10-Q

Table of Contents ​

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

​

FORM 10-Q

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☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

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☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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Commission File Number: 1-31987

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Hilltop Holdings Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

​

​	​	​
Maryland	​	84-1477939
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or	​	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)	​	​
​	​	​
6565 Hillcrest Avenue	​	​
Dallas , TX	​	75205
(Address of principal executive offices)	​	(Zip Code)

​

( 214 ) 855-2177

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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​	​	​	​	​
Title of each class	​	Trading symbol	​	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	​	HTH	​	New York Stock Exchange

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ◻

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒   No ◻

​

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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​	​	​
Large accelerated filer ⌧	​	Accelerated filer ◻
​	​	​
Non-accelerated filer ◻<br>​	​	Smaller reporting company ☐<br><br>​
​	​	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. ☐

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐  No ⌧

​

The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at April 23, 2021 was 82,260,548. ​ ​

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Table of Contents HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED March 31, 2021

​

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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​	​	​
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION		​
​	​	​
Item 1.	Financial Statements	​
​	Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
​	Consolidated Statements of Operations	4
​	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	5
​	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	6
​	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	7
​	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
​	​	​
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	42
​	​	​
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	84
​	​	​
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	87
​	​	​
​	​	​
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION		​
​		​
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	88
​	​	​
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	88
​	​	​
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	88
​	​	​
Item 6.	Exhibits	89

​ 2

Table of Contents HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		****
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Assets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash and due from banks	​	$	1,564,489	​	$	1,062,560	​
Federal funds sold	​		396	​		386	​
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes	​	​	273,393	​	​	290,357	​
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	​	​	106,342	​	​	80,319	​
Securities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Trading, at fair value	​		528,712	​		694,255	​
Available for sale, at fair value, net (amortized cost of $1,715,428 and 1,435,919, respectively)	​		1,715,406	​		1,462,205	​
Held to maturity, at amortized cost, net (fair value of $311,402 and $326,671, respectively)	​	​	300,088	​	​	311,944	​
Equity, at fair value	​	​	189	​	​	140	​
​	​		2,544,395	​	​	2,468,544	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for sale	​		2,538,986	​		2,788,386	​
Loans held for investment, net of unearned income	​		7,810,657	​		7,693,141	​
Allowance for credit losses	​		(144,499)	​		(149,044)	​
Loans held for investment, net	​		7,666,158	​		7,544,097	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables	​		1,596,817	​		1,404,727	​
Premises and equipment, net	​		213,304	​		211,595	​
Operating lease right-of-use assets	​	​	101,055	​		105,757	​
Mortgage servicing rights	​	​	142,125	​	​	143,742	​
Other assets	​		648,895	​		555,983	​
Goodwill	​		267,447	​		267,447	​
Other intangible assets, net	​		19,035	​		20,364	​
Total assets	​	$	17,682,837	​	$	16,944,264	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Deposits:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest-bearing	​	$	4,031,181	​	$	3,612,384	​
Interest-bearing	​		7,701,598	​		7,629,935	​
Total deposits	​		11,732,779	​		11,242,319	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization payables	​		1,546,227	​		1,368,373	​
Short-term borrowings	​		676,652	​		695,798	​
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	​	​	97,055	​	​	79,789	​
Notes payable	​		401,713	​		381,987	​
Operating lease liabilities	​	​	120,339	​		125,450	​
Junior subordinated debentures	​		67,012	​		67,012	​
Other liabilities	​		595,045	​		632,889	​
Total liabilities	​		15,236,822	​		14,593,617	​
Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 14 and 15)	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Stockholders' equity:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Hilltop stockholders' equity:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized; 82,260,548 and 82,184,893 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	​		823	​		822	​
Additional paid-in capital	​		1,319,518	​		1,317,929	​
Accumulated other comprehensive income	​		3,486	​		17,763	​
Retained earnings	​	​	1,094,727	​		986,792	​
Deferred compensation employee stock trust, net	​	​	752	​		771	​
Employee stock trust (6,060 and 6,930 shares, at cost, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)	​	​	(121)	​		(138)	​
Total Hilltop stockholders' equity	​		2,419,185	​		2,323,939	​
Noncontrolling interests	​		26,830	​		26,708	​
Total stockholders' equity	​		2,446,015	​		2,350,647	​
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	​	$	17,682,837	​	$	16,944,264	​

​

See accompanying notes .

​ 3

Table of Contents HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	****	2021		****	2020
Interest income:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans, including fees	​	$	104,277	​	$	111,168
Securities borrowed	​	​	28,972	​	​	13,327
Securities:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Taxable	​		10,251	​		15,695
Tax-exempt	​		2,102	​		1,610
Other	​		1,321	​		3,075
Total interest income	​		146,923	​		144,875
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest expense:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Deposits	​		7,741	​		15,124
Securities loaned	​	​	25,486	​	​	11,277
Short-term borrowings	​		2,013	​		4,744
Notes payable	​		4,797	​		2,418
Junior subordinated debentures	​		562	​		850
Other	​		642	​		126
Total interest expense	​		41,241	​		34,539
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net interest income	​		105,682	​		110,336
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		(5,109)	​		34,549
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		110,791	​		75,787
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest income:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income	​		267,080	​		150,486
Mortgage loan origination fees	​		43,155	​		28,554
Securities commissions and fees	​		38,314	​		40,069
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions	​	​	27,695	​		23,180
Other	​		41,341	​		29,424
Total noninterest income	​		417,585	​		271,713
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest expense:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Employees' compensation and benefits	​		270,353	​		196,356
Occupancy and equipment, net	​		24,429	​		19,522
Professional services	​		13,585	​		14,798
Other	​		58,295	​		51,225
Total noninterest expense	​		366,662	​		281,901
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	​		161,714	​		65,599
Income tax expense	​		37,770	​		15,148
Income from continuing operations	​	​	123,944	​	​	50,451
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	​	​	—	​	​	3,151
Net income	​		123,944	​		53,602
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	​		3,599	​		3,966
Income attributable to Hilltop	​	$	120,345	​	$	49,636
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Earnings per common share:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Basic:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Earnings from continuing operations	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.51
Earnings from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	0.04
​	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.55
Diluted:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Earnings from continuing operations	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.51
Earnings from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	0.04
​	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.55
Weighted average share information:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Basic	​		82,169	​		90,509
Diluted	​		82,657	​		90,550

​

See accompanying notes .

​

​ 4

Table of Contents HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	****	2021		****	2020
Net income	​	$	123,944	​	$	53,602
Other comprehensive income:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Change in fair value of cash flow and fair value hedges, net of tax of $505 and $(933), respectively	​	​	6,035	​	​	(3,200)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale, net of tax of $(5,974) and $3,726, respectively	​		(20,241)	​		12,605
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income, net of tax of $(21) and $34, respectively	​		(71)	​		115
Comprehensive income	​		109,667	​		63,122
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	​		3,599	​		3,966
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Comprehensive income applicable to Hilltop	​	$	106,068	​	$	59,156

​

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents ​

HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ****

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	Accumulated		****	​		****	Deferred		****	****	****	​	​	****	Total		****	​	​	****	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	Additional		​	Other		​	​		​	Compensation		​	Employee				​	Hilltop		​	​	​	​	Total
​	Common Stock				​	Paid-in		​	Comprehensive		​	Retained		​	Employee Stock		​	Stock Trust				​	Stockholders’		​	Noncontrolling		​	Stockholders’
​	Shares	​	Amount		​	Capital		​	Income		​	Earnings		​	Trust, Net		​	Shares	​	Amount		​	Equity		​	Interest		​	Equity
Balance, December 31, 2019	90,641	​	$	906	​	$	1,445,233	​	$	11,419	​	$	644,860	​	$	776	​	8	​	$	(155)	​	$	2,103,039	​	$	25,757	​	$	2,128,796
Net income	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	49,636	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	49,636	​	​	3,966	​	​	53,602
Other comprehensive income	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	9,520	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	9,520	​	​	—	​	​	9,520
Stock-based compensation expense	—	​	​	—	​	​	3,642	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	3,642	​	​	—	​	​	3,642
Common stock issued to board members	10	​	​	—	​	​	146	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	146	​	​	—	​	​	146
Issuance of common stock related to share-based awards, net	158	​	​	2	​	​	(471)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(469)	​	​	—	​	​	(469)
Repurchases of common stock	(701)	​	​	(7)	​	​	(11,249)	​	​	—	​	​	(3,701)	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(14,957)	​	​	—	​	​	(14,957)
Dividends on common stock ($0.09 per share)	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(8,158)	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(8,158)	​	​	—	​	​	(8,158)
Deferred compensation plan	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(2)	​	—	​	​	5	​	​	3	​	​	—	​	​	3
Adoption of accounting standards	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(5,691)	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(5,691)	​	​	—	​	​	(5,691)
Net cash distributed to noncontrolling interest	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(2,701)	​	​	(2,701)
Balance, March 31, 2020	90,108	​	$	901	​	$	1,437,301	​	$	20,939	​	$	676,946	​	$	774	​	8	​	$	(150)	​	$	2,136,711	​	$	27,022	​	$	2,163,733
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Balance, December 31, 2020	82,185	​	$	822	​	$	1,317,929	​	$	17,763	​	$	986,792	​	$	771	​	7	​	$	(138)	​	$	2,323,939	​	$	26,708	​	$	2,350,647
Net income	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	120,345	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	120,345	​	​	3,599	​	​	123,944
Other comprehensive loss	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(14,277)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(14,277)	​	​	—	​	​	(14,277)
Stock-based compensation expense	—	​	​	—	​	​	4,594	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	4,594	​	​	—	​	​	4,594
Common stock issued to board members	4	​	​	—	​	​	147	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	147	​	​	—	​	​	147
Issuance of common stock related to share-based awards, net	222	​	​	2	​	​	(748)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(746)	​	​	—	​	​	(746)
Repurchases of common stock	(150)	​	​	(1)	​	​	(2,404)	​	​	—	​	​	(2,545)	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(4,950)	​	​	—	​	​	(4,950)
Dividends on common stock ($0.12 per share)	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(9,865)	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(9,865)	​	​	—	​	​	(9,865)
Deferred compensation plan	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(19)	​	(1)	​	​	17	​	​	(2)	​	​	—	​	​	(2)
Net cash distributed to noncontrolling interest	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(3,477)	​	​	(3,477)
Balance, March 31, 2021	82,261	​	$	823	​	$	1,319,518	​	$	3,486	​	$	1,094,727	​	$	752	​	6	​	$	(121)	​	$	2,419,185	​	$	26,830	​	$	2,446,015

​

​

See accompanying notes .

​

​ 6

Table of Contents HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Operating Activities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net income	​	$	123,944	​	$	53,602	​
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		(5,109)	​		34,549	​
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	​		5,930	​		1,883	​
Deferred income taxes	​		1,424	​		(2,053)	​
Other, net	​		5,775	​		(2,410)	​
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell	​		(26,023)	​		35,675	​
Net change in trading securities	​		165,543	​		295,995	​
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables	​		(275,257)	​		11,768	​
Net change in other assets	​		(97,606)	​		(243,683)	​
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization payables	​		171,709	​		(281,891)	​
Net change in other liabilities	​		(13,289)	​		(73,963)	​
Net change in securities sold, not yet purchased	​	​	17,266	​		(21,049)	​
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights asset	​		52,783	​		18,650	​
Change in valuation of mortgage servicing rights asset	​	​	(16,865)	​	​	11,030	​
Net gains from sales of loans	​	​	(267,080)	​		(150,486)	​
Loans originated for sale	​		(6,960,572)	​		(4,256,981)	​
Proceeds from loans sold	​	​	7,431,243	​		3,983,089	​
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for continuing operations	​		313,816	​		(586,275)	​
Net cash provided by operating activities for discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	3,505	​
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	​	​	313,816	​	​	(582,770)	​
Investing Activities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of securities held to maturity	​		11,707	​	​	37,624	​
Proceeds from sales, maturities and principal reductions of securities available for sale	​		249,628	​	​	73,889	​
Purchases of securities held to maturity	​		—	​	​	(6,532)	​
Purchases of securities available for sale	​		(531,701)	​	​	(119,778)	​
Net change in loans held for investment	​		(29,151)	​	​	(19,692)	​
Purchases of premises and equipment and other assets	​		(8,341)	​	​	(17,754)	​
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and other real estate owned	​	​	867	​	​	15,350	​
Net cash received from (paid to) Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock	​		(35)	​	​	18,685	​
Net cash used in investing activities for continuing operations	​	​	(307,026)	​		(18,208)	​
Net cash provided by investing activities for discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	1,794	​
Net cash used in investing activities	​		(307,026)	​		(16,414)	​
Financing Activities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net change in deposits	​		496,605	​		850,829	​
Net change in short-term borrowings	​		(18,834)	​		(94,062)	​
Proceeds from notes payable	​		239,020	​		273,386	​
Payments on notes payable	​		(219,401)	​		(285,639)	​
Payments to repurchase common stock	​		(4,950)	​		(14,957)	​
Dividends paid on common stock	​		(9,865)	​		(8,158)	​
Net cash distributed to noncontrolling interest	​	​	(3,477)	​		(2,701)	​
Other, net	​	​	(913)	​		(624)	​
Net cash provided by financing activities	​		478,185	​	​	718,074	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	​		484,975	​		118,890	​
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	​		1,353,303	​		642,789	​
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	​	$	1,838,278	​	$	761,679	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash to Consolidated Balance Sheets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash and due from banks	​	$	1,564,489	​	$	524,370	​
Cash and due from banks, included within assets of discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	58,103	​
Federal funds sold	​	​	396	​	​	401	​
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes	​	​	273,393	​	​	178,805	​
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	​	$	1,838,278	​	$	761,679	​
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash paid for interest	​	$	37,095	​	$	37,041	​
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	​	$	1,622	​	$	1,771	​
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Activities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Conversion of loans to other real estate owned	​	$	461	​	$	182	​
Additions to mortgage servicing rights	​	$	34,301	​	$	4,475	​

​

​

See accompanying notes.

​ 7

Table of Contents Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

​

1. Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies

​

Nature of Operations

​

Hilltop Holdings Inc. (“Hilltop” and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company’s primary line of business is to provide business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas through PlainsCapital Bank (the “Bank”). In addition, the Company provides an array of financial products and services through its broker-dealer and mortgage origination subsidiaries.

​

On June 30, 2020, Hilltop completed the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of National Lloyds Corporation (“NLC”), which comprised the operations of the former insurance segment, for cash proceeds of $154.1 million, and was subject to post-closing adjustments. Accordingly, NLC’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. For further details, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

​

The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides its products and services through two primary business units within continuing operations, PlainsCapital Corporation (“PCC”) and Hilltop Securities Holdings LLC (“Securities Holdings”). PCC is a financial holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, traditional banking, wealth and investment management and treasury management services primarily in Texas and residential mortgage lending throughout the United States. Securities Holdings is a holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, investment banking and other related financial services, including municipal advisory, sales, trading and underwriting of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income securities, clearing, securities lending, structured finance and retail brokerage services throughout the United States. Unless otherwise noted, the Company’s notes to the consolidated financial statements present information limited to continuing operations.

​

As a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, economic uncertainties have contributed to significant volatility in the global economy, as well as banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates. The effects of COVID-19 and the governmental and societal response to the virus have negatively impacted financial markets and overall economic conditions on an unprecedented scale, resulting in the shuttering of businesses across the country and significant job loss. Many of these businesses reopened but may be operating at limited capacity. The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of COVID-19. COVID-19 presents material uncertainty which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

​

Basis of Presentation

​

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or any future period.

​

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates regarding the allowance for credit losses, the fair values of financial instruments, the mortgage loan indemnification liability, and the potential impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are particularly subject to change. The Company has applied its critical accounting policies 8

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Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

and estimation methods consistently in all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts and values as of the balance sheet dates may be materially different than the amounts and values reported due to the inherent uncertainty in the estimation process. Also, future amounts and values could differ materially from those estimates due to changes in values and circumstances after the balance sheet date.

​

Hilltop owns 100% of the outstanding stock of PCC. PCC owns 100% of the outstanding stock of the Bank and 100% of the membership interest in Hilltop Opportunity Partners LLC, a merchant bank utilized to facilitate investments in companies engaged in non-financial activities. The Bank owns 100% of the outstanding stock of PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (“PrimeLending”).

​

PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”), which holds an ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”).

​

PCC also owns 100% of the outstanding common securities of PCC Statutory Trusts I, II, III and IV (the “Trusts”), which are not included in the consolidated financial statements under the requirements of the Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) Subsections of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) because the primary beneficiaries of the Trusts are not within the consolidated group.

​

Hilltop has a 100% membership interest in Securities Holdings, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hilltop Securities Inc. (“Hilltop Securities”), Momentum Independent Network Inc. (“Momentum Independent Network” and collectively with Hilltop Securities, the “Hilltop Broker-Dealers”) and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC. Hilltop Securities is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), Momentum Independent Network is an introducing broker-dealer that is also registered with the SEC and FINRA. Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC are registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

​

In addition, Hilltop owns 100% of the membership interest in each of HTH Hillcrest Project LLC (“HTH Project LLC”) and Hilltop Investments I, LLC. Hilltop Investments I, LLC owns 50% of the membership interest in HTH Diamond Hillcrest Land LLC (“Hillcrest Land LLC”) which is consolidated under the aforementioned VIE Subsections of the ASC. These entities are related to the Hilltop Plaza investment discussed in detail in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K and are collectively referred to as the “Hilltop Plaza Entities.”

​

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the above-named entities. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Noncontrolling interests have been recorded for minority ownership in entities that are not wholly owned and are presented in compliance with the provisions of Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary Subsections of the ASC.

​

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform with the current period presentation. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, subsequent events were evaluated through the time the financial statements were issued. Financial statements are considered issued when they are widely distributed to all stockholders and other financial statement users, or filed with the SEC.

​

Significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

​

​

​ 9

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

​

Accounting Standards Adopted During 2021

​

In January 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-01 to clarify the interaction among ASC 321, ASC 323, and ASC 815 for equity securities, equity method investments, and certain financial instruments to acquire equity securities. ASU 2020-01 clarifies whether re-measurement of equity investments is appropriate when observable transactions cause the equity method to be triggered or discontinued. ASU 2020-01 also provides that certain forward contracts and purchased options to acquire equity securities will be measured under ASC 321 without an assessment of subsequent accounting upon settlement or exercise. The amendment is effective in periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted the provisions of this amendment as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of these provisions did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

​

​

​

T

3. Discontinued Operations

​

NLC Sale

​

On June 30, 2020, Hilltop completed the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of NLC, which comprised the operations of the insurance segment, for cash proceeds of $154.1 million. During 2020, Hilltop recognized an aggregate gain associated with this transaction of $36.8 million, net of customary transaction costs of $5.1 million and was subject to post-closing adjustments. The resulting book gain from this sale transaction was not recognized for tax purposes due to the excess tax basis over book basis being greater than the recorded book gain. Any tax loss related to this transaction is deemed disallowed pursuant to the rules under the Internal Revenue Code.

