Heartland Financial USA, Inc. ("HTLF") Reports Quarterly Results as of September 30, 2024

Third Quarter Highlights

Quarterly net income available to common stockholders of $62.1 million or $1.44 per common share

Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders of $50.6 million or $1.17 adjusted diluted earnings per common share (non-GAAP), which excludes:

Gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million due to the sale of Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana.

Loss on security sales of $9.5 million.

Loss on fixed assets of $2.9 million due to branch closures and write-downs on properties listed for sale.

Common equity to total assets increased to 11.11%; while the tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP) improved 86 basis points to 8.14%.

Net interest margin, full tax-equivalent (non-GAAP) increased to 3.78% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 up from 3.73% for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Nonperforming loans were $69.9 million or 0.61% of total loans, a decrease of $33.8 million or 33% from the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Charge-offs of $32.1 million, of which the majority have been reserved for in prior periods, were recorded for the third quarter.

 

For the Quarter Ended

 

For the Nine Months EndedSeptember 30,

 

9/30/2024

 

6/30/2024

 

9/30/2023

 

2024

 

2023

Earnings Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) available to common stockholders (in millions)

$

62.1

 

 

$

37.7

 

 

$

46.1

 

 

$

149.6

 

 

$

144.2

 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per common share

 

1.44

 

 

 

0.88

 

 

 

1.08

 

 

 

3.47

 

 

 

3.37

 

Annualized return on average assets

 

1.38

%

 

 

0.84

%

 

 

0.94

%

 

 

1.10

%

 

 

1.00

%

Annualized return on average common equity

 

12.60

 

 

 

8.14

 

 

 

10.47

 

 

 

10.59

 

 

 

11.28

 

Annualized return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)(1)

 

18.32

 

 

 

12.28

 

 

 

16.32

 

 

 

15.77

 

 

 

17.82

 

Net interest margin

 

3.73

 

 

 

3.68

 

 

 

3.14

 

 

 

3.65

 

 

 

3.23

 

Net interest margin, fully tax-equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)

 

3.78

 

 

 

3.73

 

 

 

3.18

 

 

 

3.69

 

 

 

3.27

 

Efficiency ratio

 

48.58

 

 

 

65.69

 

 

 

63.77

 

 

 

58.94

 

 

 

61.86

 

Adjusted efficiency ratio, fully-tax equivalent (non-GAAP)(1)

 

57.98

 

 

 

57.73

 

 

 

59.95

 

 

 

58.16

 

 

 

58.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Earnings Summary (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders (in millions)

$

50.6

 

 

$

49.6

 

 

$

48.1

 

 

$

152.7

 

 

$

148.3

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per common share

 

1.17

 

 

 

1.15

 

 

 

1.12

 

 

 

3.54

 

 

 

3.47

 

Adjusted annualized return on average assets

 

1.14

%

 

 

1.09

%

 

 

0.98

%

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

1.02

%

Adjusted annualized return on average common equity

 

10.27

 

 

 

10.71

 

 

 

10.92

 

 

 

10.81

 

 

 

11.60

 

Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity

 

14.98

 

 

 

16.05

 

 

 

17.02

 

 

 

16.09

 

 

 

18.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" in this earnings release for additional information on the usage and presentation of these non-GAAP measures, and refer to the financial tables for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

"HTLF delivered a solid third quarter. Net interest margin increased as we continue to pay down high cost wholesale deposits. Our tangible common equity ratio improved to 8.14%. In July we completed the strategic sale of Rocky Mountain Bank in Montana, resulting in a net gain of $29.7 million. We continue to work closely with our partners at UMB on integration planning for our two companies and we're excited about closing the transaction, expected in Q1 2025."

Bruce K. Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer, HTLF

DENVER, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLF) today reported the following results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2023:

Net income available to common stockholders of $62.1 million compared to $46.1 million, an increase of $16.1 million or 35%.

Earnings per diluted common share of $1.44 compared to $1.08, an increase of $0.36 or 33%.

Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders(1) of $50.6 million or $1.17 per diluted common share compared to $48.1 million or $1.12 per diluted common share, which excludes:

Gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million due to the sale of Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana.

Loss on security sales of $9.5 million.

Loss on fixed assets of $2.9 million due to branch closures and write-downs on properties listed for sale.

Net interest income of $157.9 million compared to $145.8 million, an increase of $12.1 million or 8%.

Annualized return on average assets of 1.38% compared to 0.94%. Adjusted annualized return on average assets(1) of 1.14% compared to 0.98%.

Annualized return on average common equity of 12.60% compared to 10.47%. Adjusted annualized return on average common equity(1) of 10.27% compared to 10.92%.

