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HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA INC - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For quarterly period ended March 31, 2019
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 001-15393

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

42-1405748
(I.R.S. employer identification number)

1398 Central Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa  52001
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(563) 589-2100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes x No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
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. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
HTLF
Nasdaq Stock Market
    
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the classes of Registrant's common stock as of the latest practicable date:  As of May 6, 2019, the Registrant had outstanding 34,604,462 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share.





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
Form 10-Q Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

Part I
Part II






PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019 (Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
174,198

 
$
223,135

Interest bearing deposits with other banks and other short-term investments
318,303

 
50,495

Cash and cash equivalents
492,501

 
273,630

Time deposits in other financial institutions
4,675

 
4,672

Securities:
 
 

Carried at fair value (cost of $2,415,641 at March 31, 2019, and $2,492,620 at December 31, 2018)
2,400,460

 
2,450,709

Held to maturity, at cost (fair value of $95,240 at March 31, 2019, and $245,341 at December 31, 2018)
88,089

 
236,283

Other investments, at cost
27,506

 
28,396

Loans held for sale
69,716

 
119,801

Loans receivable:
 
 

Held to maturity
7,331,544

 
7,407,697

Allowance for loan and lease losses
(62,639
)
 
(61,963
)
Loans receivable, net
7,268,905

 
7,345,734

Premises, furniture and equipment, net
183,185

 
187,418

Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
7,030

 
7,258

Other real estate, net
5,391

 
6,153

Goodwill
391,668

 
391,668

Core deposit intangibles and customer relationship intangibles, net
44,637

 
47,479

Servicing rights, net
28,968

 
31,072

Cash surrender value on life insurance
163,764

 
162,892

Other assets
136,000

 
114,841

TOTAL ASSETS
$
11,312,495

 
$
11,408,006

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
LIABILITIES:
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Demand
$
3,118,909

 
$
3,264,737

Savings
5,145,929

 
5,107,962

Time
1,088,104

 
1,023,730

Total deposits
9,352,942

 
9,396,429

Deposits held for sale
118,564

 
106,409

Short-term borrowings
104,314

 
227,010

Other borrowings
268,312

 
274,905

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
96,261

 
78,078

TOTAL LIABILITIES
9,940,393

 
10,082,831

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
 
 
Preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 17,604 shares; none issued or outstanding at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018)

 

Series A Junior Participating preferred stock (par value $1 per share; authorized 16,000 shares; none issued or outstanding at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018)

 

Series C Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (par value $1 per share; 81,698 shares authorized at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, none issued or outstanding at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018)

 

Series D Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $1 per share; 3,000 shares authorized at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018; none issued or outstanding at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018)

 

Common stock (par value $1 per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018; issued 34,603,611 shares at March 31, 2019, and 34,477,499 shares at December 31, 2018)
34,604

 
34,477

Capital surplus
745,596

 
743,095

Retained earnings
603,506

 
579,252

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(11,604
)
 
(31,649
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
1,372,102

 
1,325,175

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
11,312,495

 
$
11,408,006

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
100,456

 
$
85,651

Interest on securities:
 
 
 
Taxable
15,876

 
11,577

Nontaxable
3,093

 
3,579

Interest on federal funds sold
4

 

Interest on interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions
1,292

 
407

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
120,721


101,214

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
13,213

 
5,766

Interest on short-term borrowings
889

 
268

Interest on other borrowings (includes $165 and $197 of interest expense related to derivatives reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
3,664

 
3,596

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
17,766


9,630

NET INTEREST INCOME
102,955


91,584

Provision for loan losses
1,635

 
4,263

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
101,320


87,321

NONINTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
Service charges and fees
12,794

 
10,079

Loan servicing income
1,729

 
1,754

Trust fees
4,474

 
4,680

Brokerage and insurance commissions
734

 
907

Securities gains, net (includes $1,575 and $1,441 of net security gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
1,575

 
1,441

Unrealized gain/(loss) on equity securities, net
258

 
(28
)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
3,176

 
4,051

Valuation allowance on servicing rights
(589
)
 
(2
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
899

 
614

Other noninterest income
1,667

 
1,220

TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
26,717


24,716

NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
50,285

 
48,710

Occupancy
6,607

 
6,043

Furniture and equipment
2,692

 
2,749

Professional fees
11,379

 
9,448

Advertising
2,325

 
1,940

Core deposit intangibles and customer relationship intangibles amortization
2,842

 
1,863

Other real estate and loan collection expenses
701

 
732

Gain on sales/valuations of assets, net
(3,004
)
 
(197
)
Restructuring expenses
3,227

 
2,564

Other noninterest expenses
11,176

 
9,794

TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES
88,230


83,646

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
39,807


28,391

Income taxes (includes $358 and $261 of income tax expense reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)
8,310

 
5,123

NET INCOME
31,497


23,268

Preferred dividends

 
(13
)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
31,497


$
23,255

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - BASIC
$
0.91

 
$
0.76

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE - DILUTED
$
0.91

 
$
0.76

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
$
0.16

 
$
0.13

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
NET INCOME
$
31,497

 
$
23,268

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
 
 
 
Securities:
 
 
 
Net change in unrealized gain/(loss) on securities
29,965

 
(19,834
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
(1,575
)
 
(1,441
)
Income taxes
(7,281
)
 
5,391

Other comprehensive income/(loss) on securities
21,109

 
(15,884
)
Derivatives used in cash flow hedging relationships:
 
 
 
Net change in unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives
(1,505
)
 
1,699

Reclassification adjustment for net losses on derivatives realized in net income
158

 
197

Income taxes
283

 
(708
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) on cash flow hedges
(1,064
)
 
1,188

Other comprehensive income/(loss)
20,045

 
(14,696
)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
51,542

 
$
8,572

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,497

 
$
23,268

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
8,155

 
6,802

Provision for loan losses
1,635

 
4,263

Net amortization of premium on securities
5,692

 
5,823

Securities gains, net
(1,575
)
 
(1,441
)
Unrealized (gain)/loss on equity securities, net
(258
)
 
28

Stock based compensation
2,375

 
1,858

Loans originated for sale
(61,348
)
 
(112,433
)
Proceeds on sales of loans held for sale
64,941

 
135,506

Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
(2,978
)
 
(2,889
)
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
682

 
3,239

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses
(1,708
)
 
194

Increase in accrued interest payable
1,261

 
1,029

Capitalization of servicing rights
(266
)
 
(1,183
)
Valuation allowance on servicing rights
589

 
2

(Gain)/loss on sales/valuations of assets, net
1,512

 
(197
)
Net excess tax benefit from stock based compensation
336

 
611

Other, net
(16,493
)
 
(5,441
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
34,049

 
59,039

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Purchase of time deposits in other financial institutions
(248
)
 

Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale
434,154

 
392,246

Proceeds from the redemption of time deposits in other financial institutions

 
8,767

Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities available for sale
86,727

 
49,603

Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on securities held to maturity
2,156

 
3,570

Proceeds from the maturity of and principal paydowns on time deposits in other financial institutions
245

 
4,368

Proceeds from the sale, maturity of and principal paydowns on other investments
2,730

 
677

Purchase of securities available for sale
(299,105
)
 
(244,289
)
Purchase of other investments
(1,779
)
 
(644
)
Net (increase) decrease in loans
43,925

 
(32,314
)
Purchase of bank owned life insurance policies
(5
)
 

Capital expenditures
(1,123
)
 
(2,356
)
Net cash and cash equivalents received in acquisitions

 
5,543

Proceeds from the sale of equipment
117

 
615

Net cash received in divestitures
28,142

 

Proceeds on sale of OREO and other repossessed assets
2,537

 
668

NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
$
298,473

 
$
186,454

 
 
 
 





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in demand deposits
$
(131,876
)
 
$
5,834

Net increase in savings deposits
74,016

 
100,608

Net (increase) decrease in time deposit accounts
75,141

 
(69,143
)
Proceeds on short-term revolving credit line

 
15,000

Net decrease in short-term borrowings
(43,000
)
 
(168,451
)
Proceeds from short term FHLB advances
430,888

 
220,000

Repayments of short term FHLB advances
(506,725
)
 
(260,000
)
Proceeds from other borrowings
50

 

Repayments of other borrowings
(6,868
)
 
(14,995
)
Purchase of treasury stock

 
(97
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
253

 
14

Dividends paid
(5,530
)
 
(3,920
)
NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(113,651
)
 
(175,150
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
218,871

 
70,343

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
273,630

 
196,003

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
$
492,501

 
$
266,346

Supplemental disclosures:
 
 
 
Cash paid for income/franchise taxes
$
84

 
$
2

Cash paid for interest
$
16,537

 
$
8,601

Loans transferred to OREO
$
1,694

 
$
939

Transfer of premises from premises, furniture and equipment, net, to premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
$
654

 
$

Deposits transferred to held for sale
$
76,968

 
$

Loans transferred to held for sale
$
32,111

 
$

Securities transferred from held to maturity to available for sale
$
148,030

 
$

Purchases of securities available for sale, accrued, not settled
$
2,019

 
$

Maturity of securities available for sale, accrued, not settled
$
1,000

 
$

Stock consideration granted for acquisitions
$

 
$
53,621

 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
 
 
Preferred
 Stock
 
Common
 Stock
 
Capital
 Surplus
 
Retained
 Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
 Equity
Balance at January 1, 2018
$
938

 
$
29,953

 
$
503,709

 
$
481,331

 
$
(24,474
)
 
$

 
$
991,457

Comprehensive income


 






23,268

 
(14,696
)




8,572

Reclassification of unrealized net gain on equity securities


 






280

 
(280
)





Cash dividends declared:


 


 


 


 


 


 
 
Series D Preferred, $17.50 per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
(13
)
 
 
 
 
 
(13
)
Common, $0.13 per share


 






(3,907
)
 






(3,907
)
Purchase of 1,761 shares of common stock


 








 



(97
)

(97
)
Issuance of 1,116,644 shares of common stock


 
1,115


52,423




 



97


53,635

Stock based compensation


 



1,858




 






1,858

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
938

 
$
31,068

 
$
557,990

 
$
500,959

 
$
(39,450
)
 
$

 
$
1,051,505

Balance at January 1, 2019
$

 
$
34,477

 
$
743,095

 
$
579,252

 
$
(31,649
)
 
$

 
$
1,325,175

Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
31,497

 
20,045

 


 
51,542

Retained earnings adjustment for adoption of leasing standard
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,713
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,713
)
Cash dividends declared:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


 


Common, $0.16 per share
 
 
 

 

(5,530
)
 






(5,530
)
Issuance of 126,112 shares of common stock
 
 
127


126

 


 






253

Stock based compensation
 
 
 

2,375




 






2,375

Balance at March 31, 2019
$

 
$
34,604

 
$
745,596

 
$
603,506

 
$
(11,604
)
 
$

 
$
1,372,102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: 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, 2018, included in the Form 10-K of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 27, 2019. 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 March 31, 2019, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.

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-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, are shown in the table below:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Dollars and number of shares in thousands, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
31,497

 
$
23,268

Preferred dividends

 
(13
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
31,497

 
$
23,255

Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
34,564

 
30,442

Assumed incremental common shares issued upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units
136

 
203

Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share
34,700

 
30,645

Earnings per common share — basic
$
0.91

 
$
0.76

Earnings per common share — diluted
$
0.91

 
$
0.76

Number of antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation
2

 


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. On April 26, 2019, Heartland signed an agreement to sell the mortgage servicing rights portfolio of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, and the transaction closed on April 30, 2019. See Note 6, "Goodwill, Core Deposit Premium and Other Intangible Assets," for further details on this transaction.

Effect of New Financial Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." Topic 842 requires a lessee to recognize leases on-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 classification affecting the pattern and classification 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 is 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 the ASU; however the majority of Heartland's properties and equipment are owned, not leased. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date, and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase





the underlying asset. Early adoption is permitted. In January 2018, the FASB issued an amendment to provide entities with the optional practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements that were previously not accounted for as leases under Topic 840. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, "Leases - Targeted Improvements" to provide entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of the new leasing standard, Specifically, under the amendments in ASU 2018-11, entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to the new leasing standard, and lessors may elect not to separate lease and non-lease components when certain conditions are met. The amendments have the same effective date as ASU 2016-02. Heartland adopted the accounting standard on January 1, 2019, on a modified retrospective basis, as required, and will not restate comparative periods. Heartland adopted the practical expedients, which allow for existing leases to be accounted for under previous guidance with the exception of balance sheet recognition for lessees. The adoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities of approximately $25.9 million and $27.6 million, respectively, on January 1, 2019. The difference between the lease assets and lease liabilities, which was $1.7 million, was recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of the standard did not impact Heartland's results of operations or liquidity. See Note 11, "Leases", for more information on Heartland's leases.

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 amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity may adopt the amendments earlier as of the 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. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings will be recorded as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Heartland has formed an internal committee to assess and implement the standard. Heartland has entered into an agreement with a third party vendor to evaluate potential methodologies and data and has started designing its financial models to estimate credit losses in accordance with the new standard. Further development, testing and evaluation of the models is required to determine the impact that the adoption of this standard will have 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 and Heartland intends to apply these amendments on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Heartland adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019, as required, and the adoption did not have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

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. For a closed portfolio of prepayable





financial assets or one or more beneficial interests secured by a portfolio of prepayable financial instruments, this ASU permits an entity to designate an amount that is not expected to be affected by prepayments, defaults, and other events affecting the timing and amount of cash flows (the “last-of-layer” method). Under this designation, prepayment risk is not incorporated into the measurement of the hedged item. 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 on the balance sheet as of the date of adoption. Heartland adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019, as required, and as a result of the adoption, $148.0 million of held to maturity securities were reclassified to available for sale debt securities carried at fair value. See Note 3, "Securities," for further details. There was no impact to Heartland's results of operations, or liquidity as a result of the adoption of this amendment.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. Heartland intends to adopt this ASU in 2020, as required, and because the ASU only revises disclosure requirements, the adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS

Blue Valley Ban Corp.
On January 16, 2019, Heartland entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Blue Valley Ban Corp., and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Blue Valley, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. As of the announcement date, the transaction, in which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Blue Valley Ban Corp. stock will be exchanged for shares of Heartland common stock, was valued at approximately $93.9 million. Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, Bank of Blue Valley will merge into Heartland's Kansas-based subsidiary, Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Company, and the combined entity will operate as Bank of Blue Valley. The amount of the merger consideration is subject to fluctuations in the price of Heartland common stock and certain potential adjustments, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019 with a systems conversion planned for the third quarter of 2019. As of March 31, 2019, Bank of Blue Valley had total assets of approximately $711.6 million, which included approximately $564.1 million of gross loans outstanding, and approximately $587.2 million of deposits.

First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc.
On May 18, 2018, Heartland completed the acquisition of Lubbock, Texas based First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. ("FBLB"), parent company of First Bank & Trust, and PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bank & Trust. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, Heartland acquired FBLB in a transaction valued at approximately $189.9 million, of which $5.5 million was cash, and the remainder was settled by delivery of 3,350,664 shares of Heartland common stock. On the closing date, in addition to this merger consideration, Heartland provided FBLB the funds necessary to repay outstanding debt of $3.9 million, and Heartland assumed $8.2 million of trust preferred securities at fair value. Immediately after the close of the transaction, Heartland paid $13.3 million to the holders of FBLB's stock appreciation rights. The transaction included, at fair value, total assets of $1.12 billion, including $681.1 million of gross loans held to maturity, and deposits of $893.8 million. Upon closing of the transaction, First Bank & Trust became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heartland and continues to operate under its current name and management team as Heartland's eleventh state-chartered bank. The transaction was a tax-free reorganization with respect to the stock consideration received by the stockholders of FBLB.
Signature Bancshares, Inc.
On February 23, 2018, Heartland completed the acquisition of Signature Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Signature Bank, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, Heartland acquired Signature Bancshares, Inc. in a transaction valued at approximately $61.4 million, of which $7.8 million was cash, and the remainder was settled by delivery of 1,000,843 shares of Heartland common stock. Simultaneous with the close, Signature Bank merged into Heartland's wholly-owned Minnesota Bank & Trust subsidiary, and the combined entity operates under the Minnesota Bank & Trust brand name. The transaction included, at fair value, total assets of $427.1 million, including $324.5 million of gross loans held to maturity, and deposits of $357.3 million. On the closing date, Heartland provided Signature Bancshares, Inc. the funds necessary to repay outstanding subordinated debt of $5.9 million. The transaction was a tax-free reorganization with respect to the stock consideration received by the stockholders of Signature Bancshares, Inc.






NOTE 3: SECURITIES

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of debt securities available for sale and equity securities with a readily determinable fair value that are carried at fair value as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, are summarized in the table below, in thousands:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
26,873

 
$
10

 
$
(115
)
 
$
26,768

Mortgage and asset-backed securities
1,889,977

 
6,476

 
(25,055
)
 
1,871,398

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
481,452

 
6,146

 
(2,643
)
 
484,955

Total debt securities
2,398,302

 
12,632

 
(27,813
)
 
2,383,121

Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
17,339

 

 

 
17,339

Total
$
2,415,641

 
$
12,632

 
$
(27,813
)
 
$
2,400,460

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
32,075

 
$
3

 
$
(127
)
 
$
31,951

Mortgage and asset-backed securities
2,061,358

 
3,740

 
(38,400
)
 
2,026,698

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
382,101

 
919

 
(8,046
)
 
374,974

Total debt securities
2,475,534


4,662


(46,573
)

2,433,623

Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
17,086

 

 

 
17,086

Total
$
2,492,620

 
$
4,662

 
$
(46,573
)
 
$
2,450,709


On January 1, 2019, Heartland adopted ASU 2017-12, and as a result of the adoption, $148.0 million of held to maturity debt securities were transferred to debt securities available for sale. The securities were transferred at book value on the date of the transfer.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of held to maturity securities as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, are summarized in the table below, in thousands:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
88,089

 
$
7,151

 
$

 
$
95,240

Total
$
88,089

 
$
7,151

 
$

 
$
95,240

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
236,283

 
$
9,554

 
$
(496
)
 
$
245,341

Total
$
236,283

 
$
9,554

 
$
(496
)
 
$
245,341






The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities carried at fair value at March 31, 2019, by contractual maturity, are as follows, in thousands. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
March 31, 2019
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less
$
29,138

 
$
29,100

Due in 1 to 5 years
51,367

 
50,972

Due in 5 to 10 years
123,062

 
123,289

Due after 10 years
304,758

 
308,362

Total debt securities
508,325

 
511,723

Mortgage and asset-backed securities
1,889,977

 
1,871,398

Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
17,339

 
17,339

Total investment securities
$
2,415,641

 
$
2,400,460


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities held to maturity at March 31, 2019, by contractual maturity, are as follows, in thousands. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
 
March 31, 2019
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less
$
6

 
$
6

Due in 1 to 5 years
12,966

 
13,200

Due in 5 to 10 years
58,150

 
61,138

Due after 10 years
16,967

 
20,896

Total investment securities
$
88,089

 
$
95,240


As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, securities with a fair value of $455.6 million and $524.8 million, respectively, were pledged to secure public and trust deposits, short-term borrowings and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

Gross gains and losses realized related to the sales of securities carried at fair value for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, are summarized as follows, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Proceeds from sales
$
434,154

 
$
392,246

Gross security gains
2,408

 
3,013

Gross security losses
833

 
1,572


The following tables summarize, in thousands, the amount of unrealized losses, defined as the amount by which cost or amortized cost exceeds fair value, and the related fair value of investments with unrealized losses in Heartland's securities portfolio as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018. The investments were segregated into two categories: those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more. The reference point for determining how long an investment was in an unrealized loss position was March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively. Securities for which Heartland has taken credit-related other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") write-downs are categorized as being "less than 12 months" or "12 months or longer" in a continuous loss position based on the point in time that the fair value declined to below the cost basis and not the period of time since the credit-related OTTI write-down.