​

During the first quarter of 2020, management determined that the then-pending sale of NLC met the criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. Therefore, NLC’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. All related notes to the consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations have been included in this note. The following table presents the results of discontinued operations for NLC for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

​

​	​	​
Interest income:	​	​
Securities:	​	​
Taxable	$	938
Other	​	67
Total interest income	​	1,005
​	​	​
Interest expense:	​	​
Notes payable	​	406
​	​	​
Noninterest income:	​	​
Net insurance premiums earned	​	32,637
Other	​	(2,246)
Total noninterest income	​	30,391
​	​	​
Noninterest expense:	​	​
Employees' compensation and benefits	​	2,777
Occupancy and equipment, net	​	247
Professional services	​	8,527
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	​	12,949
Other	​	2,476
Total noninterest expense	​	26,976
​	​	​
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	​	4,014
Income tax expense	​	863
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	3,151

10

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

​

Reinsurance Activity

​

The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned are included within discontinued operations and are summarized as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended					​
​	​	March 31, 2020					​
​	****	Written		****	Earned		****
Premiums from direct business	​	$	29,980	​	$	30,746	​
Reinsurance assumed	​		2,952	​		3,244	​
Reinsurance ceded	​		(1,353)	​		(1,353)	​
Net premiums	​	$	31,579	​	$	32,637	​

​

​

The effects of reinsurance on incurred losses and LAE are included within discontinued operations and are as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended		****
​	****	March 31, 2020		****
Losses and LAE incurred	​	$	12,763	​
Reinsurance recoverables	​		186	​
Net loss and LAE incurred	​	$	12,949	​

​

​

​

4. Fair Value Measurements

​

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

​

The Company determines fair values in compliance with The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the ASC (the “Fair Value Topic”). The Fair Value Topic defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Fair Value Topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Fair Value Topic assumes that transactions upon which fair value measurements are based occur in the principal market for the asset or liability being measured. Further, fair value measurements made under the Fair Value Topic exclude transaction costs and are not the result of forced transactions.

​

The Fair Value Topic includes a fair value hierarchy that classifies fair value measurements based upon the inputs used in valuing the assets or liabilities that are the subject of fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs, as indicated below.

​

●	Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access at the measurement date.

​

●

Level 2 Inputs: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, credit risks and loss severities), and inputs that are derived from or corroborated by market data, among others.

​

●	Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. Level 3 inputs include pricing models and discounted cash flow techniques, among others*.*

​ 11

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Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

Fair Value Option

​

The Company has elected to measure substantially all of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale and the retained mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) asset at fair value, under the provisions of the Fair Value Option. The Company elected to apply the provisions of the Fair Value Option to these items so that it would have the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale accounted for under the Fair Value Option was $2.25 billion and $2.52 billion, respectively, and the unpaid principal balance of those loans was $2.21 billion and $2.41 billion, respectively. The interest component of fair value is reported as interest income on loans in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

​

The Company holds a number of financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, either by the application of the Fair Value Option or other authoritative pronouncements. The fair values of those instruments are determined primarily using Level 2 inputs, as further described below. Those inputs include quotes from mortgage loan investors and derivatives dealers and data from independent pricing services. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using an exit price method.

​

The following tables present information regarding financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	Level 1		****	Level 2		****	Level 3		****	Total		****
March 31, 2021	​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Fair Value		****
Trading securities	​	$	5,364	​	$	523,348	​	$	—	​	$	528,712	​
Available for sale securities	​	​	—	​	​	1,715,406	​	​	—	​	​	1,715,406	​
Equity securities	​	​	189	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	189	​
Loans held for sale	​	​	—	​	​	2,171,792	​	​	77,275	​	​	2,249,067	​
Derivative assets	​	​	—	​	​	136,508	​	​	—	​	​	136,508	​
MSR asset	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	142,125	​	​	142,125	​
Securities sold, not yet purchased	​	​	66,090	​	​	30,965	​	​	—	​	​	97,055	​
Derivative liabilities	​	​	—	​	​	54,455	​	​	—	​	​	54,455	​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	Level 1		****	Level 2		****	Level 3		****	​	Total	​
December 31, 2020	​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	​	Fair Value	​
Trading securities	​	$	45,390	​	$	648,865	​	$	—	​	$	694,255	​
Available for sale securities	​	​	—	​	​	1,462,205	​	​	—	​	​	1,462,205	​
Equity securities	​	​	140	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	140	​
Loans held for sale	​	​	—	​	​	2,449,588	​	​	71,816	​	​	2,521,404	​
Derivative assets	​	​	—	​	​	126,898	​	​	—	​	​	126,898	​
MSR asset	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	143,742	​	​	143,742	​
Securities sold, not yet purchased	​	​	54,494	​	​	25,295	​	​	—	​	​	79,789	​
Derivative liabilities	​	​	—	​	​	74,598	​	​	—	​	​	74,598	​

​ 12

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

The following tables include a rollforward for those financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Total Gains or Losses					​	​	​	****
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	(Realized or Unrealized)					​	​	​	****
​	****	Balance at		****	​	​	****	​	​	****	****	​	****	​	​	****	Included in Other		****	​	​	****
​	​	Beginning of		​	Purchases/		​	Sales/		​	Transfers to		​	Included in		​	Comprehensive		​	Balance at		****
​	​	Period		​	Additions		​	Reductions		​	(from) Level 3		​	Net Income		​	Income (Loss)		​	End of Period		****
Three months ended March 31, 2021	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for sale	​	$	71,816	​	$	12,494	​	$	(7,239)	​	$	741	​	$	(537)	​	$	—	​	$	77,275	​
MSR asset	​		143,742	​	​	34,301	​	​	(52,783)	​	​	—	​	​	16,865	​	​	—	​		142,125	​
Total	​	$	215,558	​	$	46,795	​	$	(60,022)	​	$	741	​	$	16,328	​	$	—	​	$	219,400	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Three months ended March 31, 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for sale	​	$	67,195	​	$	14,285	​	$	(4,175)	​	$	6,220	​	$	(3,937)	​	$	—	​	$	79,588	​
MSR asset	​	​	55,504	​	​	4,475	​	​	(18,650)	​	​	—	​	​	(11,030)	​	​	—	​	​	30,299	​
Total	​	$	122,699	​	$	18,760	​	$	(22,825)	​	$	6,220	​	$	(14,967)	​	$	—	​	$	109,887	​

​

All net realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the tables above are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The unrealized gains (losses) relate to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2021.

​

For Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	Range (Weighted-Average)
​	​	​	​	​	​	March 31,							​	December 31,
Financial **** instrument		Valuation **** Technique		Unobservable **** Inputs		2021							​	2020
Loans held for sale	​	Market comparable	​	Projected price	​	91	-	94	%	(	94	%)	​	91	-	94	%	(	94	%)
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
MSR asset	​	Discounted cash flows	​	Constant prepayment rate	​	​	​	​	11.28		%	​	​	​	​	​	12.15		%	​
​	​	​	​	Discount rate	​	​	​	​	13.68		%	​	​	​	​	​	14.60		%	​

​

The fair value of certain loans held for sale that cannot be sold through normal sale channels or are non-performing is measured using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of such loans is generally based upon estimates of expected cash flows using unobservable inputs, including listing prices of comparable assets, uncorroborated expert opinions, and/or management’s knowledge of underlying collateral.

​

The MSR asset is reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The MSR asset is valued by projecting net servicing cash flows, which are then discounted to estimate the fair value. The fair value of the MSR asset is impacted by a variety of factors. Prepayment and discount rates, the most significant unobservable inputs, are discussed further in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. The decreases in the weighted average prepayment and discount rates used to value the MSR asset at March 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, reflect the effect of increased mortgage rates reducing consumer refinancing activity and an increase in third-party servicing outlets.

​

The Company had no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the periods presented. Any transfers are based on changes in the observability and/or significance of the valuation inputs and are assumed to occur at the beginning of the quarterly reporting period in which they occur.

​ 13

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

The following table presents those changes in fair value of instruments recognized in the consolidated statements of operations that are accounted for under the Fair Value Option (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021								​	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020								​
​	****	​		****	Other		****	Total		****	​		****	Other		****	Total		****
​	​	Net		​	Noninterest		​	Changes in		​	Net		​	Noninterest		​	Changes in		​
​	​	Gains (Losses)		​	Income		​	Fair Value		​	Gains (Losses)		​	Income		​	Fair Value		​
Loans held for sale	​	$	(67,956)	​	$	—	​	$	(67,956)	​	$	33,979	​	$	—	​	$	33,979	​
MSR asset	​		16,865	​		—	​		16,865	​		(11,030)	​		—	​		(11,030)	​

​

The Fair Value of Financial Instruments Subsection of the ASC requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, including the financial assets and liabilities previously discussed. There have been no changes to the methods for determining estimated fair value for financial assets and liabilities as described in detail in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

​

The following tables present the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	Estimated Fair Value											****
​	****	Carrying		****	Level 1		****	Level 2		****	Level 3		****	​	​	****
March 31, 2021	​	Amount		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Total		****
Financial assets:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash and cash equivalents	​	$	1,564,885	​	$	1,564,885	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	1,564,885	​
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes	​	​	273,393	​	​	273,393	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	273,393	​
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	​	​	106,342	​	​	—	​	​	106,342	​	​	—	​	​	106,342	​
Held to maturity securities	​	​	300,088	​	​	—	​	​	311,402	​	​	—	​	​	311,402	​
Loans held for sale	​	​	289,919	​	​	—	​	​	289,919	​	​	—	​	​	289,919	​
Loans held for investment, net	​	​	7,666,158	​	​	—	​	​	520,175	​	​	7,342,590	​	​	7,862,765	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables	​		1,596,817	​		—	​		1,596,817	​		—	​		1,596,817	​
Other assets	​		73,208	​		—	​		71,499	​		1,709	​		73,208	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Financial liabilities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Deposits	​		11,732,779	​		—	​		11,742,710	​		—	​		11,742,710	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization payables	​		1,546,227	​		—	​		1,546,227	​		—	​		1,546,227	​
Short-term borrowings	​		676,652	​		—	​		676,652	​		—	​		676,652	​
Debt	​		468,725	​		—	​		468,725	​		—	​		468,725	​
Other liabilities	​		11,067	​		—	​		11,067	​		—	​		11,067	​

​

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	Estimated Fair Value											****
​	****	Carrying		****	Level 1		****	Level 2		****	Level 3		****	​	​	****
December 31, 2020	​	Amount		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Inputs		​	Total		****
Financial assets:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cash and cash equivalents	​	$	1,062,946	​	$	1,062,946	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	1,062,946	​
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes	​	​	290,357	​	​	290,357	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	290,357	​
Securities purchased under agreements to resell	​	​	80,319	​	​	—	​	​	80,319	​	​	—	​	​	80,319	​
Held to maturity securities	​	​	311,944	​	​	—	​	​	326,671	​	​	—	​	​	326,671	​
Loans held for sale	​	​	266,982	​	​	—	​	​	266,982	​	​	—	​	​	266,982	​
Loans held for investment, net	​	​	7,544,097	​	​	—	​	​	437,007	​	​	7,351,411	​	​	7,788,418	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables	​		1,404,727	​		—	​		1,404,727	​		—	​		1,404,727	​
Other assets	​		74,881	​		—	​		73,111	​		1,770	​		74,881	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Financial liabilities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Deposits	​		11,242,319	​		—	​		11,256,629	​		—	​		11,256,629	​
Broker-dealer and clearing organization payables	​		1,368,373	​		—	​		1,368,373	​		—	​		1,368,373	​
Short-term borrowings	​		695,798	​		—	​		695,798	​		—	​		695,798	​
Debt	​		448,999	​		—	​		448,999	​		—	​		448,999	​
Other liabilities	​		6,133	​		—	​		6,133	​		—	​		6,133	​

​

The Company held equity investments other than securities of $63.7 million and $63.6 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are included within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Of the $63.7 million of such equity investments held at March 31, 2021, $22.9 million do not have readily determinable fair values and each is measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The following table presents the adjustments to the carrying value of these investments during the periods presented (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	****	​	2021		****	2020
Balance, beginning of period		​	$	22,844		$	19,771
Upward adjustments	​	​	​	121	​	​	106
Impairments and downward adjustments	​	​	​	(60)	​	​	(789)
Balance, end of period	​	​	$	22,905	​	$	19,088

​

​

5. Securities

​

The fair value of trading securities is summarized as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​	​
​	****	2021		****	2020		****	****
U.S. Treasury securities		$	465		$	40,491
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds	​	​	20,376	​	​	40	​	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		161,557	​		336,081	​	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​		861	​		876	​	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​	​	80,729	​	​	69,172	​	​
Corporate debt securities	​	​	64,535	​	​	62,481	​	​
States and political subdivisions	​	​	183,385	​	​	171,573	​	​
Private-label securitized product	​	​	11,655	​	​	8,571	​	​
Other	​	​	5,149	​	​	4,970	​	​
Totals	​	$	528,712	​	$	694,255	​	​

​

In addition to the securities shown above, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers enter into transactions that represent commitments to purchase and deliver securities at prevailing future market prices to facilitate customer transactions and satisfy such 15

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

commitments. Accordingly, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ ultimate obligations may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. These securities, which are carried at fair value and reported as securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets, had a value of $97.1 million and $79.8 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

​

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale and held to maturity securities are summarized as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Available **** for Sale											​
​	​	Amortized		​	Unrealized		​	Unrealized		​	​	​	****
March 31, 2021	​	Cost		​	Gains		​	Losses		​	Fair Value		****
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds	​	$	76,527	​	$	970	​	$	(334)	​	$	77,163	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		897,085	​		13,009	​		(9,811)	​		900,283	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	157,906	​		594	​		(9,551)	​		148,949	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		536,548	​		5,327	​		(2,057)	​		539,818	​
States and political subdivisions	​		47,362	​		2,045	​		(214)	​		49,193	​
Totals	​	$	1,715,428	​	$	21,945	​	$	(21,967)	​	$	1,715,406	​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Available **** for Sale											​
​	​	Amortized		​	Unrealized		​	Unrealized		​	​	​	****
December 31, 2020	​	Cost		​	Gains		​	Losses		​	Fair Value		****
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds	​	$	82,036	​	$	1,095	​	$	(325)	​	$	82,806	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		624,863	​		17,194	​		(446)	​		641,611	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	124,929	​		768	​		(1,159)	​		124,538	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		559,362	​		6,916	​		(370)	​		565,908	​
States and political subdivisions	​		44,729	​		2,613	​		—	​		47,342	​
Totals	​	$	1,435,919	​	$	28,586	​	$	(2,300)	​	$	1,462,205	​

​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Held to **** Maturity
​	​	Amortized		​	Unrealized		​	Unrealized		​	​	​
March 31, 2021	****	Cost		****	Gains		****	Losses		****	Fair Value
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​	$	12,541	​	$	603	​	$	—	​	$	13,144
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	152,309	​		6,792	​		—	​		159,101
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		65,043	​		1,738	​		—	​		66,781
States and political subdivisions	​		70,195	​		2,211	​		(30)	​		72,376
Totals	​	$	300,088	​	$	11,344	​	$	(30)	​	$	311,402

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Held to **** Maturity
​	​	Amortized		​	Unrealized		​	Unrealized		​	​	​	****
December 31, 2020	****	Cost		****	Gains		****	Losses		****	Fair Value		****
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​	$	13,547	​	$	708	​	$	—	​	$	14,255	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	152,820	​	​	9,205	​	​	—	​	​	162,025	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		74,932	​		2,036	​		—	​		76,968	​
States and political subdivisions	​		70,645	​		2,778	​		—	​		73,423	​
Totals	​	$	311,944	​	$	14,727	​	$	—	​	$	326,671	​

​

Additionally, the Company had unrealized net gains of $0.1 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2020 from equity securities with fair values of $0.2 million and $0.1 million held at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company recognized nominal net gains and nominal net losses during the three months ended March 31, 16

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

2021 and 2020, respectively, due to changes in the fair value of equity securities still held at the balance sheet date. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, net gains recognized from equity securities sold were nominal.

​

Information regarding available for sale and held to maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position is shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021							​	December 31, 2020							****
​	****	Number of	****	​	​	****	Unrealized		****	Number of	****	​	​	****	Unrealized		****
​	​	Securities	​	Fair Value		​	Losses		​	Securities	​	Fair Value		​	Losses		****
Available for Sale	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		5	​	$	34,739	​	$	334		8	​	$	60,298	​	$	325	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		5	​	​	34,739	​	​	334		8	​		60,298	​		325	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		54	​		604,251	​		9,811		15	​		86,287	​		429	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		54	​	​	604,251	​	​	9,811		15	​		86,287	​		429	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		14	​		137,123	​		9,551		10	​		105,386	​		1,176	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		14	​	​	137,123	​	​	9,551		10	​		105,386	​		1,176	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		18	​		160,376	​		2,027		10	​		101,990	​		324	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		3	​		3,852	​		30		5	​		13,611	​		46	​
​		21	​	​	164,228	​	​	2,057		15	​		115,601	​		370	​
States and political subdivisions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		24	​		8,421	​		214		—	​		—	​		—	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		24	​	​	8,421	​	​	214		—	​		—	​		—	​
Total available for sale:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		115	​		944,910	​		21,937		43	​		353,961	​		2,254	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		3	​		3,852	​		30		5	​		13,611	​		46	​
​		118	​	$	948,762	​	$	21,967		48	​	$	367,572	​	$	2,300	​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021							​	December 31, 2020							****
​	****	Number of	****	​	​	****	Unrealized		****	Number of	****	​	​	****	Unrealized		****
​	​	Securities	​	Fair Value		​	Losses		​	Securities	​	Fair Value		​	Losses		****
Held to Maturity	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	****
States and political subdivisions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		7	​	$	2,093	​	$	30		2	​	$	578	​	$	—	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		7	​		2,093	​		30		2	​		578	​		—	​
Total held to maturity:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months		7	​		2,093	​		30		2	​		578	​		—	​
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer		—	​		—	​		—		—	​		—	​		—	​
​		7	​	$	2,093	​	$	30		2	​	$	578	​	$	—	​

​ 17

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The amortized cost and fair value of securities, excluding trading and equity securities, at March 31, 2021 are shown by contractual maturity below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Available for Sale					​	Held **** to Maturity					​
​	****	Amortized		****	​	​	****	Amortized		****	​	​	****
​	​	Cost		​	Fair Value		****	Cost		​	Fair Value		****
Due in one year or less	​	$	20,331	​	$	20,392	​	$	843	​	$	877	​
Due after one year through five years	​		40,512	​		41,809	​		1,185	​		1,213	​
Due after five years through ten years	​		17,013	​		17,501	​		9,850	​		10,183	​
Due after ten years	​		46,033	​		46,654	​		58,317	​		60,103	​
​	​		123,889	​		126,356	​		70,195	​		72,376	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		897,085	​		900,283	​		12,541	​		13,144	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		536,548	​		539,818	​		65,043	​		66,781	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​		157,906	​		148,949	​		152,309	​		159,101	​
​	​	$	1,715,428	​	$	1,715,406	​	$	300,088	​	$	311,402	​

​

The Company recognized net gains of $8.7 million and $7.0 million from its trading portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers realized net gains of $44.1 million and $21.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, from structured product trading activities. The Company had $0.1 million in other realized losses on securities and $0.2 million in other realized gains on securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. All such realized gains and losses are recorded as a component of other noninterest income within the consolidated statements of operations.