Annualized return on average tangible common equity(1) of 18.32% compared to 16.32%. Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity(1) of 14.98% compared to 17.02%.

Rocky Mountain Bank Sale

HTLF Bank closed on the sale of the Rocky Mountain Bank branches in Montana in mid-July to two purchasers, which included loans of $343.8 million, deposits of $531.9 million and fixed assets of $13.8 million. The gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million was realized in the third quarter of 2024.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin, expressed as a percentage of average earning assets, was 3.73% (3.78% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 3.68% (3.73% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2024, and 3.14% (3.18% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, non-GAAP) for the third quarter of 2023.

Total interest income and average earning asset changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

Total interest income was $253.8 million compared to $245.4 million, an increase of $8.4 million or 3%, primarily attributable to an increase in yields on average earning assets. During the third quarter of 2024, HTLF recorded $5.3 million in additional interest income for a security that paid off.

Total interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) was $255.8 million, an increase of $8.2 million or 3%, from $247.6 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the fair value hedges were terminated in favorable market conditions in early October. HTLF recorded $10.3 million of interest income associated with the fair value hedges in the third quarter of 2024 in comparison to $5.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. As a result of the fair value hedge terminations, no additional interest income will be recorded.

Average earning assets decreased $1.60 billion or 9% to $16.84 billion compared to $18.44 billion, primarily due to the sale of $865.4 million of securities during the fourth quarter of 2023, $108.4 million of securities sold during the second quarter of 2024, and $40.3 million of securities sold during the third quarter of 2024. The proceeds were utilized to pay down high-cost wholesale deposits and borrowings.

The average rate on earning assets increased 71 basis points to 6.04% from 5.33%, primarily due to recent interest rate increases on earning assets.

Total interest expense and average interest-bearing liability changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

Total interest expense was $95.9 million, a decrease of $3.8 million from $99.7 million, primarily due to a decrease in average interest-bearing liabilities.

The average interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased 17 basis points to 3.18% from 3.01%.

Average interest-bearing deposits decreased $1.65 billion or 13% to $11.03 billion from $12.68 billion.

The average interest rate paid on interest-bearing deposits decreased 4 basis points to 2.86% from 2.90%.

Average borrowings and term debt increased $478.2 million to $953.9 million from $475.7 million, and the average interest rate paid on borrowings decreased 40 basis points to 5.39% from 5.78%.

Net interest income changes for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

Net interest income totaled $157.9 million compared to $145.8 million, an increase of $12.1 million or 8%.

Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis (non-GAAP) totaled $159.9 million compared to $147.9 million, an increase of $12.0 million or 8%.

Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

Total noninterest income was $19.0 million during the third quarter of 2024 compared to $28.4 million during the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $9.4 million or 33%. Significant changes within the noninterest income category for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

Service charges and fees decreased $1.5 million or 8% to $17.1 million from $18.6 million, primarily attributable to a decrease in consumer NSF and overdraft fees. In the fourth quarter of 2023, HTLF instituted a new fee policy across our single charter customer base in response to industry changes related to consumer overdraft fees.

Net security losses increased $9.4 million to $9.5 million compared to net security losses of $114,000.

Net gains on sales of loans held for sale decreased to $0 from $905,000, due to HTLF ceasing originations of residential mortgage loans to be sold to the secondary market.

Other noninterest income increased $957,000 to $1.6 million from $619,000, primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation income of $1.0 million to $1.5 million from $433,000.  

Total noninterest expense was $85.9 million during the third quarter of 2024 compared to $111.1 million during the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of $25.1 million or 23%. Significant changes within the noninterest expense category for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023 were:

Salaries and employee benefits totaled $62.7 million compared to $62.3 million, an increase of $480,000 or 1%. The increase was attributable to higher benefit costs including incentive compensation and benefit expenses partially offset by a reduction of full-time equivalent employees. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 1,725 compared to 1,965, a decrease of 240 or 12%.

Professional fees totaled $17.4 million compared to $13.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million or 28%, primarily due to an increase legal expenses, including those associated with special asset loans.

Gain on sale of assets, net, totaled $26.4 million compared to a loss on sale of assets of $108,000. As discussed earlier, Rocky Mountain Bank, a division of HTLF Bank, was sold during the third quarter of 2024 which generated a gain on sale, net, of $29.7 million.

The effective tax rate was 24.25% for the third quarter of 2024 compared to 21.89% for third quarter of 2023. The following items impacted the third quarter 2024 and 2023 tax calculations:

Various tax credits of $629,000 compared to $1.6 million.

