Hawthorn Bancshares Announces Senior Credit Officer Appointment

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo.--(Business Wire)--
Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWBK), the parent company of Hawthorn Bank,
announced today that Dean McCracken has been named to Senior Credit Officer, a
role in which he will be responsible for administering Hawthorn Bank's
commercial, real estate and consumer lending policies.

"We feel very fortunate to have a leader of this caliber within our
organization," said James E. Smith, Chairman and CEO of Hawthorn Bancshares and
Hawthorn Bank. "Dean has an excellent reputation and has displayed
professionalism throughout his distinguished career."

Dean McCracken has been associated with Hawthorn Bank since April 2008. He was
Hawthorn Bank`s internal loan review manager and since December 2008 has served
as interim senior credit officer. Mr. McCracken`s banking career spans 38 years,
including 23 years with the Missouri Division of Finance where he retired as
Chief Bank Examiner supervising all commercial bank and trust examiners. Mr.
McCracken is a graduate of Southern Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
and the Graduate School of Banking, Madison, WI. Mr. McCracken is active in the
Risk Management Association, a national professional credit organization, and
has been an instructor or panelist at local and national events including
serving as curriculum chair for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors` credit
evaluation school.

About Hawthorn Bancshares

Hawthorn Bancshares, Inc., a financial-bank holding company headquartered in
Lee's Summit, Missouri, is the parent company of Hawthorn Bank of Jefferson City
with locations in Lee's Summit, Springfield, Branson, Independence, Raymore,
Columbia, Clinton, Windsor, Collins, Osceola, Warsaw, Belton, Drexel,
Harrisonville, California, Tipton and St. Robert.

Statements made in this press release that suggest Hawthorn Bancshares' or
management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, or predictions of the
future include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.It is important to note that
actual results could differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements.Additional information concerning factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such
forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the company's
quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hawthorn Bancshares
Kathleen Bruegenhemke, 573-761-6100
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Fax: 573-761-6272
www.HawthornBancshares.com

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