​

Securities with a carrying amount of $732.5 million and $712.3 million (with a fair value of $750.5 million and $733.8 million, respectively) at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged by the Bank to secure public and trust deposits, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law. Substantially all of these pledged securities were included in the available for sale and held to maturity securities portfolios at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

​

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations consist primarily of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) pass-through and participation certificates. GNMA securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States, while FNMA and FHLMC securities are fully guaranteed by those respective United States government-sponsored enterprises, and conditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

​ 18

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

6. Loans Held for Investment

​

The Bank originates loans to customers primarily in Texas. Although the Bank has diversified loan and leasing portfolios and, generally, holds collateral against amounts advanced to customers, its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is substantially dependent upon the general economic conditions of the region and of the industries in which its debtors operate, which consist primarily of agribusiness, construction, energy, real estate and wholesale/retail trade. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers make loans to customers and correspondents through transactions originated by both employees and independent retail representatives throughout the United States. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers control risk by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with various regulatory and internal guidelines, which may vary based upon market conditions. Securities owned by customers and held as collateral for loans are not included in the consolidated financial statements.

​

Loans held for investment summarized by portfolio segment are as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	****	2021		****	2020		​
Commercial real estate	​	$	3,114,936	​	$	3,133,903	​
Commercial and industrial ^(1)^	​		2,574,229	​	​	2,627,774	​
Construction and land development	​		821,883	​	​	828,852	​
1-4 family residential	​	​	745,544	​	​	629,938	​
Consumer	​	​	33,890	​	​	35,667	​
Broker-dealer ^(2)^	​	​	520,175	​	​	437,007	​
​	​		7,810,657	​		7,693,141	​
Allowance for credit losses	​		(144,499)	​	​	(149,044)	​
Total loans held for investment, net of allowance	​	$	7,666,158	​	$	7,544,097	​
(1)	Included loans totaling $492.4 million at March 31, 2021 funded through the Paycheck Protection Program.
---	---
(2)	Primarily represents margin loans to customers and correspondents associated with broker-dealer segment operations.
---	---

​

​

The following table provides details associated with non-accrual loans, excluding those classified as held for sale (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Non-accrual Loans																	​	​		​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021								​	December 31, 2020								​	Interest Income Recognized
​	​	With		​	With No		​	​	​	​	With		​	With No		​	​	​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	****	Allowance		****	Allowance		****	Total		****	Allowance		****	Allowance		****	Total		****	2021		****	2020
Commercial real estate:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-owner occupied	​	$	997	​	$	368	​	$	1,365	​	$	1,213	​	$	445	​	$	1,658	​	$	74	​	$	(97)
Owner occupied	​		3,363	​	​	5,940	​	​	9,303	​		3,473	​	​	6,002	​	​	9,475	​	​	90	​	​	16
Commercial and industrial	​	​	12,572	​	​	23,572	​	​	36,144	​	​	10,821	​	​	23,228	​	​	34,049	​	​	143	​	​	300
Construction and land development	​		101	​	​	400	​	​	501	​		102	​	​	405	​	​	507	​	​	15	​	​	22
1-4 family residential	​		2,852	​	​	19,801	​	​	22,653	​		4,726	​	​	16,651	​	​	21,377	​	​	924	​	​	983
Consumer	​		26	​	​	—	​	​	26	​		28	​	​	—	​	​	28	​	​	—	​	​	(5)
Broker-dealer	​		—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​		—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—
​	​	$	19,911	​	$	50,081	​	$	69,992	​	$	20,363	​	$	46,731	​	$	67,094	​	$	1,246	​	$	1,219

​

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $8.3 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of real estate loans secured by residential properties and classified as held for sale were in non-accrual status.

​

Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis increased $2.9 million from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in commercial and industrial loans of $2.1 million and an increase in 1-4 family residential loans of $1.3 million. The increase in commercial and industrial loans in non-accrual status since December 31, 2020 was primarily due to four relationships that included six loans totaling $2.9 million and had a $1.0 million reserve at 19

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Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

March 31, 2021. The increase in 1-4 family residential loans in non-accrual status at March 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, was primarily related to the classification of $3.6 million of loans as non-accrual, that were previously classified as accruing.

​

The Company considers non-accrual loans to be collateral-dependent unless there are underlying mitigating circumstances. The practical expedient to measure the allowance using the fair value of the collateral has been implemented.

​

The Bank classifies loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) when it concludes that it has both granted a concession to a debtor and that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. Loan modifications are typically structured to create affordable payments for the debtor and can be achieved in a variety of ways. The Bank modifies loans by reducing interest rates and/or lengthening loan amortization schedules. The Bank may also reconfigure a single loan into two or more loans (“A/B Note”). The typical A/B Note restructure results in a “bad” loan which is charged off and a “good” loan or loans, the terms of which comply with the Bank’s customary underwriting policies. The debt charged off on the “bad” loan is not forgiven to the debtor.

​

In March 2020, the CARES Act was passed, which, among other things, allows the Bank to suspend the requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR, including the related impairment for accounting purposes. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 was signed into law*.* Section 541 of this legislation, “Extension of Temporary Relief From Troubled Debt Restructurings and Insurer Clarification,” extends certain relief provisions from the March CARES Act that were set to expire at the end of 2020. This new legislation extends the relief to financial institutions to suspend TDR assessment and reporting requirements under GAAP for loan modifications to the earlier of 60 days after the national emergency termination date or January 1, 2022. The Bank’s COVID-19 payment deferral programs allow for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on maturity date of the existing loan. The Bank’s actions included approval of approximately $1.0 billion in COVID-19 related loan modifications as of December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, the Bank continued to support its impacted banking clients through the approval of COVID-19 related loan modifications, which resulted in an additional $8 million of new COVID-19 related loan modifications since December 31, 2020. The portfolio of active deferrals that have not reached the end of their deferral period was approximately $130 million as of March 31, 2021. While the majority of the portfolio of COVID-19 related loan modifications no longer require deferral, such loans may represent elevated risk, and therefore management continues to monitor these loans. The extent to which these measures will impact the Bank is uncertain, and any progression of loans, whether receiving COVID-19 payment deferrals or not, into non-accrual status during future periods is uncertain and will depend on future developments that cannot be predicted.

​

There were no TDRs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that do not qualify for the CARES Act exemption. There was one TDR granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 with a balance at date of extension of $1.1 million and a balance at March 31, 2020 of $1.2 million. The Bank had nominal unadvanced commitments to borrowers whose loans had been restructured in TDRs at March 31, 2021 and at December 31, 2020. There were no TDRs granted during the twelve months preceding March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, for which a payment was at least 30 days past due.

​

An analysis of the aging of the Company’s loan portfolio is shown in the following tables (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	Accruing Loans		****
​	​	Loans Past Due		​	Loans Past Due		​	Loans Past Due		​	Total Past		​	Current		​	Total		​	Past Due		****
March 31, 2021	​	30-59 Days		​	60-89 Days		​	90 Days or More		​	Due Loans		​	Loans		​	Loans		​	90 Days or More		****
Commercial real estate:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-owner occupied	​	$	4,618	​	$	—	​	$	199	​	$	4,817	​	$	1,769,495	​	$	1,774,312	​	$	—	​
Owner occupied	​		3,270	​	​	79	​	​	7,436	​	​	10,785	​	​	1,329,839	​	​	1,340,624	​	​	—	​
Commercial and industrial	​	​	2,021	​	​	868	​	​	9,744	​	​	12,633	​	​	2,561,596	​	​	2,574,229	​	​	—	​
Construction and land development	​		19	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	19	​	​	821,864	​	​	821,883	​	​	—	​
1-4 family residential	​		8,148	​	​	1,807	​	​	10,943	​	​	20,898	​	​	724,646	​	​	745,544	​	​	—	​
Consumer	​		38	​	​	23	​	​	26	​	​	87	​	​	33,803	​	​	33,890	​	​	—	​
Broker-dealer	​		—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	520,175	​	​	520,175	​	​	—	​
​	​	$	18,114	​	$	2,777	​	$	28,348	​	$	49,239	​	$	7,761,418	​	$	7,810,657	​	$	—	​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​	****	Accruing Loans		****
​	​	Loans Past Due		​	Loans Past Due		​	Loans Past Due		​	Total Past		​	Current		​	Total		​	Past Due		****
December 31, 2020	​	30-59 Days		​	60-89 Days		​	90 Days or More		​	Due Loans		​	Loans		​	Loans		​	90 Days or More		****
Commercial real estate:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-owner occupied	​	$	1,919	​	$	—	​	$	199	​	$	2,118	​	$	1,786,193	​	$	1,788,311	​	$	—	​
Owner occupied	​		195	​	​	522	​	​	8,328	​	​	9,045	​	​	1,336,547	​	​	1,345,592	​	​	—	​
Commercial and industrial	​	​	3,114	​	​	407	​	​	7,318	​	​	10,839	​	​	2,616,935	​	​	2,627,774	​	​	6	​
Construction and land development	​		19	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	19	​	​	828,833	​	​	828,852	​	​	—	​
1-4 family residential	​		8,110	​	​	3,040	​	​	12,420	​	​	23,570	​	​	606,368	​	​	629,938	​	​	—	​
Consumer	​		172	​	​	123	​	​	26	​	​	321	​	​	35,346	​	​	35,667	​	​	—	​
Broker-dealer	​		—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	437,007	​	​	437,007	​	​	—	​
​	​	$	13,529	​	$	4,092	​	$	28,291	​	$	45,912	​	$	7,647,229	​	$	7,693,141	​	$	6	​

​

In addition to the loans shown in the tables above, PrimeLending had $265.2 million and $243.6 million of loans included in loans held for sale (with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $267.0 million and $245.5 million, respectively) that were 90 days past due and accruing interest at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. These loans are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and include loans that are subject to repurchase, or have been repurchased, by PrimeLending.

​

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company allowed modifications, such as payment deferrals for up to 90 days and temporary forbearance, to credit-worthy borrowers who are experiencing temporary hardship due to the effects of COVID-19. These short-term modifications generally meet the criteria of the CARES Act and, therefore, they are not reported as past due or placed on non-accrual status (provided the loans were not past due or on non-accrual status prior to the deferral). The Company elected to accrue and recognize interest income on these modifications during the payment deferral period.

​

Additionally, the Company granted temporary forbearance to borrowers of a federally backed mortgage loan experiencing financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, which among other things, established the ability for financial institutions to grant a forbearance for up to 180 days, which can be extended for an additional 180-day period upon the request of the borrower. During that time, no fees, penalties or interest beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the mortgage contract will accrue on the borrower’s account. As of March 31, 2021, PrimeLending had $152.0 million of loans subject to repurchase under a forbearance agreement related to delinquencies on or after April 1, 2020.

​

Management tracks credit quality trends on a quarterly basis related to: (i) past due levels, (ii) non-performing asset levels, (iii) classified loan levels, and (iv) general economic conditions in state and local markets. The Company defines classified loans as loans with a risk rating of substandard, doubtful or loss. There have been no changes to the risk rating internal grades utilized for commercial loans as described in detail in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

The following table presents loans held for investment grouped by asset class and credit quality indicator, segregated by year of origination or renewal (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year																	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	2016 and	​	​	​	​	​	​
March 31, 2021	​	2021		​	2020		​	2019		​	2018		​	2017		​	​	Prior	​	Revolving		​	Total
Commercial real estate: non-owner occupied	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)	​	$	1,315	​	$	21,584	​	$	25,522	​	$	2,967	​	$	1,543	​	$	25,102	​	$	1	​	$	78,034
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)	​	​	77,105	​	​	215,239	​	​	118,279	​	​	80,556	​	​	87,046	​	​	141,703	​	​	29,881	​	​	749,809
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)	​	​	47,159	​	​	254,256	​	​	144,782	​	​	90,039	​	​	87,938	​	​	159,420	​	​	1,060	​	​	784,654
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	953	​	​	—	​	​	3,147	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	4,100
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)	​	​	15,569	​	​	16,863	​	​	16,114	​	​	27,690	​	​	24,912	​	​	55,090	​	​	112	​	​	156,350
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	1,365	​	​	—	​	​	1,365
Commercial real estate: owner occupied	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)	​	$	53,912	​	$	62,479	​	$	20,802	​	$	9,650	​	$	40,569	​	$	39,802	​	$	953	​	$	228,167
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)	​	​	14,627	​	​	160,608	​	​	140,191	​	​	132,548	​	​	55,572	​	​	129,848	​	​	33,823	​	​	667,217
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)	​	​	9,537	​	​	117,480	​	​	75,922	​	​	45,331	​	​	22,478	​	​	47,365	​	​	1,285	​	​	319,398
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)	​	​	3,128	​	​	9,554	​	​	5,578	​	​	70,928	​	​	10,222	​	​	17,129	​	​	—	​	​	116,539
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)	​	​	19	​	​	504	​	​	1,260	​	​	360	​	​	5,316	​	​	1,844	​	​	—	​	​	9,303
Commercial and industrial	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)	​	$	6,841	​	$	32,861	​	$	26,279	​	$	7,850	​	$	5,176	​	$	3,202	​	$	20,597	​	$	102,806
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)	​	​	37,973	​	​	162,663	​	​	50,894	​	​	49,216	​	​	26,491	​	​	25,428	​	​	398,758	​	​	751,423
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)	​	​	28,608	​	​	73,506	​	​	43,507	​	​	16,768	​	​	11,714	​	​	15,336	​	​	202,553	​	​	391,992
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)	​	​	735	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	735
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)	​	​	2,082	​	​	9,227	​	​	3,356	​	​	10,492	​	​	5,394	​	​	5,612	​	​	19,248	​	​	55,411
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)	​	​	6,851	​	​	18,791	​	​	4,398	​	​	1,927	​	​	283	​	​	101	​	​	3,793	​	​	36,144
Construction and land development	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)	​	$	4,088	​	$	10,353	​	$	2,538	​	$	4,075	​	$	256	​	$	4,316	​	$	1,203	​	$	26,829
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)	​	​	46,669	​	​	193,481	​	​	94,295	​	​	62,581	​	​	2,129	​	​	5,547	​	​	35,272	​	​	439,974
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)	​	​	33,597	​	​	164,634	​	​	58,067	​	​	48,030	​	​	630	​	​	3,609	​	​	14,223	​	​	322,790
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)	​	​	366	​	​	2,106	​	​	1,423	​	​	—	​	​	5,391	​	​	—	​	​	5,485	​	​	14,771
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)	​	​	400	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	101	​	​	—	​	​	501
Construction and land development - individuals	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
FICO less than 620	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—
FICO between 620 and 720	​	​	181	​	​	74	​	​	—	​	​	1,244	​	​	—	​	​	127	​	​	—	​	​	1,626
FICO greater than 720	​	​	4,276	​	​	9,738	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	14,014
Substandard non-accrual	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—
Other (1)	​	​	25	​	​	1,353	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	1,378
1-4 family residential	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
FICO less than 620	​	$	—	​	$	1,249	​	$	787	​	$	3,668	​	$	55	​	$	30,157	​	$	311	​	$	36,227
FICO between 620 and 720	​	​	6,205	​	​	14,019	​	​	16,317	​	​	9,396	​	​	8,291	​	​	46,118	​	​	1,270	​	​	101,616
FICO greater than 720	​	​	137,140	​	​	141,403	​	​	72,909	​	​	55,977	​	​	26,799	​	​	88,019	​	​	4,337	​	​	526,584
Substandard non-accrual	​	​	162	​	​	—	​	​	822	​	​	—	​	​	142	​	​	21,527	​	​	—	​	​	22,653
Other (1)	​	​	11,736	​	​	26,093	​	​	9,456	​	​	5,717	​	​	1,371	​	​	3,050	​	​	1,041	​	​	58,464
Consumer	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
FICO less than 620	​	$	179	​	$	828	​	$	923	​	$	92	​	$	87	​	$	59	​	$	315	​	$	2,483
FICO between 620 and 720	​	​	2,419	​	​	3,012	​	​	1,774	​	​	375	​	​	513	​	​	111	​	​	2,075	​	​	10,279
FICO greater than 720	​	​	1,339	​	​	6,283	​	​	1,407	​	​	2,681	​	​	112	​	​	72	​	​	2,835	​	​	14,729
Substandard non-accrual	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	25	​	​	1	​	​	—	​	​	26
Other (1)	​	​	1,600	​	​	3,440	​	​	873	​	​	80	​	​	28	​	​	35	​	​	317	​	​	6,373
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total loans with credit quality measures	​	$	555,843	​	$	1,733,681	​	$	939,428	​	$	740,238	​	$	433,630	​	$	871,196	​	$	780,748	​	$	6,054,764
Commercial and industrial (mortgage warehouse lending)	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	743,347
Commercial and industrial (Paycheck Protection Program loans)	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	492,371
Broker-Dealer (margin loans and correspondent receivables)	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	520,175
Total loans held for investment	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	7,810,657

(1)    Loans classified in this category were assigned a FICO score based on various factors specific to the borrower for credit modeling purposes.

​

​

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

7. Allowance for Credit Losses

​

​

​

Available for Sale Securities and Held to Maturity Securities

​

The Company has evaluated available for sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and has determined that any decline in value is unrelated to credit loss and related to changes in market interest rates since purchase. None of the available for sale debt securities held were past due at March 31, 2021. In addition, as of March 31, 2021, the Company had not made a decision to sell any of its debt securities held, nor did the Company consider it more likely than not that it would be required to sell such securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The Company does not expect to have credit losses associated with the debt securities and no allowance was recognized on the debt securities portfolio at transition.

​

Loans Held for Investment

​

The allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment represents management’s best estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing portfolio. Management revised its methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses upon the implementation of the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) standard. Management considers the level of allowance for credit losses to be a reasonable and supportable estimate of expected credit losses inherent within the loans held for investment portfolio as of March 31, 2021. While the Company believes it has an appropriate allowance for the existing loan portfolio at March 31, 2021, additional provision for losses on existing loans may be necessary in the future. Future changes in the allowance for credit losses are expected to be volatile given dependence upon, among other things, the portfolio composition and quality, as well as the impact of significant drivers, including prepayment assumptions and macroeconomic conditions and forecasts. In addition to the allowance for credit losses, the Company maintains a separate allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet credit exposures, including unfunded loan commitments, and this amount is included in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. For further information on the policies that govern the estimation of the allowances for credit losses levels, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

​

One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. To determine our best estimate of expected credit losses as of March 31, 2021, the Company utilized a single macroeconomic consensus scenario published by Moody’s Analytics in March 2021 that was updated to reflect the U.S. economic outlook. This consensus scenario utilizes multiple economic variables in forecasting the economic outlook and is based on Moody’s Analytics’ review of a variety of surveys of baseline forecasts of the U.S. economy. Significant variables that impact the modeled losses across our loan portfolios are the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, growth rates and unemployment rate assumptions. Changes in these assumptions and forecasts of economic conditions could significantly affect the estimate of expected credit losses at the balance sheet date or between reporting periods.

​

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a weak labor market and weak overall economic conditions that have affected borrowers across our lending portfolios. Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic downturn, as well as its potential impact on borrower defaults and loss severity. In particular, macroeconomic conditions and forecasts regarding the duration and severity of the economic downturn are rapidly changing and remain highly uncertain as COVID-19 cases and vaccine effectiveness evolve nationally and in key geographies.