Tax-exempt interest income as a percentage of pre-tax income of 8.92% compared to 13.14%.

Tax benefit of $140,000 compared to a tax expense of $41,000 resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units.

Tax expense of $1.1 million compared to $1.6 million resulting from the disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt loans and securities.

Total Assets, Total Loans and Total Deposits

Total assets were $18.27 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $18.81 billion at June 30, 2024, and $19.41 billion at December 31, 2023. Total assets decreased $540.1 million or 3% during the third quarter of 2024 and $1.14 billion or 6% since year-end 2023. Securities represented 27% and 29% of total assets at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Total loans held to maturity were $11.44 billion at September 30, 2024, compared to $11.61 billion at June 30, 2024, and $12.07 billion at December 31, 2023. Loans decreased $167.4 million or 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and $627.7 million or 5% since year-end 2023. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, loans held to maturity decreased $172.4 million or 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and decreased $284.0 million or 2% since year-end 2023.

Significant changes by loan category at September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 included:

Commercial and business lending, which includes commercial and industrial, PPP and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, decreased $262.7 million or 4% to $5.99 billion compared to $6.26 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, commercial and business lending decreased $119.4 million or 2%.

Commercial real estate lending, which includes non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction loans, decreased $3.3 million, or less than 1%, to $3.58 billion compared to $3.58 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, commercial real estate lending increased $67.0 million or 2%.

Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $167.2 million or 19% to $701.2 million compared to $868.4 million. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $99.9 million or 12%.

Residential mortgage loans decreased $56.7 million or 7% to $708.0 million compared to $764.7 million. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, residential mortgage loans decreased $25.7 million or 3%.

Significant changes by loan category at September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 included:

Commercial and business lending, which includes commercial and industrial, PPP and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, decreased $298.6 million or 5% to $5.99 billion compared to $6.29 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $143.3 million, commercial and business lending decreased $155.3 million or 2%.

Commercial real estate lending, which includes non-owner occupied commercial real estate and construction loans, increased $9.9 million or less than 1% to $3.58 billion compared to $3.57 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $70.3 million, commercial real estate lending increased $80.2 million or 2%.

Agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $218.0 million or 24% to $701.2 million compared to $919.2 million. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $67.3 million, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans decreased $150.7 million or 16%.

Residential mortgage loans decreased $89.8 million or 11% to $708.0 million compared to $797.8 million. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank loans sold of $31.0 million, residential mortgage loans decreased $58.9 million or 7%.

Total deposits were $14.95 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.96 billion as of June 30, 2024, a decrease of $3.4 million or less than 1%. Total deposits were $14.95 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $16.20 billion at December 31, 2023, which was a decrease of $1.25 billion or 8%. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, deposits decreased $9.8 million or less than 1% during the third quarter of 2024 and decreased $716.6 million or 4% since year-end 2023.

Total customer deposits were $14.35 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.13 billion at June 30, 2024, an increase of $217.6 million or 2%. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer deposits increased $211.2 million or 1%. Significant customer deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024, compared to June 30, 2024, included:

Customer demand deposits decreased $367.6 million or 8% to $4.01 billion compared to $4.38 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer demand deposits decreased $235.9 million or 6%.

Customer savings deposits increased $270.0 million or 3% to $8.71 billion compared to $8.44 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer savings deposits increased $554.4 million or 7%.

Customer time deposits decreased $223.1 million or 12% to $1.63 billion compared to $1.85 billion. Excluding the impact of Rocky Mountain Bank, customer time deposits decreased $107.3 million or 6%.

Total customer deposits were $14.35 billion as of September 30, 2024, compared to $14.86 billion at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $505.1 million or 3%. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer deposits sold of $531.9 million, customer deposits increased $26.7 million. Significant customer deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, included:

Customer demand deposits decreased $491.1 million or 11% to $4.01 billion compared to $4.50 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer demand deposits sold of $131.7 million, customer demand deposits decreased $359.3 million or 8%.

Customer savings deposits increased $302.0 million or 4% to $8.71 billion compared to $8.41 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer savings deposits sold of $284.3 million, customer savings deposits increased $586.3 million or 7%.

Customer time deposits decreased $316.0 million or 16% to $1.63 billion compared to $1.94 billion. Excluding the Rocky Mountain Bank customer time deposits sold of $115.8 million, customer time deposits decreased $200.2 million or 10%.

Total wholesale and institutional deposits were $601.9 million as of September 30, 2024, a decrease of $221.0 million or 27% from $822.9 million at June 30, 2024. Significant wholesale and institutional deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024 compared to June 30, 2024 included:

Wholesale and institutional savings deposits decreased $105.7 million or 33% to $213.0 million compared to $318.6 million.