Debt securities available for sale
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
18,742

 
$
(95
)
 
$
4,541

 
$
(20
)
 
$
23,283

 
$
(115
)
Mortgage and asset-backed securities
227,902

 
(2,075
)
 
926,176

 
(22,980
)
 
1,154,078

 
(25,055
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
26,161

 
(98
)
 
132,515

 
(2,545
)
 
158,676

 
(2,643
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
272,805

 
$
(2,268
)
 
$
1,063,232

 
$
(25,545
)
 
$
1,336,037

 
$
(27,813
)
December 31, 2018
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
24,902

 
$
(83
)
 
$
4,577

 
$
(44
)
 
$
29,479

 
$
(127
)
Mortgage and asset-backed securities
733,826

 
(9,060
)
 
805,089

 
(29,340
)
 
1,538,915

 
(38,400
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
34,990

 
(390
)
 
258,143

 
(7,656
)
 
293,133

 
(8,046
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
793,718

 
$
(9,533
)
 
$
1,067,809

 
$
(37,040
)
 
$
1,861,527

 
$
(46,573
)

Securities held to maturity
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Total temporarily impaired securities
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

December 31, 2018
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
10,802

 
$
(17
)
 
$
19,508

 
$
(479
)
 
$
30,310

 
$
(496
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
10,802

 
$
(17
)
 
$
19,508

 
$
(479
)
 
$
30,310

 
$
(496
)

Heartland reviews the investment securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to monitor its exposure to OTTI. A determination as to whether a security's decline in fair value is other-than-temporary takes into consideration numerous factors and the relative significance of any single factor can vary by security. Some factors Heartland may consider in the OTTI analysis include the length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, changes in security ratings, financial condition of the issuer, as well as security and industry specific economic conditions. In addition, with regard to debt securities, Heartland may also evaluate payment structure, whether there are defaulted payments or expected defaults, prepayment speeds and the value of any underlying collateral. For certain debt securities in unrealized loss positions, Heartland prepares cash flow analyses to compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security.

The remaining unrealized losses on Heartland's mortgage and asset-backed securities are the result of changes in market interest rates or widening of market spreads subsequent to the initial purchase of the securities. The losses are not related to concerns regarding the underlying credit of the issuers or the underlying collateral. It is expected that the securities will not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates or widening market spreads and not credit quality, and because Heartland has the intent and ability to hold these investments until a market price recovery or to maturity and does not believe it will be required to sell the securities before maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

The remaining unrealized losses on Heartland's obligations of states and political subdivisions are the result of changes in market interest rates or widening of market spreads subsequent to the initial purchase of the securities. Management monitors the published credit ratings of these securities and the stability of the underlying municipalities. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates or widening market spreads due to insurance company downgrades and not underlying credit quality, and because Heartland has the intent and ability to hold these investments until a market price recovery or to maturity and does not believe it will be required to sell the securities before maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.






There were no gross realized gains or losses on the sale of securities carried at fair value or held to maturity securities with OTTI write-downs for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Other investments, at cost, include equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value totaled $17.3 million and $17.1 million at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. At March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, other investments at cost included shares of stock in the Federal Home Loan Banks (the "FHLBs") of Des Moines, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Topeka at an amortized cost of $15.4 million and $16.6 million, respectively.

The Heartland banks are required by federal law to maintain FHLB stock as members of the various FHLBs. These equity securities are "restricted" in that they can only be sold back to the respective institutions from which they were acquired or another member institution at par. Therefore, the FHLB stock is less liquid than other marketable equity securities, and the fair value approximates amortized cost. Heartland considers its FHLB stock as a long-term investment that provides access to competitive products and liquidity. Heartland evaluates impairment in these investments based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value and, at March 31, 2019, did not consider the investments to be other than temporarily impaired.

NOTE 4: LOANS

Loans as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, were as follows, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Loans receivable held to maturity:
 
 
 
Commercial
$
2,042,594

 
$
2,020,231

Commercial real estate
3,702,457

 
3,711,481

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
544,805

 
565,408

Residential real estate
630,433

 
673,603

Consumer
412,573

 
440,158

Gross loans receivable held to maturity
7,332,862

 
7,410,881

Unearned discount
(288
)
 
(1,624
)
Deferred loan fees
(1,030
)
 
(1,560
)
Total net loans receivable held to maturity
7,331,544

 
7,407,697

Allowance for loan losses
(62,639
)
 
(61,963
)
Loans receivable, net
$
7,268,905

 
$
7,345,734


Heartland has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to provide for an acceptable level of credit risk. The board of directors reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management and the board with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies and nonperforming loans and potential problem loans.

Heartland originates commercial and commercial real estate loans for a wide variety of business purposes, including lines of credit for capital and operating purposes and term loans for real estate and equipment purchases. Agricultural loans provide financing for capital improvements and farm operations, as well as livestock and machinery purchases. Residential mortgage loans are originated for the construction, purchase or refinancing of single family residential properties. Consumer loans include loans for motor vehicles, home improvement, home equity and personal lines of credit.

Under Heartland’s credit practices, a loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that Heartland will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loan impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except where more practical, impairment is measured at the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.






The following table shows the balance in the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, and the related loan balances, disaggregated on the basis of impairment methodology, in thousands. Loans evaluated under ASC 310-10-35 include loans on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings, which are individually evaluated for impairment, and other impaired loans deemed to have similar risk characteristics. All other loans are collectively evaluated for impairment under ASC 450-20. Heartland has made no significant changes to the accounting for the allowance for loan losses during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
 
Allowance For
Loan Losses
 
Gross Loans Receivable
Held to Maturity
 
Ending Balance
Under ASC
310-10-35
 
Ending Balance
Under ASC
450-20
 
Total
 
Ending Balance Evaluated for Impairment
Under ASC
310-10-35
 
Ending Balance Evaluated for Impairment
Under ASC
450-20
 
 Total
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
6,301

 
$
17,520

 
$
23,821

 
$
24,498

 
$
2,018,096

 
$
2,042,594

Commercial real estate
353

 
26,434

 
26,787

 
18,150

 
3,684,307

 
3,702,457

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
1,099

 
4,499

 
5,598

 
20,475

 
524,330

 
544,805

Residential real estate
153

 
1,452

 
1,605

 
18,619

 
611,814

 
630,433

Consumer
653

 
4,175

 
4,828

 
5,826

 
406,747

 
412,573

Total
$
8,559

 
$
54,080

 
$
62,639

 
$
87,568

 
$
7,245,294

 
$
7,332,862

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
5,733

 
$
18,772

 
$
24,505

 
$
24,202

 
$
1,996,029

 
$
2,020,231

Commercial real estate
218

 
25,320

 
25,538

 
14,388

 
3,697,093

 
3,711,481

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
686

 
4,267

 
4,953

 
15,951

 
549,457

 
565,408

Residential real estate
168

 
1,617

 
1,785

 
20,251

 
653,352

 
673,603

Consumer
749

 
4,433

 
5,182

 
7,004

 
433,154

 
440,158

Total
$
7,554

 
$
54,409

 
$
61,963

 
$
81,796

 
$
7,329,085

 
$
7,410,881


The following table presents nonaccrual loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more and performing troubled debt restructured loans at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Nonaccrual loans
$
72,670

 
$
67,833

Nonaccrual troubled debt restructured loans
4,624

 
4,110

Total nonaccrual loans
$
77,294

 
$
71,943

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
$
1,706

 
$
726

Performing troubled debt restructured loans
$
3,460

 
$
4,026







The following tables provide information on troubled debt restructured loans that were modified during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, dollars in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Number
of Loans
 
Pre-
Modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Number
of Loans
 
Pre-
Modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Recorded
Investment
Commercial

 
$

 
$

 

 
$

 
$

Commercial real estate

 

 

 

 

 

Total commercial and commercial real estate

 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural and agricultural real estate

 

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
1

 
36

 
42

 
5

 
877

 
752

Consumer

 

 

 

 

 

Total
1

 
$
36

 
$
42

 
5

 
$
877

 
$
752


The pre-modification and post-modification recorded investment represents amounts as of the date of loan modification. The difference between the pre-modification investment and post-modification investment amounts on Heartland's residential real estate trouble debt restructured loans for the three-months ended March 31, 2019, is due to principal deferment collected from government guarantees and capitalized interest and escrow. At March 31, 2019, there were no commitments to extend credit to any of the borrowers with an existing troubled debt restructured loan.

The following table shows troubled debt restructured loans for which there was a payment default during the three month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, that had been modified during the twelve-month period prior to default, in thousands:
 
With Payment Defaults During the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Number of Loans
 
Recorded Investment
 
Number of Loans
 
Recorded Investment
Commercial

 
$




$

Commercial real estate

 





  Total commercial and commercial real estate

 

 

 

Agricultural and agricultural real estate

 





Residential real estate
1

 
42


3


519

Consumer

 





  Total
1

 
$
42

 
3

 
$
519


Heartland's internal rating system is a series of grades reflecting management's risk assessment, based on its analysis of the borrower's financial condition. The "pass" category consists of all loans that are not in the "nonpass" category, categorized into a range of loan grades that reflect increasing, though still acceptable, risk. Movement of risk through the various grade levels in the pass category is monitored for early identification of credit deterioration. The "nonpass" category consists of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss loans. The "special mention" rating is attached to loans where the borrower exhibits negative trends in financial circumstances due to borrower specific or systemic conditions that, if left uncorrected, threaten the borrower's capacity to meet its debt obligations. The borrower is believed to have sufficient financial flexibility to react to and resolve its negative financial situation. These credits are closely monitored for improvement or deterioration. The "substandard" rating is assigned to loans that are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower and that may be further at risk due to deterioration in the value of collateral pledged. Well-defined weaknesses jeopardize liquidation of the debt. These loans are still considered collectible; however, a distinct possibility exists that Heartland will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected. Substandard loans may exhibit some or all of the following weaknesses: deteriorating financial trends, lack of earnings, inadequate debt service capacity, excessive debt and/or lack of liquidity. The "doubtful" rating is assigned to loans where identified weaknesses in the borrowers' ability to repay the loan make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. These borrowers are usually in default, lack liquidity and capital, as well as





resources necessary to remain as an operating entity. Specific pending events, such as capital injections, liquidations or perfection of liens on additional collateral, may strengthen the credit, thus deferring the rating of the loan as "loss" until the exact status of the loan can be determined. The loss rating is assigned to loans considered uncollectible. Heartland had no loans classified as loss or doubtful as of March 31, 2019. Loans are placed on "nonaccrual" when management does not expect to collect payments of principal and interest in full or when principal or interest has been in default for a period of 90 days or more, unless the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection.

The following table presents loans by credit quality indicator at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Pass
 
Nonpass
 
Total
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
1,907,620

 
$
134,974

 
$
2,042,594

Commercial real estate
3,510,161

 
192,296

 
3,702,457

  Total commercial and commercial real estate
5,417,781

 
327,270

 
5,745,051

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
440,927

 
103,878

 
544,805

Residential real estate
603,647

 
26,786

 
630,433

Consumer
398,695

 
13,878

 
412,573

  Total gross loans receivable held to maturity
$
6,861,050

 
$
471,812

 
$
7,332,862

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
1,880,579

 
$
139,652

 
$
2,020,231

Commercial real estate
3,524,344

 
187,137

 
3,711,481

  Total commercial and commercial real estate
5,404,923

 
326,789

 
5,731,712

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
471,642

 
93,766

 
565,408

Residential real estate
645,478

 
28,125

 
673,603

Consumer
425,451

 
14,707

 
440,158

  Total gross loans receivable held to maturity
$
6,947,494

 
$
463,387

 
$
7,410,881

The nonpass category in the table above is comprised of approximately 48% special mention loans and 52% substandard loans as of March 31, 2019. The percent of nonpass loans on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2019, was 16%. As of December 31, 2018, the nonpass category in the table above was comprised of approximately 52% special mention loans and 48% substandard loans. The percent of nonpass loans on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2018, was 16%. Loans delinquent 30 to 89 days as a percent of total loans were 0.47% at March 31, 2019, compared to 0.21% at December 31, 2018. Changes in credit risk are monitored on a continuous basis and changes in risk ratings are made when identified. All impaired loans are reviewed at least annually.

As of March 31, 2019, Heartland had $2.8 million of loans secured by residential real estate property that were in the process of foreclosure.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Heartland’s policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest income on any loan when, in the opinion of management, there is a reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of the interest and principal, normally when a loan is 90 days past due. When interest accruals are deemed uncollectible, interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and interest accrued in prior years is charged to the allowance for loan losses. A loan can be restored to accrual status if the borrower has resumed paying the full amount of the scheduled contractual interest and principal payments on the loan, and (1) all principal and interest amounts contractually due (including arrearages) are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period of time, and (2) that there is a sustained period of repayment performance (generally a minimum of six months) by the borrower in accordance with the scheduled contractual terms.







The following table sets forth information regarding Heartland's accruing and nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Accruing Loans
 
 
 
 
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
90 Days or
More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total Loans
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
8,253

 
$
2,859

 
$
325

 
$
11,437

 
$
2,006,358

 
$
24,799

 
$
2,042,594

Commercial real estate
5,870

 
4,942

 
1,264

 
12,076

 
3,674,676

 
15,705

 
3,702,457

Total commercial and commercial real estate
14,123

 
7,801

 
1,589

 
23,513

 
5,681,034

 
40,504

 
5,745,051

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
2,179

 
800

 
31

 
3,010

 
521,621

 
20,174

 
544,805

Residential real estate
4,224

 
110

 

 
4,334

 
613,667

 
12,432

 
630,433

Consumer
4,835

 
536

 
86

 
5,457

 
402,932

 
4,184

 
412,573

Total gross loans receivable held to maturity
$
25,361

 
$
9,247

 
$
1,706

 
$
36,314

 
$
7,219,254

 
$
77,294

 
$
7,332,862

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
2,574

 
$
205

 
$

 
$
2,779

 
$
1,991,525

 
$
25,927

 
$
2,020,231

Commercial real estate
4,819

 

 
726

 
5,545

 
3,694,259

 
11,677

 
3,711,481

Total commercial and commercial real estate
7,393

 
205

 
726

 
8,324

 
5,685,784

 
37,604

 
5,731,712

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
99

 

 

 
99

 
549,376

 
15,933

 
565,408

Residential real estate
5,147

 
49

 

 
5,196

 
655,329

 
13,078

 
673,603

Consumer
2,724

 
307

 

 
3,031

 
431,799

 
5,328

 
440,158

Total gross loans receivable held to maturity
$
15,363

 
$
561

 
$
726

 
$
16,650

 
$
7,322,288

 
$
71,943

 
$
7,410,881







The majority of Heartland's impaired loans are those that are nonaccrual, are past due 90 days or more and still accruing or have had their terms restructured in a troubled debt restructuring. The following tables present the unpaid principal balance that was contractually due at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the outstanding loan balance recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, any related allowance recorded for those loans as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the average outstanding loan balances recorded on the consolidated balance sheets during the three months ended March 31, 2019, and year ended December 31, 2018, and the interest income recognized on the impaired loans during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, and year ended December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Loan
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
Recorded
 
Year-
to-
Date
Avg.
Loan
Balance
 
Year-
to-
Date
Interest
Income
Recognized
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans with a related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
12,107

 
$
12,096

 
$
6,301

 
$
12,046

 
$
7

Commercial real estate
1,421

 
1,421

 
353

 
1,201

 
6

Total commercial and commercial real estate
13,528

 
13,517

 
6,654

 
13,247

 
13

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
3,280

 
3,280

 
1,099

 
2,225

 
1

Residential real estate
1,253

 
1,253

 
153

 
1,012

 

Consumer
1,272

 
1,270

 
653

 
1,275

 
6

Total loans held to maturity
$
19,333

 
$
19,320

 
$
8,559

 
$
17,759

 
$
20

Impaired loans without a related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
14,467

 
$
12,402

 
$

 
$
11,928

 
$
330

Commercial real estate
16,809

 
16,729

 

 
14,008

 
54

Total commercial and commercial real estate
31,276

 
29,131

 

 
25,936

 
384

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
19,538

 
17,195

 

 
14,373

 
16

Residential real estate
17,370

 
17,366

 

 
17,933

 
76

Consumer
4,620

 
4,556

 

 
4,820

 
25

Total loans held to maturity
$
72,804

 
$
68,248

 
$

 
$
63,062

 
$
501

Total impaired loans held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
26,574

 
$
24,498

 
$
6,301

 
$
23,974

 
$
337

Commercial real estate
18,230

 
18,150

 
353

 
15,209

 
60

Total commercial and commercial real estate
44,804

 
42,648

 
6,654

 
39,183

 
397

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
22,818

 
20,475

 
1,099

 
16,598

 
17

Residential real estate
18,623

 
18,619

 
153

 
18,945

 
76

Consumer
5,892

 
5,826

 
653

 
6,095

 
31

Total impaired loans held to maturity
$
92,137

 
$
87,568

 
$
8,559

 
$
80,821

 
$
521







 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Loan
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
Recorded
 
Year-to-
Date
Avg.
Loan
Balance
 
Year-to-
Date
Interest
Income
Recognized
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans with a related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
12,376

 
$
12,366

 
$
5,733

 
$
4,741

 
$
33

Commercial real estate
891

 
891

 
218

 
4,421

 
25

Total commercial and commercial real estate
13,267

 
13,257

 
5,951

 
9,162

 
58

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
1,718

 
1,718

 
686

 
2,165

 
2

Residential real estate
647

 
647

 
168

 
1,138

 
12

Consumer
1,373

 
1,373

 
749

 
2,934

 
29

Total loans held to maturity
$
17,005

 
$
16,995

 
$
7,554

 
$
15,399

 
$
101

Impaired loans without a related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
13,616

 
$
11,836

 
$

 
$
10,052

 
$
299

Commercial real estate
13,578

 
13,497

 

 
13,000

 
249

Total commercial and commercial real estate
27,194

 
25,333

 

 
23,052

 
548

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
16,836

 
14,233

 

 
14,781

 
5

Residential real estate
19,604

 
19,604

 

 
23,950

 
308

Consumer
5,631

 
5,631

 

 
5,117

 
97

Total loans held to maturity
$
69,265

 
$
64,801

 
$

 
$
66,900

 
$
958

Total impaired loans held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
25,992

 
$
24,202

 
$
5,733

 
$
14,793

 
$
332

Commercial real estate
14,469

 
14,388

 
218

 
17,421

 
274

Total commercial and commercial real estate
40,461

 
38,590

 
5,951

 
32,214

 
606

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
18,554

 
15,951

 
686

 
16,946

 
7

Residential real estate
20,251

 
20,251

 
168

 
25,088

 
320

Consumer
7,004

 
7,004

 
749

 
8,051

 
126

Total impaired loans held to maturity
$
86,270

 
$
81,796

 
$
7,554

 
$
82,299

 
$
1,059


On May 18, 2018, Heartland completed the acquisition of First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc., parent company of First Bank & Trust, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. As of May 18, 2018, First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. had gross loans of $696.9 million, and the estimated fair value of the loans acquired was $681.1 million.

