Heartland takes pride in its associates and is always willing to brag a bit about the individuals that devote their time and talents to making the Heartland family a strong, successful and cohesive group. If 27 years of commitment proves anything, Brian Fracker is definite proof that a career is built on more than an office and a paycheck! 

Whitehall, OH – December 2, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Heartland BancCorp (“Heartland”) (OTCQX: HLAN), the holding
company for Heartland Bank, an Ohio state member bank, and Victory Bancorp, Inc. (“Victory”), the holding company for
Victory Community Bank, a federal savings association with its main office in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, today announced the
entry into a definitive agreement whereby Victory Community Bank will merge into Heartland Bank, with Heartland Bank
surviving (the “merger”). Under the terms of the merger agreement, Victory (as the sole shareholder of Victory
Community Bank) will receive 58,934 shares of Heartland common stock and $35.5 million in cash, subject to adjustment
as set forth in the merger agreement, for all shares of Victory Community Bank common stock that Victory owns, resulting
in an aggregate transaction value of approximately $41.1 million based on the closing price of Heartland common stock
on November 29, 2019.

With success, there’s gratitude. With prosperity, there’s appreciation. With all of these, there’s thankfulness – for past success, present prosperity and future accomplishments. Heartland Bank ends 2019 on a thankful note with abounding accolades to the associates, clients and communities it serves.

Family is forever, and although you can’t choose your family, you can choose your family business. Will it last a lifetime? Ask Ron Stokes, OSU basketball great of the early ‘80s, that question as he started his family business nearly 22 years ago, and they’re still together and still going strong!

Heartland associates meet goals and achieve milestones often in their careers. When asked what achievements you are most proud of, Jeff Kessler answered very simply, “When I was in the retail branch, it was helping clients meet their financial needs every day.”  This speaks volumes to the character of most Heartland associates and Jeff personally and professionally – care about the customer, the community and the team…the Heartland Way!