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<TITLE>Form S-8 - Heartland Bancshares, Inc.</TITLE>
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<P ALIGN=right><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
Registration No.&nbsp;333-_________
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
<U>Washington, D. C. 20549</U><BR>
<BR>
FORM S-8<BR>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
<U>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</U><BR>
<BR>
<U>Heartland Bancshares, Inc.</U><BR>
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)<BR>
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<U>Indiana</U><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)</FONT></div></TD>

<TD WIDTH=50%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<U>35-2017085</U><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)
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420 North Morton Street, P.O. Box 496<BR>
<U>Franklin, Indiana 46131-0469</U><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)<BR>
<BR>
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan<BR>
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors<BR>
<U>Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors</U><BR>
(Full titles of the plans)<BR>
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Steve Bechman, President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Heartland Bancshares, Inc.<BR>
420 North Morton Street, P.O. Box 496<BR>
<U>Franklin, Indiana 46131-0469</U><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
<BR>
<U>(317) 738-3915</U><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT></div></TD>

<TD WIDTH=50%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Copies to:<BR>
<BR>
Mark B. Barnes<BR>
Ice Miller<BR>
One American Square, Box 82001<BR>
Indianapolis, Indiana 46282<BR>
<BR>
Tel:&nbsp;&nbsp;(317) 236-2456<BR>
Fax:&nbsp;&nbsp;(317) 592-4868<BR>
(Counsel for Registrant)<BR>
</FONT></div></TD>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></P>
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<Td align=left COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Title of securities<BR>to be registered<BR></FONT></Td>
<Td align=center COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Amount to be<BR>registered</FONT></Td>
<Td align=center COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Proposed<BR>maximum offering<BR>price per unit<sup>(1)</sup></FONT></Td>
<Td align=center COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Proposed maximum<BR>aggregate offering<BR>price<sup>(1)</sup></FONT></Td>
<Td align=center COLSPAN=2><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Amount of<BR>registration fee</FONT></Td></TR>
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<TD colspan=2 WIDTH=20% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Common Shares,<BR>
including Preferred<BR>
Share Purchase Rights</FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2 WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>247,348 shares<sup>(2)</sup></FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2 WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$9.37</FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2 WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$2,317,650.76</FONT></TD>
<TD colspan=2 WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$293.65</FONT></TD>
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<P align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
<sup>(1)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registration fee has been calculated
pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) based upon (a) the average exercise price of
$9.07 per share for outstanding options that have been granted under the Plans
as of the date of this Registration Statement with respect to an aggregate of
218,544 Common Shares, and (b) the average of the high and low prices reported
for the Common Shares on April 6, 2004 of $11.60 per share with respect to the
remaining 28,804 Common Shares that are available for grant under the Plans as
of the date of this Registration Statement. Accordingly, the weighted average
maximum offering price per Common Share has been calculated to be $9.37 per
share.</font></P>

<P align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
<sup>(2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement includes
151,043 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
1997 Stock Option Plan; 46,305 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors; and
50,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
2003 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. The Registration Statement
also covers the preferred share purchase rights that accompany the Common
Shares, and any additional Common Shares that may become issuable under any of
the Plans described by this Registration Statement by reason of any stock
dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected
without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which results in an increase
in the number of the outstanding Common Shares.</font></P>



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PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT></H1>

<P align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=2>
<B>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B></font></P>

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The following information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(&#147;Commission&#148;) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
&#147;Exchange Act&#148;), is incorporated herein by reference:</FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><DIV ALIGN=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
(a)</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Heartland Bancshares, Inc. (the
&#147;Registrant&#148;), for the year ending December 31, 2003.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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(b)</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The Current&nbsp;Report&nbsp;on Form 8-K&nbsp;of the Registrant filed April 8,
2004.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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(c)</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The information set forth under the caption &#147;Description of Capital
Stock&#148; in the Registrant&#146;s Form SB-2 (File No. 333-32245), filed July
28, 1997, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
that description.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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(d)</FONT></DIV></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The description of the Registrant&#146;s preferred share purchase rights
relating to its Common Shares (and the Registrant&#146;s Preferred Shares to
which such rights relate) contained in the Registrant&#146;s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed June 30, 2000, including any amendment or report filed for the
purpose of updating such descriptions.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the
filing of such documents (but this shall not include any document, or portion of
any document, that is merely furnished by the Registrant to the Commission and
which states that it is not deemed to be &#147;filed&#148; with the
Commission).</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Any statement contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute
a part of this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>

