Form 11K 3/31/05

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For transition period __________ to __________


Commission File Number: 33-76228
 

A.
Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

B.
Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:


Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
1398 Central Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001


REQUIRED INFORMATION
The Heartland Financial USA, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Accordingly, the audited financial statements prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 11-K are provided as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 11-K.


SIGNATURES

The Plan

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

BY: /s/ John K. Schmidt
-----------------------------
John K. Schmidt
Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
 

Date: March 21, 2005
-----------------------------


 
HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

EXHIBIT INDEX
TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 11-K


 Exhibit No.  Description
   
 23  Auditors’ Consent
 99.1  Financial Statements