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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 c5oeXD36pwqCbgMUdmS5LA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-001565.txt : 20040122
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-001565.hdr.sgml : 20040122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040122125032
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-001565
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040122
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040122

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EVERTS EDWARD H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184319

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15393
		FILM NUMBER:		04537050

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1398 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			DUBUQUE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52001

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000920112
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				421405748
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1398 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			DUBUQUE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52001
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5635892000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1398 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			DUBUQUE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			52001
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2004-01-22</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000920112</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HTLF</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001184319</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>EVERTS EDWARD H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1398 CENTRAL AVE.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DUBUQUE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>52001</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>62687.344</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F6"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>105.615</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Daughter</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>212.786</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>Son</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>11040</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>IRA</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2322</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>401(k)</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>300</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>401(k)-Wife</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>5.75</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2006-02-05</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>8.00</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2007-01-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>9.83</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2008-01-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>24000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>12.00</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2009-01-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>18000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>18000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>12.00</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2010-01-17</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>4500</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4500</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>8.67</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2011-06-01</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>3000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3000</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>8.80</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2012-01-15</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>2250</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2250</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>11.84</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-01-21</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>4500</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4500</value>
<footnoteId id="F5"></footnoteId>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
<derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right To Buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>19.48</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2004-01-20</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F4"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2014-01-20</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>3000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed to be an admission that the reporting person is the benefical owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Represents shares held in a 401(k) account for reporting person's wife.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Shares participate in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan.</footnote>
<footnote id="F4">Represents options to buy granted under the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan, a Rule 16(b)(3) plan, which options vest one-third per year beginning on the 3rd anniversary of date of grant.</footnote>
<footnote id="F5">This figure reflects the 3 for 2 stock split declared by the Company on December 29, 2003.</footnote>
<footnote id="F6">These shares reflect 865 shares issued December 31, 2003, pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Edward H. Everts</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2004-01-22</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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