​

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company adopted the new CECL standard and recorded transition adjustment entries that resulted in an allowance for credit losses of $73.7 million as of January 1, 2020, an increase of $12.6 million. This increase included an increase in credit losses of $18.9 million from the expansion of the loss horizon to life of loan, partially offset by the elimination of the non-credit component within the historical allowance related to previously categorized PCI loans of $6.3 million.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, reserves on individually evaluated loans increased $17.6 million, while reserves on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans increased primarily due to the increase in the expected 23

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

lifetime credit losses under CECL attributable to the deteriorating economic outlook associated with the impact of the market disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While not material, the change in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was also attributable to other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix and changes in risk rating grades. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was also impacted by net charge-offs of $1.5 million.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the allowance was primarily comprised of a net reversal of credit losses on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans of $6.5 million primarily due to improvements in the macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter, partially offset by slower prepayment assumptions on certain commercial real estate and construction and land portfolios, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses on individually evaluated loans of $1.4 million primarily related to changes in risk rating grades and updated realizable values. The change in the allowance for credit losses during the current period was primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix, and changes in qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was also impacted by net recoveries of $0.6 million.

​

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment, are shown below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	Balance,		****	Transition		****	Provision for		****	​		****	Recoveries on		****	Balance,		​
​	​	Beginning of		​	Adjustment		​	(Reversal of)		​	Loans		​	Charged Off		​	End of		​
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021	​	Period		​	CECL		​	Credit Losses		​	Charged Off		​	Loans		​	Period		​
Commercial real estate	​	$	109,629	​	$	—	​	$	(5,517)	​	$	—	​	$	14	​	$	104,126	​
Commercial and industrial	​		27,703	​		—	​	​	556	​	​	(179)	​	​	433	​		28,513	​
Construction and land development	​		6,677	​		—	​	​	572	​	​	—	​	​	—	​		7,249	​
1-4 family residential	​		3,946	​		—	​	​	(857)	​	​	(110)	​	​	409	​		3,388	​
Consumer	​	​	876	​	​	—	​	​	71	​	​	(79)	​	​	76	​	​	944	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	213	​	​	—	​	​	66	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	279	​
Total	​	$	149,044	​	$	—	​	$	(5,109)	​	$	(368)	​	$	932	​	$	144,499	​

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	Balance,		****	Transition		****	Provision for		****	​		****	Recoveries on		****	Balance,		****
​	​	Beginning of		​	Adjustment		​	(Reversal of)		​	Loans		​	Charged Off		​	End of		​
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020	​	Period		​	CECL		​	Credit Losses		​	Charged Off		​	Loans		​	Period		​
Commercial real estate	​	$	31,595	​	$	8,073	​	$	14,475	​	$	(214)	​	$	10	​	$	53,939	​
Commercial and industrial	​		17,964	​	​	3,193	​	​	18,446	​	​	(1,440)	​	​	387	​		38,550	​
Construction and land development	​		4,878	​	​	577	​	​	907	​	​	(2)	​	​	—	​		6,360	​
1-4 family residential	​		6,386	​	​	(29)	​	​	201	​	​	(203)	​	​	10	​		6,365	​
Consumer	​	​	265	​	​	748	​	​	246	​	​	(176)	​	​	120	​	​	1,203	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	48	​	​	—	​	​	274	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	322	​
Total	​	$	61,136	​	$	12,562	​	$	34,549	​	$	(2,035)	​	$	527	​	$	106,739	​

​

Unfunded Loan Commitments

​

The Bank uses a process similar to that used in estimating the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion to estimate the allowance for credit loss on unfunded loan commitments. The allowance is based on the estimated exposure at default, multiplied by the lifetime Probability of Default grade and Loss Given Default grade for that particular loan segment. The Bank estimates expected losses by calculating a commitment usage factor based on industry usage factors. The commitment usage factor is applied over the relevant contractual period. Loss factors from the underlying loans to which commitments are related are applied to the results of the usage calculation to estimate any liability for credit losses related for each loan type. The expected losses on unfunded commitments align with statistically calculated parameters used to calculate the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. There is no reserve calculated for letters of credit as they are issued primarily as credit enhancements and the likelihood of funding is low.

​ 24

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for loans with off-balance sheet credit exposures are shown below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​		​	2021		​	2020
Balance, beginning of period	​	​	$	8,388	​	$	2,075
Transition adjustment CECL accounting standard	​	​	​	—	​	​	3,837
Other noninterest expense	​	​	​	419	​	​	1,297
Balance, end of period	​	​	$	8,807	​	$	7,209

​

As previously discussed, the Company adopted the new CECL standard and recorded a transition adjustment entry that resulted in an allowance for credit losses of $5.9 million as of January 1, 2020. During three months ended March 31, 2020, the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to the macroeconomic uncertainties associated with the impact of the market disruption caused by COVID-19 conditions. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to increases in available commitment balances.

​

​

​

8. Mortgage Servicing Rights

​

The following tables present the changes in fair value of the Company’s MSR asset and other information related to the serviced portfolio (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
​	2021		​	2020		​
Balance, beginning of period	$	143,742	​	$	55,504	​
Additions		34,301	​		4,475	​
Sales		(52,783)	​		(18,650)	​
Changes in fair value:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Due to changes in model inputs or assumptions ^(1)^		24,137	​		(9,594)	​
Due to customer payoffs		(7,272)	​		(1,436)	​
Balance, end of period	$	142,125	​	$	30,299	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	2021		​	2020		​
Mortgage loans serviced for others ^(2)^	$	12,124,282	​	$	14,643,623	​
MSR asset as a percentage of serviced mortgage loans		1.17	%		0.98	%
(1)	Primarily represents normal customer payments, changes in discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions, which are primarily affected by changes in interest rates and the refinement of other MSR model assumptions.
---	---
(2)	Represents unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans serviced for others.
---	---

​

The key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the Company’s MSR asset were as follows.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	March 31,	​	​	December 31,	​
​	​	2021	​	****	2020	​
Weighted average constant prepayment rate		11.28	%	​	12.15	%
Weighted average discount rate		13.68	%	​	14.60	%
Weighted average life (in years)		6.6	​	​	6.3	​

​ 25

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

A sensitivity analysis of the fair value of the Company’s MSR asset to certain key assumptions is presented in the following table (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	****	2021		****	2020		​
Constant prepayment rate:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Impact of 10% adverse change	​	$	(4,229)	​	$	(5,639)	​
Impact of 20% adverse change	​		(8,497)	​		(11,164)	​
Discount rate:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Impact of 10% adverse change	​		(6,418)	​		(6,435)	​
Impact of 20% adverse change	​		(12,254)	​		(12,287)	​

​

This sensitivity analysis presents the effect of hypothetical changes in key assumptions on the fair value of the MSR asset. The effect of such hypothetical change in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in one key assumption to the change in the fair value of the MSR asset is not linear. In addition, in the analysis, the impact of an adverse change in one key assumption is calculated independent of any impact on other assumptions. In reality, changes in one assumption may change another assumption.

​

Contractually specified servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned of $16.2 million and $5.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were included in net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income within the consolidated statements of operations.

​

9. Deposits

​

Deposits are summarized as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	****	2021		****	2020		​
Noninterest-bearing demand	​	$	4,031,181	​	$	3,612,384	​
Interest-bearing:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Demand accounts	​		2,568,355	​		2,399,341	​
Brokered - demand	​		186,011	​		282,426	​
Money market	​		2,895,070	​		2,716,878	​
Brokered - money market	​		213,978	​		124,243	​
Savings	​		271,910	​		276,327	​
Time	​		1,327,177	​		1,506,435	​
Brokered - time	​		239,097	​		324,285	​
​	​	$	11,732,779	​	$	11,242,319	​

​

​

10. Short-term Borrowings

​

Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		****
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Federal funds purchased	​	$	158,835	​	$	180,325	​
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	​		123,437	​		237,856	​
Federal Home Loan Bank	​		—	​		—	​
Short-term bank loans	​	​	58,000	​	​	—	​
Commercial paper	​		336,380	​		277,617	​
​	​	$	676,652	​	$	695,798	​

​

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature daily, on demand, or on some other short-term basis. The Bank and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers execute transactions to sell securities under 26

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

agreements to repurchase with both customers and other broker-dealers. Securities involved in these transactions are held by the Bank, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers or a third-party dealer.

​

Information concerning federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase is shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	​
​	​	2021		​	2020		****	​
Average balance during the period	​	$	367,313	​	$	732,954	​	​
Average interest rate during the period	​		0.36	%	​	1.78	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​	​
​	****	2021		****	2020		​	​
Average interest rate at end of period		​	0.25	%	​	0.25	%	​
Securities underlying the agreements at end of period:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Carrying value	​	$	123,392	​	$	237,913	​	​
Estimated fair value	​	$	134,558	​	$	262,554	​	​

​

FHLB short-term borrowings mature over terms not exceeding 365 days and are collateralized by FHLB Dallas stock, nonspecified real estate loans and certain specific commercial real estate loans. Other information regarding FHLB short-term borrowings is shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	​
​	​	2021		​	2020		​	​
Average balance during the period	​	$	—	​	$	153,736	​	​
Average interest rate during the period	​	​	—	%	​	1.63	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​

​

The Hilltop Broker-Dealers use short-term bank loans periodically to finance securities owned, margin loans to customers and correspondents and underwriting activities. Interest on the borrowings varies with the federal funds rate. The weighted average interest rate on the borrowings at March 31, 2021 was 1.25%.

​

Hilltop Securities uses the net proceeds (after deducting related issuance expenses) from the sale of two commercial paper programs for general corporate purposes, including working capital and the funding of a portion of its securities inventories. The commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) may be issued with maturities of 14 days to 270 days from the date of issuance. The CP Notes are issued under two separate programs, Series 2019-1 CP Notes and Series 2019-2 CP Notes, in maximum aggregate amounts of $300 million and $200 million, respectively. The CP Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity or subject to voluntary prepayment and do not bear interest, but are sold at a discount to par. The CP Notes are secured by a pledge of collateral owned by Hilltop Securities. As of March 31, 2021, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 157 days at a rate of 1.13%, with a weighted average remaining life of 106 days. At March 31, 2021, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $336.4 million, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $364.1 million.

​

11. Notes Payable

​

Notes payable consisted of the following (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,
​	****	2021		****	2020
Senior Notes due April 2025, net of discount of $1,020 and $1,063, respectively	​	$	148,980	​	$	148,937
Subordinated Notes due May 2030, net of discount of $771 and $793, respectively	​	​	49,229	​	​	49,207
Subordinated Notes due May 2035, net of discount of $2,350 and $2,392, respectively	​	​	147,650	​	​	147,608
Ventures Management lines of credit	​		55,854	​		36,235
​	​	$	401,713	​	$	381,987

​

​

​ 27

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

12. Leases

​

Supplemental balance sheet information related to finance leases is as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,
​	​	​	2021		​	2020
Finance leases:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Premises and equipment	​	​	$	7,780	​	$	7,780
Accumulated depreciation	​	​	​	(4,915)	​	​	(4,768)
Premises and equipment, net	​	​	$	2,865	​	$	3,012

​

The components of lease costs, including short-term lease costs, are as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	​	​	2021		​	2020
Operating lease cost	​	​	$	9,718	​	$	10,630
Less operating lease and sublease income	​	​	​	(339)	​	​	(618)
Net operating lease cost	​	​	$	9,379	​	$	10,012
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Finance lease cost:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Amortization of ROU assets	​	​	$	147	​	$	147
Interest on lease liabilities	​	​	​	134	​	​	144
Total finance lease cost	​	​	$	281	​	$	291

​

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
​	​	2021		​	2020		​
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Operating cash flows from operating leases	​	$	9,240	​	$	9,951	​
Operating cash flows from finance leases	​	​	134	​	​	144	​
Financing cash flows from finance leases	​	​	167	​	​	155	​
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Operating leases	​	$	6,334	​	$	4,049	​
Finance leases	​	​	—	​	​	—	​

​

Information regarding the lease terms and discount rates of the Company’s leases is as follows.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021				​	December 31, 2020
​	​	Weighted Average	​	​		​	Weighted Average	​	​
​	​	Remaining Lease	​	Weighted Average		​	Remaining Lease	​	Weighted Average
Lease Classification	​	Term (Years)	​	Discount Rate		​	Term (Years)	​	Discount Rate
Operating	​	5.4	​	4.56	%	​	5.5	​	4.67	%
Finance	​	5.4	​	4.82	%	​	5.6	​	4.81	%

​

​ 28

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

Future minimum lease payments under lease agreements as of March 31, 2021, are presented below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Operating Leases		​	Finance Leases
2021	$	26,677	​	$	911
2022	​	29,233	​	​	1,241
2023	​	23,488	​	​	1,280
2024	​	15,875	​	​	1,163
2025	​	11,593	​	​	886
Thereafter	​	29,884	​	​	1,411
Total minimum lease payments	​	136,750	​	​	6,892
Less amount representing interest	​	(16,411)	​	​	(2,199)
Lease liabilities	$	120,339	​	$	4,693

​

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had additional operating leases that have not yet commenced with aggregate future minimum lease payments of approximately $23.2 million. These operating leases are expected to commence between April 2021 and October 2021 with lease terms ranging from three to eleven years.

​

13. Income Taxes

​

The Company applies an estimated annual effective rate to interim period pre-tax income to calculate the income tax provision for the quarter in accordance with the principal method prescribed by the accounting guidance established for computing income taxes in interim periods. The Company’s effective tax rates from continuing operations were 23.4% and 23.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and approximated the applicable statutory rates for such periods.

​

14. Commitments and Contingencies

​

Legal Matters

​

The Company is subject to loss contingencies related to litigation, claims, investigations and legal and administrative cases and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company evaluates these contingencies based on information currently available, including advice of counsel. The Company establishes accruals for those matters when a loss contingency is considered probable and the related amount is reasonably estimable. Any accruals are periodically reviewed and may be adjusted as circumstances change. A portion of the Company’s exposure with respect to loss contingencies may be offset by applicable insurance coverage. In determining the amounts of any accruals or estimates of possible loss contingencies, the Company does not take into account the availability of insurance coverage. When it is practicable, the Company estimates loss contingencies for possible litigation and claims, whether or not there is an accrued probable loss. When the Company is able to estimate such probable losses, and when it estimates that it is reasonably possible it could incur losses in excess of amounts accrued, the Company is required to make a disclosure of the aggregate estimation. As available information changes, however, the matters for which the Company is able to estimate, as well as the estimates themselves, will be adjusted accordingly.

​

Assessments of litigation and claims exposures are difficult due to many factors that involve inherent unpredictability. Those factors include the following: the varying stages of the proceedings, particularly in the early stages; unspecified, unsupported, or uncertain damages; damages other than compensatory, such as punitive damages; a matter presenting meaningful legal uncertainties, including novel issues of law; multiple defendants and jurisdictions; whether discovery has begun or is complete; whether meaningful settlement discussions have commenced; and whether the claim involves a class action and if so, how the class is defined. As a result of some of these factors, the Company may be unable to estimate reasonably possible losses with respect to some or all of the pending and threatened litigation and claims asserted against the Company.

​

The Company is involved in information-gathering requests and investigations (both formal and informal), as well as reviews, examinations and proceedings (collectively, “Inquiries”) by various governmental regulatory agencies, law enforcement authorities and self-regulatory bodies regarding certain of its businesses, business practices and policies, as 29

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

well as the conduct of persons with whom it does business. Additional Inquiries will arise from time to time. In connection with those Inquiries, the Company receives document requests, subpoenas and other requests for information. The Inquiries could develop into administrative, civil or criminal proceedings or enforcement actions that could result in consequences that have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a whole. Such consequences could include adverse judgments, findings, settlements, penalties, fines, orders, injunctions, restitution, or alterations in the Company’s business practices, and could result in additional expenses and collateral costs, including reputational damage.

​

PrimeLending received an investigative inquiry from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia regarding PrimeLending’s float down option. At this time, the United States Attorney has requested certain materials with respect to this matter, and PrimeLending is fully cooperating with such requests.

​

While the final outcome of litigation and claims exposures or of any Inquiries is inherently unpredictable, management is currently of the opinion that the outcome of pending and threatened litigation and inquiries will not, except related to specific matters disclosed above, have a material effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a whole. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is reasonably possible that an adverse outcome in any matter, including the matters discussed above, could be material to the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period of occurrence.

​

Indemnification Liability Reserve

​

The mortgage origination segment may be responsible to agencies, investors, or other parties for errors or omissions relating to its representations and warranties that each loan sold meets certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. If determined to be at fault, the mortgage origination segment either repurchases the affected loan from or indemnifies the claimant against loss. The mortgage origination segment has established an indemnification liability reserve for such probable losses.

​

Generally, the mortgage origination segment first becomes aware that an agency, investor, or other party believes a loss has been incurred on a sold loan when it receives a written request from the claimant to repurchase the loan or reimburse the claimant’s losses. Upon completing its review of the claimant’s request, the mortgage origination segment establishes a specific claims reserve for the loan if it concludes its obligation to the claimant is both probable and reasonably estimable.

​

An additional reserve has been established for probable agency, investor or other party losses that may have been incurred, but not yet reported to the mortgage origination segment based upon a reasonable estimate of such losses. Factors considered in the calculation of this reserve include, but are not limited to, the total volume of loans sold exclusive of specific claimant requests, actual claim settlements and the severity of estimated losses resulting from future claims, and the mortgage origination segment’s history of successfully curing defects identified in claim requests. In addition, the mortgage origination segment has considered that GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC have imposed certain restrictions on loans the agencies will accept under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could increase the magnitude of indemnification losses on these loans.

​

While the mortgage origination segment’s sales contracts typically include borrower early payment default repurchase provisions, these provisions have not been a primary driver of claims to date, and therefore, are not a primary factor considered in the calculation of this reserve.

​

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the mortgage origination segment’s indemnification liability reserve totaled $24.3 million and $21.5 million, respectively. The provision for indemnification losses was $3.0 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

​ 30

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

The following tables provide for a rollforward of claims activity for loans put-back to the mortgage origination segment based upon an alleged breach of a representation or warranty with respect to a loan sold and related indemnification liability reserve activity (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Representation and Warranty Specific Claims					****
​	​	Activity - Origination Loan Balance					****
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					****
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Balance, beginning of period	​	$	30,085	​	$	32,144	​
Claims made	​		5,112	​		6,071	​
Claims resolved with no payment	​		(2,914)	​		(984)	​
Repurchases	​		(1,811)	​		(2,330)	​
Indemnification payments	​		(335)	​		(122)	​
Balance, end of period	​	$	30,137	​	$	34,779	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Indemnification Liability Reserve Activity					****
​	****	Three Months Ended March 31,					****
​	​	2021		****	2020		****
Balance, beginning of period	​	$	21,531	​	$	11,776	​
Additions for new sales	​		3,007	​		725	​
Repurchases	​		(124)	​		(271)	​
Early payment defaults	​		(12)	​		(39)	​
Indemnification payments	​		(141)	​		(43)	​
Change in reserves for loans sold in prior years	​		—	​		—	​
Balance, end of period	​	$	24,261	​	$	12,148	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​		2021		​	2020		​
Reserve for Indemnification Liability:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Specific claims	​	$	881	​	$	961	​
Incurred but not reported claims	​		23,380	​		20,570	​
Total	​	$	24,261	​	$	21,531	​

​

Although management considers the total indemnification liability reserve to be appropriate, there may be changes in the reserve over time to address incurred losses due to unanticipated adverse changes in the economy and historical loss patterns, discrete events adversely affecting specific borrowers or industries, and/or actions taken by institutions or investors. The impact of such matters is considered in the reserving process when probable and estimable.