On February 23, 2018, Heartland acquired Signature Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Signature Bank, based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. As of February 23, 2018, Signature Bancshares, Inc. had gross loans of $335.1 million and the estimated fair value of the loans acquired was $324.5 million.

Heartland uses the acquisition method of accounting for purchased loans in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations." Purchased loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at estimated fair value on their purchase date, but the purchaser cannot carry over the related allowance for loan losses. Purchased loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities with Deteriorated Credit Quality," when the loans have evidence of credit deterioration since origination, and when at the date of the acquisition, it is probable that Heartland will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. Evidence of credit quality deterioration at the purchase date includes statistics such as past due and nonaccrual status. Generally, acquired loans that meet Heartland’s definition for nonaccrual status fall within the scope of ASC 310-30. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the nonaccretable difference, which is included in the carrying value of the loans. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows of the loan will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges, or a reclassification of the difference from nonaccretable to accretable with a positive impact on future interest income. Further, any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows.






At March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the carrying amount of loans acquired since 2015 consist of purchased impaired and nonimpaired purchased loans as summarized in the following table, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Impaired
Purchased
Loans
 
Non
Impaired
Purchased
Loans
 
Total
Purchased
Loans
 
Impaired
Purchased
Loans
 
Non
Impaired
Purchased
Loans
 
Total
Purchased
Loans
Commercial
$
3,804

 
$
197,958

 
$
201,762

 
$
3,801

 
$
243,693

 
$
247,494

Commercial real estate
156

 
986,926

 
987,082

 
158

 
1,098,171

 
1,098,329

Agricultural and agricultural real estate

 
14,942

 
14,942

 

 
27,115

 
27,115

Residential real estate
227

 
168,167

 
168,394

 
231

 
184,389

 
184,620

Consumer loans

 
63,090

 
63,090

 

 
75,773

 
75,773

Total covered loans
$
4,187

 
$
1,431,083

 
$
1,435,270

 
$
4,190

 
$
1,629,141

 
$
1,633,331


Changes in accretable yield on acquired loans with evidence of credit deterioration at the date of acquisition for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, were as follows, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period
$
227

 
$
57

Original yield discount, net, at date of acquisition

 
(56
)
Accretion
(257
)
 
(199
)
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference(1)
218

 
198

Balance at period end
$
188

 
$

 
 
 
 
(1) Represents increases in estimated cash flows expected to be received, primarily due to lower estimated credit losses.

For loans acquired since January 2015, on the acquisition dates the preliminary estimate of the contractually required payments receivable for all loans with evidence of credit deterioration since origination was $36.9 million, and the estimated fair value of these loans was $21.8 million. At March 31, 2019, a majority of these loans were valued based upon the liquidation value of the underlying collateral, because the expected cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of such collateral, and the timing and amount of the cash flows could not be reasonably estimated. At March 31, 2019, there was $64,000 of allowance recorded and $57,000 of allowance recorded at December 31, 2018, related to these ASC 310-30 loans. Provision expense of $7,000 and $0 was recorded for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

For loans acquired since January 2015, the preliminary estimate on the acquisition dates of the contractually required payments receivable for all nonimpaired loans acquired was $3.67 billion, and the estimated fair value of the loans was $3.59 billion.

NOTE 5: ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, were as follows, in thousands:
 
Commercial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Agricultural and Agricultural
Real Estate
 
Residential
Real Estate
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
24,505

 
$
25,538

 
$
4,953

 
$
1,785

 
$
5,182

 
$
61,963

Charge-offs
(644
)
 
(39
)
 
(379
)
 
(163
)
 
(725
)
 
(1,950
)
Recoveries
175

 
151

 
330

 
13

 
322

 
991

Provision
(215
)
 
1,137

 
694

 
(30
)
 
49

 
1,635

Balance at March 31, 2019
$
23,821

 
$
26,787

 
$
5,598

 
$
1,605

 
$
4,828

 
$
62,639






 
Commercial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Agricultural and Agricultural
Real Estate
 
Residential
Real Estate
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
18,098

 
$
21,950

 
$
4,258

 
$
2,224

 
$
9,156

 
$
55,686

Charge-offs
(794
)
 
(125
)
 

 
(16
)
 
(1,289
)
 
(2,224
)
Recoveries
104

 
448

 
14

 
75

 
290

 
931

Provision
1,987

 
1,196

 
444

 
(142
)
 
778

 
4,263

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
19,395

 
$
23,469

 
$
4,716

 
$
2,141

 
$
8,935

 
$
58,656


Management allocates the allowance for loan losses by pools of risk within each loan portfolio. The allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio is made for analytical purposes and is not necessarily indicative of the trend of future loan losses in any particular category. The total allowance for loan losses is available to absorb losses from any segment of the loan portfolio.

NOTE 6: GOODWILL, CORE DEPOSIT PREMIUM AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Heartland had goodwill of $391.7 million at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018. Heartland conducts its annual internal assessment of the goodwill both at the consolidated level and at its subsidiaries as of September 30. There was no goodwill impairment as of the most recent assessment.

Heartland recorded $121.4 million of goodwill and $13.9 million of core deposit intangibles in connection with the acquisition of First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc., parent company of First Bank & Trust Company, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas on May 18, 2018.

Heartland recorded $33.7 million of goodwill and $7.7 million of core deposit intangibles in connection with the acquisition of Signature Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Signature Bank, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota on February 23, 2018.

The core deposit intangibles recorded with the First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. and Signature Bancshares, Inc. acquisitions are not deductible for tax purposes and are expected to be amortized over a period of 10 years on an accelerated basis.

Goodwill related to the First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. and Signature Bancshares, Inc. acquisitions resulted from expected operational synergies, increased market presence, cross-selling opportunities, and expanded business lines and is not deductible for tax purposes.

Heartland's intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles, mortgage servicing rights, customer relationship intangibles, and commercial servicing rights. The gross carrying amount of these intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, are presented in the table below, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Amortizing intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Core deposit intangibles
$
83,640

 
$
39,236

 
$
44,404

 
$
83,640

 
$
36,403

 
$
47,237

Customer relationship intangibles
1,177

 
944

 
233

 
1,177

 
935

 
242

Mortgage servicing rights
41,473

 
14,001

 
27,472

 
42,228

 
12,865

 
29,363

Commercial servicing rights
6,902

 
5,406

 
1,496

 
6,834

 
5,125

 
1,709

Total
$
133,192

 
$
59,587

 
$
73,605

 
$
133,879

 
$
55,328

 
$
78,551


On April 26, 2019, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company signed an agreement to sell substantially all its servicing rights to PNC Bank, N.A., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The servicing portfolio had a book value of $21.0 million, and the portfolio contained approximately 20,300 serviced residential mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances of $3.35 billion as of March 31, 2019. The serviced loans are primarily owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The transaction was approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and closed on April 30, 2019. Based upon the terms of the agreement, proceeds from the transaction were approximately $37.0 million. As part of the agreement, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company will subservice the loans until the transfer date in August 2019. The transaction qualified as a sale, and $21.0 million of mortgage servicing rights were de-recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2019 when the transaction closed.






The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets, excluding the mortgage servicing rights portfolio for Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, in thousands:
 
Core
Deposit
Intangibles
 
Customer
Relationship
Intangibles
 
Mortgage
Servicing
Rights
 
Commercial
Servicing
Rights
 
 
 
Total
Nine months ending December 31, 2019
$
6,949

 
$
28

 
$
736

 
$
310

 
$
8,023

Year ending December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
8,230

 
36

 
1,431

 
331

 
10,028

2021
7,036

 
35

 
1,226

 
293

 
8,590

2022
5,634

 
35

 
1,022

 
246

 
6,937

2023
4,933

 
34

 
818

 
159

 
5,944

2024
4,008

 
33

 
613

 
86

 
4,740

Thereafter
7,614

 
32

 
613

 
71

 
8,330

Total
$
44,404

 
$
233

 
$
6,459

 
$
1,496

 
$
52,592


Projections of amortization expense for mortgage servicing rights are based on existing asset balances and the existing interest rate environment as of March 31, 2019. Heartland's actual experience may be significantly different depending upon changes in mortgage interest rates and market conditions. Mortgage loans serviced for others at First Bank & Trust were approximately $692.3 million at March 31, 2019 compared to $648.9 million at December 31, 2018. Mortgage loans serviced for others at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company were $3.35 billion and $3.45 billion at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the mortgage loan servicing portfolio for First Bank & Trust were approximately $8.7 million at March 31, 2019 and $5.9 million at December 31, 2018. Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the mortgage loan servicing portfolio for Dubuque Bank and Trust Company totaled $23.3 million at March 31, 2019 and $17.7 million at December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2019, the fair value of First Bank and Trust's mortgage servicing rights was estimated at $6.5 million compared to $7.1 million at December 31, 2018. The fair value of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company's mortgage servicing rights at March 31, 2019 was estimated at $37.1 million compared to $41.5 million at December 31, 2018.

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is calculated based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. Cash flow assumptions, including prepayment speeds, servicing costs and escrow earnings are considered in the calculation. The average constant prepayment rate for the First Bank & Trust valuation was 12.00% as of March 31, 2019 compared to 10.30% at December 31, 2018. The discount rate for the First Bank & Trust valuation was 9.03% at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The average capitalization rate for First Bank & Trust during the first three months of 2019 ranged from 92 to 98 basis points compared to a range of 93 to 117 basis points since acquisition on May 18, 2018. Fees collected for the servicing of mortgage loans for others were $427,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2019.

The following table summarizes, in thousands, the changes in capitalized mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018:
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at January 1,
$
29,363

 
$
23,248

Originations
198

 
1,162

Amortization
(1,500
)
 
(1,245
)
Valuation adjustment
(589
)
 

Balance at period end
$
27,472

 
$
23,165

Mortgage servicing rights, net to servicing portfolio
0.68
%
 
0.72
%

Heartland's commercial servicing portfolio is comprised of loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and United States Department of Agriculture that have been sold with servicing retained by Heartland, which totaled $95.0 million at March 31, 2019 and $107.4 million at December 31, 2018. The commercial servicing rights portfolio is separated into two tranches at the respective Heartland subsidiary, loans with a term of less than 20 years and loans with a term of more than 20 years. Fees collected for the servicing of commercial loans for others were $380,000 and $420,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, respectively.






The fair value of each commercial servicing rights portfolio is calculated based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. Cash flow assumptions, including prepayment speeds and servicing costs, are considered in the calculation. The range of average constant prepayment rates for the valuations was 11.37% to 14.44% as of March 31, 2019, compared to 11.01% to 13.50% as of December 31, 2018. The discount rate range was 12.71% to 16.13% for the March 31, 2019, valuations compared to 13.44% to 16.96% for the December 31, 2018, valuations. The capitalization rate for both 2019 and 2018 ranged from 310 to 445 basis points. The total fair value of Heartland's commercial servicing rights was estimated at $1.9 million as of March 31, 2019, and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2018.

The following table summarizes, in thousands, the changes in capitalized commercial servicing rights for the three-months ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018:
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at January 1,
$
1,709

 
$
2,609

Originations
68

 
21

Amortization
(281
)
 
(322
)
Valuation allowance on commercial servicing rights

 
(2
)
Balance at period end
$
1,496

 
$
2,306

Fair value of commercial servicing rights
$
1,926

 
$
2,781

Commercial servicing rights, net to servicing portfolio
1.58
%
 
1.84
%

Mortgage and commercial servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value in net gains on sale of loans held for sale when they are acquired through loan sales. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable servicing contracts, when available, or based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.

Mortgage and commercial servicing rights are subsequently measured using the amortization method, which requires the asset to be amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment at each Heartland subsidiary based upon the fair value of the assets as compared to the carrying amount. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for specific tranches to the extent that fair value is less than carrying amount at each Heartland subsidiary. At March 31, 2019, a $589,000 valuation allowance was required on mortgage servicing rights and at December 31, 2018, a $58,000 valuation allowance was required on mortgage servicing rights. At March 31, 2019, no valuation allowance was required on commercial servicing rights with a term less than 20 years and no valuation allowance was required on commercial servicing rights with a term greater than 20 years. At December 31, 2018, no valuation allowance was required on commercial servicing rights with a term less than 20 years and no valuation allowance was required on commercial servicing rights with a term greater than 20 years.

The following table summarizes, in thousands, the book value, the fair value of each tranche of the mortgage servicing rights and any recorded valuation allowance at each respective subsidiary at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018:
March 31, 2019
Book Value 15-Year Tranche
 
Fair Value 15-Year Tranche
 
Impairment 15-Year Tranche
 
Book Value 30-Year Tranche
 
Fair Value 30-Year Tranche
 
Impairment 30-Year Tranche
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
$
1,982

 
$
4,648

 
$

 
$
19,031

 
$
32,420

 
$

First Bank & Trust
1,644

 
1,519

 
125

 
5,462

 
4,940

 
522

Total
$
3,626

 
$
6,167

 
$
125

 
$
24,493

 
$
37,360

 
$
522

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dubuque Bank and Trust Company
$
2,195

 
$
4,636

 
$

 
$
20,025

 
$
36,901

 
$

First Bank & Trust
1,685

 
1,665

 
20

 
5,516

 
5,478

 
38

Total
$
3,880

 
$
6,301

 
$
20

 
$
25,541

 
$
42,379

 
$
38







The following table summarizes, in thousands, the book value, the fair value of each tranche of the commercial servicing rights and any recorded valuation allowance at each respective subsidiary at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018:
March 31, 2019
Book Value
Less than
20 Years
 
Fair Value
Less than
20 Years
 
Impairment
Less than
20 Years
 
Book Value
More than
20 Years
 
Fair Value
More than
20 Years
 
Impairment
More than
20 Years
Citywide Banks
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Premier Valley Bank
37

 
65

 

 
168

 
178

 

Wisconsin Bank & Trust
212

 
387

 

 
1,079

 
1,296

 

Total
$
249

 
$
452

 
$

 
$
1,247

 
$
1,474

 
$

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Citywide Banks
$
1

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
20

 
$

Premier Valley Bank
45

 
74

 

 
178

 
184

 

Wisconsin Bank & Trust
249

 
411

 

 
1,218

 
1,439

 

Total
$
295

 
$
491

 
$

 
$
1,414

 
$
1,643

 
$


NOTE 7: DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Heartland uses derivative financial instruments as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. As part of the strategy, Heartland considers the use of interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars, and certain interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of securities related to mortgage banking activities. Heartland's current strategy includes the use of interest rate swaps, interest rate lock commitments and forward sales of mortgage securities. In addition, Heartland is facilitating back-to-back loan swaps to assist customers in managing interest rate risk. Heartland's objectives are to add stability to its net interest margin and to manage its exposure to movements in interest rates. The contract or notional amount of a derivative is used to determine, along with the other terms of the derivative, the amounts to be exchanged between the counterparties. Heartland is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments. Heartland minimizes this risk by entering into derivative contracts with counterparties that meet Heartland’s credit standards, and the contracts contain collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. Heartland has not experienced any losses from nonperformance by these counterparties. Heartland monitors counterparty risk in accordance with the provisions of ASC 815.

In addition, interest rate-related derivative instruments generally contain language outlining collateral pledging requirements for each counterparty. Collateral must be posted when the market value exceeds certain threshold limits which are determined by credit ratings of each counterparty. Heartland was required to pledge $540,000 cash as collateral at March 31, 2019, and no cash at December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2019, no collateral was required to be pledged by Heartland's counterparties, compared to $770,000 collateral at December 31, 2018.

Heartland's derivative and hedging instruments are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 8, “Fair Value,” for additional fair value information and disclosures.

Cash Flow Hedges
Heartland has variable rate funding which creates exposure to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. To manage the interest rate risk related to the variability of interest payments, Heartland has entered into various interest rate swap agreements. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are received or made on Heartland's variable-rate liabilities. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the change in net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges reflects changes in the fair value of the swaps and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense totaling $165,000. For the next twelve months, Heartland estimates that cash receipts and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to reduce interest expense will total $660,000.

Heartland entered into six forward starting interest rate swap transactions to effectively convert Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV, V, VI, and VII, which total $85.0 million, as well as Morrill Statutory Trust I and II, which total $20.0 million, from variable rate subordinated debentures to fixed rate debt. For accounting purposes, these six swap transactions are designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on $105.0 million of Heartland's subordinated debentures that reset quarterly on a specified reset date. At inception, Heartland asserted that the underlying principal balance would remain outstanding throughout the hedge transaction, making it probable that sufficient LIBOR-based interest payments would exist through the maturity date of the swaps. During the first quarter of 2019,





the interest rate swap transactions associated with Morrill Statutory Trust I and II, totaling $20.0 million, matured and the fixed rate debt has been converted to variable rate subordinated debentures.

On May 18, 2018, Heartland acquired cash flow hedges related to OCGI Statutory Trust III and OCGI Capital Trust IV with notional amounts of $3.0 million and $6.0 million, respectively, in the First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. transaction. The cash flow hedges effectively convert OCGI Statutory Trust III and OGCI Capital Trust IV from variable rate subordinated debentures to fixed rate debt. These swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on $9.0 million of Heartland's subordinated debentures that reset quarterly on a specified reset date.

The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of Heartland's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Category
 
Receive
Rate
 
Weighted
Average
Pay Rate
 
Maturity
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
$
25,000

 
$
50

 
Other assets
 
2.615
%
 
2.255
%
 
03/17/2021
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
(153
)
 
Other liabilities
 
2.795

 
3.355

 
01/07/2020
Interest rate swap
28,667

 
563

 
Other assets
 
4.993

 
3.674

 
05/10/2021
Interest rate swap
28,000

 
(897
)
 
Other liabilities
 
4.986

 
5.425

 
07/24/2028
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
(141
)
 
Other liabilities
 
2.611

 
2.390

 
06/15/2024
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
(99
)
 
Other liabilities
 
2.626

 
2.352

 
03/01/2024
Interest rate swap
6,000

 
62

 
Other assets
 
2.611

 
1.866

 
06/15/2021
Interest rate swap
3,000

 
35

 
Other assets
 
2.787

 
1.878

 
06/30/2021
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
$
25,000

 
$
191

 
Other assets
 
2.788
%
 
2.255
%
 
03/17/2021
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
(177
)
 
Other liabilities
 
2.408

 
3.355

 
01/07/2020
Interest rate swap
10,000

 
29

 
Other assets
 
2.822

 
1.674

 
03/26/2019
Interest rate swap
10,000

 
28

 
Other assets
 
2.788

 
1.658

 
03/18/2019
Interest rate swap
29,667

 
763

 
Other assets
 
4.887

 
3.674

 
05/10/2021
Interest rate swap
28,750

 
(572
)
 
Other liabilities
 
5.004

 
5.425

 
07/24/2028
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
157

 
Other assets
 
2.788

 
2.390

 
06/15/2024
Interest rate swap
20,000

 
185

 
Other assets
 
2.738

 
2.352

 
03/01/2024
Interest rate swap
6,000

 
105

 
Other Assets
 
2.788

 
1.866

 
06/15/2021
Interest rate swap
3,000

 
51

 
Other assets
 
2.787

 
1.878

 
06/30/2021

The table below identifies the gains and losses recognized on Heartland's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
 
Recognized in OCI
 
Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
 
Category
 
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
 
Category
 
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
(1,340
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(165
)
 
Other income
 
$

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
1,896

 
Interest expense
 
$
(197
)
 
Other income
 
$


Fair Value Hedges
Heartland uses interest rate swaps to convert certain long term fixed rate loans to floating rates to hedge interest rate risk exposure. Heartland uses hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815, with the unrealized gains and losses, representing the change in





fair value of the derivative and the change in fair value of the risk being hedged on the related loan, being recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The ineffective portions of the unrealized gains or losses, if any, are recorded in interest income and interest expense in the consolidated statements of income. Heartland uses statistical regression to assess hedge effectiveness, both at the inception of the hedge as well as on a continual basis. The regression analysis involves regressing the periodic change in the fair value of the hedging instrument against the periodic changes in the fair value of the asset being hedged due to changes in the hedge risk.

