DUBUQUE, Iowa, June 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF), today announced that Kevin Ahern,
Chairman of Citywide Banks, has been promoted to Heartland’s Executive Vice President, Private Client Services.
“Kevin’s breadth of financial sector experience will further advance our mission of delivering personalized and innovative
financial solutions for our clients,” Bruce K. Lee, President and CEO, Heartland, said. “He’ll lead an energized and dedicated team
of banking professionals and manage our complete portfolio of PCS products and services.”
Mr. Ahern has a long-standing relationship with Heartland. He is the former Founder, Chairman, and CEO of CIC Bancshares, a bank
holding company that was formed in 2009. CIC Bancshares, and its subsidiary bank, Centennial Bank, was acquired by Heartland in
February of 2016.
Mr. Ahern has over 30 years of proven executive experience in the financial services industry including commercial banking,
investment management and trust, insurance, alternative investments, and mergers and acquisitions. His wide-ranging experience
includes, Managing Partner, Colorow Capital Partners, LLC, President and COO of Braddock Financial Corporation, Executive Vice
President of CoBiz Financial, and leadership positions at Sterling Partners, ING Investment Management, and Aetna Investment
Management.
Mr. Ahern, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Citywide Banks, will remain as a member of the Board of
Directors, and Marty Schmitz became the Chairman of the Board of Directors position earlier this month. Mr. Ahern will be located
in Denver, Colorado, and will work with PCS team members in Heartland’s Dubuque headquarters and the eleven markets where Heartland
banks operate.
About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Heartland is a diversified financial services company with assets of approximately $11.2 billion. The Company provides banking,
mortgage, private client, investment, treasury management, card services, insurance, and consumer finance services to individuals
and businesses. Heartland currently has 125 banking locations serving 93 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico,
Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland is available
at www.htlf.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release, and future oral and written statements of Heartland and its management, may contain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Heartland’s financial condition, results of
operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Although these forward-looking statements are based upon the
beliefs, expectations and assumptions of Heartland’s management, there are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the
ability of management to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking
statements. These factors, which are detailed in the risk factors included in Heartland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, include, among others: (i) the strength of the local and national economy; (ii) the economic
impact of past and any future terrorist threats and attacks and any acts of war; (iii) changes in state and federal laws,
regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business; (iv) changes in interest rates and prepayment
rates of the Company’s assets; (v) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new
customers; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii)
the 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.
CONTACT: Laura Hughes Executive Vice President Chief Marketing Officer (563) 589-2148 lhughes@htlf.com