​

15. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

​

Banking

​

The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that involve varying degrees of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement (and therefore the exposure to credit loss) the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

​

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided that the terms established in the contract are met. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and may require payment of fees. Because some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. These letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private 31

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments to customers.

​

In the aggregate, the Bank had outstanding unused commitments to extend credit of $2.0 billion at March 31, 2021 and outstanding financial and performance standby letters of credit of $83.7 million at March 31, 2021.

​

The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and standby letters of credit as it does for loans held for investment. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, in these transactions is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, accounts receivable, marketable securities, interest-bearing deposit accounts, inventory, and property, plant and equipment.

​

Broker-Dealer

​

In the normal course of business, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers execute, settle, and finance various securities transactions that may expose the Hilltop Broker-Dealers to off-balance sheet risk in the event that a customer or counterparty does not fulfill its contractual obligations. Examples of such transactions include the sale of securities not yet purchased by customers or for the accounts of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, use of derivatives to support certain non-profit housing organization clients and to hedge changes in the fair value of certain securities, clearing agreements between the Hilltop Broker-Dealers and various clearinghouses and broker-dealers, secured financing arrangements that involve pledged securities, and when-issued underwriting and purchase commitments.

​

16. Stock-Based Compensation

​

Since 2012, the Company has issued stock-based incentive awards pursuant to the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). In July 2020, pursuant to stockholders’ approval, the Company adopted the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan serves as successor to the 2012 Plan. The 2012 Plan and the 2020 Plan are referred to collectively as “the Equity Plans.”

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, Hilltop granted 4,181 and 10,291 shares of common stock, respectively, pursuant to the Equity Plans to certain non-employee members of the Company’s board of directors for services rendered to the Company.

​

Restricted Stock Units

​

The following table summarizes information about nonvested restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 (shares in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	RSUs
​	​	​	​	​	Weighted
​	​	​	​	​	Average
​	​	​	​	​	Grant Date
​	****	****	Outstanding	****	Fair Value
Balance, December 31, 2020		​	1,833	​	$	21.48
​	Granted	​	532	​	$	32.93
​	Vested/Released	​	(248)	​	$	24.69
​	Forfeited	​	(6)	​	$	22.17
Balance, March 31, 2021		​	2,111	​	$	23.99

​

Vested/Released RSUs include an aggregate of 26,694 shares withheld to satisfy employee statutory tax obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company awarded certain executives and key employees an aggregate of 471,505 RSUs pursuant to the Equity Plans. Of the RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021, 320,377 that were outstanding at March 31, 2021, are subject to time-based vesting conditions and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Of the RSUs granted 32

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(Unaudited)

during the three months ended March 31, 2021, 150,668 that were outstanding at March 31, 2021, provide for cliff vesting based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period.

​

At March 31, 2021, in the aggregate, 1,746,622 of the outstanding RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, and 364,149 outstanding RSUs cliff vest based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period. At March 31, 2021, unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding RSUs of $32.9 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.72 years.

​

17. Regulatory Matters

​

Banking and Hilltop

​

PlainsCapital, which includes the Bank and PrimeLending, and Hilltop are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory — and possibly additional discretionary — actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct, material effect on the consolidated financial statements. The regulations require PlainsCapital and Hilltop to meet specific capital adequacy guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company performs reviews of the classification and calculation of risk-weighted assets to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Basel III regulatory capital requirements as implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The capital classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the companies to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to total average assets (as defined), and minimum ratios of common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and total capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined).

​

In order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, Basel III requires banking organizations to maintain a capital conservation buffer above minimum risk-based capital requirements measured relative to risk-weighted assets.

​

The following table shows PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s actual capital amounts and ratios in accordance with Basel III compared to the regulatory minimum capital requirements including conservation buffer ratio in effect at the end of the period (dollars in thousands). Based on actual capital amounts and ratios shown in the following table, PlainsCapital’s ratios place it in the “well capitalized” (as defined) capital category under regulatory requirements. Actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2021 reflect PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s decision to elect the transition option as issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies in March 2020 that permits banking institutions to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects from CECL over a five-year transitionary period.

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(Unaudited)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Minimum Capital	​	​	****
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Requirements	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021				​	December 31, 2020				​	Including	​	To Be Well	****
​	​	Actual				​	Actual				​	Conservation Buffer	​	Capitalized	****
​	****	Amount		****	Ratio	****	Amount		****	Ratio	****	Ratio	****	Ratio	****
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
PlainsCapital	​	$	1,429,465		10.50	%	$	1,385,842		10.44	%	4.0	%	5.0	%
Hilltop	​		2,221,143		13.01	%		2,111,580		12.64	%	4.0	%	N/A	​
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
PlainsCapital	​	​	1,429,465		14.74	%	​	1,385,842		14.40	%	7.0	%	6.5	%
Hilltop	​	​	2,156,143		19.63	%	​	2,046,580		18.97	%	7.0	%	N/A	​
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
PlainsCapital	​		1,429,465		14.74	%		1,385,842		14.40	%	8.5	%	8.0	%
Hilltop	​		2,221,143		20.22	%		2,111,580		19.57	%	8.5	%	N/A	​
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
PlainsCapital	​		1,515,894		15.64	%		1,470,364		15.27	%	10.5	%	10.0	%
Hilltop	​		2,522,752		22.96	%		2,409,684		22.34	%	10.5	%	N/A	​

​

Broker-Dealer

​

Pursuant to the net capital requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Hilltop Securities has elected to determine its net capital requirements using the alternative method. Accordingly, Hilltop Securities is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined in Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, equal to the greater of $250,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, or 2% of aggregate debit balances, as defined in Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Additionally, the net capital rule of the NYSE provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of the aggregate debit items. Momentum Independent Network follows the primary (aggregate indebtedness) method, as defined in Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, which requires the maintenance of the larger of $250,000 or 6-2/3% of aggregate indebtedness.

​

At March 31, 2021, the net capital position of each of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers was as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	Momentum		​
​	​	Hilltop		​	Independent		​
​	****	Securities		****	Network		****
Net capital	​	$	310,528	​	$	4,348	​
Less: required net capital	​	​	9,220	​	​	264	​
Excess net capital	​	$	301,308	​	$	4,084	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net capital as a percentage of aggregate debit items	​	​	67.4	%	​	​	​
Net capital in excess of 5% aggregate debit items	​	$	287,477	​	​	​	​

​

Under certain conditions, Hilltop Securities may be required to segregate cash and securities in a special reserve account for the benefit of customers under Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Assets segregated for regulatory purposes under the provisions of the Exchange Act are restricted and not available for general corporate purposes. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers held cash of $273.4 million and $290.4 million, respectively, segregated in special reserve bank accounts for the benefit of customers. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers were not required to segregate cash and securities in special reserve accounts for the benefit of proprietary accounts of introducing broker-dealers at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

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Mortgage Origination

​

As a mortgage originator, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries are subject to minimum net worth and liquidity requirements established by HUD and GNMA, as applicable. On an annual basis, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries submit audited financial statements to HUD and GNMA, as applicable, documenting their respective compliance with minimum net worth and liquidity requirements. As of March 31, 2021, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries’ net worth and liquidity exceeded the amounts required by both HUD and GNMA, as applicable.

​

18. Stockholders’ Equity

​

Dividends

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.12 and $0.09 per common share, or an aggregate of $9.9 million and $8.2 million, respectively.

​

On April 22, 2021, Hilltop’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share, payable on May 28, 2021, to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2021.

​

Stock Repurchases

​

In January 2021, the Hilltop board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2022, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of its outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company paid $5.0 million to repurchase an aggregate of 149,878 shares of common stock at an average price of $33.01 per share. The Company’s stock repurchase program, prior year repurchases and related accounting policy are discussed in detail in Note 1 and Note 25 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K.

​

19. Derivative Financial Instruments

​

The Company uses various derivative financial instruments to mitigate interest rate risk. The Bank’s interest rate risk management strategy involves effectively managing the re-pricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities to mitigate potential adverse impacts from changes in interest rates on the Bank’s net interest margin. Additionally, the Bank manages variability of cash flows associated with its variable rate debt in interest-related cash outflows with interest rate swap contracts. PrimeLending has interest rate risk relative to interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) and its inventory of mortgage loans held for sale. PrimeLending is exposed to such interest rate risk from the time an IRLC is made to an applicant to the time the related mortgage loan is sold. To mitigate interest rate risk, PrimeLending executes forward commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities (“MBSs”) and Eurodollar futures. Additionally, PrimeLending has interest rate risk relative to its MSR asset and uses derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and U.S. Treasury bond futures and options to hedge this risk. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers use forward commitments to both purchase and sell MBSs to facilitate customer transactions and as a means to hedge related exposure to interest rate risk in certain inventory positions. Additionally, Hilltop Securities uses various derivative instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options, Eurodollar futures and municipal market data, or MMD, rate locks, to hedge changes in the fair value of its securities.

​

Non-Hedging Derivative Instruments and the Fair Value Option

​

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to measure substantially all mortgage loans held for sale at fair value under the provisions of the Fair Value Option. The election provides the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without applying hedge accounting provisions. The fair values of PrimeLending’s IRLCs and forward commitments are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate, and changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded as a component of net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income. These changes in 35

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

fair value are attributable to changes in the volume of IRLCs, mortgage loans held for sale, commitments to purchase and sell MBSs and MSR assets, and changes in market interest rates. Changes in market interest rates also conversely affect the value of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale and its MSR asset, which are measured at fair value under the Fair Value Option. The effect of the change in market interest rates on PrimeLending’s loans held for sale and MSR asset is discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. The fair values of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ and the Bank’s derivative instruments are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are presented in the following table (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
​	​	2021		****	2020		****
Increase (decrease) in fair value of derivatives during period:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
PrimeLending	​	$	43,839	​	$	19,876	​
Hilltop Broker-Dealers	​	​	(22,194)	​	​	(8,141)	​
Bank	​	​	11	​	​	(135)	​

​

Hedging Derivative Instruments

​

The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts to manage the exposure to changes in fair value associated with certain available for sale fixed rate collateralized mortgage backed securities and fixed rate loans held for investment attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate. Certain of these fair value hedges have been designated as a last-of-layer hedge, which provides the Company the ability to execute a fair value hedge of the interest rate risk associated with a portfolio of similar prepayable assets whereby the last dollar amount estimated to remain in the portfolio of assets is identified as the hedged item. Additionally, the Company has outstanding interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges and utilized to manage the variability of cash flows associated with its variable rate borrowings.

​

Under each of its interest rate swap contracts designated as hedges, the Company receives a floating rate and pays a fixed rate on the outstanding notional amount. The Company assesses the hedge effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. To the extent that the derivative instruments are highly effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows or fair value, changes in the fair value of the derivative are included as a component of other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheets. Although the Company has determined at the onset of the hedges that the derivative instruments will be highly effective hedges throughout the term of the contract, any portion of derivative instruments subsequently determined to be ineffective will be recognized in earnings.

​

Derivative positions are presented in the following table (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021					​	December 31, 2020
​	****	Notional		****	Estimated		****	Notional		****	Estimated
​	​	Amount		​	Fair Value		​	Amount		​	Fair Value
Derivative instruments (not designated as hedges):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
IRLCs	​	$	2,673,869	​	$	48,809	​	$	2,470,013	​	$	76,048
Commitments to purchase MBSs	​		2,075,777	​		(20,185)	​		2,478,041	​		22,311
Commitments to sell MBSs	​	​	5,837,856	​		50,638	​		6,141,079	​		(40,621)
Interest rate swaps	​	​	58,256	​		(502)	​		43,786	​		(2,196)
U.S. Treasury bond futures and options ^(1)^	​	​	324,000	​		—	​		225,400	​		—
Eurodollar and other futures ^(1)^	​	​	201,616	​		—	​		—	​		—
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Derivative instruments (designated as hedges):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges	​	$	125,000	​	$	(885)	​	$	105,000	​	$	(3,112)
Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges ^(2)^	​	​	77,118	​	​	4,178	​	​	60,618	​	​	(130)
(1)	Changes in the fair value of these contracts are settled daily with the respective counterparties of PrimeLending and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers.
---	---
(2)	The Company designated $77.1 million and $60.6 million as the hedged amount (from a closed portfolio of prepayable available for sale securities and loans held for investment with a carrying value of $72.9 million and $60.7 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020,
---	---

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

respectively), of which, a subset of these hedges are in last-of-layer hedging relationships. The cumulative basis adjustment included in the carrying value of the hedged items totaled $4.2 million and $0.1 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

​

​

The decrease in the estimated fair value of the IRLCs at March 31, 2021, compared to December 31, 2020, was driven by a decrease in the average value of individual IRLCs. The impact of this decrease was partially offset by a slight increase in the total volume of IRLCs. The decrease in the average value of individual IRLCs was due to an increase in mortgage interest rates throughout the three months ended March 31, 2021.

​

PrimeLending held cash collateral advances totaling $58.5 million to offset net asset derivative positions on its commitments to sell MBSs at March 31, 2021. This amount is included in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. PrimeLending had advanced cash collateral totaling $26.1 million to offset net liability positions on its commitments to sell MBSs at December 31, 2020. In addition, PrimeLending and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers had advanced cash collateral totaling $4.9 million and $2.7 million on various derivative instruments at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The advanced cash collateral amounts are included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.

​

20. Balance Sheet Offsetting

​

Certain financial instruments, including resale and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements and derivatives, may be eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The following tables present the assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, repurchase agreements, or similar agreements with offsetting rights (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Gross Amounts Not Offset in					​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Net Amounts		​	the Balance Sheet					​	​	​
​	****	Gross Amounts		****	Gross Amounts		****	of Assets		****	****	​	****	Cash		****	****	​
​	​	of Recognized		​	Offset in the		​	Presented in the		​	Financial		​	Collateral		​	Net
​	​	Assets		​	Balance Sheet		​	Balance Sheet		​	Instruments		​	Pledged		​	Amount
March 31, 2021	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities borrowed:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	$	1,545,730	​	$	—	​	$	1,545,730	​	$	(1,539,833)	​	$	—	​	$	5,897
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Reverse repurchase agreements:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	​	106,342	​	​	—	​	​	106,342	​	​	(103,439)	​	​	—	​	​	2,903
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Forward MBS derivatives:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		50,960	​		(322)	​		50,638	​		(7,512)	​		—	​		43,126
​	​	$	1,703,032	​	$	(322)	​	$	1,702,710	​	$	(1,650,784)	​	$	—	​	$	51,926
December 31, 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities borrowed:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	$	1,338,855	​	$	—	​	$	1,338,855	​	$	(1,273,955)	​	$	—	​	$	64,900
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Reverse repurchase agreements:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	​	80,319	​	​	—	​	​	80,319	​	​	(79,925)	​	​	—	​	​	394
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Forward MBS derivatives:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	​	22,311	​	​	—	​	​	22,311	​	​	(22,311)	​	​	—	​	​	—
​	​	$	1,441,485	​	$	—	​	$	1,441,485	​	$	(1,376,191)	​	$	—	​	$	65,294

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Gross Amounts Not Offset in					​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Net Amounts		​	the Balance Sheet					​	​	​
​	****	Gross Amounts		****	Gross Amounts		****	of Liabilities		****	****	​	****	Cash		****	****	​
​	​	of Recognized		​	Offset in the		​	Presented in the		​	Financial		​	Collateral		​	Net
​	​	Liabilities		​	Balance Sheet		​	Balance Sheet		​	Instruments		​	Pledged		​	Amount
March 31, 2021	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities loaned:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	$	1,464,186	​	$	—	​	$	1,464,186	​	$	(1,457,134)	​	$	—	​	$	7,052
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest rate swaps:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		829	​		(327)	​		502	​		(440)	​		—	​		62
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Repurchase agreements:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		123,392	​		—	​		123,392	​		(123,392)	​		—	​		—
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Forward MBS derivatives:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		20,185	​		—	​		20,185	​		(20,185)	​		—	​		—
​	​	$	1,608,592	​	$	(327)	​	$	1,608,265	​	$	(1,601,151)	​	$	—	​	$	7,114
December 31, 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities loaned:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	$	1,245,066	​	$	—	​	$	1,245,066	​	$	(1,179,090)	​	$	—	​	$	65,976
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest rate swaps:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​	​	2,196	​		—	​		2,196	​		(2,123)	​		—	​		73
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Repurchase agreements:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		237,856	​		—	​		237,856	​		(237,856)	​		—	​		—
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Forward MBS derivatives:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Institutional counterparties	​		40,741	​		(120)	​		40,621	​		(12,670)	​		—	​		27,951
​	​	$	1,525,859	​	$	(120)	​	$	1,525,739	​	$	(1,431,739)	​	$	—	​	$	94,000

​

Secured Borrowing Arrangements

​

Secured Borrowings (Repurchase Agreements) — The Company participates in transactions involving securities sold under repurchase agreements, which are secured borrowings and generally mature one to ninety days from the transaction date or involve arrangements with no definite termination date. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transactions. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities, which is monitored on a daily basis.

​

Securities Lending Activities — The Company’s securities lending activities include lending securities for other broker-dealers, lending institutions and its own clearing and retail operations. These activities involve lending securities to other broker-dealers to cover short sales, to complete transactions in which there has been a failure to deliver securities by the required settlement date and as a conduit for financing activities.

​

When lending securities, the Company receives cash or similar collateral and generally pays interest (based on the amount of cash deposited) to the other party to the transaction. Securities lending transactions are executed pursuant to written agreements with counterparties that generally require securities loaned to be marked-to-market on a daily basis. The Company receives collateral in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the fair value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded, as necessary. Collateral adjustments are made on a daily basis through the facilities of various clearinghouses. The Company is a principal in these securities lending transactions and is liable for losses in the event of a failure of any other party to honor its contractual obligation. Management sets credit limits with each counterparty and reviews these limits regularly to monitor the risk level with each counterparty. The Company is subject to credit risk through its securities lending activities if securities prices decline rapidly because the value of the Company’s collateral could fall below the amount of the indebtedness it secures. In rapidly appreciating markets, credit risk increases due to short positions. The Company’s securities lending business subjects the Company to credit risk if a counterparty fails to perform or if collateral securing its obligations is insufficient. In securities transactions, the Company is subject to credit risk during the period between the execution of a trade and the settlement by the customer.