Wholesale time deposits decreased $115.3 million or 23% to $389.0 million compared to $504.3 million.

Total wholesale and institutional deposits were $601.9 million as of September 30, 2024, which was a decrease of $743.4 million or 55% from $1.35 billion at December 31, 2023. Significant wholesale and institutional deposit changes by category at September 30, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023 included:

Wholesale and institutional savings deposits decreased $181.4 million or 46% to $213.0 million compared to $394.4 million.

Wholesale time deposits decreased $562.0 million or 59% to $389.0 million compared to $950.9 million.

Provision and Allowance

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Loans Provision for credit losses for loans for the third quarter of 2024 was $8.9 million, an increase of $6.2 million from $2.7 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023.

The allowance for credit losses for loans totaled $106.8 million at September 30, 2024 and $122.6 million at December 31, 2023. The following items impacted the allowance for credit losses for loans at September 30, 2024:

Provision expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $22.3 million. Provision expense was primarily impacted in the third quarter of 2024 by a nonperforming food manufacturing syndication loan currently in bankruptcy proceedings. HTLF recorded a charge-off of $19.2 million for this credit during the third quarter of 2024, of which $10.0 million was reserved for in a prior period.

Net charge-offs of $38.0 million, of which the majority have been reserved for in prior periods, were recorded for the first nine months of 2024.

Provision and Allowance for Credit Losses for Unfunded Commitments The allowance for unfunded commitments decreased $6.0 million or 36% to $10.5 million at September 30, 2024, from $16.5 million at December 31, 2023. The following impacted HTLF's allowance for credit losses for unfunded commitments during 2024:

Provision benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $6.0 million.

Reduction of $82.9 million in unfunded commitments for construction loans, which carry the highest loss rate.

Total unfunded commitments decreased $684.5 million or 15% to $3.94 billion at September 30, 2024 compared to $4.63 billion at December 31, 2023.

Total Provision and Allowance for Lending Related Credit LossesThe total provision expense for lending related credit losses was $6.3 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2023. The total allowance for lending related credit losses was $117.3 million or 1.02% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to $139.0 million or 1.15% of total loans as of December 31, 2023.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets were $76.8 million or 0.42% of total assets at September 30, 2024, compared to $110.5 million or 0.57% of total assets at December 31, 2023. Nonperforming assets were reduced by charge-offs of $32.1 million and the return to performing status of a $10.4 million owner occupied commercial real estate loan relationship. The reduction was partially offset by the addition of a $10.1 million non-owner commercial real estate loan relationship. Nonperforming loans were $69.9 million or 0.61% of total loans at September 30, 2024, compared to $97.9 million or 0.81% of total loans at December 31, 2023. At September 30, 2024, loans delinquent 30-89 days were 0.26% of total loans compared to 0.09% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The increase in the 30-89 day delinquencies was due to a single $12.8 million real estate construction loan. Other real estate owned, net, decreased $5.7 million or 46% to $6.8 million at September 30, 2024 from $12.5 million at December 31, 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release 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 the company'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 in this earnings release 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 in this earnings release.

Below are the non-GAAP measures included in this earnings release, management's reason for including each measure and the method of calculating each measure:

Adjusted earnings available to common stockholders and adjusted diluted earnings per common share, adjust net income for the gain/loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes these measures enhance the comparability net income available to common stockholders as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.

Adjusted annualized return on average assets, adjusts net income for the gain/loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.

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.

Adjusted 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 earnings release.

Net interest income, fully tax equivalent, is net income adjusted 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. Net interest margin, fully tax equivalent, is net interest income adjusted for the tax-favored status of certain loans and securities divided by average earning assets.

Tangible book value per common share is total common 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 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 financial condition and capital strength.

Adjusted annualized return on average common equity, adjusts net income for the loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.

Annualized return on average tangible common equity is net income excluding intangible amortization calculated as (1) net income excluding tax-effected core deposit and customer relationship intangibles amortization, divided by (2) average common 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 use of equity, financial condition and capital strength.

Adjusted annualized return on average tangible common equity, adjusts net income available to common stockholders for the loss from sale of securities, and other non-operating expenses as well as the tax effect of those transactions. Management believes this measure enhances the comparability of annualized return on average assets as it reflects adjustments commonly made by management, investors and analysts to evaluate the ongoing operations and enhance comparability with the results of prior periods.

Annualized ratio of core expenses to average assets adjusts noninterest expenses to exclude specific items noted in the reconciliation. Management includes this measure as it is considered to be a critical metric to analyze and evaluate controllable expenses related to primary business operations.

