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STEVENSON, Md.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The law firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, has commenced an investigation into possible breaches of fiduciary duty to current shareholders of Heartland Bancshares, Inc. (aHeartlanda) (OTCBB: HRTB) and other violations of state law by the board of directors of Heartland relating to the proposed acquisition of Heartland by Horizon Bancorp (aHorizona). The firmas investigation seeks to determine, among other things, whether the board breached its fiduciary duties by failing to maximize shareholder value.

On February 10, 2012, Horizon announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Heartland. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Heartlandas shareholders will receive 0.54 shares of Horizon stock for each share of Heartland common stock held. According to the press release, based on Horizonas closing price of $18.00 on February 8, 2012, the value of the transaction is approximately $9.72 per share of Heartlandas stock.

If you currently own shares of Heartland and would like to learn more about the investigation being conducted by Brower Piven, you may email or call Brower Piven, who will, without obligation or cost to you, attempt to answer your questions. You may contact Brower Piven by email at [ hoffman@browerpiven.com ], by calling (410) 415-6616, or at Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, 1925 Old Valley Road, Stevenson, Maryland 21153. Attorneys at Brower Piven have combined experience litigating securities and other class action cases of over 60 years.