Heartland was required to pledge $3.2 million and $2.5 million of cash as collateral for these fair value hedges at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The table below identifies the notional amount, fair value and balance sheet category of Heartland's fair value hedges at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Category
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
$
670

 
$
5

 
Other assets
Fair value hedges
28,749

 
(900
)
 
Other liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
$
19,820

 
$
74

 
Other assets
Fair value hedges
$
15,064

 
$
(339
)
 
Other liabilities

The table below identifies the gains and losses recognized on Heartland's fair value hedges for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
 
Income Statement Category
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
(630
)
 
Interest income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Fair value hedges
 
$
894

 
Interest income

Embedded Derivatives
Heartland has fixed rate loans with embedded derivatives. The loans contain terms that affect the cash flows or value of the loan similar to a derivative instrument, and therefore are considered to contain an embedded derivative. The embedded derivatives are bifurcated from the loans because the terms of the derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the loans. The embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as a part of other assets, and changes in the fair value are a component of noninterest income. The table below identifies the notional amount, fair value and balance sheet category of Heartland's embedded derivatives at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Category
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
$
2,216

 
$
17

 
Other assets
Embedded derivatives
$
9,785

 
$
(507
)
 
Other liabilities
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
$
11,266

 
$
453

 
Other assets
Embedded derivatives
$
2,231

 
$
(54
)
 
Other liabilities






The table below identifies the gains and losses recognized on Heartland's embedded derivatives for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
 
Income Statement Category
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
 
$
889

 
Other noninterest income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Embedded derivatives
 
$
277

 
Other noninterest income

Back-to-Back Loan Swaps
Heartland has interest rate swap loan relationships with customers to meet their financing needs. Upon entering into these loan swaps, Heartland enters into offsetting positions with counterparties in order to minimize interest rate risk. These back-to-back loan swaps qualify as free standing financial derivatives with the fair values reported in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Heartland was required to post $7.2 million and $2.0 million as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, as collateral related to these back-to-back swaps. Heartland's counterparties were required to pledge $140,000 at March 31, 2019, and $680,000 at December 31, 2018. Any gains and losses on these back-to-back swaps are recorded in noninterest income on the consolidated statements of income, and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, no gain or loss was recognized. The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of Heartland's derivative instruments designated as loan swaps at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Weighted
Average
Receive
Rate
 
Weighted
Average
Pay
Rate
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer interest rate swaps
 
$
233,665

 
$
7,654

 
Other assets
 
5.15
%
 
5.05
%
Customer interest rate swaps
 
233,665

 
(7,654
)
 
Other liabilities
 
5.05

 
5.15

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer interest rate swaps
 
$
211,246

 
$
4,449

 
Other assets
 
5.10
%
 
4.96
%
Customer interest rate swaps
 
211,246

 
(4,449
)
 
Other liabilities
 
4.96

 
5.10


Other Free Standing Derivatives
Heartland has entered into interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans and mortgage backed securities that are considered derivative instruments. Heartland enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of future changes in interest rates on the commitments to fund the loans as well as on residential mortgage loans available for sale. The fair value of these commitments is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets, with the changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of income as a component of gains on sale of loans held for sale. These derivative contracts are designated as free standing derivative contracts and are not designated against specific assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets or forecasted transactions and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Heartland was required to pledge collateral of $0 at March 31, 2019, and $35,000 at December 31, 2018. Heartland's counterparties were required to pledge no collateral at both March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as collateral for these forward commitments.

Heartland acquired undesignated interest rate swaps in 2015. These swaps were entered into primarily for the benefit of customers seeking to manage their interest rate risk and are not designated against specific assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet or forecasted transactions and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815. These swaps are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as a component of other liabilities, with changes in the fair value recorded as a component of other noninterest income.






The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of Heartland's other free standing derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair
Value
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Other assets
 
$
25,318

 
$
800

Forward commitments
Other assets
 
1,000

 

Forward commitments
Other liabilities
 
46,000

 
(282
)
Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other liabilities
 
9,785

 
(507
)
Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other assets
 
2,216

 
17

December 31, 2018
 
 


 


Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Other assets
 
$
22,451

 
$
725

Forward commitments
Other assets
 

 

Forward commitments
Other liabilities
 
51,500

 
(399
)
Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other liabilities
 
11,266

 
(453
)
Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other assets
 
2,231

 
54


The table below identifies the income statement category of the gains and losses recognized in income on Heartland's other free standing derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
Income Statement Category
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
 
$
264

Forward commitments
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
 
117

Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other noninterest income
 
889

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
 
$
17

Forward commitments
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
 
115

Undesignated interest rate swaps
Other noninterest income
 
277


NOTE 8: FAIR VALUE

Heartland utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities carried at fair value, which include available for sale, trading securities and equity securities with a readily determinable fair value, and derivatives are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, Heartland may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis such as loans held for sale, loans held to maturity and certain other assets including, but not limited to, mortgage servicing rights, commercial servicing rights and other real estate owned. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of the lower of cost or fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

Fair Value Hierarchy

Under ASC 820, assets and liabilities are grouped at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for all significant assumptions are observable in the market.






Level 3 — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis.

Assets

Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity
Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Securities held to maturity are generally recorded at cost and are recorded at fair value only to the extent a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security's credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, as well as U.S. Treasury securities. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, mortgage and asset-backed securities and private collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. On a quarterly basis, a secondary independent pricing service is used for the securities portfolio to validate the pricing from Heartland's primary pricing service.

Equity Securities with a Readily Determinable Fair Value
Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value generally include Community Reinvestment Act mutual funds and are classified as Level 2 due to the infrequent trading of these securities. The fair value is based on the price per share.

Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value on an aggregate basis. The fair value of loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. As such, Heartland classifies loans held for sale subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2.

Loans Held to Maturity
Heartland does not record loans held to maturity at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310. The fair value of impaired loans is measured using one of the following impairment methods: 1) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or 2) the observable market price of the loan or 3) the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. In accordance with ASC 820, impaired loans measured at fair value are classified as nonrecurring Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Premises, Furniture and Equipment Held for Sale
Heartland values premises, furniture and equipment held for sale based on third-party appraisals less estimated disposal costs. Heartland considers third party appraisals, as well as independent fair value assessments from Realtors or persons involved in selling bank premises, furniture and equipment, in determining the fair value of particular properties. Accordingly, the valuation of premises, furniture and equipment held for sale is subject to significant external and internal judgment. Heartland periodically reviews premises, furniture and equipment held for sale to determine if the fair value of the property, less disposal costs, has declined below its recorded book value and records any adjustments accordingly. Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale are classified as nonrecurring Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage Servicing Rights
Mortgage servicing rights assets represent the value associated with servicing residential real estate loans that have been sold to outside investors with servicing retained. The fair value for servicing assets is determined through discounted cash flow analysis and utilizes discount rates, prepayment speeds and delinquency rate assumptions as inputs. All of the assumptions in the discounted cash flow analysis require a significant degree of management estimation and judgment. Mortgage servicing rights are subject to impairment testing. The carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based upon the calculation of fair value as performed by an outside third party. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified into certain risk characteristics including note type and note term. If the valuation model reflects a fair value less than the carrying value, mortgage servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance. Heartland classifies mortgage servicing rights as nonrecurring with Level 3 measurement inputs.






Commercial Servicing Rights
Commercial servicing rights assets represent the value associated with servicing commercial loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture that have been sold with servicing retained by Heartland. Heartland uses the amortization method (i.e., the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value measured on a nonrecurring basis), not fair value measurement accounting, to determine the carrying value of its commercial servicing rights. The fair value for servicing assets is determined through market prices for comparable servicing contracts, when available, or through a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. Inputs utilized include discount rates, prepayment speeds and delinquency rate assumptions as inputs. All of these assumptions require a significant degree of management estimation and judgment. Commercial servicing rights are subject to impairment testing, and the carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based upon the calculation of fair value as performed by an outside third party. If the valuation model reflects a fair value less than the carrying value, commercial servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance. Heartland classifies commercial servicing rights as nonrecurring with Level 3 measurement inputs.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Heartland's current interest rate risk strategy includes interest rate swaps. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, Heartland incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty's nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, Heartland has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although Heartland has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, Heartland has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, Heartland has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Interest rate lock commitments
Heartland uses an internal valuation model that relies on internally developed inputs to estimate the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments which is based on unobservable inputs that reflect management's assumptions and specific information about each borrower. Interest rate lock commitments are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Forward commitments
The fair value of forward commitments are estimated using an internal valuation model, which includes current trade pricing for similar financial instruments in active markets that Heartland has the ability to access and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned ("OREO") represents property acquired through foreclosures and settlements of loans. Property acquired is carried at the fair value of the property at the time of acquisition (representing the property's cost basis), plus any acquisition costs, or the estimated fair value of the property, less disposal costs. Heartland considers third party appraisals, as well as independent fair value assessments from realtors or persons involved in selling OREO, in determining the fair value of particular properties. Accordingly, the valuation of OREO is subject to significant external and internal judgment. Heartland periodically reviews OREO to determine if the fair value of the property, less disposal costs, has declined below its recorded book value and records any adjustments accordingly. OREO is classified as nonrecurring Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.






The table below presents Heartland's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall:
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
March 31, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
26,768

 
$
20,458

 
$
6,310

 
$

Mortgage and asset-backed securities
1,871,398

 

 
1,871,398

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
484,955

 

 
484,955

 

Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value
17,339

 

 
17,339

 

Derivative financial instruments(1)
8,403

 

 
8,403

 

Interest rate lock commitments
800

 

 

 
800

Total assets at fair value
$
2,409,663

 
$
20,458

 
$
2,388,405

 
$
800

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments(2)
$
10,858

 
$

 
$
10,858

 
$

Forward commitments
282

 

 
282

 

Total liabilities at fair value
$
11,140

 
$

 
$
11,140

 
$

December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
31,951

 
$
25,414

 
$
6,537

 
$

Mortgage and asset-backed securities
2,026,698

 

 
2,026,698

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
374,974

 

 
374,974

 

Equity securities
17,086

 

 
17,086

 

Derivative financial instruments(1)
6,539

 

 
6,539

 

Interest rate lock commitments
725

 

 

 
725

Total assets at fair value
$
2,457,973

 
$
25,414

 
$
2,431,834

 
$
725

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments(2)
$
6,044

 
$

 
$
6,044

 
$

Forward commitments
399

 

 
399

 

Total liabilities at fair value
$
6,443

 
$

 
$
6,443

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes embedded derivatives, back-to-back loan swaps, fair value hedges, free standing derivative instruments and cash flow hedges.
(2) Includes cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, back-to-back loan swaps, embedded derivatives and free standing derivative instruments.






The tables below present Heartland's assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, in thousands:
 
Fair Value Measurements at
March 31, 2019
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Year-to-
Date (Gains)
Losses
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
9,998

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,998

 
$
285

Commercial real estate
717

 

 

 
717

 

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
8,932

 

 

 
8,932

 
379

Residential real estate
1,207

 

 

 
1,207

 
4

Consumer
633

 

 

 
633

 

Total collateral dependent impaired loans
$
21,487

 
$

 
$

 
$
21,487

 
$
668

Loans held for sale
$
69,716

 
$

 
$
69,716

 
$

 
$
(1,107
)
Other real estate owned
$
5,391

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,391

 
$
452

Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
$
7,030

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,030

 
$

Servicing rights
$
6,459

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,459

 
$
589


 
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2018
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Year-to-
Date (Gains)
Losses
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
12,932

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,932

 
$
660

Commercial real estate
405

 

 

 
405

 
72

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
11,070

 

 

 
11,070

 
575

Residential real estate
478

 

 

 
478

 

Consumer
624

 

 

 
624

 

Total collateral dependent impaired loans
$
25,509

 
$

 
$


$
25,509

 
$
1,307

Loans held for sale
$
119,801

 
$

 
$
52,577

 
$
67,224

 
$
(1,870
)
Other real estate owned
$
6,153

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,153

 
$
2,647

Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
$
7,258

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,258

 
$
59

Servicing rights
$
7,143

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,143

 
$
58






The following tables present additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis and for which Heartland has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value, in thousands:
 
Fair Value at
3/31/2019
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range
(Weighted Average)
Interest rate lock commitments
$
800

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Closing ratio
 
0-99% (89%)(1)
Other real estate owned
5,391

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-10%(3)
Servicing rights
6,459

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Third party valuation
 
(4)
Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
7,030

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-10%(3)
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
9,998

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-18%(3)
Commercial real estate
717

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-9%(3)
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
8,932

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-15%(3)
Residential real estate
1,207

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-12%(3)
Consumer
633

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party valuation
 
(2)
 
 
 
 
Valuation discount
 
0-9%(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement is the closing ratio, which represents the percentage of loans currently in a lock position which management estimates will ultimately close. The closing ratio calculation takes into consideration historical data and loan-level data. The weighted average closing ratio for PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation is 89%.
(2) Third party appraisals are obtained and updated at least annually to establish the value of the underlying asset, but the disclosure of the unobservable inputs used by the appraisers would not be meaningful because the range will vary widely from appraisal to appraisal.
(3) Discounts applied to the appraised values primarily include estimated sales costs, but also consider the age of the appraisal, changes in local market conditions and changes in the current condition of the collateral.
(4) The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement are the value indices, which are weighted-average spreads to LIBOR based on maturity groups.






 
Fair Value at
12/31/2018
 
Valuation
Technique
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range
(Weighted Average)
Loans held for sale
$
67,224

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Sales contract
 
(1) 
Interest rate lock commitments
725

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Closing ratio
 
0-99% (91%)(2)
Other real estate owned
6,153

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-10%(4)
Servicing rights
7,143

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Third party valuation
 
(5) 
Premises, furniture and equipment held for sale
7,258

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-10%(4)
Other real estate owned
6,153

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-10%(4)
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
12,932

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-8%(4)
Commercial real estate
405

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-19%(4)
Agricultural and agricultural real estate
11,070

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-24%(4)
Residential real estate
478

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party appraisal
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Appraisal discount
 
0-24%(4)
Consumer
624

 
Modified appraised value
 
Third party valuation
 
(3)
 
 
 
 
Valuation discount
 
0-14%(4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) The significant unobservable input related to the loans held for sale was the third party sales contract Heartland entered into prior to December 31, 2018. The sale of these consumer loans closed on January 11, 2019.
(2) The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement is the closing ratio, which represents the percentage of loans currently in a lock position which management estimates will ultimately close. The closing ratio calculation takes into consideration historical data and loan-level data.
(3) Third party appraisals are obtained and updated at least annually to establish the value of the underlying asset, but the disclosure of the unobservable inputs used by the appraisers would not be meaningful because the range will vary widely from appraisal to appraisal.
(4) Discounts applied to the appraised values primarily include estimated sales costs, but also consider the age of the appraisal, changes in local market conditions and changes in the current condition of the collateral.
(5) The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement are the value indices, which are weighted-average spreads to LIBOR based on maturity groups.

The changes in fair value of the interest rate lock commitments, which are Level 3 financial instruments measured on a recurring basis, are summarized in the following table, in thousands:
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2018
Balance at January 1,
$
725

 
$
1,738

Acquired interest rate lock commitments

 
1,383

Total gains (losses) included in earnings
264

 
(3,269
)
Issuances
2,081

 
2,962

Settlements
(2,270
)
 
(2,089
)
Balance at period end
$
800

 
$
725


Gains included in gains (losses) on sale of loans held for sale attributable to interest rate lock commitments held at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, were $800,000 and $725,000, respectively.

The table below is a summary of the estimated fair value of Heartland's financial instruments (as defined by ASC 825) as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands. The carrying amounts in the following tables are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions. In accordance with ASC 825, the assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments





are not included in the disclosure, including the value of the commercial and mortgage servicing rights, premises, furniture and equipment, premises, furniture and equipment held for sale, OREO, goodwill, and other intangibles and other liabilities.

Heartland does not believe that the estimated information presented herein is representative of the earnings power or value of Heartland. The following analysis, which is inherently limited in depicting fair value, also does not consider any value associated with either existing customer relationships or the ability of Heartland to create value through loan origination, deposit gathering or fee generating activities. Many of the estimates presented herein are based upon the use of highly subjective information and assumptions and, accordingly, the results may not be precise. Management believes that fair value estimates may not be comparable between financial institutions due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates which must be made. Furthermore, because the disclosed fair value amounts were estimated as of the balance sheet date, the amounts actually realized or paid upon maturity or settlement of the various financial instruments could be significantly different.





 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at
March 31, 2019
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
492,501

 
$
492,501

 
$
492,501

 
$

 
$

Time deposits in other financial institutions
4,675

 
4,675

 
4,675

 

 

Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carried at fair value
2,400,460

 
2,400,460

 
20,458

 
2,380,002

 

Held to maturity
88,089

 
95,240

 

 
95,240

 

Other investments
27,506

 
27,506

 

 
27,506

 

Loans held for sale
69,716

 
69,716

 

 
69,716

 

Loans, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
2,018,438

 
1,972,580

 

 
1,962,582

 
9,998

Commercial real estate
3,675,063

 
3,644,142

 

 
3,643,425

 
717

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
540,022

 
531,817

 

 
522,885

 
8,932

Residential real estate
627,619

 
613,086

 

 
611,879

 
1,207

Consumer
407,763

 
405,120

 

 
404,487

 
633

Total Loans, net
7,268,905

 
7,166,745

 

 
7,145,258

 
21,487

Cash surrender value on life insurance
163,764

 
163,764

 

 
163,764

 

Derivative financial instruments(1)
8,403

 
8,403

 

 
8,403

 

Interest rate lock commitments
800

 
800

 

 

 
800

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
3,118,909

 
3,118,909

 

 
3,118,909

 

Savings deposits
5,145,929

 
5,145,929

 

 
5,145,929

 

Time deposits
1,008,104

 
1,088,104

 

 
1,088,104

 

Deposits held for sale
118,564

 
111,742

 

 
111,742

 

Short term borrowings
104,314

 
104,314

 

 
104,314

 

Other borrowings
268,312

 
268,528

 

 
268,528

 

Derivative financial instruments(2)
10,858

 
10,858

 

 
10,858

 

Forward commitments
282

 
282

 

 
282

 

 
(1) Includes embedded derivatives, back-to-back loan swaps, fair value hedges, free standing derivative instruments and cash flow hedges.
(2) Includes cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, back-to-back loan swaps, embedded derivatives and free standing derivative instruments.






