EX-8.2 4 tm2420430d4_ex8-2.htm EXHIBIT 8.2

Exhibit 8.2

| Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP 1445 Ross Avenue Suite 3700 Dallas, TEXAS 75202 Tel        214 · 979 · 3000 Fax        214 · 880 · 0011 www.huntonAK.com

September 19, 2024

Heartland BancCorp

430 N. Hamilton Road

Whitehall, Ohio 43213

| Re: | Federal Income Tax Opinion Issued to Heartland BancCorp in Connection with the Merger of Heartland BancCorp with and into German American Bancorp, Inc., with German American Bancorp, Inc. Surviving

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special tax counsel to Heartland BancCorp, an Ohio corporation (“HLAN”) in connection with the merger of HLAN with and into German American Bancorp, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“GABC”), with GABC continuing as the surviving entity (the “Merger”). The Merger shall be in accordance with and pursuant to the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of July 29, 2024, by and among HLAN, GABC, Heartland Bank, an Ohio bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HLAN (“Heartland”), and German American Bank, an Indiana bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of GABC (“German American”) (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.02(i) of the Merger Agreement, you have asked us to render an opinion that the Merger shall be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement.

Set forth below is our opinion, together with the representations, assumptions and documents upon which we have relied in rendering our opinion.

A.Documents Reviewed

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have reviewed and relied upon the following documents:

1.       the Merger Agreement;

2.       the representation letters of HLAN and GABC, delivered to us on or about September 19, 2024, with respect to various factual representations and certifications (collectively, the “Representation Letters”);

ATLANTA AUSTIN BANGKOK BEIJING BOSTON BRUSSELS CHARLOTTE DALLAS DUBAI HOUSTON LONDON

LOS ANGELES MIAMI NEW YORK RICHMOND SAN FRANCISCO TOKYO TYSONS WASHINGTON, DC

www.HuntonAK.com

Heartland BancCorp

September 19, 2024

Page 2

3.       the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by GABC on September 6, 2024, as amended as of the date hereof, which includes the joint proxy statement/prospectus (as amended from time to time, the “Proxy Statement”); and

4.       such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this letter.

B.Representations

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have reviewed and relied upon the factual representations set forth in the Representation Letters.

C.Assumptions

In connection with the opinions rendered below, we have assumed that:

1.       all signatures on all documents submitted to us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, that all documents submitted to us as copies are accurate, that all information submitted to us is accurate and complete, and that all persons executing and delivering originals or copies of documents examined by us are competent to execute and deliver such documents;

2.       the Merger and the other transactions specified in the Merger Agreement have been and will be consummated as contemplated in the Merger Agreement, without waiver of any material provision thereof;

3.       the Merger will be reported by HLAN and GABC on their respective income tax returns in a manner consistent with the opinions set forth below; and

4.       the Representation Letters are true and accurate in all material respects as of the Effective Time of the Merger.

Heartland BancCorp

September 19, 2024

Page 3

D.Opinions

Based solely upon the documents and assumptions set forth above and conditioned upon the initial and continuing accuracy of the factual representations set forth in the Representation Letters as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Effective Time of the Merger and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, it is our opinion that:

1.       the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; and

2.       the discussion in the section of the Proxy Statement under the caption “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” constitutes our opinion under current law of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger to shareholders of HLAN who are “U.S. Holders” (as defined in the Proxy Statement).

E.Limitations

1.       Except as otherwise indicated, the opinions contained in this letter is based upon the Code and its legislative history, the U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), judicial decisions, and current administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, all as in effect on the date of this letter. These authorities may be amended or revoked at any time. Any such changes may or may not be retroactive with respect to transactions entered into or contemplated prior to the effective date thereof and could significantly alter the conclusions reached in this letter. There is no assurance that legislative, judicial, or administrative changes will not occur in the future. We assume no obligation to update or modify this letter to reflect any developments that may occur after the date of this letter.

2.       The opinions expressed herein represent counsel’s best legal judgment and are not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts and are dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of the documents we have reviewed under the circumstances, the assumptions made and the factual representations contained in the Representation Letters. To the extent that any of the factual representations provided to us in the Representation Letters are with respect to matters set forth in the Code or the Regulations, we have reviewed with the individuals making such factual representations the relevant portions of the Code and the applicable Regulations and are reasonably satisfied that such individuals understand such provisions and are capable of making such factual representations. We have made no independent investigation of the assumptions set forth above, the facts contained in the documents or the factual representations set forth in the Representation Letters or the Merger Agreement. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such assumptions, facts or documents in a material way. Any material inaccuracy or incompleteness in these documents, assumptions or factual representations (whether made by HLAN or GABC) could adversely affect the opinions stated herein.

Heartland BancCorp

September 19, 2024

Page 4

3.       No opinion is expressed as to any federal income tax consequence of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement except as specifically set forth herein, and this letter may not be relied upon except with respect to the consequences specifically discussed herein. This letter does not address the various state, local or foreign tax consequences that may result from the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

4.       This letter is issued to you solely for the benefit of HLAN in connection with the Merger and no other person or entity may rely hereon without our express written consent.

| Very truly yours,
| /s/ Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
| Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP