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Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Names New Executive Vice President of Operations

^{Published on 2010-10-06 11:36:00 - Market Wire}
 

DUBUQUE, Iowa--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF),a $4 billion diversified financial services company, announced that Brian J. Fox has been named Executive Vice President of Operations. Mr. Fox replaces Mr. Edward H. Everts who retires on October 16 after 18 years with the company.

"We are fortunate to have such a seasoned professional lead our operations teams"

Mr. Fox will be responsible for managing Deposit Operations, Treasury Management, Customer Support, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities.

aBrian will carry forward the momentum created by Ed Everts while deploying technologies that bring convenience and relevant financial information to our business and retail customers,a said Mr. Lynn B. Fuller, Chairman, President and CEO of Heartland. aIa™m confident Brian will create an operations network that serves our ten community banks with products and services that help our customers realize their financial goals.a

Mr. Fox has 35 years of experience in the banking industry. Previously, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at First Olathe Bancshares in Overland Park, Kansas. He has managed a wide range of banking operations for firms up to $6.5 billion in assets. Areas of responsibility have included strategic planning, credit administration, loan workouts, information technology, project management, mortgage banking, deposit operations, loan operations and most related backroom operations. Mr. Fox holds a bachelora™s degree in political science from Albion (Mich.) College.

aIa™m privileged to have a part in Heartlanda™s future growth.And I admire its vision to exceed the expectations of its clients, employees, shareholders and community," he said.

"We are fortunate to have such a seasoned professional lead our operations teams," Mr. Fuller said. "Briana™s expertise is very valuable as our company navigates through this challenging economic cycle. I believe his years of experience and proven leadership abilities will serve us well, now and in the future."

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a $4 billion diversified financial services company providing banking, mortgage, wealth management, insurance and consumer finance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 61 banking locations in 42 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado and Minnesota. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at [ www.htlf.com ].

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