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<B>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities.</B></FONT></P>

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Not applicable.</FONT></P>


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<B>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel.</B></FONT></P>

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Not applicable.</FONT></P>

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<B>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The Indiana Business Corporation Law (&#147;IBCL&#148;), the provisions of which
govern the Registrant, empowers an Indiana corporation to indemnify present and
former directors, officers, employees, or agents or any person who may have
served at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or
agent of another corporation (&#147;Eligible Persons&#148;) against liability
incurred in any proceeding, civil or criminal, in which the Eligible Person is
made a party by reason of being or having been in any such capacity, or arising
out of his status as such, if the individual acted in good faith and reasonably
believed that (a) the individual was acting in the best interests of the
corporation, or (b) if the challenged action was taken other than in the
individual&#146;s official capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent,
the individual&#146;s conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation&#146;s
best interests, or (c) if in a criminal proceeding, either the individual had
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.</FONT></P>

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The IBCL further empowers a corporation to pay or reimburse the reasonable
expenses incurred by an Eligible Person in connection with the defense of any
such claim, including counsel fees; and, unless limited by its Articles of
Incorporation, the corporation is required to indemnify an Eligible Person
against reasonable expenses if he is wholly successful in any such proceeding,
on the merits or otherwise. Under certain circumstances, a corporation may pay
or reimburse an Eligible Person for reasonable expenses prior to final
disposition of the matter. Unless a corporation&#146;s articles of incorporation
otherwise provide, an Eligible Person may apply for indemnification to a court
which may order indemnification upon a determination that the Eligible Person is
entitled to mandatory indemnification for reasonable expenses or that the
Eligible Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of
all the relevant circumstances without regard to whether his actions satisfied
the appropriate standard of conduct.</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Before a corporation may indemnify any Eligible Person against liability or
reasonable expenses under the IBCL, a quorum consisting of directors who are not
parties to the proceeding must (1) determine that indemnification is permissible
in the specific circumstances because the Eligible Person met the requisite
standard of conduct, (2) authorize the corporation to indemnify the Eligible
Person and (3) if appropriate, evaluate the reasonableness of expenses for which
indemnification is sought. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of
uninvolved directors, the foregoing action may be taken by a committee of two or
more directors who are not parties to the proceeding, special legal counsel
selected by the Board or such a committee, or by the shareholders of the
corporation.</FONT></P>


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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
In addition to the foregoing, the IBCL states that the indemnification it
provides shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
indemnified may be entitled under any provision of the articles of incorporation
or bylaws, resolution of the board of directors or shareholders, or any other
authorization adopted after notice by a majority vote of all the voting shares
then issued and outstanding. The IBCL also empowers an Indiana corporation to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Eligible Person against any
liability asserted against or incurred by him in any capacity as such, or
arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have had
the power to indemnify him against such liability.</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Article IV of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
provides certain indemnification provisions for the benefit of directors,
officers, employees, agents and certain fiduciaries of the
Registrant.</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The Registrant has obtained directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability
insurance, the effect of which is to indemnify the directors and officers of
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries against certain losses caused by
errors, misleading statements, wrongful acts, omissions, neglect or breach of
duty by them or any matter claimed against them in their capacities as directors
and officers.</FONT></P>

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<B>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption
From Registration Claimed.</B></FONT></P>

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Not applicable.</FONT></P>

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<B>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes the exhibits and which is
incorporated by reference herein, contains a list of all exhibits.</FONT></P>

