, 2016, included in the Form 10-K of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2017. Footnote disclosures to the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the footnotes to 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 September 30, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.

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- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, are shown in the table below:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars and number of shares in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016
Net income	$	21,632		$	20,208
Preferred dividends and discount	(13		)	(53		)
Interest expense on convertible preferred debt	3			17
Net income available to common stockholders	$	21,622		$	20,172
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	29,648			24,601
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options and non-vested restricted stock units	262			322
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	29,910			24,923
Earnings per common share — basic	$	0.73		$	0.82
Earnings per common share — diluted	$	0.72		$	0.81
Number of antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	—			—

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars and number of shares in thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016
Net income	$	61,600		$	61,187
Preferred dividends	(45		)	(273		)
Interest expense on convertible preferred debt	12			48
Net income available to common stockholders	$	61,567		$	60,962
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	27,569			24,262
Assumed incremental common shares issued upon exercise of stock options and non-vested restricted stock units	265			319
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	27,834			24,581
Earnings per common share — basic	$	2.23		$	2.51
Earnings per common share — diluted	$	2.21		$	2.48
Number of antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	—			—

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 was originally approved by stockholders in May 2012 and was amended effective March 8, 2016, to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance and make certain other changes to the Plan. As of September 30, 2017, 499,656 shares of common stock were available 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. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur.

The amount of tax benefit related to the exercise, vesting and forfeiture of equity-based awards reflected as a tax benefit in Heartland's income tax expense was $1.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, $1.1 million of tax benefit related to the exercise, vesting and forfeiture of equity based awards was reflected in additional paid-in-capital during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Restricted Stock Units

The Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock units ("RSUs"). In the first quarter of 2017, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 55,665 shares of common stock, and in the first quarter of 2016, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 72,644 shares of common stock to selected officers and employees. The time-based RSUs represent the right, without payment, to receive shares of Heartland common stock on a specified future date in three equal installments starting in the year following the initial grant. The time-based RSUs will be settled in common stock upon vesting, and will not be entitled to dividends until vested. The time-based RSUs may also vest upon death or disability, upon a change in control or upon a "qualified retirement" (as defined in the RSU agreement). The retiree is required to sign a non-solicitation 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 27,570 shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2017, and 35,516 shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2016. These performance-based RSUs are earned based on satisfaction of performance targets for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively, and then fully vest on a specified date in the third calendar year following the year of the initial grant. The performance-based RSUs vest to the extent that they are earned upon death or disability, upon a change in control or upon a "qualified retirement."

The Compensation Committee also granted three-year performance-based RSUs with respect to 9,032 shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2017, and 11,408 shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2016. These performance-based RSUs will be earned based on satisfaction of performance targets for the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. These performance-based RSUs or a portion thereof may vest in 2020 and 2019, respectively, after measurement of performance in relation to the performance targets.

Upon death, disability, or a "qualified retirement," all performance-based RSUs granted in 2016 remain outstanding and are earned based on actual performance at the end of each performance period. All RSUs granted on or after March 8, 2016, become fully vested upon a change in control if (1) they are not assumed by the successor corporation or (2) upon an involuntary termination of the participant's employment within two years after the change in control.

The Compensation Committee may grant 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017, and September 30, 2016, 16,804 and 24,153 time-based RSUs, respectively, were granted to directors and new employees.

A summary of the RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, follows:



	2017				2016
	Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1	346,817		$	27.61	353,195		$	25.53
Granted	109,071		47.21		143,721		29.75
Vested	(136,428	)	26.66		(117,898	)	23.44
Forfeited	(12,923	)	31.57		(11,547	)	27.12
Outstanding at September 30	306,537		$	34.72	367,471		$	27.60

Total compensation costs recorded for RSUs were $3.6 million and $3.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. As of September 30, 2017, there were $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the Plan for RSUs that are expected to be recognized through 2020.

Options

Although the Plan provides authority to the Compensation Committee to grant stock options, no options were granted during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016. 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 equal portions of a grant becoming exercisable at three years, four years, and five years after the date of grant. A summary of the stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, follows:



	2017				2016
	Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1	26,400		$	18.60	125,950		$	24.08
Granted	—		—		—		—
Exercised	(13,650	)	18.60		(55,250	)	24.82
Forfeited	(500	)	18.60		(1,500	)	21.10
Outstanding at September 30	12,250		$	18.60	69,200		$	23.55
Options exercisable at September 30	12,250		$	18.60	69,200		$	23.55

At September 30, 2017, the vested options totaled 12,250 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $18.60 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 0.32 years. The intrinsic value (the difference between the market price and the aggregate exercise price) for the vested options as of September 30, 2017, was $377,000. The intrinsic value for the total of all options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, was $379,000.

