Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

August 24, 1999


TO:
          News Editor

FR:       Al Sampson
          Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
          Dubuque, IA

CONTACT:  John K. Schmidt, CFO
          Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
          (319) 589-1994

RELEASE:  IMMEDIATE


            HEARTLAND PLANS EXPANSION IN NEW MEXICO

(Dubuque, IA)  Heartland Financial USA, Inc. today announced it
has signed a definitive agreement which will result in the First
National Bank of Clovis, New Mexico merging into New Mexico Bank
and Trust, a Heartland community bank located in Albuquerque.
The transaction is subject to the approval of the appropriate
regulatory agencies as well as the shareholders of National
Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of First National.  The
transaction is expected to be completed by the spring of next
year.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to further strengthen
the presence of community banking in the state of New Mexico,"
said Lynn B. Fuller, president and chief executive officer of
Heartland.  The Clovis bank has $120-million in assets and
deposits totaling $98-million.  Greg Leyendecker, president of
New Mexico Bank and Trust, added, "First National will be a solid
addition to our banking family and is a perfect fit in our
efforts to locally service the personal and commercial needs of
our customers."

"Heartland is a vibrant, forward-looking company dedicated to the
preservation of community banking, and I am delighted that First
National Bank will become a part of this growing financial
services company," said Daniel L. Hardisty, Chairman of the Board
of First National.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a $1.1-billion company with six
banks and twenty-two offices in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and New
Mexico.  In addition, the company owns ULTEA, Inc., a fleet
leasing company with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Heartland subsidiary, Citizens Finance Co., operates consumer
finance offices in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.