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<B>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.</B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT></P>

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          (1)</FONT></DIV></TD>
          <TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

           To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT></DIV></TD>
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          <BR>

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                    (i)</FONT></TD>
                    <TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=85%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

                     To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
                    1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;);</FONT></DIV></TD>
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                    (ii)</FONT></TD>
                    <TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=85%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

                     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
                    date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                    thereof) that, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
                    in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;</FONT></DIV></TD>
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                    <BR>

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                    (iii)</FONT></TD>
                    <TD ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=85%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

                     To include any material information with respect to the Plan of distribution
                    not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
                    such information in the Registration Statement.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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<TD WIDTH=5%>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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          (2)</FONT></DIV></TD>
          <TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

           That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
          each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
          statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
          securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
          thereof.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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          <BR>

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          (3)</FONT></DIV></TD>
          <TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

           To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.</FONT></DIV></TD>
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          <BR>

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          (4)</FONT></DIV></TD>
          <TD WIDTH=90%><DIV ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>

           That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
          filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
          Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
          shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
          offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
          deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></DIV></TD>
          </TR>
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          <BR>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.</FONT></P>


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<U>SIGNATURES</U></FONT></H1>
<BR>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Franklin, State of
Indiana, on April 12, 2004.</FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
HEARTLAND BANCSHARES, INC.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
By:&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve Bechman<HR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve Bechman, President and<BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<U>POWER OF ATTORNEY</U></FONT></H1>
<BR>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Know all men by these presents,
that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Steve
Bechman, Jeffrey L. Goben, and Jeffery D. Joyce, and each or any of them (with
full power to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto those attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that those
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN=JUSTIFY><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities indicated on April 12, 2004.</FONT></P>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Steve Bechman<hr width=250 align=left>
Steve Bechman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director<BR>(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Sharon Acton<hr width=250 align=left>
Sharon Acton</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Gordon R. Dunn<hr width=250 align=left>
Gordon R. Dunn</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>



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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Jeffrey L. Goben<hr width=250 align=left>
Jeffrey L. Goben</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>


<PAGE>




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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;J. Michael Jarvis<hr width=250 align=left>
J. Michael Jarvis</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>




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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;John Norton<hr width=250 align=left>
John Norton</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>




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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<hr width=250 align=left>
Robert Richardson</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>




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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<hr width=250 align=left>
Patrick A. Sherman</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>



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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=60%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Jeffery D. Joyce<hr width=250 align=left>
Jeffery D. Joyce</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=40%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<BR>


<PAGE>


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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
HEARTLAND BANCSHARES, INC.<BR>
Form S-8<BR>
<BR>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS</FONT></H1>
<BR>



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<TR VALIGN=bottom>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Exhibit Number<BR>Assigned in<BR>Regulation S-K<BR><U>Item 601</U></FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
<U>Description of Exhibit</U></FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
4.1</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Rights Agreement between the Registrant and Heartland Community Bank, as
Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 23, 2000).
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
4.2</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Terms of Common Shares and Preferred Shares are included in the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Heartland Bancshares, Inc., which are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form SB-2, filed July 28, 1997, as amended.
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
4.3</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Terms of Series A Preferred Shares are included in the Articles of Amendment
of Articles of Incorporation of Heartland Bancshares, Inc., as filed with the
Indiana Secretary of State on June 27, 2000, which are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
June 30, 2000.
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>




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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
5.1</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Opinion of Ice Miller.
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>




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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
23.1</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>




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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=20%><div align=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
24.1</FONT></div></TD>
<TD WIDTH=80%><div align=justify><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
Power of Attorney (See Signature Page)
</FONT></div></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

