Mark G. Murtha Joins Heartland Financial USA, Inc. As EVP – Human Resources

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) announced today that Mark G. Murtha has joined the company as Executive Vice President – Human Resources.

Murtha joins Heartland with 20 years of experience in Human Resource management and administration with specialties in recruiting, organizational development, performance management and training. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Enterprise Bank & Trust (NASDAQ: EFSC), a $3.1 billion bank holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. His experience includes executive positions in human resources with MetLife/General American Life in St. Louis as well as recruiting positions with ARAMARK Corporation/Spectrum Healthcare, also in St. Louis.

Mr. Murtha will report to Lynn B. Fuller, Heartland’s Chairman, President and CEO and will have oversight of all human resource functions including recruiting, payroll, benefits, compensation, performance management and training.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to our executive team,” stated Fuller. “He brings extensive experience in human resources both within and outside of the banking industry. As Heartland continues to grow, Mark’s strategic focus on attracting and retaining key talent will be invaluable as Heartland executes its expansion strategies.”

Murtha is a graduate of Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri and holds a Master of Science degree in Management from Maryville University in St. Louis.

Professionally, Murtha served on the board of directors for the Center of Financial Training, and holds memberships in the Society of Human Resource Management and the Human Resource Management Association of St. Louis.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., one of Forbes 2013 "Best Banks in America," is a $5.7 billion diversified financial services company providing banking, mortgage, wealth management, investment, insurance and consumer finance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 78 banking locations in 56 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas and Missouri and loan production offices in California, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and North Dakota. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at www.htlf.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Heartland's financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon the beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland's management, there are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements. These factors, which are detailed in the risk factors included in Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, include, among others: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic impact of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks and any acts of war, (iii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company's general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company's assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) the potential impact of acquisitions, (viii) the loss of key executives or employees; (ix) changes in consumer spending; (x) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and (xii) changes in accounting policies and practices. All statements in this release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Heartland undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.