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 $254,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

No compensation costs were recorded for options during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. There are no unrecorded compensation costs related to options at September 30, 2017. No stock options vested during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Subsequent Events - Heartland has evaluated subsequent events that may require recognition or disclosure through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC.

Effect of New Financial Accounting Standards

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 new guidance does not apply to certain contracts within the scope of other ASC Topics, such as lease contracts, insurance contracts, financing arrangements, financial instruments, guarantees other than product or service warranties and nonmonetary exchanges between entities in the same line of business to facilitate sales to customers. Heartland continues to evaluate noninterest income contracts affected by the new guidance by analyzing contracts and current accounting practices to determine if a change is appropriate. The amendment is largely consistent with existing guidance and current practices. Heartland intends to adopt the accounting standard in 2018, as required, which may require a change in the recognition of certain recurring revenue streams within trust and investment management fees; however, Heartland's preliminary analysis suggests the adoption of these amendments are not expected to have a significant effect on Heartland's results of operations, financial position and liquidity other than expanded disclosure requirements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The amendments in ASU 2016-01 to Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments, make the following changes: (1) require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (3) eliminate the requirement for public entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (4) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (5) require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (6) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or accompanying notes to the financial statements; (7) clarify that the entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Except for the early application of the amendment noted in item (5) above, early adoption of the amendments in this update is not permitted. Heartland intends to adopt the accounting standard in 2018, as required, and is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." Topic 842 requires a lessee to recognize leases on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as financing or operating, with such classification affecting the categorization of expense recognition in the income statement. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and will be applied on a modified retrospective basis. Heartland leases certain properties and equipment under operating leases that will result in recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets under this ASU; however the majority of Heartland's properties and equipment are owned and not leased. Heartland intends to adopt the accounting standard in 2019 as required.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718)." The amendments in this ASU simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption was permitted for any interim or annual period prior to the effective date. Heartland adopted this ASU on January 1, 2017, as required, using a prospective transition method. The requirement to report the excess tax benefit or shortfall related to settlements of share-based payment awards in earnings as an increase or decrease to tax expense has been applied to settlements occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and the impact of applying the guidance reduced reported income tax expense by $1.1 million.

ASU 2016-09 also requires that all income tax related cash flows resulting from share-based payments be reported as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Previously income tax benefits resulting from the settlement of a share-based award were reported as a reduction of operating cash flows and an increase to financing cash flows to the extent that those benefits exceeded the income tax benefits reported in earnings during the period in which the share-based awards vested. Heartland elected to adopt the change in cash flow classification on a retrospective basis, which resulted in a $1.1 million increase to net cash from operating activities and a corresponding decrease to net cash from financing activities in the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Heartland has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)." The amendments in this ASU require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The amendments in this ASU indicate that an entity should not use the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position to avoid recording a credit loss. In addition, in determining whether a credit loss exists, the amendments in this ASU also remove the requirements to consider the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of a security and recoveries or declines in fair value after the balance sheet date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Heartland intends to adopt the accounting standard in 2020, as required. Heartland has formed a committee to review the standard, understand the potential impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial position and liquidity, and oversee the implementation of the standard.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." The amendments in this update address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity adopts the amendments early in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The amendments in this update must be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in 2018, as required, and is currently evaluating the potential impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Transfer of Assets Other Than Inventory." The amendment requires an entity to recognize income tax consequences on an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory at the time the transaction occurs. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments must be applied using a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in 2018, as required, and the adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a significant effect on Heartland's results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)." This amendment is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity will perform only step one of its quantitative goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and then recognizing the impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity will still have the option to perform a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative step one impairment test is necessary. This amendment is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period for impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in the third quarter of 2020, consistent with the annual impairment test as of September 30, 2020, and is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, "Receivables - Nonrefundable Fee and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20)." These amendments shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount. Discounts continue to be amortized to maturity. These amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If any entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in 2019, as required, and is currently evaluating the potential impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)." The amendments provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met; (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim periods for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The amendments should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in 2018, as required, and does not believe there will be a material impact to its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity because Heartland has not typically modified share-based payment awards after the original award has been granted.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted. ASU 2017-12 requires a modified retrospective transition method in which Heartland will recognize the cumulative effect of the change on the opening balance of each affected component of equity in the statement of financial position as of the date of adoption. Heartland currently intends to adopt this ASU in 2019, as required, and does not believe there will be a material impact to its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.