</BODY>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HEARTLAND BANCSHARES INC /IN/", "cik": "0001042905", "assigned-sic": "6022", "irs-number": "352017085", "state-of-incorporation": "IN", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-114416", "film-number": "04729230"}, "business-address": {"street1": "420 NORTH MORTON STREET", "city": "FRANKLIN", "state": "IN", "zip": "46131", "phone": "3177383915"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "PO BOX 469", "city": "FRANKLIN", "state": "IN", "zip": "46131"}}
Form S-8 - Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
Registration No. 333-_________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
35-2017085
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
420 North Morton Street, P.O. Box 496
Franklin, Indiana 46131-0469
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 2003 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors
(Full titles of the plans)
Steve Bechman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
420 North Morton Street, P.O. Box 496
Franklin, Indiana 46131-0469
(Name and address of agent for service)
(317) 738-3915
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Mark B. Barnes
Ice Miller
One American Square, Box 82001
Indianapolis, Indiana 46282
Tel:  (317) 236-2456
Fax:  (317) 592-4868
(Counsel for Registrant)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount to be
registered
Proposed
maximum offering
price per unit
(1)
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price
(1)
Amount of
registration fee
Common Shares,
including Preferred
Share Purchase Rights
247,348 shares
(2)
$9.37
$2,317,650.76
$293.65
(1)
The registration fee has been calculated
pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) based upon (a) the average exercise price of
$9.07 per share for outstanding options that have been granted under the Plans
as of the date of this Registration Statement with respect to an aggregate of
218,544 Common Shares, and (b) the average of the high and low prices reported
for the Common Shares on April 6, 2004 of $11.60 per share with respect to the
remaining 28,804 Common Shares that are available for grant under the Plans as
of the date of this Registration Statement. Accordingly, the weighted average
maximum offering price per Common Share has been calculated to be $9.37 per
share.
(2)
This Registration Statement includes
151,043 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
1997 Stock Option Plan; 46,305 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors; and
50,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
2003 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. The Registration Statement
also covers the preferred share purchase rights that accompany the Common
Shares, and any additional Common Shares that may become issuable under any of
the Plans described by this Registration Statement by reason of any stock
dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected
without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which results in an increase
in the number of the outstanding Common Shares.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.    Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("Commission") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), is incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of Heartland Bancshares, Inc. (the
"Registrant"), for the year ending December 31, 2003.
(b)
The Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed April 8,
2004.
(c)
The information set forth under the caption "Description of Capital
Stock" in the Registrant's Form SB-2 (File No. 333-32245), filed July
28, 1997, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating
that description.
(d)
The description of the Registrant's preferred share purchase rights
relating to its Common Shares (and the Registrant's Preferred Shares to
which such rights relate) contained in the Registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed June 30, 2000, including any amendment or report filed for the
purpose of updating such descriptions.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the
filing of such documents (but this shall not include any document, or portion of
any document, that is merely furnished by the Registrant to the Commission and
which states that it is not deemed to be "filed" with the
Commission).
Any statement contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute
a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4.    Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.    Interests of Named Experts and
Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.    Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
The Indiana Business Corporation Law ("IBCL"), the provisions of which
govern the Registrant, empowers an Indiana corporation to indemnify present and
former directors, officers, employees, or agents or any person who may have
served at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or
agent of another corporation ("Eligible Persons") against liability
incurred in any proceeding, civil or criminal, in which the Eligible Person is
made a party by reason of being or having been in any such capacity, or arising
out of his status as such, if the individual acted in good faith and reasonably
believed that (a) the individual was acting in the best interests of the
corporation, or (b) if the challenged action was taken other than in the
individual's official capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent,
the individual's conduct was at least not opposed to the corporation's
best interests, or (c) if in a criminal proceeding, either the individual had
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful.
The IBCL further empowers a corporation to pay or reimburse the reasonable
expenses incurred by an Eligible Person in connection with the defense of any
such claim, including counsel fees; and, unless limited by its Articles of
Incorporation, the corporation is required to indemnify an Eligible Person
against reasonable expenses if he is wholly successful in any such proceeding,
on the merits or otherwise. Under certain circumstances, a corporation may pay
or reimburse an Eligible Person for reasonable expenses prior to final
disposition of the matter. Unless a corporation's articles of incorporation
otherwise provide, an Eligible Person may apply for indemnification to a court