 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2018
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
273,630

 
$
273,630

 
$
273,630

 
$

 
$

Time deposits in other financial institutions
4,672

 
4,672

 
4,672

 

 

Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carried at fair value
2,450,709

 
2,450,709

 
25,414

 
2,425,295

 

Held to maturity
236,283

 
245,341

 

 
245,341

 

Other investments
28,396

 
28,396

 

 
28,396

 

Loans held for sale
119,801

 
119,801

 

 
52,577

 
67,224

Loans, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
1,994,785

 
1,955,607

 

 
1,942,675

 
12,932

Commercial real estate
3,684,213

 
3,667,138

 

 
3,666,733

 
405

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
561,265

 
553,112

 

 
542,042

 
11,070

Residential real estate
670,473

 
654,596

 

 
654,118

 
478

Consumer
434,998

 
432,016

 

 
431,392

 
624

Total Loans, net
7,345,734

 
7,262,469

 

 
7,236,960

 
25,509

Cash surrender value on life insurance
162,892

 
162,892

 

 
162,892

 

Derivative financial instruments(1)
6,539

 
6,539

 

 
6,539

 

Interest rate lock commitments
725

 
725

 

 

 
725

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
3,264,737

 
3,264,737

 

 
3,264,737

 

Savings deposits
5,107,962

 
5,107,962

 

 
5,107,962

 

Time deposits
1,023,730

 
1,023,730

 

 
1,023,730

 

Deposits held for sale
106,409

 
100,241

 

 

 
100,241

Short term borrowings
227,010

 
227,010

 

 
227,010

 

Other borrowings
274,905

 
276,966

 

 
276,966

 

Derivative financial instruments(2)
6,044

 
6,044

 

 
6,044

 

Forward commitments
399

 
399

 

 
399

 

 
(1) Includes embedded derivatives, back-to-back loan swaps, fair value hedges, free standing derivative instruments and cash flow hedges.
(2) Includes cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, back-to-back loan swaps, embedded derivatives and free standing derivative instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Time Deposits in Other Financial Institutions — The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Securities — For equity securities with a readily determinable fair value and debt securities either held to maturity, available for sale or trading, fair value equals quoted market price if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated





using quoted market prices for similar securities. For Level 3 securities, Heartland utilizes independent pricing provided by third party vendors or brokers.

Other Investments — Fair value measurement of other investments, which consists primarily of FHLB stock, are based on their redeemable value, which is at cost due to the restrictions placed on their transferability. The market for these securities is restricted to the issuer of the stock and subject to impairment evaluation.

Loans — The fair value of loans is determined using an exit price methodology as prescribed by ASU 2016-01, which was effective on January 1, 2018. The exit price estimation of fair value is based on the present value of the expected cash flows. The projected cash flows are based on the contractual terms of the loans, adjusted for prepayments and a discount rate based on the relative risk of the cash flows. Other considerations include the loan type, remaining life of the loan and credit risk.

The fair value of impaired loans is measured using the fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of loans held for sale is estimated using quoted market prices.

Cash surrender value on life insurance — Life insurance policies are held on certain officers. The carrying value of these policies approximates fair value as it is based on the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. As such, Heartland classifies the estimated fair value of the cash surrender value on life insurance as Level 2.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments — The fair value of interest rate lock commitments is estimated using an internal valuation model, which includes grouping the interest rate lock commitments by interest rate and terms, applying an estimated closing ratio based on historical experience, and then multiplying by quoted investor prices determined to be reasonably applicable to the loan commitment groups based on interest rate, terms, and rate lock expiration dates of the loan commitment group.

Forward Commitments — The fair value of these instruments is estimated using an internal valuation model, which includes current trade pricing for similar financial instruments.

Derivative Financial Instruments — The fair value of all derivatives is estimated based on the amount that Heartland would pay or would be paid to terminate the contract or agreement, using current rates and prices, and, when appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the counter-party.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments — The fair value of interest rate lock commitments is estimated using an internal valuation model, which includes grouping the interest rate lock commitments by interest rate and terms, applying an estimated closing ratio based on historical experience, and then multiplying by quoted investor prices determined to be reasonably applicable to the loan commitment groups based on interest rate, terms, and rate lock expiration dates of the loan commitment group.

Forward Commitments — The fair value of these instruments is estimated using an internal valuation model, which includes current trade pricing for similar financial instruments.

Deposits — The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. If the fair value of the fixed maturity certificates of deposit is calculated at less than the carrying amount, the carrying value of these deposits is reported as the fair value.

Deposits Held for Sale — Heartland entered into agreements with third parties to sell the deposits of five branch locations, which totaled $118.6 million as of March 31, 2019. The estimated fair value in the table above is based on the carrying value of the deposits less the premium Heartland expects to receive in accordance with the sales contract when the transactions are completed, which is expected to be in 2019.

Short-term and Other Borrowings Rates currently available to Heartland for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing debt.

Commitments to Extend Credit, Unused Lines of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit — Based upon management's analysis of the off balance sheet financial instruments, there are no significant unrealized gains or losses associated with these financial instruments based upon review of the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.






NOTE 9: REVENUE

On January 1, 2018, Heartland adopted ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606), and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606.

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with loan servicing income, bank owned life insurance, derivatives and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as service charges and fees, trust fees, and brokerage and insurance commissions. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Substantially all of Heartland's revenue is generated from contracts with customers. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

Service Charges and Fees
Service charges and fees consist of revenue generated from deposit account related service charges and fees, overdraft fees, customer service fees, credit card fee income, debit card income and other service charges and fees.

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders and other deposit account related fees. Heartland's performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees, including overdraft fees, are largely transactional based, and therefore, the performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Customer service fees and other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. Heartland's performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Credit card fee income and debit card income are comprised of interchange fees, ATM fees, and merchant services income. Credit card fee income and debit card income are earned whenever the banks' debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a bank cardholder uses an ATM that is not owned by one of Heartland's banks or a non-bank cardholder uses Heartland-owned ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees.

Trust Fees
Trust fees are primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. Heartland's performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the average daily market value or month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received a few days before or after month end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. Heartland does not earn performance-based incentives. Optional services such as real estate sales and tax return preparation services are also available to existing trust and asset management customers. Heartland's performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time (i.e., as incurred). Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.

Brokerage and Insurance Commissions
Brokerage commission primarily consist of commissions related to broker-dealer contracts. The contracts are between the customer and the broker-dealer, and Heartland satisfies its performance obligation and earns commission when the transactions are completed. The recognition of revenue is based on a defined fee schedule and does not require significant judgment. Payment is received shortly after services are rendered. Insurance commissions are related to commissions received directly from the insurance carrier. Heartland acts as an insurance agent between the customer and the insurance carrier. Heartland's performance obligations and associated fee and commission income are defined with each insurance product with the insurance company. When insurance payments are received from customers, a portion of the payment is recognized as commission revenue.






The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the three-months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
In-scope of Topic 606
 
 
 
Service charges and fees
 
 
 
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
$
2,977

 
$
2,618

Overdraft fees
2,744

 
2,208

Customer service fees
81

 
77

Credit card fee income
3,349

 
2,190

Debit card income
3,642

 
2,985

Other service charges
1

 
1

Total service charges and fees
$
12,794

 
$
10,079

Trust fees
4,474

 
4,680

Brokerage and insurance commissions
734

 
907

Total noninterest income in-scope of Topic 606
$
18,002

 
$
15,666

 
 
 
 
Out-of-scope of Topic 606
 
 
 
Loan servicing income
$
1,729

 
$
1,754

Securities gains/(losses), net
1,575

 
1,441

Unrealized gain/(loss) on equity securities, net
258

 
(28
)
Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
3,176

 
4,051

Valuation adjustment on servicing rights
(589
)
 
(2
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
899

 
614

Other noninterest income
1,667

 
1,220

Total noninterest income out-of-scope of Topic 606
8,715

 
9,050

Total noninterest income
$
26,717

 
$
24,716


Contract Balances
A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. Heartland's noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after Heartland satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. Heartland does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, Heartland did not have any significant contract balances.

Contract Acquisition Costs
In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). Heartland utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, Heartland did not capitalize any contract acquisition costs.

NOTE 10: STOCK 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 March 31, 2019, 368,071 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 $336,000 and $611,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units
The Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock units ("RSUs"). In the first quarter of 2019, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 90,073 shares of common stock, and in the first quarter of 2018, the Compensation Committee granted time-based RSUs with respect to 52,153 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 date in the future. The time-based RSUs granted in 2019 and 2018 vest over three years in equal installments on March 6 of each of the three years following the year of the grant. 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.

The Compensation Committee also granted three-year performance-based RSUs with respect to 34,848 shares and 16,108 shares of common stock in the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. These performance-based RSUs will be earned based on satisfaction of performance targets for the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. These performance-based RSUs or a portion thereof may vest in 2022 and 2021, respectively, after measurement of performance in relation to the performance targets.

The three-year performance-based RSUs vest to the extent that they are earned upon death or disability or upon a "qualified retirement." Upon a change in control, performance-based RSUs shall become vested at 100% of target if the RSU obligations are not assumed by the successor company. If the successor company does assume the RSU obligations, the 2019 and 2018 performance-based RSUs will vest at 100% of target upon a "Termination of Service" within the period beginning six months prior to a change in control and ending twenty-four months after a change in control.

All of Heartland's RSUs will be settled in common stock upon vesting and are not entitled to dividends until vested.

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 three months ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, 1,045 and 0 time-based RSUs, respectively, were granted to directors and new employees.

A summary of the RSUs outstanding as of March 31, 2019, and 2018, and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, follows:
 
2019
 
2018
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1,
266,995

 
$
43.89

 
301,578

 
$
34.74

Granted
125,966

 
45.77

 
87,249

 
55.25

Vested
(117,122
)
 
35.84

 
(107,553
)
 
30.79

Forfeited
(13,364
)
 
49.89

 
(19,113
)
 
43.62

Outstanding at March 31,
262,475

 
$
48.07

 
262,161

 
$
42.60







Total compensation costs recorded for RSUs were $2.4 million and $1.9 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. As of March 31, 2019, there were $7.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the Plan for RSUs that are expected to be recognized through 2022.

NOTE 11: LEASES

A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. On January 1, 2019, Heartland adopted ASU No. 2016-02 "Leases" (Topic 842) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. For Heartland, Topic 842 primarily affected the accounting treatment for operating lease agreements in which Heartland is the lessee.

Lessee Accounting
Substantially all of the leases in which Heartland is the lessee are comprised of real estate property for branches, ATM locations, and office space with terms extending through 2034. All of Heartland's leases are classified as operating leases, and therefore, were previously not recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. With the adoption of Topic 842, operating lease agreements are required to be recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and a corresponding lease liability.

Heartland elected not to include short-term leases (i.e., leases with initial terms of twelve months or less), or equipment leases (deemed immaterial) on the consolidated balance sheet. The table below presents Heartland's ROU assets and lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019, (in thousands):
Assets
 
Classification
 
March 31, 2019
Operating lease assets
 
Other assets
 
$
24,664

Total lease right-of-use assets
 
 
 
$
24,664

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Operating lease liabilities
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
$
26,333

Total lease liabilities
 
 
 
$
26,333


The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities in the table above are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to present value the minimum lease payments. Heartland’s lease agreements often include one or more options to renew at Heartland’s discretion. If at lease inception, Heartland considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, Heartland will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, Heartland utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term. For operating leases existing prior to January 1, 2019, the rate for the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 was used. The variable lease cost primarily represents variable payments such as common area maintenance and utilities. The table below presents the lease costs and supplemental information as of March 31, 2019, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Lease Cost
 
Operating lease cost
$
1,405

Variable lease cost
35

Total lease cost
$
1,440

Supplemental Information
 
Non-cash information on lease liabilities arising from obtaining ROU assets
$
1,209

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)
 
Operating leases
7.04

Weighted-average discount rate
 
Operating leases
3.00
%






As defined by Topic 842, future minimum payments for operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more are presented in the table below as of March 31, 2019, in thousands:
Nine months ending December 31, 2019
$
3,859

Year ending December 31,
 
2020
5,174

2021
4,855

2022
3,351

2023
1,947

Thereafter
7,147

Total lease payments
$
26,333


As defined by Topic 840, Heartland's minimum future rental commitments at December 31, 2018, for all non-cancelable leases were as follows, in thousands:
2019
$
5,776

2020
5,493

2021
5,102

2022
3,241

2023
2,297

Thereafter
12,419

 
$
34,328


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including any information incorporated herein by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("Heartland") and its management may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to the business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives and future performance of Heartland. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland's management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should" or other similar expressions. Although Heartland has made these statements based on management's experience and best estimate of future events, there may be events or factors that management has not anticipated, and the accuracy and achievement of such forward-looking statements and estimates are subject to a number of risks, including those identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Additionally, all statements in this document, 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.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Among other things, the estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The estimates and judgments that management believes have the most effect on Heartland's reported financial position and results of operations are described as critical accounting policies in Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since December 31, 2018.

OVERVIEW

Heartland is a multi-bank holding company providing banking, mortgage, wealth management, investments and insurance services to individuals and businesses. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Heartland has eleven banking subsidiaries with 114 locations in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Heartland's primary objectives are to increase profitability and diversify its market area and asset base by expanding through acquisitions and to grow organically by increasing its customer base in the markets it serves.

Heartland's results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest earning assets and interest expense on interest bearing liabilities. Noninterest income, which includes service charges and fees, loan servicing income, trust income, brokerage and insurance commissions, securities gains, net gains on sale of loans held for sale, and income on bank owned life insurance also affects Heartland's results of operations. Heartland's principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of the provision for loan losses, salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, professional fees, advertising, core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization and other real estate and loan collection expenses.

Net income available to common stockholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, was $31.5 million, or $0.91 per diluted common share, compared to $23.3 million, or $0.76 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Return on average common equity was 9.56% and return on average assets was 1.13% for the first quarter of 2019, compared to 9.32% and 0.97%, respectively, for the same quarter in 2018.

For the first quarter of 2019, Heartland's net interest margin was 4.12% (4.18% on a fully tax-equivalent basis) compared to 4.19% (4.26% on a fully tax-equivalent basis) for the same quarter in 2018, and the efficiency ratio was 65.23% and 68.21% for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The financial impact of the following transaction is included in the results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, but not in the results of operations for the same period ended March 31, 2018:

On May 18, 2018, Heartland completed the acquisition of Lubbock, Texas based First Bank Lubbock Bancshares, Inc. ("FBLB"), parent company of First Bank & Trust, and PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bank & Trust. Based on Heartland's closing common stock price of $55.05 per share on May 18, 2018, the aggregate consideration paid to FBLB common shareholders was $189.9 million, with approximately 3% of the consideration paid in cash and 97% paid by delivery of Heartland common stock. As a result of the transaction, First Bank & Trust became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Heartland and its 11th state-chartered bank. First Bank & Trust and PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation continue to operate under their present brands and management teams. As of the closing date, FBLB had, at fair value, total assets of $1.12 billion, total loans held to maturity of $681.1 million and total deposits of $893.8 million. Heartland also assumed, at fair value, $8.2 million of trust preferred debt. The systems conversion for this transaction occurred on August 17, 2018.

Total assets of Heartland were $11.31 billion at March 31, 2019, a decrease of $95.5 million or 1% since year-end 2018. Securities represented 22% of total assets at March 31, 2019, and 24% of total assets at December 31, 2018.

Total loans held to maturity were $7.33 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $7.41 billion at year-end 2018, a decrease of $76.2 million or 1%. During the first quarter of 2019, the sale of two branches at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company was announced, which included $20.3 million of loans that were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2019. Heartland also reclassified commercial loans with balances of $11.8 million at March 31, 2019, to held for sale as part of a plan to exit a small lease portfolio. Exclusive of these transactions, total loans held to maturity decreased $44.0 million or less than 1% since year-end 2018.






Total deposits were $9.35 billion as of March 31, 2019, compared to $9.40 billion at year-end 2018, a decrease of $43.5 million or less than 1%. The deposits classified as held for sale in conjunction with the expected sale of two branches at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company totaled $77.0 million at March 31, 2019. Exclusive of this transaction, total deposits increased $33.5 million or less than 1% since December 31, 2018.

Total equity was $1.37 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $1.33 billion at year-end 2018. Book value per common share was $39.65 at March 31, 2019, compared to $38.44 at year-end 2018. Heartland's unrealized loss on securities available for sale, net of applicable taxes, was $11.4 million at March 31, 2019, compared to an unrealized loss of $32.5 million, net of applicable taxes, at December 31, 2018.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Regulatory Developments

Enactment of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act in May 2018 significantly altered several provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including how stress tests are run. Bank holding companies with assets of less than $100 billion, such as Heartland, are no longer subject to company-run stress testing requirements in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act, which included publishing a summary of results. In response to the initial provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, Heartland has added staff, enhanced risk management processes and invested in upgraded information systems and technology. In addition, management continues to run internal stress tests as a component of the comprehensive risk management and capital planning process.

Other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, such as the Durbin Amendment, which restricts interchange fees, remain in place. The Durbin Amendment, which will be effective for Heartland on July 1, 2019, restricts interchange fees to those which are "reasonable and proportionate" for certain debit card issuers and limits the ability of networks and issuers to restrict debit card transaction routing. In the final rules, interchange fees for debit card transactions were capped at $0.21 plus five basis points in order to be eligible for a safe harbor such that the fee is conclusively determined to be reasonable and proportionate. Based on calculations using 2018 debit card volume, the negative impact of the Durbin Amendment would be approximately $6.0 million annually to Heartland's noninterest income.

In keeping with its focus on core businesses and execution of strategic priorities, Heartland has announced or completed the following transactions since January 1, 2019:

Blue Valley Ban Corp. Merger Agreement

On January 16, 2019, Heartland entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Blue Valley Ban Corp., and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Blue Valley, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. As of the announcement date, the transaction, in which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Blue Valley Ban Corp. stock will be exchanged for shares of Heartland common stock, was valued at approximately $93.9 million. Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, Bank of Blue Valley will merge into Heartland's Kansas-based subsidiary, Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Company, and the combined entity will operate as Bank of Blue Valley. The amount of the merger consideration is subject to fluctuations in the price of Heartland common stock and certain potential adjustments, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019 with a systems conversion planned for the third quarter of 2019. As of March 31, 2019, Bank of Blue Valley had total assets of approximately $711.6 million, which included approximately $564.1 million of gross loans outstanding, and approximately $587.2 million of deposits.

The foregoing description of the definitive merger agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the agreement, which is part of the proxy statement/prospectus contained in Heartland’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-230060), which became effective on April 9, 2019.

Branch Sales and Other Divestitures

On January 11, 2019, Heartland completed the sale of the loan portfolios of its consumer finance subsidiaries, Citizens Finance Co. and Citizens Finance of Illinois Co. (collectively, "Citizens"). The loan portfolios had a fair value of $67.2 million.
On January 23, 2019, Heartland announced the sale of two branch locations of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, which operate as First Community Bank, in Keokuk, Iowa. The announcement of this resulted in $20.3 million of loans and $77.0 million of deposits classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2019. This transaction, along with two previously announced branch sales, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.





