Form 15-12G HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 15

CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION

UNDER SECTION 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR SUSPENSION OF DUTY TO FILE REPORTS UNDER SECTIONS 13 AND 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1800 Larimer Street, Suite 1800

Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(303) 285-9200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share

Depositary Shares (each representing 1/400^th interest in a share of 7.00% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative

Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E)

(Title of each class of securities covered by this Form)

None

(Titles of all other classes of securities for which a duty to file reports under section 13(a) or 15(d) remains)

Please place an X in the box(es) to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon to terminate or suspend the duty to file reports:

Approximate number of holders of record as of the certification or notice date: one (1).

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this certification/notice on Form 15 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized person.

Date: February 10, 2025