Community bank with 86 branches across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri, offering checking, savings, wealth management, and agricultural services since 1920.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Heartland Bank and Trust Company traces its roots to 1920 when M.B. Drake founded a small community bank in Cornland, Illinois. The Drake family, who arrived in Central Illinois in 1852, built the institution through multiple generations, surviving economic cycles and expanding into a regional banking presence. Today, the bank operates 86 branch locations across Illinois and eastern Iowa and Missouri, maintaining the family tradition of community-focused banking established over a century ago.
The bank offers a comprehensive suite of retail and commercial banking services including checking and savings accounts, online banking, mobile banking with bill pay functionality, wealth management services, and specialized agricultural services. Customers can open accounts online and access banking services through digital channels, branch visits, or phone support. The bank emphasizes relationship-based banking, positioning itself as a solution provider that takes time to understand customer financial needs before recommending products.
Heartland Bank distinguishes itself through deep community roots, family ownership continuity, and regional focus rather than national scale. The bank ranked #1 on Forbes' 2026 America's Best Banks List, which management attributes to team dedication and commitment to serving customers with efficient, sustainable growth. The institution recently integrated CNB (Community National Bank) customers into its digital banking platform and branch network, suggesting recent acquisition or merger activity.
As a traditional community bank, Heartland Bank is best suited for customers prioritizing personalized service and local relationships over cutting-edge fintech features or the widest product variety. The bank's strength lies in understanding regional markets and building long-term customer relationships rather than competing on rates or innovative digital products. Prospective customers should verify specific product offerings, rates, and fees directly, as the website focuses on relationship philosophy rather than detailed product specifications. Many banks offer installment loans with fixed monthly payments, giving borrowers a clear payoff timeline.
Yes. Heartland Bank And Trust Company is a registered company headquartered in Bloomington, IL, founded in 1971. They hold a rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Account opening typically takes 1-3 business days. Loan decisions vary by product.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Heartland Bank is best for regional customers in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri who value community banking relationships and personalized service over national reach or aggressive digital innovation. The main caveat is geographic limitation—the bank only serves three states—and limited public transparency regarding rates, fees, and specific product terms on their website.
COUNTRY Financial is a multi-line insurance company offering auto, home, life, farm, and business coverage, plus investment and retirement products through affiliated entities.
Best for: Customers seeking bundled auto, home, and life insurance with local agent relationships, Rural and farm property owners needing specialized farm and agricultural coverage
Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Heartland Bank And Trust Company and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.