which may order indemnification upon a determination that the Eligible Person is
entitled to mandatory indemnification for reasonable expenses or that the
Eligible Person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of
all the relevant circumstances without regard to whether his actions satisfied
the appropriate standard of conduct.
Before a corporation may indemnify any Eligible Person against liability or
reasonable expenses under the IBCL, a quorum consisting of directors who are not
parties to the proceeding must (1) determine that indemnification is permissible
in the specific circumstances because the Eligible Person met the requisite
standard of conduct, (2) authorize the corporation to indemnify the Eligible
Person and (3) if appropriate, evaluate the reasonableness of expenses for which
indemnification is sought. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of
uninvolved directors, the foregoing action may be taken by a committee of two or
more directors who are not parties to the proceeding, special legal counsel
selected by the Board or such a committee, or by the shareholders of the
corporation.
In addition to the foregoing, the IBCL states that the indemnification it
provides shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
indemnified may be entitled under any provision of the articles of incorporation
or bylaws, resolution of the board of directors or shareholders, or any other
authorization adopted after notice by a majority vote of all the voting shares
then issued and outstanding. The IBCL also empowers an Indiana corporation to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Eligible Person against any
liability asserted against or incurred by him in any capacity as such, or
arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have had
the power to indemnify him against such liability.
Article IV of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Heartland Bancshares, Inc.
provides certain indemnification provisions for the benefit of directors,
officers, employees, agents and certain fiduciaries of the
Registrant.
The Registrant has obtained directors' and officers' liability
insurance, the effect of which is to indemnify the directors and officers of
Heartland Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries against certain losses caused by
errors, misleading statements, wrongful acts, omissions, neglect or breach of
duty by them or any matter claimed against them in their capacities as directors
and officers.
Item 7.    Exemption
From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.    Exhibits.
The Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes the exhibits and which is
incorporated by reference herein, contains a list of all exhibits.
Item 9.    Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
                    1933, as amended (the "Securities Act");
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
                    date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
                    thereof) that, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
                    in the information set forth in the Registration Statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the Plan of distribution
                    not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
                    such information in the Registration Statement.
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement.
(2)
That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
          each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
          statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
          securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
          thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.
(4)
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
          filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
          Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
          employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
          Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
          shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
          offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
          deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may
be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to
believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Franklin, State of
Indiana, on April 12, 2004.
HEARTLAND BANCSHARES, INC.
By:  /s/  Steve Bechman
Steve Bechman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all men by these presents,
that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Steve
Bechman, Jeffrey L. Goben, and Jeffery D. Joyce, and each or any of them (with
full power to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto those attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that those
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities indicated on April 12, 2004.
/s/  Steve Bechman
Steve Bechman
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/  Sharon Acton
Sharon Acton
Director
/s/  Gordon R. Dunn
Gordon R. Dunn
Director
/s/  Jeffrey L. Goben
Jeffrey L. Goben
Director
/s/  J. Michael Jarvis
J. Michael Jarvis
Director
/s/  John Norton
John Norton
Director
Robert Richardson
Director
Patrick A. Sherman
Director
/s/  Jeffery D. Joyce
Jeffery D. Joyce
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
HEARTLAND BANCSHARES, INC.
Form S-8
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Assigned in
Regulation S-K
Item 601
Description of Exhibit
4.1
Rights Agreement between the Registrant and Heartland Community Bank, as
Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's
Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 23, 2000).
4.2
Terms of Common Shares and Preferred Shares are included in the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Heartland Bancshares, Inc., which are
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form SB-2, filed July 28, 1997, as amended.
4.3
Terms of Series A Preferred Shares are included in the Articles of Amendment
of Articles of Incorporation of Heartland Bancshares, Inc., as filed with the
Indiana Secretary of State on June 27, 2000, which are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
June 30, 2000.
5.1
Opinion of Ice Miller.
23.1
Consent of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC.
24.1
Power of Attorney (See Signature Page)