Heartland BancCorp Launches Free Security Enhancements to Protect its Clients From Fraud

GAHANNA, Ohio, Feb. 17, 2016 -- Heartland BancCorp (“the company,” and “the bank”) (OTCQB:HLAN), announced today the launching of a suite of client security tools designed to protect client’s information and transactions online and with debt and credit cards. Extensive sections of the banks website are dedicated to educating clients on the various types of attacks and best practices, and have been in place for years. These new offerings further enable clients to control their exposure to the perils in the online and card space.

“This area is a moving target. Cyber security, counter measures, and malware detection are on the front lines of transactional and payments landscape world-wide. Any and all measures that can be taken, should be taken to mitigate risk,” said G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO.

IBM Security Trusteer Rapport is offered free of charge to Heartland Bank Online Banking clients and offers protection above and beyond what is possible with other anti-virus software.  Trusteer protects the client’s computer and mitigates financial malware infections as well as detects the malware installation process and breaks it, while keeping clients computers clean. 

Card Valet is another exciting new notification and card security mobile app offered at Heartland.  This smartphone app enables cardholders to control card usage and spending on the go by defining when, where and how their cards are used.  It allows card owners to safeguard their cards from fraud by turning cards on and off, proving real time transaction notification, and other customizable alerts. Clients even have the ability to establish spending limits, great for employers and parents. 

About Heartland BancCorp

Heartland BancCorp is a registered Ohio bank holding company and the parent of Heartland Bank, which operates twelve full-service banking offices. Heartland Bank, founded in 1911, provides full service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; alternative investment services; insurance services; and other financial products and services.  Heartland Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve, a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Heartland BancCorp is currently quoted on the OTC Markets (OTCQB) under the symbol HLAN. Learn more about Heartland Bank at HeartlandBank.com.  

In May 2015, Heartland was ranked #77 on the American Banker magazine’s list of Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks and Thrifts based on three-year average return on equity (“ROE”) as of 12/31/14.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company as of the date of this release.  It is important to note that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the ability of the Company to implement its strategy and expand its lending operations.

Contacts: 	
G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President & CEO					
Heartland BancCorp  614-337-4600