About HTLF

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., is a Denver, Colorado-based bank holding company operating under the brand name HTLF, with assets of $18.27 billion as of September 30, 2024. HTLF's banks serve customers in the West, Southwest and Midwest regions. HTLF is committed to serving the banking needs of privately owned businesses, their owners, executives and employees. Our core commercial business is supported by a strong retail banking operation, in addition to a diversified line of financial services including treasury management, wealth management and investments. Additional information is available at www.htlf.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release (including any information incorporated herein by reference), and future oral and written statements of the company and its management, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the business, financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives and future performance of HTLF.

Any statements about the company's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include information about possible or assumed future results of the company's operations or performance. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of the words such as "believe", "expect", "intent", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "project", "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "may", "view", "opportunity", "potential", or similar or negative expressions of these words or phrases that are used in this release, and future oral and written statements of the company and its management. Although the company may make these statements based on management's experience, beliefs, expectations, assumptions and best estimate of future events, the ability of the company to predict results or the actual effect or outcomes of plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and there may be events or factors that management has not anticipated. Therefore, the accuracy and achievement of such forward-looking statements and estimates are subject to a number of risks, 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 the company currently believes could have a material effect on its operations and future prospects, are detailed below and in the risk factors in HTLF's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the "Risk Factors" section under Item 1A of Part I of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and updates in HTLF's Forms 10-Q filed thereafter, and include, among others:

Economic and Market Conditions Risks, including risks related to the deterioration of the U.S. economy in general and in the local economies in which HTLF conducts its operations and future civil unrest, natural disasters, pandemics and governmental measures addressing them, climate change and climate-related regulations, persistent inflation, higher interest rates, supply chain issues, labor shortages, terrorist threats or acts of war;

Credit Risks, including risks of increasing credit losses due to deterioration in the financial condition of HTLF's borrowers, changes in asset and collateral values due to climate and other borrower industry risks, which may impact the provision for credit losses and net charge-offs;

Liquidity and Interest Rate Risks, including the impact of capital market conditions, rising interest rates and changes in monetary policy on our borrowings and net interest income;

Risks related to the planned merger with UMB Financial Corporation (the "Merger"), the fluctuation of the market value of the merger consideration, risks related to combining our businesses, including expenses related to the Merger and integration of the combined entity, risks that the Merger may not occur, and the risk of litigation related to the Merger;

Operational Risks, including processing, information systems, cybersecurity, vendor, business interruption, and fraud risks;

Strategic and External Risks, including economic, political, and competitive forces impacting our business;

Legal, Compliance and Reputational Risks, including regulatory and litigation risks; and

Risks of Owning Stock in HTLF, including stock price volatility and dilution as a result of future equity offerings and acquisitions.

There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by HTLF will not materially and adversely affect HTLF's business, financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, all statements in this release, including forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. HTLF does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions which may be made to or correct or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or to otherwise update any statement in light of new information or future events. Further information concerning HTLF and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect HTLF's financial results, is included in HTLF's filings with the SEC.

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

CONTACT:

Kevin L. Thompson

Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer

(563) 589-1994

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA

 

For the Quarter EndedSeptember 30,

 

For the Nine Months EndedSeptember 30,

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2023

 

Interest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$

192,506

 

 

$

182,394

 

 

$

587,328

 

 

$

505,136

 

Interest on securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

51,116

 

 

 

54,800

 

 

 

145,511

 

 

 

168,948

 

Nontaxable

 

5,979

 

 

 

6,584

 

 

 

18,062

 

 

 

18,990

 

Interest on federal funds sold

 



 

 

 

3

 

 

 



 

 

 

3

 

Interest on deposits with other banks and short-term investments

 

4,193

 

 

 

1,651

 

 

 

10,244

 

 

 

4,833

 

Total Interest Income

 

253,794

 

 

 

245,432

 

 

 

761,145

 

 

 

697,910

 

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on deposits

 

82,976

 

 

 

92,744

 

 

 

247,609

 

 

 

231,617

 

Interest on borrowings

 

7,378

 

 

 

1,167

 

 

 

25,727

 

 

 

4,437

 

Interest on term debt

 

5,543

 

 

 

5,765

 

 

 

16,956

 

 

 

16,756

 

Total Interest Expense

 

95,897

 

 

 

99,676

 

 

 

290,292

 

 

 

252,810

 

Net Interest Income

 

157,897

 

 

 

145,756

 

 

 

470,853

 

 

 

445,100

 

Provision for credit losses

 

6,276

 

 

 

1,516

 

 

 

16,270

 