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Table of Contents

Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

The following tables present the remaining contractual maturities of repurchase agreement and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings (in thousands). The Company had no repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Remaining Contractual Maturities
​	​	Overnight and		​	​	​		​	​		Greater Than		​	​	​
March 31, 2021	​	Continuous		​	Up to 30 Days		​	30-90 Days		​	90 Days		​	Total
Repurchase agreement transactions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Asset-backed securities	​	$	12,523	​	$	25,571	​	$	85,298	​	$	—	​	$	123,392
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities lending transactions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Corporate securities	​	​	5,874	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	5,874
Equity securities	​	​	1,458,312	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	1,458,312
Total	​	$	1,476,709	​	$	25,571	​	$	85,298	​	$	—	​	$	1,587,578
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreement and securities lending transactions in offsetting disclosure above										​	​	​	​	$	1,587,578
Amount related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure above	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	—
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Remaining Contractual Maturities
​	​	Overnight and		​	​	​		​	​		Greater Than		​	​	​
December 31, 2020	​	Continuous		​	Up to 30 Days		​	30-90 Days		​	90 Days		​	Total
Repurchase agreement transactions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Asset-backed securities	​	$	110,831	​	$	—	​	$	127,025	​	$	—	​	$	237,856
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities lending transactions:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Corporate securities	​	​	113	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	113
Equity securities	​	​	1,244,953	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	1,244,953
Total	​	$	1,355,897	​	$	—	​	$	127,025	​	$	—	​	$	1,482,922
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreement and securities lending transactions in offsetting disclosure above										​	​	​	​	$	1,482,922
Amount related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure above	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	—

​

​

21. Broker-Dealer and Clearing Organization Receivables and Payables

​

Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables and payables consisted of the following (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		****
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Receivables:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities borrowed	​	$	1,545,730	​	$	1,338,855	​
Securities failed to deliver	​		24,333	​		58,244	​
Trades in process of settlement	​		14,379	​		—	​
Other	​		12,375	​		7,628	​
​	​	$	1,596,817	​	$	1,404,727	​
Payables:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities loaned	​	$	1,464,186	​	$	1,245,066	​
Correspondents	​		42,448	​		33,547	​
Securities failed to receive	​		28,445	​		61,589	​
Trades in process of settlement	​		—	​		21,765	​
Other	​		11,148	​		6,406	​
​	​	$	1,546,227	​	$	1,368,373	​

​

​ 39

Table of Contents

Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

22. Segment and Related Information

​

Following the sale of NLC on June 30, 2020, we have two primary business units within continuing operations, PCC (banking and mortgage origination) and Securities Holdings (broker-dealer). Under GAAP, our continuing operations business units are comprised of three reportable business segments organized primarily by the core products offered to the segments’ respective customers: banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination. These segments reflect the manner in which operations are managed and the criteria used by the chief operating decision maker, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to evaluate segment performance, develop strategy and allocate resources.

​

The banking segment includes the operations of the Bank. The broker-dealer segment includes the operations of Securities Holdings and the mortgage origination segment is composed of PrimeLending.

​

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, during the first quarter of 2020, management had determined that the insurance segment met the criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. On June 30, 2020, Hilltop completed the sale of NLC, which comprised the operations of the former insurance segment. As a result, insurance segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Income from discontinued operations before taxes was $4.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

​

Corporate includes certain activities not allocated to specific business segments. These activities include holding company financing and investing activities, merchant banking investment opportunities and management and administrative services to support the overall operations of the Company.

​

Balance sheet amounts not discussed previously and the elimination of intercompany transactions are included in “All Other and Eliminations.” The following tables present certain information about continuing operations reportable business segment revenues, operating results, goodwill and assets (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	****	​		****	​	​	​	​	​	****	​	​	****	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Mortgage		​	​	​	​	All Other and		​	Continuing
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021	​	Banking		​	Broker-Dealer		​	Origination		​	Corporate		​	Eliminations		​	Operations
Net interest income (expense)	​	$	103,884	​	$	10,514	​	$	(7,098)	​	$	(4,692)	​	$	3,074	​	$	105,682
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		(5,175)	​	​	66	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​		(5,109)
Noninterest income	​		11,324	​	​	98,623	​	​	310,444	​	​	506	​	​	(3,312)	​		417,585
Noninterest expense	​		55,788	​		91,404	​		210,334	​	​	9,588	​	​	(452)	​		366,662
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	​	$	64,595	​	$	17,667	​	$	93,012	​	$	(13,774)	​	$	214	​	$	161,714
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	****	​	****	​		****	Mortgage		****	****	​	****	All Other and		​	Continuing
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020	​	Banking		​	Broker-Dealer		​	Origination		​	Corporate		​	Eliminations		​	Operations
Net interest income (expense)	​	$	93,923	​	$	13,173	​	$	368	​	$	(1,656)	​	$	4,528	​	$	110,336
Provision for credit losses	​		34,275	​	​	274	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​		34,549
Noninterest income	​		8,771	​	​	86,209	​	​	178,968	​	​	2,309	​	​	(4,544)	​		271,713
Noninterest expense	​		56,967	​		80,939	​		139,552	​	​	4,853	​	​	(410)	​		281,901
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes	​	$	11,452	​	$	18,169	​	$	39,784	​	$	(4,200)	​	$	394	​	$	65,599

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Mortgage		****	****	​	****	All Other and		****	Continuing
​	​	Banking		​	Broker-Dealer		​	Origination		​	Corporate		​	Eliminations		​	Operations
March 31, 2021	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Goodwill	​	$	247,368	​	$	7,008	​	$	13,071	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	267,447
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total assets	​	$	13,963,896	​	$	3,305,933	​	$	3,178,650	​	$	2,969,691	​	$	(5,735,333)	​	$	17,682,837
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
December 31, 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Goodwill	​	$	247,368	​	$	7,008	​	$	13,071	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	267,447
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total assets	​	$	13,338,930	​	$	3,196,346	​	$	3,285,005	​	$	2,823,374	​	$	(5,699,391)	​	$	16,944,264

​

​ 40

Table of Contents

Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Unaudited)

23. Earnings per Common Share

​

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share data).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​	****	2021		****	2020
Basic earnings per share:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income from continuing operations	​	$	120,345	​	$	46,485
Income from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	3,151
Income attributable to Hilltop	​	$	120,345	​	$	49,636
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	​		82,169	​		90,509
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Basic earnings per common share:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income from continuing operations	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.51
Income from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	0.04
​	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.55
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Diluted earnings per share:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income from continuing operations	​	$	120,345	​	$	46,485
Income from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	3,151
Income attributable to Hilltop	​	$	120,345	​	$	49,636
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	​		82,169	​		90,509
Effect of potentially dilutive securities	​		488	​	​	41
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	​		82,657	​		90,550
​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Diluted earnings per common share:	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income from continuing operations	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.51
Income from discontinued operations	​	​	—	​	​	0.04
​	​	$	1.46	​	$	0.55

​

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​ 41

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

​

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated historical financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) and the financial information set forth in the tables herein.

​

Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “ours” or similar words are to Hilltop Holdings Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, references to “Hilltop” refer solely to Hilltop Holdings Inc., references to “PCC” refer to PlainsCapital Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop), references to “Securities Holdings” refer to Hilltop Securities Holdings LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop), references to “Hilltop Securities” refer to Hilltop Securities Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Securities Holdings), references to “Momentum Independent Network” refer to Momentum Independent Network Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Securities Holdings), Hilltop Securities and Momentum Independent Network are collectively referred to as the “Hilltop Broker-Dealers”, references to the “Bank” refer to PlainsCapital Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary of PCC), references to “FNB” refer to First National Bank, references to “SWS” refer to the former SWS Group, Inc., references to “PrimeLending” refer to PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank) and its subsidiaries as a whole, references to “NLC” refer to National Lloyds Corporation (formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop) and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

​

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

​

This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Quarterly Report that address results or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, and statements that are preceded by, followed by or include, words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “probable,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “view” or “would” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases, including such things as our business strategy, our financial condition, our revenue, our liquidity and sources of funding, market trends, operations and business, taxes, the impact of natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the current global outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”), information technology expenses, capital levels, mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) assets, stock repurchases, dividend payments, expectations concerning mortgage loan origination volume, servicer advances and interest rate compression, expected levels of refinancing as a percentage of total loan origination volume, projected losses on mortgage loans originated, total expenses, the effects of government regulation applicable to our operations, the appropriateness of, and changes in, our allowance for credit losses and provision for (reversal of) credit losses, including as a result of the “current expected credit losses” (CECL) model, expected future benchmark rates, anticipated investment yields, our expectations regarding accretion of discount on loans in future periods, the collectability of loans, cybersecurity incidents and the outcome of litigation are forward-looking statements.

​

These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If an event occurs, our business, business plan, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others:

​

●	the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of governmental authorities to the pandemic, which have caused and are causing significant harm to the global economy and our business;
●	the credit risks of lending activities, including our ability to estimate credit losses and the allowance for credit losses, as well as the effects of changes in the level of, and trends in, loan delinquencies and write-offs;
---	---
●	effectiveness of our data security controls in the face of cyber attacks;
---	---
●	changes in general economic, market and business conditions in areas or markets where we compete, including changes in the price of crude oil;
---	---

42

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●	risks associated with concentration in real estate related loans;
●	changes in the interest rate environment and transitions away from London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”);
---	---
●	the effects of our indebtedness on our ability to manage our business successfully, including the restrictions imposed by the indenture governing our indebtedness;
---	---
●	changes in state and federal laws, regulations or policies affecting one or more of our business segments, including changes in regulatory fees, deposit insurance premiums, capital requirements and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”);
---	---
●	cost and availability of capital;
---	---
●	changes in key management;
---	---
●	competition in our banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments from other banks and financial institutions as well as investment banking and financial advisory firms, mortgage bankers, asset-based non-bank lenders and government agencies;
---	---
●	legal and regulatory proceedings;
---	---
●	risks associated with merger and acquisition integration; and
---	---
●	our ability to use excess capital in an effective manner.
---	---

​

For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect our business and that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 16, 2021, this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other filings we have made with the SEC. We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive, and new factors may emerge, or changes to the foregoing factors may occur, that could impact our business. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning our business attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report except to the extent required by federal securities laws.

​ 43

Table of Contents OVERVIEW

​

We are a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Our primary line of business is to provide business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas through the Bank. We also provide an array of financial products and services through our broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments. The following includes additional details regarding the financial products and services provided by each of our primary business units.

​

PCC. PCC is a financial holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, traditional banking and wealth, investment and treasury management services primarily in Texas and residential mortgage loans throughout the United States.

​

Securities Holdings. Securities Holdings is a holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, investment banking and other related financial services, including municipal advisory, sales, trading and underwriting of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income securities, clearing, securities lending, structured finance and retail brokerage services throughout the United States.

​

During the first quarter of 2020, management determined that the then-pending sale of NLC met the criteria to be presented as discontinued operations. As a result, NLC’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. On June 30, 2020, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of NLC, which comprised the operations of our former insurance segment, for cash proceeds of $154.1 million. During 2020, Hilltop recognized an aggregate gain associated with this transaction of $36.8 million, net of $5.1 million in transaction costs and was subject to post-closing adjustments. The resulting book gain from this sale transaction was not recognized for tax purposes due to the excess tax basis over book basis being greater than the recorded book gain. Any tax loss related to this transaction is deemed disallowed pursuant to the rules under the Internal Revenue Code. We also entered into an agreement at closing to refrain for a specified period from certain activities that compete with the business of NLC. Unless otherwise noted, for purposes of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, “consolidated” refers to our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations, including discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, income applicable to common stockholders was $120.3 million, or $1.46 per diluted share. We declared total common dividends of $0.12 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2021, resulting in a dividend payout ratio of 8.19%. Dividend payout ratio is defined as cash dividends declared per common share divided by basic earnings per common share, including discontinued operations. We also paid an aggregate of $5.0 million to repurchase shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

​

We reported $161.7 million of income from continuing operations before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021, including the following contributions from our reportable business segments.

​

●	The banking segment contributed $64.6 million of income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021;
●	The broker-dealer segment contributed $17.7 million of income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021; and
---	---
●	The mortgage origination segment contributed $93.0 million of income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
---	---

​

At March 31, 2021, on a consolidated basis, we had total assets of $17.7 billion, total deposits of $11.7 billion, total loans, including loans held for sale, of $10.2 billion and stockholders’ equity of $2.4 billion.

​ 44

Table of Contents

Recent Developments

​

COVID-19

​

The COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental control measures severely disrupted financial markets and overall economic conditions throughout 2020. While the impact of the pandemic and the uncertainties have remained into 2021, there have been varying degrees of easing of restrictive measures in the United States and an increasing reopening of businesses, in addition to millions of Americans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Further, the U.S. federal government continued to enact policies to provide fiscal stimulus to the economy and relief to those affected by the pandemic, with the most recent stimulus expected to bolster household finances as well as those of small businesses, states and municipalities. Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a number of precautionary steps to safeguard our business and our employees from COVID-19, including, but not limited to, banking by appointment, implementing employee travel restrictions and telecommuting arrangements, while maintaining business continuity so that we can continue to deliver service to and meet the demands of our clients. Since the start of the pandemic, most of our employees have been working remotely, with only certain operationally critical employees working on site at our principal business headquarters and business segment locations. We expect to begin the process of returning a majority of our employees to their respective office locations beginning in the second quarter of 2021 based initially on a rotational team schedule to better ensure that appropriate social distancing measures are followed. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a regular basis to ensure that we adhere to guidelines and orders issued by federal, state and local governments.

​

In light of the extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets in March 2020 resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and its negative impact on the economy, including a significant decline in corporate debt and equity issuances and a deterioration in the mortgage servicing and commercial paper markets, we took a number of precautionary actions beginning in March 2020 to enhance our financial flexibility by bolstering our cash position to ensure that we maintained adequate cash readily available to meet both expected and unexpected funding needs without adversely affecting our daily operations.

​

The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) reduced the target range for short-term rates by 150 basis points to a range of 0% to 0.25% during March 2020 to support the economy and potentially reduce the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of these rate adjustments and the stressed economic outlook, mortgage rates fell to historically low levels. Given our exposure to the mortgage market, this precipitous decline in rates resulted in significant growth in mortgage originations at both PrimeLending and Hilltop Securities through its partnerships with certain housing finance authorities. To improve our already strong liquidity position, we raised brokered and other wholesale funding to support the enhanced mortgage activity. To meet increased liquidity demands, we raised brokered deposits during 2020 that have a remaining balance of approximately $639 million at March 31, 2021, down from approximately $731 million at December 31, 2020. Further, beginning in March 2020, additional deposits were swept from Hilltop Securities into the Bank. Since June 30, 2020, given the continued strong cash and liquidity levels at the Bank, the total funds swept from Hilltop Securities into the Bank was reduced, and was approximately $700 million as of March 31, 2021.

​

Further, during March 2020, we substantially reduced the trading portfolio inventory limits at Hilltop Securities in an effort to protect capital, minimize losses and ensure target liquidity levels throughout the crisis. During March 2020, the capital markets experienced significant friction and in certain portions of the market, liquidity was not prevalent. In particular for us, the market for municipal securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage derivatives and Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) mortgage pools experienced significant liquidity stress at points during the month. The Federal Reserve, in partnership with the Treasury of the United States, stepped in to provide additional liquidity in each of these critical markets. We continue to evaluate market conditions to determine the appropriateness of capital market inventory limits.

​

Asset Valuation

​

At each reporting date between annual impairment tests, we consider potential indicators of impairment. Given the current economic uncertainty and volatility surrounding COVID-19, we considered whether the events and circumstances resulted in it being more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit and other intangible assets were less than their respective carrying value. Impairment indicators considered comprised the condition of the economy and financial services industry; government intervention and regulatory updates; the impact of recent events to financial performance and cost factors of the reporting unit; performance of our stock and other relevant events. 45

Table of Contents ​

Given the potential impacts as a result of COVID-19, actual results may differ materially from our current estimates as the scope of COVID-19 evolves or if the duration of business disruptions is longer than currently anticipated. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances, we do not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of our goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. We will continue to monitor developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented in response to the pandemic, market capitalization, overall economic conditions and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment in the future.

​

To the extent a sustained decline in our stock price or the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause us to perform impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangible assets, and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired, a non-cash charge for the respective amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.

​

Loan Portfolio

​

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “PPP/HCE Act”) were passed in March 2020, which were intended to provide emergency relief to several groups and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the numerous provisions contained in the CARES Act was the creation of a $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that provides federal government loan forgiveness for Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Section 7(a) loans for small businesses, which may include our customers, to pay up to eight weeks of employee compensation and other basic expenses such as electric and telephone bills. Further, the CARES Act allows the Bank to suspend the troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR.

​

Starting in March 2020, the Bank implemented several actions to better support our impacted banking clients and allow for loan modifications such as principal and/or interest payment deferrals, participation in the PPP as an SBA preferred lender and personal banking assistance including waived fees, increased daily spending limits and suspension of residential foreclosure activities. The COVID-19 payment deferment programs allow for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on the maturity date of the existing loan. The Bank’s actions during 2020 included approval of approximately $1.0 billion in COVID-19 related loan modifications as of December 31, 2020.

​

During the first quarter of 2021, the Bank continued to support its impacted banking clients through the approval of COVID-19 related loan modifications, which resulted in an additional $8 million of new COVID-19 related loan modifications since December 31, 2020. The portfolio of active deferrals that have not reached the end of their deferral period was approximately $130 million as of March 31, 2021. While the majority of the portfolio of COVID-19 related loan modifications no longer require deferral, such loans represent elevated risk, and therefore management continues to monitor these loans. The extent to which these measures will impact the Bank is uncertain, and any progression of loans, whether receiving COVID-19 payment deferrals or not, into non-performing assets, during future periods is uncertain and will depend on future developments that cannot be predicted.

​ 46

Table of Contents While all industries could experience adverse impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certain of our loan portfolio industry sectors and subsectors, including real estate collateralized by office buildings, have an increased level of risk. The following table provides information on those loans held for investment balances, by portfolio industry sector, including collectively evaluated allowance for credit losses, that include active COVID-19 payment deferrals (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Allowance for	​	​	Allowance for	​
​	​	​	​	​	Active		​	​	​	​	**** ​	​	​		​	​	​	​	Credit Losses	​	​	Credit Losses	​
​	​	Active		​	90 Day		​	​	​	**** ​		​	Classified		​	Allowance		​	as a % of	​	​	as a % of	​
​	​	90 Day		​	Interest and		​	Total				​	and		​	for		​	Total	​	​	Classified	​
​		Principal		​	Principal		​	Active Modifications				​	Criticized		​	Credit		​	Active	​	​	and Criticized	​
March 31, 2021	​	Deferrals		​	Deferrals		​	()	​	(#)		​	Loans		​	Losses		​	Modifications	​	​	Loans	​
Hotel	​	$	107,471	​	$	—	​		​	​	14	​	$	87,271	​	$	15,599	​	14.5	%	​	17.9	%
Restaurants	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​
Transportation & Warehousing	​	​	7,683	​	​	—	​	​	​	​	11	​	​	7,683	​	​	1,301	​	16.9	%	​	16.9	%
1-4 Family Residential	​	​	—	​	​	9,493	​	​	​	​	94	​	​	6,718	​	​	60	​	0.6	%	​	0.9	%
Retail	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	—	​
Real Estate & Rental & Leasing	​	​	—	​	​	888	​	​	​	​	1	​	​	888	​	​	63	​	7.1	%	​	7.1	%
Healthcare and Social Assistance	​	​	729	​	​	1,604	​	​	​	​	2	​	​	2,333	​	​	303	​	13.0	%	​	13.0	%
All Other	​	​	2,420	​	​	—	​	​	​	​	2	​	​	2,420	​	​	104	​	4.3	%	​	4.3	%
​	​	$	118,303	​	$	11,985	​		​	​	124	​	$	107,313	​	$	17,430	​	13.4	%	​	16.2	%

All values are in US Dollars.

