Hills Bancorporation (HBIA) names Crowe LLP as independent auditor for 2026 fiscal year

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Hills Bancorporation reported that its Audit Committee approved the engagement of Crowe LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The company states that, during the past two fiscal years and through April 2, 2026, it did not consult Crowe on accounting principles, audit opinions, or financial reporting decisions, and there were no matters involving disagreements or reportable events under Regulation S‑K.

Insights

Bank governance and audit expert

Hills Bancorporation names Crowe LLP as 2026 auditor, citing no prior consultations or disputes.

The Audit Committee of Hills Bancorporation selected Crowe LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. This represents a governance decision about who will audit the company’s financial statements and internal controls.

The company clarifies that in its two most recent fiscal years and through April 2, 2026, it did not consult Crowe on accounting treatments or audit opinions, and no issues rose to the level of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” under Regulation S‑K Item 304. That language is intended to signal an absence of prior contentious matters with the new firm.

Overall, this looks like a routine auditor engagement driven by the Audit Committee. The filing does not provide details on the prior auditor or reasons for the change, so the investment impact appears neutral based on the disclosed information alone.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 4.01, 9.01

2 items

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant Governance

The company changed its independent auditing firm, which may involve disagreements on accounting matters.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Auditor engagement effective period: Fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 Audit Committee approval date: April 2, 2026 Reference period for no consultations: Two most recent fiscal years and interim through April 2, 2026

3 metrics

Auditor engagement effective period Fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 Crowe LLP appointed as independent registered public accounting firm

Audit Committee approval date April 2, 2026 Date Audit Committee approved Crowe LLP engagement

Reference period for no consultations Two most recent fiscal years and interim through April 2, 2026 Period with no consultations or disagreements with Crowe LLP

Key Terms

independent registered public accounting firm, Audit Committee, reportable event, Regulation S‑K

4 terms

independent registered public accounting firm financial

"approved the engagement of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year"

An independent registered public accounting firm is an outside accounting company officially registered with the government regulator to examine and report on a public company's financial records and controls. Investors treat its reports like an impartial inspector’s certificate — they add credibility to financial statements, help spot errors or misleading claims, and reduce the risk that shareholders are relying on unchecked or biased numbers.

Audit Committee financial

"the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Hills Bancorporation approved the engagement of Crowe LLP"

A company's audit committee is a small group of board members who act like independent inspectors for the firm's finances, overseeing how financial reports are prepared, monitoring internal controls, and managing the relationship with external auditors. Investors care because a strong audit committee reduces the risk of accounting errors, fraud, or misleading statements, making financial statements more trustworthy and helping protect shareholder value.

reportable event regulatory

"any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” or a “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)"

Regulation S‑K regulatory

"within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) of Regulation S‑K"

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0000732417false00007324172026-01-052026-01-05

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

April 2, 2026

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

HILLS BANCORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Iowa

0-12668

42-1208067

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

131 E. Main Street, PO Box 160

Hills

Iowa

52235

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(319) 679-2291

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant

On April 2, 2026, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Hills Bancorporation (the “Company”) approved the engagement of Crowe LLP (“Crowe”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through April 2, 2026, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with Crowe regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice of Crowe was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting decision, or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” or a “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) of Regulation S‑K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibit

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

HILLS BANCORPORATION

Date: April 6, 2026

/s/ Anthony V. Roetlin

Anthony V. Roetlin,

Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

FAQ

What did Hills Bancorporation (HBIA) announce regarding its auditor?

Hills Bancorporation announced that its Audit Committee approved engaging Crowe LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. This means Crowe will audit the company’s 2026 financial statements and related reporting for regulatory and investor use.

When does Crowe LLP’s engagement with Hills Bancorporation (HBIA) apply?

Crowe LLP’s engagement applies to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. The decision was approved by the Audit Committee on April 2, 2026, and covers audit work related to that 2026 financial reporting period for Hills Bancorporation.

Did Hills Bancorporation (HBIA) consult Crowe LLP before this 2026 auditor engagement?

The company states it did not consult Crowe LLP during its two most recent fiscal years or the interim period through April 2, 2026. This includes consultations on accounting principles, specific transactions, or expected audit opinions on Hills Bancorporation’s financial statements.

Were there any disagreements or reportable events tied to Crowe LLP and Hills Bancorporation (HBIA)?

Hills Bancorporation reports no matters involving a “disagreement” or “reportable event” with Crowe LLP as defined in Regulation S‑K Item 304. This statement is intended to indicate the absence of contentious accounting or audit issues with the newly engaged firm.

Who signed the Hills Bancorporation (HBIA) filing about the new auditor?

The filing was signed on behalf of Hills Bancorporation by Anthony V. Roetlin, who serves as Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer. His signature reflects management’s authorization of the disclosure regarding Crowe LLP’s engagement for 2026.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 1.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 19.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 10.8 KB