 

 

9,969

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses

 

151,621

 

 

 

144,240

 

 

 

454,583

 

 

 

435,131

 

Noninterest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges and fees

 

17,100

 

 

 

18,553

 

 

 

51,127

 

 

 

55,316

 

Loan servicing income

 

111

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

349

 

 

 

1,403

 

Trust fees

 

5,272

 

 

 

4,734

 

 

 

15,847

 

 

 

15,810

 

Brokerage and insurance commissions

 

853

 

 

 

692

 

 

 

2,501

 

 

 

2,065

 

Capital markets fees

 

2,116

 

 

 

1,845

 

 

 

5,003

 

 

 

8,331

 

Securities gains (losses), net

 

(9,520

)

 

 

(114

)

 

 

(19,573

)

 

 

(1,532

)

Unrealized gain on equity securities, net

 

377

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

605

 

 

 

165

 

Net gains on sale of loans held for sale

 



 

 

 

905

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

3,786

 

Income on bank owned life insurance

 

1,107

 

 

 

858

 

 

 

3,610

 

 

 

3,042

 

Other noninterest income

 

1,576

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

5,289

 

 

 

2,489

 

Total Noninterest Income

 

18,992

 

 

 

28,383

 

 

 

64,862

 

 

 

90,875

 

Noninterest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

62,742

 

 

 

62,262

 

 

 

191,817

 

 

 

186,510

 

Occupancy

 

6,318

 

 

 

6,438

 

 

 

19,843

 

 

 

20,338

 

Furniture and equipment

 

2,062

 

 

 

2,720

 

 

 

6,554

 

 

 

8,698

 

Professional fees

 

17,448

 

 

 

13,616

 

 

 

48,351

 

 

 

41,607

 

FDIC insurance assessments

 

3,035

 

 

 

3,313

 

 

 

11,344

 

 

 

9,627

 

Advertising

 

1,937

 

 

 

1,633

 

 

 

4,663

 

 

 

6,670

 

Core deposit intangibles amortization

 

1,345

 

 

 

1,625

 

 

 

4,258

 

 

 

5,128

 

Other real estate and loan collection expenses, net

 

395

 

 

 

481

 

 

 

1,422

 

 

 

984

 

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

 

(26,419

)

 

 

108

 

 

 

(26,012

)

 

 

(2,149

)

Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs

 

2,026

 

 

 

2,429

 

 

 

9,374

 

 

 

5,994

 

Partnership investment in tax credit projects

 

222

 

 

 

1,136

 

 

 

938

 

 

 

1,828

 

Other noninterest expense

 

14,816

 

 

 

15,292

 

 

 

43,214

 

 

 

46,307

 

Total Noninterest Expense

 

85,927

 

 

 

111,053

 

 

 

315,766

 

 

 

331,542

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

84,686

 

 

 

61,570

 

 

 

203,679

 

 

 

194,464

 

Income taxes

 

20,533

 

 

 

13,479

 

 

 

48,077

 

 

 

44,181

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

64,153

 

 

 

48,091

 

 

 

155,602

 

 

 

150,283

 

Preferred dividends

 

(2,013

)

 

 

(2,013

)

 

 

(6,038

)

 

 

(6,038

)

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders

$

62,140

 

 

$

46,078

 

 

$

149,564

 

 

$

144,245

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share-diluted

$

1.44

 

 

$

1.08

 

 

$

3.47

 

 

$

3.37

 

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

 

43,195,257

 

 

 

42,812,563

 

 

 

43,080,422

 

 

 

42,769,872

 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA

 

For the Quarter Ended

 

9/30/2024

 

6/30/2024

 

3/31/2024

 

12/31/2023

 

9/30/2023

Interest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fees on loans

$

192,506

 

 

$

199,161

 

 

$

195,661

 

 

$

192,861

 

 

$

182,394

 

Interest on securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

51,116

 

 

 

47,381

 

 

 

47,014

 

 

 

54,573

 

 

 

54,800

 

Nontaxable

 

5,979

 

 

 

6,042

 

 

 

6,041

 

 

 

6,278

 

 

 

6,584

 

Interest on federal funds sold

 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

3

 

Interest on deposits with other banks and short-term investments

 

4,193

 

 

 

3,045

 

 

 

3,006

 

 

 

2,174

 

 

 

1,651

 

Total Interest Income

 

253,794

 

 

 

255,629

 

 

 

251,722

 

 

 

255,886

 

 

 

245,432

 

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on deposits

 

82,976

 

 

 

80,499

 

 

 

84,134

 

 

 

88,071

 

 

 

92,744

 