On February 22, 2019, Heartland completed the sale of two branch locations of Wisconsin Bank & Trust. The sale included loans of $11.7 million and deposits of $48.6 million. Heartland recorded a net gain of $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, which consisted of a gain of $3.5 million and write-off $379,000 of core deposit intangibles.
On April 26, 2019, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company signed an agreement to sell substantially all its mortgage servicing rights to PNC Bank, N.A., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The servicing rights had an estimated fair value of $37.0 million and a book value of $21.0 million as of March 31, 2019. The portfolio contained approximately 20,300 serviced residential mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances of $3.35 billion as of March 31, 2019. The serviced loans are primarily owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The transaction was approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and closed on April 30, 2019. In the agreement, which included customary terms and conditions, Dubuque Bank and Trust Company will provide interim servicing of the loans until the transfer date, which is expected to be in August 2019.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA
 
 
 
Interest income
$
120,721

 
$
101,214

Interest expense
17,766

 
9,630

Net interest income
102,955

 
91,584

Provision for loan losses
1,635

 
4,263

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
101,320

 
87,321

Noninterest income
26,717

 
24,716

Noninterest expenses
88,230

 
83,646

Income taxes
8,310

 
5,123

Net income
31,497

 
23,268

Preferred dividends

 
(13
)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
31,497

 
$
23,255

 
 
 
 
Key Performance Ratios
 
 
 
Annualized return on average assets
1.13
%
 
0.97
%
Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)
9.56
%
 
9.32
%
Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)
15.24
%
 
13.85
%
Annualized ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
0.05
%
 
0.08
%
Annualized net interest margin (GAAP)
4.12
%
 
4.19
%
Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)
4.18
%
 
4.26
%
Efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)
65.23
%
 
68.21
%
 
 
 
 





FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Reconciliation of Annualized Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders (GAAP)
$
31,497

 
$
23,255

Plus core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, net of tax(2)
2,245

 
1,472

Adjusted net income available to common shareholders (non-GAAP)
$
33,742

 
$
24,727

 
 
 
 
Average common stockholders' equity (GAAP)
$
1,336,250

 
$
1,011,580

    Less average goodwill
391,668

 
250,172

    Less average other intangibles, net
46,490

 
37,510

Average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
$
898,092

 
$
723,898

Annualized return on average common equity (GAAP)
9.56
%
 
9.32
%
Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
15.24
%
 
13.85
%
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Annualized Net Interest Margin, Fully Tax-Equivalent (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
Net Interest Income (GAAP)
$
102,955

 
$
91,584

    Plus tax-equivalent adjustment(2)
1,412

 
1,544

Net interest income - tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)
$
104,367

 
$
93,128

 
 
 
 
Average earning assets
$
10,129,957

 
$
8,857,801

Net interest margin (GAAP)
4.12
%
 
4.19
%
Net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)
4.18
%
 
4.26
%
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
102,955

 
$
91,584

    Plus tax-equivalent adjustment(2)
1,412

 
1,544

Fully tax-equivalent net interest income
104,367

 
93,128

Noninterest income
26,717

 
24,716

Securities gains, net
(1,575
)
 
(1,441
)
Unrealized (gain)/loss on equity securities, net
(258
)
 
28

Valuation adjustment on servicing rights
589

 
2

Adjusted income
$
129,840

 
$
116,433

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest expenses
$
88,230

 
$
83,646

Less:
 
 
 
Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization
2,842

 
1,863

Partnership investment in tax credit projects
475

 

Gain on sales/valuations of assets, net

(3,004
)
 
(197
)
   Restructuring expenses
3,227

 
2,564

Adjusted noninterest expenses
$
84,690

 
$
79,416

 
 
 
 
Efficiency ratio, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)
65.23
%
 
68.21
%
 
 
 
 
(1) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section after these financial tables for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
(2) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.




















FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS, continued
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
As Of and For the Quarter Ended
 
3/31/2019
 
12/31/2018
 
9/30/2018
 
6/30/2018
 
3/31/2018
BALANCE SHEET DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
$
2,516,055

 
$
2,715,388

 
$
2,540,779

 
$
2,468,113

 
$
2,300,413

Loans held for sale
69,716

 
119,801

 
77,727

 
55,684

 
24,376

Total loans receivable(1)
7,331,544

 
7,407,697

 
7,365,493

 
7,477,697

 
6,746,015

Allowance for loan losses
62,639

 
61,963

 
61,221

 
61,324

 
58,656

Total assets
11,312,495

 
11,408,006

 
11,335,132

 
11,301,920

 
10,055,863

Total deposits(2)
9,352,942

 
9,396,429

 
9,512,163

 
9,489,144

 
8,541,540

Long-term obligations
268,312

 
274,905

 
277,563

 
258,708

 
276,118

Preferred equity

 

 

 
938

 
938

Common stockholders’ equity
1,372,102

 
1,325,175

 
1,280,393

 
1,254,809

 
1,050,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share (GAAP)
$
39.65

 
$
38.44

 
$
37.14

 
$
36.44

 
$
33.81

Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)(3)
$
27.04

 
$
25.70

 
$
24.33

 
$
23.53

 
$
23.79

Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock
34,603,611

 
34,477,499

 
34,473,029

 
34,438,445

 
31,068,239

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)(3)
8.60
%
 
8.08
%
 
7.70
%
 
7.46
%
 
7.59
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value Per Common Share (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stockholders' equity (GAAP)
$
1,372,102

 
$
1,325,175

 
$
1,280,393

 
$
1,254,809

 
$
1,050,567

  Less goodwill
391,668

 
391,668

 
391,668

 
391,668

 
270,305

  Less core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net
44,637

 
47,479

 
50,071

 
52,698

 
41,063

Tangible common stockholders' equity (non-GAAP)
$
935,797

 
$
886,028

 
$
838,654

 
$
810,443

 
$
739,199

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares outstanding, net of treasury stock
34,603,611

 
34,477,499

 
34,473,029

 
34,438,445

 
31,068,239

Common stockholders' equity (book value) per share (GAAP)
$
39.65

 
$
38.44

 
$
37.14

 
$
36.44

 
$
33.81

Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)
$
27.04

 
$
25.70

 
$
24.33

 
$
23.53

 
$
23.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity Ratio (non-GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tangible common stockholders' equity (non-GAAP)
$
935,797

 
$
886,028

 
$
838,654

 
$
810,443

 
$
739,199

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets (GAAP)
$
11,312,495

 
$
11,408,006

 
$
11,335,132

 
$
11,301,920

 
$
10,055,863

    Less goodwill
391,668

 
391,668

 
391,668

 
391,668

 
270,305

    Less core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net
44,637

 
47,479

 
50,071

 
52,698

 
41,063

Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)
$
10,876,190

 
$
10,968,859

 
$
10,893,393

 
$
10,857,554

 
$
9,744,495

Tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP)
8.60
%
 
8.08
%
 
7.70
%
 
7.46
%
 
7.59
%
 
(1) Excludes loans held for sale.
(2) Excludes deposits held for sale.
(3) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section after these financial tables for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to these financial tables for the reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains references to financial measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes the non-GAAP measures are helpful for investors to analyze and evaluate Heartland's financial condition and operating results. However, these non-GAAP measures have inherent limitations and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, because non-GAAP measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare the non-GAAP measures presented in this section with other companies' non-GAAP measures. Reconciliations of each non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure may be found in the financial tables above.





The non-GAAP measures presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management's reason for including each measure and the method of calculating each measure are presented below:

Annualized return on average common tangible equity is net income available to common stockholders plus core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, net of tax, divided by average common stockholders' equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength.
Annualized net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent, adjusts net interest income for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
Efficiency ratio, fully tax equivalent, expresses noninterest expenses as a percentage of fully tax-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income. This efficiency ratio is presented on a tax-equivalent basis which adjusts net interest income and noninterest expenses for the tax favored status of certain loans, securities, and tax credit projects. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results as it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources and excludes specific items as noted in reconciliation contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Tangible book value per common share is total common stockholders' equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by common shares outstanding, net of treasury. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.
Tangible common equity ratio is total common stockholders' equity less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net, divided by total assets less goodwill and core deposit and customer relationship intangibles, net. This measure is included as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 4.12% (4.18% on a fully tax-equivalent basis) during the first quarter of 2019, compared to 4.19% (4.26% on a fully tax-equivalent basis) during the first quarter of 2018. Heartland's success in maintaining its net interest margin has been the result of an increase in average earning assets and a favorable deposit mix. Also contributing to Heartland's ability to maintain its net interest margin has been the amortization of purchase accounting discounts associated with acquisitions completed by Heartland. For the first quarter of 2019, Heartland's net interest margin included 16 basis points of purchase accounting discount amortization compared to 22 basis points in the same quarter of 2018. See "Analysis of Average Balances, Tax-Equivalent Yields and Rates" for information relating to Heartland's net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis, which is not defined by GAAP, and refer to the financial tables above for a reconciliation of annualized net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis to GAAP.

Growth in interest income on a tax-equivalent basis was primarily due to recent increases in market interest rates and the increase in average earning assets. Total interest income for the first quarter of 2019 was $120.7 million, an increase of $19.5 million or 19%, compared to $101.2 million recorded in the first quarter of 2018. The tax-equivalent adjustments for income taxes saved on the interest earned on nontaxable securities and loans were $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2019 and $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2018. With these adjustments, total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis was $122.1 million for the first quarter of 2019, an increase of $19.4 million or 19%, compared to $102.8 million for the first quarter of 2018.

Average earning assets increased $1.27 billion or 14% from the first quarter of 2018, which was primarily attributable to the acquisitions completed in 2018. The average interest rate on earning assets increased 19 basis points to 4.89% for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 4.70% for the same quarter in 2018.

Increases in total interest expense were primarily due to recent increases in market interest rates and deposit growth from recent acquisitions. Total interest expense for the first quarter of 2019 was $17.8 million, an increase of $8.1 million or 84% from $9.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. The average interest rate paid on savings deposits was 0.80% during the first quarter of 2019 compared to 0.35% for the first quarter of 2018, and the average interest rate paid on time deposits was 1.23% for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 0.88% for the first quarter of 2018. The average interest rate paid on Heartland's borrowings was 3.96% for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 3.66% in the first quarter of 2018.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2019, average interest bearing liabilities were $6.62 billion, an increase of $927.8 million or 16%, from $5.69 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Average interest bearing deposits increased $889.5 million or 17% to $6.16 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, from $5.27 billion in the same quarter in 2018. Average borrowings increased $38.3 million or 9% to $466.2 million during the first quarter of 2019 from $427.9 million during the same quarter in 2018. The increase in Heartland's average interest bearing liabilities is primarily attributable to recent acquisitions.

Net interest income increased $11.4 million or 12% to $103.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 from $91.6 million in the first quarter of 2018. After the tax-equivalent adjustment discussed above, net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis totaled $104.4 million during the first quarter of 2019, an increase of $11.2 million or 12% from $93.1 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Heartland attempts to manage its balance sheet to minimize the effect that a change in interest rates has on its net interest margin. Heartland plans to continue to work toward improving both its earning assets and funding mix through targeted organic growth strategies, which management believes will result in additional net interest income. Heartland produces and reviews simulations of various interest rate scenarios to assist in monitoring its exposure to interest rate risk. Based on these simulations, it is management's opinion that Heartland maintains a well-balanced and manageable interest rate posture. Item 3 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains additional information about the results of Heartland's most recent net interest income simulations. Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a detailed discussion of the derivative instruments Heartland has utilized to manage its interest rate risk.

The following table sets forth certain information relating to Heartland's average consolidated balance sheets and reflects the yield on average earning assets and the cost of average interest bearing liabilities for the periods indicated, in thousands. Such yields and costs are calculated by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities. Average balances are derived from daily balances, and nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in each respective loan category. Assets that receive favorable tax treatment are evaluated on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21%. Tax-favored assets generally have lower contractual pre-tax yields than fully taxable assets. A tax-equivalent yield is calculated by adding the tax savings to the interest earned on tax favored assets and dividing this amount by the average balance of the tax favorable assets.








ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE BALANCES, TAX EQUIVALENT YIELDS AND RATES (1)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
 
For the Quarter Ended
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
Earning Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
$
2,169,016

 
$
15,876

 
2.97
%
 
$
2,184,096

 
$
15,851

 
2.88
%
 
$
1,827,611

 
$
11,577

 
2.57
%
Nontaxable(1)
391,724

 
3,915

 
4.05

 
427,332

 
4,388

 
4.07

 
448,641

 
4,530

 
4.09

Total securities
2,560,740

 
19,791

 
3.13

 
2,611,428

 
20,239

 
3.07

 
2,276,252

 
16,107

 
2.87

Interest on deposits with other banks and other short-term investments
218,445

 
1,292

 
2.40

 
238,087

 
1,285

 
2.14

 
112,024

 
407

 
1.47

Federal funds sold
560

 
4

 
2.90

 
309

 

 

 

 

 

Loans:(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and commercial real estate(1)
5,745,180

 
78,083

 
5.51

 
5,644,475

 
77,822

 
5.47

 
4,910,797

 
62,813

 
5.19

Residential mortgage
673,682

 
7,179

 
4.32

 
704,012

 
8,682

 
4.89

 
642,181

 
6,851

 
4.33

Agricultural and agricultural real estate(1)
554,506

 
7,301

 
5.34

 
568,904

 
7,752

 
5.41

 
513,780

 
6,004

 
4.74

Consumer
439,487

 
6,479

 
5.98

 
519,106

 
9,355

 
7.15

 
458,795

 
8,660

 
7.66

Fees on loans
 
 
2,004

 

 

 
2,733

 

 
 
 
1,916

 

Less: allowance for loan losses
(62,643
)
 

 

 
(60,912
)
 

 

 
(56,028
)
 

 

Net loans
7,350,212

 
101,046

 
5.58

 
7,375,585

 
106,344

 
5.72

 
6,469,525

 
86,244

 
5.41

Total earning assets
10,129,957

 
122,133

 
4.89
%
 
10,225,409

 
127,868

 
4.96
%
 
8,857,801

 
102,758

 
4.70
%
Nonearning Assets
1,137,257

 
 
 
 
 
1,145,838

 


 
 
 
902,135

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
11,267,214

 
 
 
 
 
$
11,371,247

 
 
 
 
 
$
9,759,936

 
 
 
 
Interest Bearing Liabilities(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings
$
5,121,179

 
$
10,083

 
0.80
%
 
$
5,071,573

 
$
8,817

 
0.69
%
 
$
4,358,508

 
$
3,791

 
0.35
%
Time deposits
1,034,744

 
3,130

 
1.23

 
1,088,122

 
3,009

 
1.10

 
907,928

 
1,975

 
0.88

Short-term borrowings
195,390

 
889

 
1.85

 
121,053

 
417

 
1.37

 
147,738

 
268

 
0.74

Other borrowings
270,836

 
3,664

 
5.49

 
276,437

 
3,777

 
5.42

 
280,163

 
3,596

 
5.21

Total interest bearing liabilities
6,622,149

 
17,766

 
1.09
%
 
6,557,185

 
16,020

 
0.97
%
 
5,694,337

 
9,630

 
0.69
%
Noninterest Bearing Liabilities(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing deposits
3,200,281

 
 
 
 
 
3,437,112

 
 
 
 
 
2,984,704

 
 
 
 
Accrued interest and other liabilities
108,534

 
 
 
 
 
86,259

 
 
 
 
 
68,377

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest bearing liabilities
3,308,815

 
 
 
 
 
3,523,371

 
 
 
 
 
3,053,081

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity
1,336,250

 
 
 
 
 
1,290,691

 
 
 
 
 
1,012,518

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
11,267,214

 
 
 
 
 
$
11,371,247

 
 
 
 
 
$
9,759,936

 
 
 
 
Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)
 
 
$
104,367

 
 
 
 
 
$
111,848

 
 
 
 
 
$
93,128

 
 
Net interest spread(1)
 
 
 
 
3.80
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.99
%
 
 
 
 
 
4.01
%
Net interest income, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) to total earning assets
 
 
 
 
4.18
%
 
 
 
 
 
4.34
%
 
 
 
 
 
4.26
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an effective tax rate of 21%.
(2) Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average loans outstanding.
(3) Includes deposits held for sale.

Provision For Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through provision expense to provide, in Heartland management's opinion, an appropriate allowance for loan losses. The provision for loan losses decreased $2.6 million to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $4.3 million for the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the closure of the Citizen's Finance offices in the first quarter of 2019 resulted in net recoveries of $93,000 in the first quarter of 2019 compared to net charge-offs of $706,000 in the





first quarter of 2018. As a result, Heartland recorded negative provision expense of $93,000 for the first quarter of 2019 compared to provision expense of $792,000 in the same quarter of 2018, which was a decrease of $885,000.

Given the size of Heartland's loan portfolio, the level of organic loan growth, acquired loans that move out of the purchase accounting pool, changes in credit quality and the variability that can occur in the factors considered when determining the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses, Heartland's provision for loan losses will vary from quarter to quarter. For additional details on the specific factors considered in establishing the allowance for loan losses, refer to the discussion of critical accounting policies set forth in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the information under the caption "Allowance For Loan Losses" in Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included herein.

Heartland believes the allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2019, was at a level commensurate with the overall risk exposure of the loan portfolio. However, if economic conditions should deteriorate, certain borrowers may experience difficulty and the level of nonperforming loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise and require further increases in the provision for loan losses.

Noninterest Income
The tables below show Heartland's noninterest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, in thousands:
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
% Change
Service charges and fees
$
12,794

 
$
10,079

 
$
2,715

 
27
 %
Loan servicing income
1,729

 
1,754

 
(25
)
 
(1
)
Trust fees
4,474

 
4,680

 
(206
)
 
(4
)
Brokerage and insurance commissions
734

 
907

 
(173
)
 
(19
)
Securities gains, net
1,575

 
1,441

 
134

 
9

Unrealized (gain)/loss on equity securities, net
258

 
(28
)
 
286

 
1,021

Net gains on sale of loans held for sale
3,176

 
4,051

 
(875
)
 
(22
)
Valuation adjustment on servicing rights
(589
)
 
(2
)
 
(587
)
 
(29,350
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
899

 
614

 
285

 
46

Other noninterest income
1,667

 
1,220

 
447

 
37

  Total noninterest income
$
26,717

 
$
24,716

 
$
2,001

 
8
 %

Total noninterest income totaled $26.7 million during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $24.7 million during the first quarter of 2018, an increase of $2.0 million or 8%. This increase reflected higher service charges and fees, net securities gains and other noninterest income, which were partially offset by decreased net gains on sale of loans held for sale and an increased valuation adjustment on servicing rights.






Service Charges and Fees
The following tables summarize the changes in service charges and fees for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
% Change
Service charges and fees on deposit accounts
$
2,977

 
$
2,618

 
$
359

 
14
%
Overdraft fees
2,744

 
2,208

 
536

 
24

Customer service fees
81

 
77

 
4

 
5

Credit card fee income
3,349

 
2,190

 
1,159

 
53

Debit card income
3,642

 
2,985

 
657

 
22

Other service charges
1

 
1

 

 

Total service charges and fees
$
12,794

 
$
10,079

 
$
2,715

 
27
%

Total service charges and fees increased $2.7 million or 27% to $12.8 million during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $10.1 million during the first quarter of 2018. Service charges and fees on deposit accounts increased $359,000 or 14% to $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2018. Overdraft fees increased $536,000 or 24% to $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2018. These increases were primarily attributable to a larger demand deposit customer base, a portion of which is attributable to the acquisitions completed in 2018.