​

In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio includes collateralized loans extended to businesses that depend on the energy industry, including those within the exploration and production, field services, pipeline construction and transportation sectors. Historical volatility in crude oil prices coupled with the economic uncertainties associated with COVID-19 has resulted in an increased level of risk related to the energy industry. The following table summarizes energy loan portfolio exposures by sector (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Loans Held for Investment Balances																				​
​	​	​		​	​		​	​		​	​		​	​		​	Allowance For Credit Losses as					​
​	​	Total		​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Classified		​	Allowance		​	a Percentage of					​
​	​	Loans Held		​	Unfunded		​	Total		​	and Criticized		​	For Credit		​	Total Loans Held		​	Classified and		​
March 31, 2021	​	For Investment		​	Commitments		​	Commitments		​	Loans		​	Losses		​	For Investment		​	Criticized Loans		​
Exploration / Production	​	$	9,042	​	$	7,549	​	$	16,591	​	$	—	​	$	1,551	​	​	17.2	%	​	—	​
Midstream	​	​	11,611	​	​	2,500	​	​	14,111	​	​	3,773	​	​	11	​	​	0.1	%	​	0.3	%
Services	​		26,828	​		8,225	​		35,053	​		6,840	​		1,129	​	​	4.2	%	​	16.5	%
Other	​	​	28,445	​	​	24,804	​	​	53,249	​	​	3,801	​	​	109	​	​	0.4	%	​	2.9	%
​	​	$	75,926	​	$	43,078	​	$	119,004	​	$	14,414	​	$	2,800	​	​	3.7	%	​	19.4	%

​

As noted above, the Bank’s actions during the second quarter of 2020 also included supporting our impacted banking clients through the initial PPP effort. These efforts included approval and funding of over 2,800 PPP loans ranging from approximately $1 thousand to $8.4 million, with approximately $314 million remaining outstanding at March 31, 2021. The PPP loans made by the Bank are guaranteed by the SBA and, if used by the borrower for authorized purposes, may be fully forgiven. On October 2, 2020, the SBA began approving the Bank’s PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers. Through April 16, 2021, the SBA had approved approximately 2,270 initial round PPP forgiveness applications totaling approximately $420 million, with PPP loans of approximately $185 million pending SBA review and approval.

​

In addition, given updates from the SBA regarding the second round of the PPP effort, the Bank has been accepting new applications from impacted banking clients since January 2021. While the majority of these applications are second draw loans, the Bank has received some first draw loan requests. These efforts have included approval and funding of over 1,160 second round PPP loans ranging from approximately $1 thousand to $2.4 million, with approximately $178 million and $199 million outstanding at March 31, 2021 and April 16, 2021, respectively, with an additional approximately $28 million under review.

​

Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses given the economic uncertainties associated with COVID-19.

​

Outlook for 2021

​

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted financial markets and overall economic conditions, and is expected to continue to have implications on our business and operations. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance for the remainder of 2021 is dependent on certain developments, including, among others, the ongoing distribution and effectiveness of vaccines, government stimulus, the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our 47

Table of Contents customers and clients, potential further disruption and deterioration in the financial services industry, including the mortgage servicing and commercial paper markets, and additional, or extended, federal, state and local government orders and regulations that might be imposed in response to the pandemic, all of which are uncertain.

​

See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2020 Form 10-K for additional discussion of the potential adverse impact of COVID-19 on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

​

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

​

As a financial institution providing products and services through our banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments, we are directly affected by general economic and market conditions, many of which are beyond our control and unpredictable. A key factor impacting our results of operations includes changes in the level of interest rates in addition to twists in the shape of the yield curve with the magnitude and direction of the impact varying across the different lines of business. Other factors impacting our results of operations include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities, inflation, political events, investor confidence, investor participation levels, legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements and competition. All of these factors have the potential to impact our financial position, operating results and liquidity. In addition, the recent economic and political environment has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives, both enacted and proposed, that could substantially change the regulation of the financial services industry and may significantly impact us.

​

Factors Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations

​

NLC Sale

​

As previously discussed, on June 30, 2020, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of NLC, which comprised the operations of our insurance segment. Accordingly, NLC’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements.

​

Tender Offer

​

On September 23, 2020, we announced the commencement of a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer to purchase shares of our common stock for an aggregate cash purchase price of up to $350 million. On November 17, 2020, we completed our tender offer, repurchasing 8,058,947 shares of outstanding common stock at a price of $24.00 per share for a total of $193.4 million excluding fees and expenses. We funded the tender offer with cash on hand.

​

Subordinated Notes due 2030 and 2035

​

On May 7, 2020, we completed a public offering of $50 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due May 15, 2030 (the “2030 Subordinated Notes”) and $150 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes due May 15, 2035 (the “2035 Subordinated Notes”). We collectively refer to the 2030 Subordinated Notes and the 2035 Subordinated Notes as the “Subordinated Notes”. The price for the Subordinated Notes was 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and fees and expenses of $3.4 million, were $196.6 million. We intend to use the net proceeds of the offerings for general corporate purposes.

​

Technology Enhancements and Corporate Initiatives

​

In furtherance of our goal of building a premier, diversified financial services company, we regularly evaluate strategic opportunities to invest in our business and technology platforms. Such investments are intended to support long-term technological competitiveness and improve operational efficiencies throughout our organization. During 2018, we began the significant investment in new technological solutions, substantial core system upgrades and other technology enhancements. Such significant investments specifically include single enterprise-wide general ledger and procurement solutions, a mortgage loan origination system and a core system replacement within our broker-dealer segment (collectively referred to as “Core System Improvements”). In combination with these technology enhancements, we are continuing our efforts to consolidate common back office functions. Costs incurred related to these Core System Improvements and the consolidation of common back office functions represented a significant portion of our noninterest expenses throughout 2020. We believe that such non-recurring costs will decline by the end of 2021. We 48

Table of Contents have made such investments with the expectation that they will result in cost savings over the long term. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, the mortgage origination segment began the implementation of a new mortgage loan origination system. The transition from the previous mortgage loan origination system was completed during the fourth quarter of 2020. During the second quarter of 2020, we implemented the core system replacement within our broker-dealer segment. This was a highly complex endeavor and the broker-dealer segment continues to work with the technology vendors, clients and internal stakeholders. Additionally, through the third quarter of 2020, we made significant progress in our transition to a single, enterprise-wide general ledger solution by replacing legacy ledgers at our banking and mortgage origination segments, as well as corporate, and recently, in April 2021, we replaced our only remaining legacy ledger and transitioned our broker-dealer segment to the enterprise-wide general ledger solution.

​

LIBOR

​

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it intends to cease compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Most recently in March 2021, the FCA and the Intercontinental Exchange (“ICE”) Benchmark Administration concurrently confirmed their original intention to stop requesting banks to submit the rates required to calculate LIBOR after the 2021 calendar year and additionally announced firm target dates for the phase out of various LIBOR tenors. Pursuant to the announcement, one week and two-month LIBOR will cease to be published or lose representativeness immediately after December 31, 2021, and all remaining USD LIBOR tenors will cease to be published or lose representativeness immediately after June 30, 2023.

​

Working groups comprised of various regulators and other industry groups have been formed in the United States and other countries in order to provide guidance on this topic. In particular, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to LIBOR. The ARRC has also published recommended fall-back language for LIBOR-linked financial instruments, among numerous other areas of guidance.

​

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance in March 2020 intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. Additionally, the FASB issued specific accounting guidance that permits the use of the Overnight Index Swap rate based on the SOFR to be designated as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes.

​

Certain loans we originate bear interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR. We also pay interest on certain borrowings, are counterparty to derivative agreements, and have existing contracts with payment calculations that use LIBOR as the reference rate. These changes will create various risks surrounding the financial, operational, compliance and legal aspects associated with changing certain elements of existing contracts.

​

ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from LIBOR, and organizations are currently working on industry-wide and company-specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR. However, at this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, debentures, or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally.

​

We have made a preliminary assessment of areas across the organization that will be affected by the migration away from LIBOR and have transitioned to the impact assessment and early implementation stages. In light of the above described recent changes to the LIBOR phase out dates being pushed out to 2023, we are considering the actions that will be required, including negotiating certain of our agreements based on an alternative benchmark rate that may be established, if any. During the third quarter of 2020, PrimeLending began originating conventional adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, loan products utilizing a SOFR rate with terms consistent with government-sponsored enterprise, or GSE, guidelines. In addition, the Bank’s management team is currently working with its commercial relationships who have LIBOR-based contracts maturing after 2021 to amend terms and establish an alternative benchmark rate. We are also continuing work on an enterprise-wide contract model and software review to better evaluate both the impacts of the LIBOR phase-out and transition requirements. As a result of this effort, we may incur significant expenses in effecting the transition, including, but not limited to, changes to our agreements and our agreements with customers that do not contemplate LIBOR being unavailable, systems and processes. 49

Table of Contents ​

Brokered Deposits

​

In December 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) finalized revisions to its rules and prior guidance regarding brokered deposits (the “Revisions”). The Revisions are intended to modernize the FDIC's framework for regulating brokered deposits and ensure that the classification of a deposit as brokered appropriately reflects changes in the banking landscape. They also modify the interest rate restrictions applicable to certain depository institutions and clarify the application of the brokered deposit requirements to non-maturity deposits. The Revisions became effective on April 1, 2021, but full compliance is not required during a transitionary period ending January 1, 2022. We are currently evaluating the Revisions, and any future financial impacts on our banking and broker-dealer segments, compared to our current brokered deposit and funds sweep relationships.

​

Segment Information

​

As previously discussed, on June 30, 2020, we completed the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of NLC, which comprised the operations of the insurance segment. Accordingly, insurance segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and we no longer have an insurance segment. Additional details are presented in Note 3, Discontinued Operations, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

​

Following the above-noted sale of NLC, we have two primary business units within continuing operations, PCC (banking and mortgage origination) and Securities Holdings (broker-dealer). Under GAAP, our business units are comprised of three reportable business segments organized primarily by the core products offered to the segments’ respective customers: banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination. Consistent with our historical segment operating results, we anticipate that future revenues will be driven primarily from the banking segment, with the remainder being generated by our broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments. Operating results for the mortgage origination segment have historically been more volatile than operating results for the banking and broker-dealer segments.

​

The banking segment includes the operations of the Bank. The banking segment primarily provides business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas and generates revenue from its portfolio of earning assets. The Bank’s results of operations are primarily dependent on net interest income. The Bank also derives revenue from other sources, including service charges on customer deposit accounts and trust fees.

​

The broker-dealer segment includes the operations of Securities Holdings, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC. The broker-dealer segment generates a majority of its revenues from fees and commissions earned from investment advisory and securities brokerage services. Hilltop Securities is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Momentum Independent Network is an introducing broker-dealer that is also registered with the SEC and FINRA. Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC are registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

​

The mortgage origination segment includes the operations of PrimeLending, which offers a variety of loan products and generates revenue predominantly from fees charged on the origination and servicing of loans and from selling these loans in the secondary market.

​

Corporate includes certain activities not allocated to specific business segments. These activities include holding company financing and investing activities, merchant banking investment opportunities, and management and administrative services to support the overall operations of the Company.

​

The eliminations of intercompany transactions are included in “All Other and Eliminations.” Additional information concerning our reportable segments is presented in Note 22, Segment and Related Information, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

​ 50

Table of Contents The following table presents certain information about the continuing operating results of our reportable segments (in thousands). This table serves as a basis for the discussion and analysis in the segment operating results sections that follow.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	Variance 2021 vs 2020				​	​
​	​	​	2021		​	2020		​	Amount		​	Percent	​	​
Net interest income (expense):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Banking	​	​	$	103,884	​	$	93,923	​	$	9,961	​	11	%	​
Broker-Dealer	​	​	​	10,514	​	​	13,173	​	​	(2,659)	​	(20)	%	​
Mortgage Origination	​	​	​	(7,098)	​	​	368	​	​	(7,466)	​	NM	​	​
Corporate	​	​	​	(4,692)	​	​	(1,656)	​	​	(3,036)	​	(183)	%	​
All Other and Eliminations	​	​	​	3,074	​	​	4,528	​	​	(1,454)	​	(32)	%	​
Hilltop Continuing Operations	​	​	$	105,682	​	$	110,336	​	$	(4,654)	​	(4)	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Banking	​	​	$	(5,175)	​	$	34,275	​	$	(39,450)	​	(115)	%	​
Broker-Dealer	​	​	​	66	​	​	274	​	​	(208)	​	(76)	%	​
Mortgage Origination	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​
Corporate	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​
All Other and Eliminations	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​	​
Hilltop Continuing Operations	​	​	$	(5,109)	​	$	34,549	​	$	(39,658)	​	(115)	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest income:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Banking	​	​	$	11,324	​	$	8,771	​	$	2,553	​	29	%	​
Broker-Dealer	​	​	​	98,623	​	​	86,209	​	​	12,414	​	14	%	​
Mortgage Origination	​	​	​	310,444	​	​	178,968	​	​	131,476	​	73	%	​
Corporate	​	​	​	506	​	​	2,309	​	​	(1,803)	​	(78)	%	​
All Other and Eliminations	​	​	​	(3,312)	​	​	(4,544)	​	​	1,232	​	27	%	​
Hilltop Continuing Operations	​	​	$	417,585	​	$	271,713	​	$	145,872	​	54	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest expense:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Banking	​	​	$	55,788	​	$	56,967	​	$	(1,179)	​	(2)	%	​
Broker-Dealer	​	​	​	91,404	​	​	80,939	​	​	10,465	​	13	%	​
Mortgage Origination	​	​	​	210,334	​	​	139,552	​	​	70,782	​	51	%	​
Corporate	​	​	​	9,588	​	​	4,853	​	​	4,735	​	98	%	​
All Other and Eliminations	​	​	​	(452)	​	​	(410)	​	​	(42)	​	(10)	%	​
Hilltop Continuing Operations	​	​	$	366,662	​	$	281,901	​	$	84,761	​	30	%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Banking	​	​	$	64,595	​	$	11,452	​	$	53,143	​	464	%	​
Broker-Dealer	​	​	​	17,667	​	​	18,169	​	​	(502)	​	(3)	%	​
Mortgage Origination	​	​	​	93,012	​	​	39,784	​	​	53,228	​	134	%	​
Corporate	​	​	​	(13,774)	​	​	(4,200)	​	​	(9,574)	​	(228)	%	​
All Other and Eliminations	​	​	​	214	​	​	394	​	​	(180)	​	(46)	%	​
Hilltop Continuing Operations	​	​	$	161,714	​	$	65,599	​	$	96,115	​	147	%	​
NM	Not meaningful.
---	---

​

​

Key Performance Indicators

​

We utilize several key indicators of financial condition and operating performance to evaluate the various aspects of our business. In addition to traditional financial metrics, such as revenue and growth trends, we monitor several other financial measures and non-financial operating metrics to help us evaluate growth trends, measure the adequacy of our capital based on regulatory reporting requirements, measure the effectiveness of our operations and assess operational efficiencies. These indicators change from time to time as the opportunities and challenges in our businesses change.

​

Specifically, performance ratios and asset quality ratios are typically used for measuring the performance of banking and financial institutions. We consider return on average stockholders’ equity, return on average assets and net interest margin to be important supplemental measures of operating performance that are commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other parties interested in the banking and financial industry. The net charge-offs to average loans outstanding ratio is also considered a key measure for our banking segment as it indicates the performance of our loan portfolio.

​

In addition, we consider regulatory capital ratios to be key measures that are used by us, as well as banking regulators, investors and analysts, to assess our regulatory capital position and to compare our regulatory capital to that of other financial services companies. We monitor our capital strength in terms of both leverage ratio and risk-based capital ratios based on capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. The risk-based capital ratios are minimum supervisory ratios generally applicable to banking organizations, but banking organizations are widely 51

Table of Contents expected to operate with capital positions well above the minimum ratios. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

​

How We Generate Revenue

​

We generate revenue from net interest income and from noninterest income. Net interest income represents the difference between the income earned on our assets, including our loans and investment securities, and our cost of funds, including the interest paid on the deposits and borrowings that are used to support our assets. Net interest income is a significant contributor to our operating results and is primarily earned by our banking segment. Fluctuations in interest rates, as well as the amounts and types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities we hold, affect net interest income. Net interest income from continuing operations decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to decreases within our mortgage origination segment, broker-dealer segment and corporate, partially offset by an increase within our banking segment.

​

The other component of our revenue is noninterest income, which is primarily comprised of the following:

​

(i)

Income from broker-dealer operations. Through Securities Holdings, we provide investment banking and other related financial services. We generated $66.0 million and $63.2 million in securities commissions and fees and investment and securities advisory fees and commissions, and $30.6 million and $20.1 million in gains from derivative and trading portfolio activities (included within other noninterest income), during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

​

(ii)

Income from mortgage operations. Through PrimeLending, we generate noninterest income by originating and selling mortgage loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we generated $310.2 million and $179.0 million, respectively, in net gains from sale of loans, other mortgage production income (including income associated with retained mortgage servicing rights), and mortgage loan origination fees.

​

In the aggregate, we generated an increase in noninterest income from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, noted in the segment results table previously presented, primarily due to an increase of $131.2 million in net gains from sale of loans, other mortgage production income and mortgage loan origination fees within our mortgage origination segment.

​

We also incur noninterest expenses in the operation of our businesses. Our businesses engage in labor intensive activities and, consequently, employees’ compensation and benefits represent the majority of our noninterest expenses.

​

Consolidated Operating Results

​

Income from continuing operations applicable to common stockholders during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $120.3 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared with $46.5 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Hilltop’s financial results from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflect a significant increase in mortgage origination segment net gains from sales of loans and other mortgage production income, while the three months ended March 31, 2020 results included a build in the allowance for credit losses associated with the impact of macroeconomic forecast assumptions attributable to the market disruption and economic uncertainties caused by COVID-19.

​

Including income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, income applicable to common stockholders was $49.6 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

​

Certain items included in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 resulted from purchase accounting associated with the merger of PlainsCapital Corporation with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop on November 30, 2012, the FDIC-assisted transaction whereby the Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of FNB, the acquisition of SWS Group, Inc. in a stock and cash transaction, and the acquisition of The Bank of River Oaks in an all-cash transaction (collectively, the “Bank Transactions”). Income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included net accretion on earning assets and liabilities of $4.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, and amortization of identifiable intangibles of $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, related to the Bank Transactions.