Interest on borrowings

 

7,378

 

 

 

10,825

 

 

 

7,524

 

 

 

5,874

 

 

 

1,167

 

Interest on term debt

 

5,543

 

 

 

5,564

 

 

 

5,849

 

 

 

5,804

 

 

 

5,765

 

Total Interest Expense

 

95,897

 

 

 

96,888

 

 

 

97,507

 

 

 

99,749

 

 

 

99,676

 

Net Interest Income

 

157,897

 

 

 

158,741

 

 

 

154,215

 

 

 

156,137

 

 

 

145,756

 

Provision for credit losses

 

6,276

 

 

 

9,008

 

 

 

986

 

 

 

11,738

 

 

 

1,516

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses

 

151,621

 

 

 

149,733

 

 

 

153,229

 

 

 

144,399

 

 

 

144,240

 

Noninterest Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service charges and fees

 

17,100

 

 

 

16,964

 

 

 

17,063

 

 

 

18,708

 

 

 

18,553

 

Loan servicing income

 

111

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

158

 

 

 

278

 

Trust fees

 

5,272

 

 

 

5,532

 

 

 

5,043

 

 

 

4,905

 

 

 

4,734

 

Brokerage and insurance commissions

 

853

 

 

 

894

 

 

 

754

 

 

 

729

 

 

 

692

 

Capital markets fees

 

2,116

 

 

 

1,996

 

 

 

891

 

 

 

1,676

 

 

 

1,845

 

Securities gains (losses), net

 

(9,520

)

 

 

(10,111

)

 

 

58

 

 

 

(140,007

)

 

 

(114

)

Unrealized gain on equity securities, net

 

377

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

13

 

Net gains on sale of loans held for sale

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

104

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

905

 

Income on bank owned life insurance

 

1,107

 

 

 

1,326

 

 

 

1,177

 

 

 

729

 

 

 

858

 

Other noninterest income

 

1,576

 

 

 

1,366

 

 

 

2,347

 

 

 

1,132

 

 

 

619

 

Total Noninterest Income

 

18,992

 

 

 

18,207

 

 

 

27,663

 

 

 

(111,801

)

 

 

28,383

 

Noninterest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

62,742

 

 

 

65,120

 

 

 

63,955

 

 

 

64,766

 

 

 

62,262

 

Occupancy

 

6,318

 

 

 

6,262

 

 

 

7,263

 

 

 

6,509

 

 

 

6,438

 

Furniture and equipment

 

2,062

 

 

 

2,155

 

 

 

2,337

 

 

 

2,901

 

 

 

2,720

 

Professional fees

 

17,448

 

 

 

15,372

 

 

 

15,531

 

 

 

17,060

 

 

 

13,616

 

FDIC insurance assessments

 

3,035

 

 

 

3,340

 

 

 

4,969

 

 

 

10,313

 

 

 

3,313

 

Advertising

 

1,937

 

 

 

1,368

 

 

 

1,358

 

 

 

1,677

 

 

 

1,633

 

Core deposit intangibles amortization

 

1,345

 

 

 

1,421

 

 

 

1,492

 

 

 

1,611

 

 

 

1,625

 

Other real estate and loan collection expenses, net

 

395

 

 

 

515

 

 

 

512

 

 

 

505

 

 

 

481

 

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

 

(26,419

)

 

 

193

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

2,072

 

 

 

108

 

Acquisition, integration and restructuring costs

 

2,026

 

 

 

5,973

 

 

 

1,375

 

 

 

4,365

 

 

 

2,429

 

Partnership investment in tax credit projects

 

222

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

494

 

 

 

3,573

 

 

 

1,136

 

Other noninterest expense

 

14,816

 

 

 

14,303

 

 

 

14,095

 

 

 

14,933

 

 

 

15,292

 

Total Noninterest Expense

 

85,927

 

 

 

116,244

 

 

 

113,595

 

 

 

130,285

 

 

 

111,053

 

Income Before Income Taxes

 

84,686

 

 

 

51,696

 

 

 

67,297

 

 

 

(97,687

)

 

 

61,570

 

Income taxes

 

20,533

 

 

 

11,954

 

 

 

15,590

 

 

 

(27,324

)

 

 

13,479

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

64,153

 

 

 

39,742

 

 

 

51,707

 

 

 

(70,363

)

 

 

48,091

 

Preferred dividends

 

(2,013

)

 

 

(2,012

)

 

 

(2,013

)

 

 

(2,012

)

 

 

(2,013

)

Net Income/(Loss) Available to Common Stockholders

$

62,140

 

 

$

37,730

 

 

$

49,694

 

 

