UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 30, 2023

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Commission File Number: 001-15393

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	42-1405748
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1800 Larimer Street
Suite 1800
Denver,	Colorado	80202

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(303) 285-9200

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

1398 Central Avenue
Dubuque,	Iowa	52001

(Former address)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

☐    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share	HTLF	Nasdaq Stock Market
Depositary Shares (each representing 1/400th interest in a share of 7.00% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E)	HTLFP	Nasdaq Stock Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 30, 2023, Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("HTLF") issued a press release announcing its earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02. The information furnished in Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

For the benefit of its investors, HTLF is also furnishing an Investor Presentation attached as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference in this Item 7.01. The information furnished in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.2 shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1     Press Release dated January 30, 2023.

99.2     Investor Presentation dated January 30, 2023.

104     Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 30, 2023	HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
	By:	/s/ Bryan R. McKeag
		Bryan R. McKeag
		Executive Vice President
		Chief Financial Officer