Fees associated with credit card services were $3.3 million during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2018, an increase of $1.2 million or 53%. These increases resulted primarily from efforts to increase the level of commercial credit card services provided at Heartland's subsidiary banks, including at the recently acquired banks. Heartland has focused on expanding its card payment solutions for businesses. In particular, Heartland has introduced an expense management service that provides business customers the ability to more efficiently manage their card-based spending.

Debit card income increased $657,000 or 22% to $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2018. Based on estimated calculations using 2018 debit card income, Heartland estimates the impact of the Durbin Amendment, which Heartland expects to be subject to on July 1, 2019, will reduce debit card income by approximately $6.0 million on an annualized basis.

Loan Servicing Income
The following tables show the changes in loan servicing income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
% Change
Commercial and agricultural loan servicing fees(1)
$
683

 
$
749

 
$
(66
)
 
(9
)%
Residential mortgage servicing fees
2,546

 
2,250

 
296

 
13

Mortgage servicing rights amortization
(1,500
)
 
(1,245
)
 
(255
)
 
(20
)
Total loan servicing income
$
1,729

 
$
1,754

 
$
(25
)
 
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 

 

(1) Includes servicing fees for commercial, commercial real estate, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans.

Loan servicing income includes the fees collected for the servicing of commercial, agricultural, and mortgage loans, which are dependent upon the aggregate outstanding balances of these loans, rather than quarterly production and sale of these loans. Loan servicing income totaled $1.7 million during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2018, a decrease of $25,000 or 1%. Due to the sale of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio of Dubuque Bank and Trust Company, which occurred on April 30, 2019, net loan servicing income related to residential mortgage loans is expected to decrease by approximately $500,000 in the second quarter of 2019 and $800,000 in future quarters. This transaction does not impact the residential mortgage servicing portfolio of Heartland's PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation subsidiary.






Securities Gains, Net
Securities gains, net, totaled $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to net securities gains of $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, which was an increase of $134,000 or 9%. Heartland's net unrealized loss on securities available for sale totaled $15.2 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $52.8 million at March 31, 2018.

Net Gains on Sale of Loans Held for Sale
During the first quarter of 2019, net gains on sale of loans held for sale totaled $3.2 million compared to $4.1 million during the same period in 2018, a decrease of $875,000 or 22%, which was primarily due to the outsourcing of Heartland's legacy residential mortgage lending operations in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Other Noninterest Income
Other noninterest income totaled $1.7 million and $1.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase of $447,000 or 37% was primarily attributable to $368,000 from the accrual on a death benefit on bank owned life insurance in the first quarter of 2019. Heartland expects to receive the proceeds in the second quarter of 2019.

Noninterest Expense
The tables below show Heartland's noninterest expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
% Change
Salaries and employee benefits
$
50,285

 
$
48,710

 
$
1,575

 
3
 %
Occupancy
6,607

 
6,043

 
564

 
9

Furniture and equipment
2,692

 
2,749

 
(57
)
 
(2
)
Professional fees
11,379

 
9,448

 
1,931

 
20

Advertising
2,325

 
1,940

 
385

 
20

Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization
2,842

 
1,863

 
979

 
53

Other real estate and loan collection expenses
701

 
732

 
(31
)
 
(4
)
Gain on sales/valuations of assets, net
(3,004
)
 
(197
)
 
(2,807
)
 
(1,425
)
Restructuring expenses
3,227

 
2,564

 
663

 
26

Other noninterest expenses
11,176

 
9,794

 
1,382

 
14

Total noninterest expenses
$
88,230

 
$
83,646

 
$
4,584

 
5
 %

For the first quarter of 2019, noninterest expenses totaled $88.2 million compared to $83.6 million during the first quarter of 2018, an increase of $4.6 million or 5%. The most significant increases were related to salaries and employee benefits, professional fees, core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, gain on sales/valuations of assets, net, and restructuring expenses. The increases in occupancy, advertising and other noninterest expenses are primarily related to the acquisitions completed in 2018.

Salaries and Employee Benefits
The largest component of noninterest expenses, salaries and employee benefits, increased $1.6 million or 3% during the first quarter of 2019 as compared to the same quarter in 2018. Base salary expense totaled $32.3 million and $31.2 million for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, which was an increase of $1.1 million or 3%. This increase is primarily related to the acquisitions completed in 2018. Stock compensation expense for restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan expense increased $398,000 or 24% to $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2018. Retirement plan and 401K expenses totaled $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2018, which was an increase of $409,000 or 18%. Heartland had total full-time equivalent employees of 1,976 on March 31, 2019, compared to 2,022 on March 31, 2018.

Professional Fees
Professional fees for the first quarter of 2019 totaled $11.4 million compared to $9.4 million for the same quarter of 2018, which was an increase of $1.9 million or 20%. The increase is primarily attributable to professional fees incurred at the entities acquired in 2018, model validation expenses, and increased advisory services associated with the higher level of regulation resulting from Heartland having assets over $10 billion.






Core Deposit and Customer Relationship Intangibles Amortization
Core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization was $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.9 million for the same quarter of 2018, which was an increase of $979,000 or 53%. Included in this increase was a $379,000 write-off of core deposit intangibles related to the branch sales at Wisconsin Bank & Trust during the first quarter of 2019. The remainder of the increase was due to acquisitions completed in 2018.

Gain on Sales/Valuations of Assets, Net
Gain on sales/valuations of assets, net, totaled $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2019 compared to $197,000 for the first quarter of 2018, which was an increase of $2.8 million. In the first quarter of 2019, a gain of $3.5 million was recorded related to the sale of two branches at Wisconsin Bank & Trust.

Restructuring Expenses
Restructuring expenses totaled $3.2 million and $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. In the first quarter of 2019, the restructuring expenses consisted of severance and retention payments for legacy mortgage and Citizens' Finance Co. employees, software discontinuation fees and expected lease buyouts. In the first quarter of 2018, the restructuring expenses were primarily related to outsourcing the residential mortgage loan application processing, underwriting and loan closing functions. The restructuring expenses consisted of severance and retention costs related to the workforce reduction and contract buyouts associated with the discontinued use of several systems.
 
Efficiency Ratio

One of Heartland's top priorities is to improve its efficiency ratio, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, by reducing it to the low 60% range. During the first quarter of 2019, Heartland's efficiency ratio on a fully tax-equivalent basis decreased by 298 basis points to 65.23% in comparison with 68.21% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Management has taken actions to improve its efficiency ratio, including restructuring its mortgage lending operations and optimizing bank branch locations. Additionally, systems conversions of newly acquired entities are completed as soon as possible after the closing of the transaction in order to optimize cost savings. Heartland's efficiency ratio will vary from quarter to quarter as a result of merger and acquisition activities.

Income Taxes

Heartland's effective tax rate was 20.88% for the first quarter of 2019 compared to 18.04% for the first quarter of 2018. Federal low-income housing tax credits included in the determination of Heartland's income taxes totaled $281,000 for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $307,000 for the first quarter of 2018. Included in Heartland's first quarter 2019 tax calculation was a solar energy tax credit totaling $314,000. The tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income declined to 13.35% during the first quarter of 2019 from 20.46% during the first quarter of 2018.

Heartland's income taxes included a tax benefit of $336,000 and $611,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively, resulting from the vesting of outstanding restricted stock unit awards and options. The majority of Heartland's restricted stock unit awards vest in the first quarter of each year.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets of Heartland were $11.31 billion at March 31, 2019, a decrease of $95.5 million or 1% since December 31, 2018. Securities represented 22% and 24% of total assets at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Lending Activities

Heartland has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to provide for an acceptable level of credit risk. The board of directors reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management and the board with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentrations of credit, loan delinquencies, nonperforming loans and potential problem loans.

The commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolio includes a wide range of business loans, including lines of credit for working capital and operational purposes and term loans for the acquisition of equipment and real estate. Although most loans are made on a secured basis, loans may be made on an unsecured basis if warranted by the overall financial condition of the borrower. Terms of commercial business loans generally range from one to five years. Commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The collateral that Heartland requires for most of these loans is based upon the discounted market value of the collateral. The primary repayment risks of commercial loans are that the cash flow of the borrowers may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing these loans





may fluctuate in value. Heartland seeks to minimize these risks in a variety of ways. The underwriting analysis includes credit verification, analysis of global cash flows, appraisals and a review of the financial condition of the borrower. Personal guarantees are frequently required as a tertiary form of repayment. In addition, when underwriting loans for commercial real estate, careful consideration is given to the property's operating history, future operating projections, current and projected occupancy, location and physical condition. Heartland also utilizes government guaranteed lending through the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Business and Industry Program to assist customers with longer-term funding and to reduce risk.

Agricultural loans, many of which are secured by crops, machinery and real estate, are provided to finance capital improvements and farm operations as well as acquisitions of livestock and machinery. Agricultural loans present unique credit risks relating to adverse weather conditions, loss of livestock due to disease or other reasons, declines in market prices for agricultural products and the impact of government regulations. The ultimate repayment of agricultural loans is dependent upon the profitable operation or management of the agricultural entity. In underwriting agricultural loans, lending personnel work closely with their customers to review budgets and cash flow projections for crop production for the ensuing year. These budgets and cash flow projections are monitored closely during the year and reviewed with the customers at least annually. Lending personnel also work closely with governmental agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, to help agricultural customers obtain credit enhancement products such as loan guarantees or interest assistance.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, Heartland entered into arrangements with third parties to offer residential mortgage loans to customers in many of its markets. In addition, the acquisition in 2018 of First Bank & Trust in Lubbock, Texas, included its wholly owned mortgage subsidiary, PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation. PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation provides mortgage loans to customers in Texas and has expanded to also serve the mortgage needs of customers in several of Heartland's southwestern markets. PrimeWest Mortgage Corporation services the loans it sells into the secondary market.

Consumer lending includes motor vehicle, home improvement, home equity and small personal credit lines. Consumer loans typically have shorter terms, lower balances, higher yields and higher risks of default than one-to-four-family residential mortgage loans. Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower's continuing financial stability, and are therefore more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Risk is reduced through underwriting criteria, which include credit verification, appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition, and personal cash flows. A security interest, with title insurance when necessary, is taken in the underlying real estate.

Total loans held to maturity were $7.33 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $7.41 billion at December 31, 2018, a decrease of $76.2 million or 1%. During the first quarter of 2019, the sale of two branches at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company was announced, which included $20.3 million of loans that were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2019. Heartland also reclassified commercial loans with balances of $11.8 million at March 31, 2019, to held for sale as part of a plan to exit a small lease portfolio. Exclusive of these transactions, total loans held to maturity decreased $44.0 million or less than 1% since December 31, 2018. Loan changes by category were:

Commercial and commercial real estate loans totaled $5.75 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $5.73 billion at December 31, 2018, which was an increase of $13.3 million or less than 1%. Excluding $14.9 million of commercial and commercial real estate loans classified as held for sale during the quarter, commercial and commercial real estate loans increased $28.2 million or less than 1% since year-end.
Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans totaled $544.8 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $565.4 million at year-end, which was a decrease of $20.6 million or 4%. Excluding $6.6 million of agricultural and agricultural real estate loans classified as held for sale during the quarter, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $14.0 million or 2% since December 31, 2018.
Residential mortgage loans decreased $43.2 million or 6% to $630.4 million at March 31, 2019, from $673.6 million at year-end. Excluding $2.0 million of residential mortgage loans classified as held for sale during the quarter, residential mortgage loans decreased $41.2 million or 6% since year-end.
Consumer loans decreased $27.6 million or 6% to $412.6 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $440.2 million at December 31, 2018. Excluding $8.6 million of loans classified as held for sale during the quarter, consumer loans decreased $19.0 million or 4% since year-end.






The table below presents the composition of the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
LOAN PORTFOLIO
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Loans receivable held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
2,042,594

 
27.86
%
 
$
2,020,231

 
27.26
%
Commercial real estate
3,702,457

 
50.48

 
3,711,481

 
50.08

Agricultural and agricultural real estate
544,805

 
7.43

 
565,408

 
7.63

Residential mortgage
630,433

 
8.60

 
673,603

 
9.09

Consumer
412,573

 
5.63

 
440,158

 
5.94

Gross loans receivable held to maturity
7,332,862

 
100.00
%
 
7,410,881

 
100.00
%
Unearned discount
(288
)
 
 
 
(1,624
)
 
 
Deferred loan fees
(1,030
)
 
 
 
(1,560
)
 
 
Total net loans receivable held to maturity
7,331,544

 
 
 
7,407,697

 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(62,639
)
 
 
 
(61,963
)
 
 
Loans receivable, net
$
7,268,905

 
 
 
$
7,345,734

 



Loans secured by real estate, either fully or partially, totaled $4.74 billion or 65% of gross loans at March 31, 2019. At March 31, 2019, approximately 52% of the properties securing non-farm, nonresidential real estate loans are owner occupied. The largest categories of Heartland's loans secured by real estate at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, are listed below, in thousands:
LOANS SECURED BY REAL ESTATE
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Residential real estate, excluding residential construction and residential lot loans
$
1,079,352

 
$
1,119,942

Industrial, manufacturing, business and commercial
670,440

 
805,265

Agriculture
266,010

 
270,023

Retail
479,469

 
435,680

Office
485,794

 
485,262

Land development and lots
202,513

 
216,665

Hotel, resort and hospitality
280,285

 
233,735

Multi-family
324,198

 
311,319

Food and beverage
142,630

 
130,981

Warehousing
169,721

 
186,436

Health services
204,410

 
182,882

Residential construction
161,116

 
171,116

All other
269,165

 
255,145

Total loans secured by real estate
$
4,735,103

 
$
4,804,451


Allowance For Loan Losses

The process utilized by Heartland to determine the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting practice for Heartland and has remained consistent over the past several years. The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of identified and unidentified probable losses in the existing loan portfolio. For additional details on the specific factors considered in determining the allowance for loan losses, refer to the critical accounting policies section of Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Nonperforming loans were $79.0 million or 1.08% of total loans at March 31, 2019, compared to $72.7 million or 0.98% of total loans at December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily related to two agribusiness relationships that were originated in Heartland's Midwestern markets. At March 31, 2019, approximately $42.4 million or 54% of Heartland's nonperforming loans had individual loan balances exceeding $1.0 million and represented loans to seventeen borrowers. At March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, Heartland had $7.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of nonperforming residential real estate loans that were repurchased under various Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") or other guaranteed loan programs. The portion of





Heartland's nonperforming nonresidential real estate loans covered by government guarantees totaled $12.7 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $7.7 million at December 31, 2018.
 
The allowance for loan losses was 0.85% and 0.84% of loans at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and 79.29% and 85.27% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. Excluding the acquired loans covered by the valuation reserves, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to outstanding loans was 1.01% and 1.03% at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. At March 31, 2019, valuation reserves totaled $36.7 million and covered $1.47 billion of acquired loans. At December 31, 2018, valuation reserves totaled $40.9 million and covered $1.63 billion of acquired loans. Loans delinquent 30-89 days as a percent of total loans was 0.47% at March 31, 2019, in comparison with 0.21% at December 31, 2018. The increase in loans delinquent 30-89 days was primarily attributable to recently acquired portfolios and one large credit resolved in the near term. Management believes the increase in delinquencies in the acquired portfolios is due to the implementation of Heartland's underwriting and closing processes at the new entities and is not indicative of the underlying credit quality.

The table below presents the changes in the allowance for loan losses during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, in thousands:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Balance at beginning of period
$
61,963

 
$
55,686

Provision for loan losses
1,635

 
4,263

Recoveries on loans previously charged off
991

 
931

Charge-offs on loans
(1,950
)
 
(2,224
)
Balance at end of period
$
62,639

 
$
58,656

Annualized ratio of net charge offs to average loans
0.05
%
 
0.08
%

The table below presents the amounts of nonperforming loans and other nonperforming assets on the dates indicated, in thousands:
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2018
 
2017
Nonaccrual loans
$
77,294

 
$
64,806

 
$
71,943

 
$
62,581

Loans contractually past due 90 days or more
1,706

 
22

 
726

 
830

Total nonperforming loans
79,000

 
64,828

 
72,669

 
63,411

Other real estate
5,391

 
11,801

 
6,153

 
10,777

Other repossessed assets
8

 
423

 
459

 
411

Total nonperforming assets
$
84,399

 
$
77,052

 
$
79,281

 
$
74,599

Performing troubled debt restructured loans(1)
$
3,460

 
$
3,206

 
$
4,026

 
$
6,617

Nonperforming loans to total loans
1.08
%
 
0.96
%
 
0.98
%
 
0.99
%
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus repossessed property
1.15
%
 
1.14
%
 
1.07
%
 
1.17
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.75
%
 
0.77
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.76
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Represents accruing troubled debt restructured loans performing according to their restructured terms.






The schedules below summarize the changes in Heartland's nonperforming assets during the first three months of 2019, in thousands:
 
 
Nonperforming
Loans
 
Other
Real Estate
Owned
 
Other
Repossessed
Assets
 
Total
Nonperforming
Assets
December 31, 2018
$
72,669

 
$
6,153

 
$
459

 
$
79,281

Loan foreclosures
(1,786
)
 
1,694

 
92

 

Net loan charge-offs
(959
)
 

 

 
(959
)
New nonperforming loans
15,314

 

 

 
15,314

Reduction of nonperforming loans(1)
(6,238
)
 

 

 
(6,238
)
OREO/Repossessed assets sales proceeds

 
(2,004
)
 
(88
)
 
(2,092
)
OREO/Repossessed assets writedowns, net

 
(452
)
 
(10
)
 
(462
)
Net activity at Citizens Finance Co.

 

 
(445
)
 
(445
)
March 31, 2019
$
79,000

 
$
5,391

 
$
8

 
$
84,399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes principal reductions and transfers to performing status.

Securities

The composition of Heartland's securities portfolio is managed to maximize the return on the portfolio while considering the impact it has on Heartland's asset/liability position and liquidity needs. Securities represented 22% and 24% of total assets at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively. Total securities carried at fair value as of March 31, 2019, were $2.40 billion, a decrease of $50.2 million or 2% from $2.45 billion at December 31, 2018.

The table below presents the composition of the securities portfolio, including securities carried at fair value, held to maturity securities and other, by major category, as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
SECURITIES PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
U.S. government corporations and agencies
$
26,768

 
1.06
%
 
$
31,951

 
1.18
%
Mortgage and asset-backed securities
1,871,398

 
74.38

 
2,026,698

 
74.64

Obligation of states and political subdivisions
573,044

 
22.78

 
611,257

 
22.50

Equity securities
17,339

 
0.69

 
17,086

 
0.63

Other securities
27,506

 
1.09

 
28,396

 
1.05

Total securities
$
2,516,055

 
100.00
%
 
$
2,715,388

 
100.00
%

The percentage of Heartland's securities portfolio comprised of mortgage and asset-backed securities was 74% at March 31, 2019, compared to 75% at December 31, 2018. Heartland's securities portfolio had an expected modified duration of 4.34 years as of March 31, 2019, compared to 4.01 years as of year-end 2018.

At March 31, 2019, Heartland had $27.5 million of other securities, including capital stock in each Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of which each of its bank subsidiaries is a member. All of these securities were classified as other securities held at cost.