$

(72,375

)

 

$

46,078

 

Earnings/(loss) per common share-diluted

$

1.44

 

 

$

0.88

 

 

$

1.16

 

 

$

(1.69

)

 

$

1.08

 

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

 

43,195,257

 

 

 

43,060,354

 

 

 

42,915,768

 

 

 

42,838,405

 

 

 

42,812,563

 

HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)

DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA

 

As of

 

9/30/2024

 

6/30/2024

 

3/31/2024

 

12/31/2023

 

9/30/2023

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and due from banks

$

228,719

 

 

$

226,735

 

 

$

208,176

 

 

$

275,554

 

 

$

248,756

 

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks and short-term investments

 

359,675

 

 

 

147,211

 

 

 

236,190

 

 

 

47,459

 

 

 

99,239

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

588,394

 

 

 

373,946

 

 

 

444,366

 

 

 

323,013

 

 

 

347,995

 

Time deposits in other financial institutions

 

1,050

 

 

 

1,340

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

1,240

 

 

 

1,490

 

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carried at fair value

 

4,057,335

 

 

 

4,185,054

 

 

 

4,418,222

 

 

 

4,646,891

 

 

 

5,482,687

 

Held to maturity, at cost

 

839,623

 

 

 

842,980

 

 

 

841,055

 

 

 

838,241

 

 

 

835,468

 

Other investments, at cost

 

69,511

 

 

 

70,684

 

 

 

68,524

 

 

 

91,277

 

 

 

90,001

 

Loans held for sale

 



 

 

 

348,761

 

 

 

352,744

 

 

 

5,071

 

 

 

6,262

 

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to maturity

 

11,440,917

 

 

 

11,608,309

 

 

 

11,644,641

 

 

 

12,068,645

 

 

 

11,872,436

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

(106,797

)

 

 

(126,861

)

 

 

(123,934

)

 

 

(122,566

)

 

 

(110,208

)

Loans, net

 

11,334,120

 

 

 

11,481,448

 

 

 

11,520,707

 

 

 

11,946,079

 

 

 

11,762,228

 

Premises, furniture and equipment, net

 

155,140

 

 

 

175,953

 

 

 

176,582

 

 

 

181,070

 

 

 

187,436

 

Goodwill

 

576,005

 

 

 

576,005

 

 

 

576,005

 

 

 

576,005

 

 

 

576,005

 

Core deposit intangibles, net

 

14,157

 

 

 

15,501

 

 

 

16,923

 

 

 

18,415

 

 

 

20,026

 

Cash surrender value on life insurance

 

199,998

 

 

 

199,036

 

 

 

197,671

 

 

 

197,085

 

 

 

196,694

 

Other real estate, net

 

6,805

 

 

 

7,533

 

 

 

2,590

 

 

 

12,548

 

 

 

14,362

 

Other assets

 

430,155

 

 

 

534,429

 

 

 

516,198

 

 

 

574,772

 

 

 

609,139

 

Total Assets

$

18,272,293

 

 

$

18,812,670

 

 

$

19,132,827

 

 

$

19,411,707

 

 

$

20,129,793

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demand

$

4,009,218

 

 

$

4,244,169

 

 

$

4,264,390

 

 

$

4,500,304

 

 

$

4,792,813

 

Savings

 

8,926,192

 

 

 

8,470,416

 

 

 

8,669,221

 

 

 

8,805,597

 

 

 

8,754,911

 

Time

 

2,017,806

 

 

 

2,242,005

 

 

 

2,368,555

 

 

 

2,895,813

 

 

 

3,553,269

 

Total deposits

 

14,953,216

 

 

 

14,956,590

 

 

 

15,302,166

 

 

 

16,201,714

 

 

 

17,100,993

 

Deposits held for sale

 



 

 

 

538,308

 

 

 

596,328

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

Borrowings

 

546,219

 

 

 

694,909

 

 

 

650,033

 

 

 

622,255

 

 

 

392,634

 

Term debt

 

373,324

 

 

 

372,988

 

 

 

372,652

 

 

 

372,396

 

 

 

372,059

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

259,161

 

 

 

222,025

 

 

 

232,815

 

 

 

282,225

 

 

 

438,577

 

Total Liabilities

 

16,131,920

 

 

 

16,784,820

 

 

 

17,153,994

 

 

 

17,478,590

 

 

 

18,304,263

 

Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred equity

 

110,705

 

 

 

110,705

 

 

 

110,705

 

 

 

110,705

 

 

 

110,705

 

Common stock

 

42,884

 

 

 

42,852

 

 

 

42,784

 

 

 

42,688

 

 

 

42,656