Purchase of Two Banking Centers

On Tuesday, September 18, 2018, National Exchange Bank & Trust Chairman of the Board Peter Stone announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Wisconsin Bank & Trust, a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., to purchase the assets of two of its banking centers in Chilton and Elkhart Lake, both in Wisconsin.

“These two offices will be a natural fit with the geographic footprint and culture of National Exchange Bank & Trust. We are a community bank, which started in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1933. We look forward to welcoming the Wisconsin Bank & Trust staff as a part of the National Exchange Bank & Trust team and welcoming customers to our organization,” Eric Stone, CEO of National Exchange Bank & Trust, said.

All current banking center employees will be retained by National Exchange Bank & Trust. National Bank & Trust banking services in Elkhart Lake will be combined into the current Wisconsin Bank & Trust facility, which will allow for the addition of drive-up services for current National Exchange Bank & Trust customers. The Chilton office will remain open as a National Exchange Bank & Trust office.

James Chatterton, President and Chief Operating Officer of National Exchange Bank & Trust, commented: "The leadership teams of the two institutions will be integrally working together to preserve a quality customer experience. We have a strong commitment to support the staff and customers as we make this transition.”

Wisconsin Community Bank President, Curtis Chrystal said, “Reaching this agreement with a community bank such as National Exchange makes the most sense for our customers.” Chrystal stated that the local Board of Directors for Wisconsin Community Bank is grateful and appreciates the communities for their past support.

The transaction is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2019, pending regulatory approval.

National Exchange Bank & Trust, an independent, Wisconsin-based bank headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisc., has more than $1.8 billion in assets and operates offices throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. It has been held in high regard as one of the highest performing financial institutions in the Midwest based on its strong balance sheet, asset management, community investment, and products and services that are meaningful to today’s financial customer. For more information, visit www.nebat.com or call 920.921.7700. National Exchange Bank & Trust is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., (NASDAQ: HTLF), is a business-focused community bank with assets of more than $1 billion. Wisconsin Bank & Trust serves customers in the Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Monroe and southwest areas of Wisconsin. WBT offers a wide range of personal and business banking, private client and mortgage lending services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinbankandtrust.com or call 608.203.1214. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.