Deposits

Total deposits were $9.35 billion as of March 31, 2019, compared to $9.40 billion at December 31, 2018, a decrease of $43.5 million or less than 1%. The deposits classified as held for sale in conjunction with the sale of two branches at Dubuque Bank and Trust Company totaled $77.0 million at March 31, 2019. Exclusive of this transaction, total deposits increased $33.5 million or less than 1% since December 31, 2018. Deposits changes by type were:

Demand deposits decreased $145.8 million or 4% to $3.12 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $3.26 billion at December 31, 2018. Excluding $17.3 million of demand deposits classified as held for sale during the quarter, demand deposits decreased $128.6 million or 4% since year-end 2018.





Savings deposits increased $38.0 million or 1% to $5.15 billion at March 31, 2019, from $5.11 billion at December 31, 2018. Excluding savings deposits of $47.8 million classified as held for sale during the quarter, savings deposits increased $85.8 million or 2% since year-end 2018.
Time deposits increased $64.4 million or 6% to $1.09 billion at March 31, 2019 from $1.02 billion at December 31, 2018. Excluding time deposits of $11.9 million classified as held for sale during the quarter, time deposits increased $76.2 million or 7% since year-end 2018.

The table below presents the composition of Heartland's deposits by category as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
DEPOSITS
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Demand
$
3,118,909

 
33.35
%
 
$
3,264,737

 
34.74
%
Savings
5,145,929

 
55.02

 
5,107,962

 
54.37

Time
1,088,104

 
11.63

 
1,023,730

 
10.89

Total
$
9,352,942

 
100.00
%
 
$
9,396,429

 
100.00
%

Short-Term Borrowings

Short-term borrowings, which Heartland defines as borrowings with an original maturity of one year or less, were as follows as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
$
65,696

 
$
80,124

Federal funds purchased
3,650

 
35,400

Advances from the FHLB
25,000

 
100,838

Other short-term borrowings
9,968

 
10,648

Total
$
104,314


$
227,010


Short-term borrowings generally include federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, short-term FHLB advances and discount window borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank. These funding alternatives are utilized in varying degrees depending on their pricing and availability. All of Heartland's bank subsidiaries own FHLB stock in one of the Chicago, Dallas, Des Moines, San Francisco or Topeka FHLBs, enabling them to borrow funds from their respective FHLB for short-term or long-term purposes under a variety of programs. The amount of short-term borrowings of Heartland was $104.3 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $227.0 million at year-end 2018, a decrease of $122.7 million or 54%.

All of the Heartland bank subsidiaries provide retail repurchase agreements to their customers as a cash management tool, which sweep excess funds from demand deposit accounts into these agreements. Although the aggregate balance of these retail repurchase agreements is subject to variation, the account relationships represented by these balances are principally local. The balances of retail repurchase agreements were $65.7 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $80.1 million at December 31, 2018, a decrease of $14.4 million or 18%.

Also included in short-term borrowings is a $30.0 million revolving credit line agreement Heartland has with an unaffiliated bank, primarily to provide liquidity to Heartland. The outstanding balance was $0 at both March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018.






Other Borrowings

The outstanding balances of other borrowings, which Heartland defines as borrowings with an original maturity date of more than one year, are shown in the table below, net of discount and issuance costs amortization as of March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, in thousands:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Advances from the FHLB
$
3,350

 
$
3,399

Trust preferred securities
131,105

 
130,913

Senior notes

 
5,000

Note payable to unaffiliated bank
56,667

 
58,417

Contracts payable for purchase of real estate and other assets
1,932

 
1,953

Subordinated notes
74,178

 
74,143

Other borrowings
1,080

 
1,080

Total
$
268,312


$
274,905


As of March 31, 2019, the amount of other borrowings was $268.3 million, a decrease of $6.6 million or 2% since year-end 2018. The decrease since year-end 2018 was due to scheduled principal payments in accordance with the debt agreements.
 
Heartland has a non-revolving credit facility with an unaffiliated bank, which provides a borrowing capacity of up to $70.0 million. At March 31, 2019, $56.7 million was outstanding on this non-revolving credit line compared to $58.4 million outstanding at December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2019, Heartland had $8.3 million available on this non-revolving credit facility, of which no balance was drawn.





A schedule of Heartland's trust preferred securities outstanding excluding deferred issuance costs, as of March 31, 2019, is as follows, in thousands:
 
Amount
Issued
 
Issuance
Date
 
Interest
Rate
 
Interest
Rate as of 3/31/19(1)
 
 
Maturity
Date
 
Callable
Date
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust IV
$
10,310

 
03/17/2004
 
2.75% over LIBOR
 
5.36%
(2) 
 
03/17/2034
 
06/17/2018
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust V
20,619

 
01/27/2006
 
1.33% over LIBOR
 
4.12%
(3) 
 
04/07/2036
 
07/07/2019
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust VI
20,619

 
06/21/2007
 
1.48% over LIBOR
 
4.09%
(4) 
 
09/15/2037
 
06/15/2019
Heartland Financial Statutory Trust VII
20,619

 
06/26/2007
 
1.48% over LIBOR
 
4.11%
(5) 
 
09/01/2037
 
06/01/2019
Morrill Statutory Trust I
9,017

 
12/19/2002
 
3.25% over LIBOR
 
5.86%
 
 
12/26/2032
 
06/26/2018
Morrill Statutory Trust II
8,670

 
12/17/2003
 
2.85% over LIBOR
 
5.46%
 
 
12/17/2033
 
06/17/2019
Sheboygan Statutory Trust I
6,462

 
09/17/2003
 
2.95% over LIBOR
 
5.56%
 
 
09/17/2033
 
06/17/2019
CBNM Capital Trust I
4,371

 
09/10/2004
 
3.25% over LIBOR
 
5.86%
 
 
12/15/2034
 
06/15/2019
Citywide Capital Trust III
6,398

 
12/19/2003
 
2.80% over LIBOR
 
5.55%
 
 
12/19/2033
 
07/23/2019
Citywide Capital Trust IV
4,252

 
09/30/2004
 
2.20% over LIBOR
 
4.85%
 
 
09/30/2034
 
05/23/2019
Citywide Capital Trust V
11,579

 
05/31/2006
 
1.54% over LIBOR
 
4.15%
 
 
07/25/2036
 
06/15/2019
OCGI Statutory Trust III
2,991

 
06/27/2002
 
3.65% over LIBOR
 
6.25%
(6) 
 
09/30/2032
 
06/30/2019
OCGI Capital Trust IV
5,300

 
09/23/2004
 
2.50% over LIBOR
 
5.11%
(7) 
 
12/15/2034
 
06/15/2019
 
$
131,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Effective weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 5.11% due to interest rate swap transactions on the variable rate securities as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(2) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 5.01% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(3) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 4.69% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(4) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 3.87% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(5) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 3.83% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(6) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 5.53% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.
(7) Effective interest rate as of March 31, 2019, was 4.37% due to an interest rate swap transaction as discussed in Note 7 to Heartland's consolidated financial statements included herein.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Federal Reserve Board, which supervises bank holding companies, has adopted capital adequacy guidelines that are used to assess the adequacy of capital of a bank holding company. Under Basel III, Heartland must hold a conservation buffer above the adequately capitalized risk-based capital ratios; however, the transition provisions related to the conservation buffer have been extended indefinitely.

The most recent notification from the FDIC categorized Heartland and each of its bank subsidiaries as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the categorization of any of these entities.






Heartland's capital ratios are calculated in accordance with Federal Reserve Board instructions and are required regulatory financial measures. The following table illustrates Heartland's capital ratios and the Federal Reserve Board's current capital adequacy guidelines for the dates indicated, in thousands. The table also indicates the fully-phased in capital conservation buffer, but the requirements to comply have been extended indefinitely.
 
Total
Capital
(to Risk-
Weighted
Assets)
 
Tier 1
Capital
(to Risk-
Weighted
Assets)
 
Common
Equity
Tier 1
(to Risk-
Weighted
Assets)
 
Tier 1
Capital
(to Average Assets)
March 31, 2019
14.37
%
 
12.77
%
 
11.24
%
 
10.08
%
Minimum capital requirement
8.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
4.50
%
 
4.00
%
Well capitalized requirement
10.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
6.50
%
 
5.00
%
Minimum capital requirement, including fully-phased in capital conservation buffer
10.50
%
 
8.50
%
 
7.00
%
 
N/A

Risk-weighted assets
$
8,558,021

 
$
8,558,021

 
$
8,558,021

 
N/A

Average Assets
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
10,845,274

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
13.72
%
 
12.16
%
 
10.66
%
 
9.73
%
Minimum capital requirement
8.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
4.50
%
 
4.00
%
Well capitalized requirement
10.00
%
 
8.00
%
 
6.50
%
 
5.00
%
Minimum capital requirement, including fully-phased in capital conservation buffer (2019)
10.50
%
 
8.50
%
 
7.00
%
 
N/A

Risk-weighted assets
$
8,756,130

 
$
8,756,130

 
$
8,756,130

 
N/A

Average Assets
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
$
10,946,440


Retained earnings that could be available for the payment of dividends to Heartland from its banks totaled approximately $352.4 million and $311.3 million at March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, under the capital requirements to remain well capitalized. At March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, retained earnings that could be available for the payment of dividends under the most restrictive minimum capital requirements totaled $523.7 million and $486.5 million, respectively.

On July 29, 2016, Heartland filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC to register debt or equity securities. This shelf registration statement, which was effective immediately, provides Heartland with the ability to raise capital, subject to market conditions and SEC rules and limitations, if Heartland's board of directors decides to do so. This registration statement will permit Heartland, from time to time, in one or more public offerings, to offer debt securities, subordinated notes, common stock, preferred stock, rights or any combination of these securities. The amount of securities that may be offered is not specified in the registration statement, and the terms of any future offerings will be established at the time of the offering. In November 2016, Heartland offered and sold 1,379,690 shares of its common stock pursuant to this registration statement.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Heartland enters into mortgage banking derivatives, which are classified as free standing derivatives. These derivatives include interest rate lock commitments provided to customers to fund certain mortgage loans to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of such loans. Heartland enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of future interest rate changes on the commitments to fund the loans as well as on the residential mortgage loans available for sale. See Note 7, "Derivative Financial Instruments," to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on Heartland's derivative financial instruments.

Heartland also enters into financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.

Off-balance sheet arrangements were disclosed in Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no material changes to Heartland's off-balance sheet arrangements since that report was filed.






COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Commitments and Contractual Obligations
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Heartland's bank subsidiaries evaluate the creditworthiness of customers to which they extend a credit commitment on a case-by-case basis and may require collateral to secure any credit extended. The amount of collateral obtained is based upon management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment and income-producing commercial properties. Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees are conditional commitments issued by Heartland's bank subsidiaries to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. At March 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, commitments to extend credit aggregated $2.33 billion and $2.47 billion, respectively. Standby letters of credit aggregated $72.9 million at March 31, 2019, and $71.9 million at December 31, 2018.

Contractual obligations and other commitments were disclosed in Heartland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Except for the agreement to acquire Blue Valley Ban Corp. described below, there have been no material changes to Heartland's contractual obligations and other commitments since that report was filed.

On January 16, 2019, Heartland entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Blue Valley Ban Corp., and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank of Blue Valley, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. As of the announcement date, the transaction, in which all of the issued and outstanding shares of Blue Valley Ban Corp. stock will be exchanged for shares of Heartland common stock, was valued at approximately $93.9 million. Simultaneous with the closing of the transaction, Bank of Blue Valley will merge into Heartland's Kansas-based subsidiary, Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Company, and the combined entity will operate as Bank of Blue Valley. The amount of the merger consideration is subject to fluctuations in the price of Heartland common stock and certain potential adjustments, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019 with a systems conversion planned for the third quarter of 2019. As of March 31, 2019, Bank of Blue Valley had total assets of approximately $711.6 million, which included approximately $564.1 million of gross loans outstanding, and approximately $587.2 million of deposits.

Heartland continues to explore opportunities to expand the size of its independent community banks. In the current banking industry environment, Heartland seeks these opportunities for growth through acquisitions. Heartland is primarily focused on possible acquisitions in the markets it currently serves, in which there would be an opportunity to increase market share, achieve efficiencies and provide greater convenience for current customers. However, Heartland may also pursue acquisitions in areas outside of its current geographic footprint. Future expenditures relating to expansion efforts, in addition to those identified above, cannot be estimated at this time.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Heartland enters into mortgage banking derivatives, which are classified as free standing derivatives. These derivatives include interest rate lock commitments provided to customers to fund certain mortgage loans to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these loans. Heartland enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of future interest rate changes on the commitments to fund these loans and on the residential mortgage loans held as available for sale. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements include in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information on Heartland's derivative financial instruments.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to Heartland's ability to maintain a cash flow that is adequate to meet maturing obligations and existing commitments, to withstand fluctuations in deposit levels, to fund operations and to provide for customers’ credit needs. The liquidity of Heartland principally depends on cash flows from operating activities, investment in and maturity of assets, changes in balances of deposits and borrowings and its ability to borrow funds in the money or capital markets.

At March 31, 2019, Heartland had $492.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, time deposits in other financial institutions of $4.7 million and securities carried at fair value of $2.40 billion.






Management of investing and financing activities, and market conditions, determine the level and the stability of net interest cash flows. Management attempts to mitigate the impact of changes in market interest rates to the extent possible, so that balance sheet growth is the principal determinant of growth in net interest cash flows.

Heartland's diversified deposit base provides a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funding. Total deposits were $9.35 billion at March 31, 2019, compared to $9.40 billion at December 31, 2018. Heartland's short-term borrowing balances are, on average, another stable source of funds. These balances are dependent on commercial cash management and smaller correspondent bank relationships and, as a result, will normally fluctuate. Management intends to rely on deposit growth and additional FHLB borrowings as needed in the future.

Additional funding is provided by long-term debt and short-term borrowings. In the event of short-term liquidity needs, Heartland's banks may purchase federal funds from each other or from correspondent banks and may also borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank. As of March 31, 2019, Heartland had $104.3 million of short-term borrowings outstanding. As of March 31, 2019, Heartland had $268.3 million of long-term debt outstanding, and it is an important funding source because of its multi-year borrowing structure. Additionally, the banks' FHLB memberships give them the ability to borrow funds for short-term and long-term purposes under a variety of programs. At March 31, 2019, Heartland had $1.44 billion of borrowing capacity under these programs.

On a consolidated basis, Heartland maintains a large balance of short-term securities that, when combined with cash from operations, Heartland believes are adequate to meet its funding obligations.

At the parent company level, routine funding requirements consist primarily of dividends paid to stockholders, debt service on revolving credit arrangements and trust preferred securities issuances, repayment requirements under other debt obligations and payments for acquisitions. The parent company obtains the funding to meet these obligations from dividends paid by its bank subsidiaries and the issuance of debt and equity securities. Heartland's revolving credit agreement with an unaffiliated bank has $30.0 million of maximum borrowing capacity, of which none was outstanding at March 31, 2019. Heartland also has a non-revolving credit line with the same unaffiliated bank. At March 31, 2019, $8.3 million was available on this non-revolving credit line. These credit agreements contain specific financial covenants, all of which Heartland complied with as of March 31, 2019.

The ability of Heartland to pay dividends to its stockholders is dependent upon dividends paid to Heartland by its subsidiaries. The bank subsidiaries are subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions on the amount they may pay in dividends. To maintain acceptable capital ratios at Heartland's bank subsidiaries, certain portions of their retained earnings are not available for the payment of dividends.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Heartland's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk resulting from its core banking activities of lending and accepting deposits. Interest rate risk measures the impact on earnings from changes in interest rates and the effect on the current fair market values of Heartland's assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. Heartland's objective is to measure this risk and manage its balance sheet to avoid unacceptable potential for economic loss.

Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate market risk. Exposure to market risk is reviewed on a regular basis by the asset/liability committees of Heartland's bank subsidiaries and, on a consolidated basis, by Heartland's executive management and board of directors. At least quarterly, a detailed review of the balance sheet risk profile is performed for Heartland and each of its bank subsidiaries. Included in these reviews are interest rate sensitivity analyses, which simulate changes in net interest income in response to various interest rate scenarios. These analyses consider current portfolio rates, existing maturities, repricing opportunities and market interest rates, in addition to prepayments and growth under different interest rate assumptions. Selected strategies are modeled prior to implementation to determine their effect on Heartland's interest rate risk profile and net interest income. Heartland believes its primary market risk exposures did not change significantly in the first three months of 2019.

The core interest rate risk analysis utilized by Heartland examines the balance sheet under increasing and decreasing interest rate scenarios that are neither too modest nor too extreme. All rate changes are ramped over a 12-month horizon based upon a parallel shift in the yield curve and then maintained at those levels over the remainder of the simulation horizon. Using this approach, management is able to see the effect that both a gradual change of rates (year one) and a rate shock (year two and beyond) could have on Heartland's net interest income. Starting balances in the model reflect actual balances on the "as of" date, adjusted for material transactions. Pro-forma balances remain static. This methodology enables interest rate risk embedded within the existing balance sheet structure to be isolated from the interest rate risk often caused by growth in assets and liabilities. Due to the low interest rate environment, the simulations under a decreasing interest rate scenario were prepared using a 100 basis point shift in rates. The most recent reviews at March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, provided the following results, in thousands:
 
2019
 
2018
 
Net Interest
Margin
 
% Change
From Base
 
Net Interest
Margin
 
% Change
From Base
Year 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Down 100 Basis Points
$
400,843

 
(3.30
)%
 
$
362,642

 
(3.02
)%
Base
$
414,540

 
 
 
$
373,953

 
 
Up 200 Basis Points
$
437,779

 
5.61
 %
 
$
377,453

 
0.94
 %
Year 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Down 100 Basis Points
$
382,215

 
(7.80
)%
 
$
346,225

 
(7.41
)%
Base
$
416,785

 
0.54
 %
 
$
379,901

 
1.59
 %
Up 200 Basis Points
$
464,301

 
12.00
 %
 
$
404,390

 
8.14
 %






Heartland uses derivative financial instruments to manage the impact of changes in interest rates on its future interest income or interest expense. Heartland is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these derivative instruments, but believes it has minimized the risk of these losses by entering into the contracts with large, stable financial institutions. The estimated fair market values of these derivative instruments are presented in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Heartland enters into financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend funds to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract relating to the commitment. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and may require collateral from the borrower. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Heartland to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party up to a stated amount and subject to specified terms and conditions. These commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet until the loan is made or the letter or credit is issued.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of Heartland's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that:
Heartland's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, there have been no changes in Heartland's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Heartland's internal control over financial reporting.





PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which Heartland or its subsidiaries are a party other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses. While the ultimate outcome of current legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of these legal actions should not have a material effect on Heartland's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to Heartland from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Heartland's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please refer to that section of Heartland's Form 10-K report for disclosures regarding the risks and uncertainties related to Heartland's business.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Heartland's board of directors has authorized management to acquire and hold up to 500,000 shares of common stock as treasury shares at any one time. Heartland and its affiliated purchasers made no purchases of its common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None





ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits

 
 
 
 
(1) 
 
 
 
(2) 
 
 
 
(2) 
 
 
 
(2) 
 
 
 
(2) 
 
 
 
101
 
Financial statement formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
______________
(1) Management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements
(2) Filed or furnished herewith.








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 there unto duly authorized.



HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
/s/ Bruce K. Lee
By: Bruce K. Lee
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 
/s/ Bryan R. McKeag
By: Bryan R. McKeag
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 
 
/s/ Janet M. Quick
By: Janet M. Quick
Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)
 
Dated: May 7, 2019