​ 52

Table of Contents The information shown in the table below includes certain key performance indicators on a consolidated basis.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,				​	​
​	​	2021	****	​	2020	****	​
Return on average stockholders' equity^(1)^	​	20.58	%	​	9.38	%	​
Return on average assets ^(2)^	​	2.90	%	​	1.47	%	​
Net interest margin^(3) (4)^	​	2.69	%	​	3.41	%	​
Leverage ratio^(5)^ (end of period)	​	13.01	%	​	13.03	%	​
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio ^(6)^ (end of period)	​	19.63	%	​	15.96	%	​
(1)	Return on average stockholders’ equity is defined as consolidated income attributable to Hilltop divided by average total Hilltop stockholders’ equity.
---	---
(2)	Return on average assets is defined as consolidated net income divided by average assets.
---	---
(3)	Net interest margin is defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. We consider net interest margin as a key indicator of profitability, as it represents interest earned on our interest-earning assets compared to interest incurred.
---	---
(4)	The securities financing operations within our broker-dealer segment had the effect of lowering both the net interest margin and taxable equivalent net interest margin by 17 basis points and 39 basis points during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
---	---
(5)	The leverage ratio is a regulatory capital ratio and is defined as Tier 1 risk-based capital divided by average consolidated assets.
---	---
(6)	The common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is a regulatory capital ratio and is defined as common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital divided by risk weighted assets. Common equity includes common equity Tier 1 capital (common stockholders’ equity and certain minority interests in the equity capital accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, but excluding goodwill and various intangible assets) and additional Tier 1 capital (certain qualifying minority interests not included in common equity Tier 1 capital, certain preferred stock and related surplus, and certain subordinated debt).
---	---

​

We present net interest margin and net interest income below, on a taxable-equivalent basis. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), a non-GAAP measure, is defined as taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Taxable equivalent adjustments are based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rate of 21% for all periods presented. The interest income earned on certain earning assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments. To provide more meaningful comparisons of net interest margins for all earning assets, we use net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, purchase accounting contributed 13 and 22 basis points, respectively, to our consolidated taxable equivalent net interest margin of 2.69% and 3.42%, respectively. The purchase accounting activity was primarily related to the accretion of discount of loans which totaled $4.9 million and $6.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, associated with the Bank Transactions. 53

Table of Contents The table below provides additional details regarding our consolidated net interest income (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,															​
​	​	2021							​	2020							​
​	****	Average		****	Interest		****	Annualized	****	Average		****	Interest		****	Annualized	****
​	​	Outstanding		​	Earned or		​	Yield or	​	Outstanding		​	Earned or		​	Yield or	​
​	​	Balance		​	Paid		​	Rate	​	Balance		​	Paid		​	Rate	​
Assets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-earning assets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for sale	​	$	2,573,085	​	$	16,233		2.52	%	$	1,619,644	​	$	15,631		3.86	%
Loans held for investment, gross ^(1)^	​	​	7,645,883	​	​	88,044		4.62	%	​	7,262,282	​	​	95,538		5.23	%
Investment securities - taxable	​		2,267,709	​		10,233		1.80	%		1,798,897	​		16,606		3.69	%
Investment securities - non-taxable ^(2)^	​		284,001	​		2,280		3.21	%		208,863	​		1,902		3.64	%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell	​		93,525	​		—		0.00	%		60,943	​		134		0.89	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions	​		1,565,879	​		582		0.15	%		461,775	​		1,512		1.32	%
Securities borrowed	​	​	1,452,704	​	​	28,972	​	7.98	%	​	1,568,737	​	​	13,327	​	3.36	%
Other	​		49,916	​		762		6.18	%		78,595	​		1,512		7.72	%
Interest-earning assets, gross ^(2)^	​		15,932,702	​		147,106		3.70	%		13,059,736	​		146,162		4.45	%
Allowance for credit losses	​		(149,397)	​	​	​	​	​	​		(74,430)	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-earning assets, net	​		15,783,305	​	​	​	​	​	​		12,985,306	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest-earning assets	​		1,559,039	​	​	​	​	​	​		1,633,387	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total assets	​	$	17,342,344	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	14,618,693	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-bearing liabilities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-bearing deposits	​	$	7,626,575	​	$	7,741		0.41	%	$	6,264,827	​	$	15,125		0.97	%
Securities loaned	​	​	1,355,945	​	​	25,486	​	7.62	%	​	1,474,988	​	​	11,277	​	3.07	%
Notes payable and other borrowings	​		1,130,068	​		8,014		2.85	%		1,368,038	​		8,544		2.50	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	​		10,112,588	​		41,241		1.65	%		9,107,853	​		34,946		1.54	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest-bearing deposits	​		3,729,994	​	​	​	​	​	​		2,730,975	​	​	​	​	​	​
Other liabilities	​		1,101,972	​	​	​	​	​	​		633,722	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total liabilities	​		14,944,554	​	​	​	​	​	​		12,472,550	​	​	​	​	​	​
Stockholders’ equity	​		2,371,281	​	​	​	​	​	​		2,121,877	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noncontrolling interest	​		26,509	​	​	​	​	​	​		24,266	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	​	$	17,342,344	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	14,618,693	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net interest income ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	$	105,865	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	111,216	​	​	​
Net interest spread ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	​	​		2.05	%	​	​	​	​	​		2.91	%
Net interest margin ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	​	​		2.69	%	​	​	​	​	​		3.42	%

​

(1)	Average balance includes non-accrual loans.
(2)	Presented on a taxable equivalent basis with annualized taxable equivalent adjustments based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rate of 21% for the periods presented. The adjustment to interest income was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
---	---

​

The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin shown above. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, yields and costs on certain interest-earning assets, such as warehouse lines of credit extended to subsidiaries (operating segments) by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated net interest margins for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were also negatively impacted by certain actions taken by management during 2020 to strengthen our available liquidity position. Such actions, including increasing overall cash balances by raising brokered money market and brokered time deposits and raising capital through the issuance of subordinated debt, were taken out of an abundance of caution as the pandemic continues to create significant uncertainty in the banking and capital markets.

​

On a consolidated basis, net interest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to the effects of decreased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale and interest incurred beginning in May 2020 related to the Subordinated Notes at corporate, partially offset by the decrease in market interest rates on deposits within the banking segment. Refer to the discussion in the “Banking Segment” section that follows for more details on the changes in net interest income, including the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items.

​

The provision for (reversal of) credit losses is determined by management as the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for credit losses at the amount of expected credit losses inherent within the loans held for investment portfolio. The amount of expense and the corresponding level of allowance for credit losses for loans are based on our 54

Table of Contents evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors. Substantially all of our consolidated provision for (reversal of) credit losses is related to the banking segment. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 the reversal of credit losses was primarily impacted by the banking segment’s reduction in reserves associated with collectively evaluated loans within the portfolio attributable to improvements in macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter. Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.

​

Noninterest income from continuing operations increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in total mortgage loan sales volume, changes in net fair value and related derivative activity, and increases in average loan sales margin, partially offset by a decrease in average mortgage loan origination fees within our mortgage origination segment, as well as increases in structured finance net revenues within our broker-dealer segment.

​

Noninterest expense from continuing operations increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in variable compensation and segment operating costs associated with the increased mortgage loan originations within our mortgage origination segment and increases in both variable and non-variable compensation within our broker-dealer segment.

​

Effective income tax rates from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were 23.4% and 23.1%, respectively, and approximated the applicable statutory rates for such periods which approximated statutory rates.

​

Segment Results from Continuing Operations

​

Banking Segment

​

The following table presents certain information about the operating results of our banking segment (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					****	Variance		​
​	​	2021		​	2020		​	2021 vs 2020		​
Net interest income	​	$	103,884	​	$	93,923	​	$	9,961	​
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		(5,175)	​		34,275	​		(39,450)	​
Noninterest income	​		11,324	​		8,771	​		2,553	​
Noninterest expense	​	​	55,788	​		56,967	​		(1,179)	​
Income before income taxes	​	$	64,595	​	$	11,452	​	$	53,143	​

​

The increase in income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, was primarily due to the combined impact of both a reversal of credit losses during the first quarter of 2021, which reflected improvements in macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter and the significant increase in provision for credit losses during the first quarter of 2020 associated with the adoption of CECL and the market disruption caused by COVID-19. Changes to net interest income related to the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items are discussed in more detail below.

​

The information shown in the table below includes certain key indicators of the performance and asset quality of our banking segment.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,			​
​	****	2021	****	2020	****
Efficiency ratio ^(1)^		48.42	%	55.47	%
Return on average assets ^(2)^		1.48	%	0.33	%
Net interest margin ^(3)^	​	3.30	%	3.81	%
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding^(4)^	​	0.03	%	(0.09)	%
(1)	Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expenses divided by the sum of total noninterest income and net interest income for the period. We consider the efficiency ratio to be a measure of the banking segment’s profitability.
---	---
(2)	Return on average assets is defined as net income divided by average assets.
---	---
(3)	Net interest margin is defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. We consider net interest margin as a key indicator of profitability, as it represents interest earned on interest-earning assets compared to interest incurred.
---	---
(4)	Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding is defined as the greater of recoveries or charge-offs during the reported period minus recoveries or charge-offs divided by average loans outstanding. We use the ratio to measure the credit performance of our loan portfolio.
---	---

55

Table of Contents ​

The banking segment presents net interest margin and net interest income in the following discussion and tables below on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), a non-GAAP measure, is defined as taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Taxable equivalent adjustments are based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rate of 21% for all periods presented. The interest income earned on certain earning assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments. To provide more meaningful comparisons of net interest margins for all earning assets, we use net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, purchase accounting contributed 17 and 30 basis points, respectively, to the banking segment’s taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.31% and 3.82%, respectively. These purchase accounting items are primarily related to accretion of discount of loans associated with the Bank Transactions presented in the Consolidated Operating Results section.

The table below provides additional details regarding our banking segment’s net interest income (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,															​
​	​	2021							​	2020							​
​	****	Average		****	Interest		****	Annualized	****	Average		****	Interest		****	Annualized	****
​	​	Outstanding		​	Earned or		​	Yield or	​	Outstanding		​	Earned or		​	Yield or	​
​	​	Balance		​	Paid		​	Rate	​	Balance		​	Paid		​	Rate	​
Assets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-earning assets	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for investment, gross ^(1)^	​	$	7,185,414	​	$	84,519		4.72	%	$	6,738,086	​	$	89,929		5.30	%
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit	​		2,338,614	​		21,910		3.75	%		1,467,498	​		14,435		3.89	%
Investment securities - taxable	​		1,786,911	​		6,272		1.40	%		1,213,777	​		7,402		2.44	%
Investment securities - non-taxable ^(2)^	​		115,069	​		985		3.42	%		107,079	​		900		3.36	%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell	​		386	​		—		0.00	%		560	​		1		0.36	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions	​		1,286,353	​		321		0.10	%		295,692	​		906		1.23	%
Other	​		36,813	​		74		0.81	%		58,055	​		552		3.80	%
Interest-earning assets, gross ^(2)^	​		12,749,560	​		114,081		3.58	%		9,880,747	​		114,125		4.59	%
Allowance for credit losses	​		(149,082)	​	​	​	​	​	​		(74,345)	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-earning assets, net	​		12,600,478	​	​	​	​	​	​		9,806,402	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest-earning assets	​		996,312	​	​	​	​	​	​		919,788	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total assets	​	$	13,596,790	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	10,726,190	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-bearing liabilities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-bearing deposits	​	$	7,511,096	​	$	9,581		0.52	%	$	6,023,604	​	$	18,758		1.25	%
Notes payable and other borrowings	​		149,144	​		402		1.09	%		323,555	​		1,266		1.55	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	​		7,660,240	​		9,983		0.53	%		6,347,159	​		20,024		1.27	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Noninterest-bearing deposits	​		4,077,479	​	​	​	​	​	​		2,740,033	​	​	​	​	​	​
Other liabilities	​		188,586	​	​	​	​	​	​		99,289	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total liabilities	​		11,926,305	​	​	​	​	​	​		9,186,481	​	​	​	​	​	​
Stockholders’ equity	​		1,670,485	​	​	​	​	​	​		1,539,709	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	​	$	13,596,790	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	10,726,190	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net interest income ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	$	104,098	​	​	​	​	​	​	$	94,101	​	​	​
Net interest spread ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	​	​		3.05	%	​	​	​	​	​		3.32	%
Net interest margin ^(2)^	​	​	​	​	​	​		3.31	%	​	​	​	​	​		3.82	%
(1)	Average balance includes non-accrual loans.
---	---
(2)	Presented on a taxable equivalent basis with annualized taxable equivalent adjustments based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rates of 21% for all the periods presented. The adjustment to interest income was $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
---	---

​

The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, the banking segment’s interest-earning assets include warehouse lines of credit extended to other subsidiaries, which are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. The banking segment’s net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was negatively impacted by certain actions taken by management during 2020 to strengthen the Bank’s available liquidity position. Such actions, including increasing overall cash balances by raising brokered money 56

Table of Contents market and brokered time deposits, were taken out of an abundance of caution as the pandemic continues to create significant uncertainty in the banking and capital markets.

​

The following table summarizes the changes in the banking segment’s net interest income for the periods indicated below, including the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,								****
​	​	2021 vs. 2020								****
​	​	Change Due To^(1)^					​	​	​	****
​	****	Volume		****	Yield/Rate		****	Change		****
Interest income	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans held for investment, gross	​	$	5,846	​	$	(11,256)	​	$	(5,410)	​
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit	​		8,358	​		(883)	​		7,475	​
Investment securities - taxable	​		3,447	​		(4,577)	​		(1,130)	​
Investment securities - non-taxable ^(2)^	​		66	​		19	​		85	​
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell	​		—	​		(1)	​		(1)	​
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions	​		3,011	​		(3,596)	​		(585)	​
Other	​		(199)	​		(279)	​		(478)	​
Total interest income ^(2)^	​	​	20,529	​	​	(20,573)	​	​	(44)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest expense	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Deposits	​	$	4,594	​	$	(13,771)	​	$	(9,177)	​
Notes payable and other borrowings	​		(667)	​		(197)	​		(864)	​
Total interest expense	​		3,927	​		(13,968)	​		(10,041)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Net interest income ^(2)^	​	$	16,602	​	$	(6,605)	​	$	9,997	​
(1)	Changes attributable to both volume and yield/rate are included in yield/rate column.
---	---
(2)	Annualized taxable equivalent.
---	---

​

Changes in the yields earned on interest-earning assets decreased taxable equivalent net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily as a result of lower loan yields due to decreased market rates, the addition of 1% note rate PPP loans, and the decrease in accretion of discount on loans of $1.8 million. Accretion of discount on loans is expected to continue to decrease in future periods as loans acquired in the Bank Transactions are repaid, refinanced or renewed. Changes in the volume of interest-earning assets, primarily due to the significant increase in mortgage warehouse lending volume and new PPP loan originations, increased taxable equivalent net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. Changes in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased taxable equivalent net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, due to decreases in market interest rates. Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. Some of our variable-rate loans remain at applicable rate floors, which may delay and/or limit changes in net interest income during a period of changing rates. If interest rates were to fall further, the impact on our net interest income for certain variable-rate loans would be limited by these rate floors. In addition, declining interest rates may reduce our cost of funds on deposits. The extent of this impact will ultimately be driven by the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate and yield curve movements, as well as changes in market conditions and timing of management strategies. If interest rates were to rise, yields on the portion of our loan portfolio that remain at applicable rate floors would rise more slowly than increases in market interest rates. Any changes in interest rates across the term structure will continue to impact net interest income and net interest margin. The impact of rate movements will change with the shape of the yield curve, including any changes in steepness or flatness and inversions at any points on the yield curve.

​

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank implemented several actions to better support our impacted banking clients. Such programs include loan modifications such as principal and/or interest payment deferrals, participation in the PPP as an SBA preferred lender and personal banking assistance including waived fees, increased daily spending limits and suspension of residential foreclosure activities. The adverse economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted the banking segment’s business and results of operations, including significantly reduced demand for loan products and services from customers, recognition of credit losses and increases in allowance for credit losses. In the event future operating performance is below our projections, there are negative changes to projected provision for credit losses on loans, long-term loan and deposit growth rates or discount rates increase, the 57

Table of Contents estimated fair value of the banking reporting unit may decline below carrying value, and we may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge. Additionally, with respect to its core deposit intangible assets, in the event that the deposit retention levels and derived cost savings from available core deposits at the Bank relative to an alternative cost of funds falls to a level that cannot support the remaining carrying value, we may be required to record an impairment charge. We will continue to monitor developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented in response to the pandemic, market capitalization, overall economic conditions, effectiveness of vaccinations, government stimulus, payment deferral programs and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment in the future. See further detail in the “Recent Developments” section above.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the banking segment retained approximately $159 million and $131 million, respectively, in mortgage loans originated by the mortgage origination segment. These loans are purchased by the banking segment at par. For origination services provided, the banking segment reimburses the mortgage origination segment for direct origination costs associated with these mortgage loans, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The correspondent fees are eliminated in consolidation. In March 2020, the Bank made a decision to sell the previously purchased mortgage loans to the mortgage origination segment, instead of holding them for investment. In October 2020, the Bank began purchasing and retaining mortgage loans originated by the mortgage origination segment again. During 2021, we expect loans originated by the mortgage origination segment on behalf of and retained by the banking segment to increase based on approved authority for up to 5% of the mortgage origination segment’s total origination volume. The determination of mortgage loan retention levels by the banking segment will be impacted by, among other things, an ongoing review of the prevailing mortgage rates, balance sheet positioning at Hilltop and the banking segment’s outlook for commercial loan growth.

​

The banking segment’s reversal of credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflected a net reversal of credit losses of $5.2 million on loans held for investment. This net reversal of credit losses was primarily comprised of a net reversal of credit losses on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans of $6.5 million primarily due to improvements in the macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter, partially offset by slower prepayment assumptions on certain commercial real estate and construction and land portfolios, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses on individually evaluated loans of $1.3 million primarily related to changes in risk rating grades and updated realizable values. The change in credit losses during the noted period was also attributable to other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix and changes in qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was also impacted by net recoveries of $0.6 million. Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.

​

The banking segment’s noninterest income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to increased other real estate owned (“OREO”) income as well as changes in our intercompany financing charges.

​

The banking segment’s noninterest expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in the reserve for unfunded commitments attributable to year-over-year changes in macroeconomic uncertainties and available commitment balances and reductions in salary and employee benefits, legal, and business development expenses, partially offset by an increase in FDIC assessment and OREO expenses. 58

Table of Contents Broker-Dealer Segment

​

The following table provides additional details regarding our broker-dealer segment operating results (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	Variance		​
​		2021			2020		​	2021 vs 2020		​
Net interest income:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Wealth management:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities lending	​	$	3,486	​	$	2,050	​	$	1,436	​
Clearing services	​	​	1,449	​	​	2,578	​	​	(1,129)	​
Structured finance ^(5)^	​	​	396	​	​	2,923	​	​	(2,527)	​
Fixed income services ^(5)^	​	​	4,128	​	​	2,524	​	​	1,604	​
Other ^(5)^	​	​	1,055	​	​	3,098	​	​	(2,043)	​
Total net interest income	​	​	10,514	​	​	13,173	​	​	(2,659)	​
Noninterest income:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Securities commissions and fees by business line ^(1)^:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Fixed income services	​	​	13,674	​	​	13,156	​	​	518	​
Wealth management:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Retail ^(5)^	​	​	18,754	​	​	20,352	​	​	(1,598)	​
Clearing services	​	​	6,242	​	​	9,006	​	​	(2,764)	​
Structured finance ^(5)^	​	​	334	​	​	412	​	​	(78)	​
Other	​	​	1,044	​	​	1,060	​	​	(16)	​
​	​	​	40,048	​	​	43,986	​	​	(3,938)	​
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions by business line:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Public finance services ^(5)^	​	​	17,463	​	​	16,507	​	​	956	​
Fixed income services ^(5)^	​	​	1,904	​	​	(214)	​	​	2,118	​
Wealth management:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Retail	​	​	7,250	​	​	5,981	​	​	1,269	​
Clearing services	​	​	445	​	​	380	​	​	65	​
Structured finance ^(5)^	​	​	556	​	​	441	​	​	115	​
Other	​	​	77	​	​	85	​	​	(8)	​
​	​	​	27,695	​	​	23,180	​	​	4,515	​
Other:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Structured finance	​	​	24,551	​	​	9,357	​	​	15,194	​
Fixed income services	​	​	6,035	​	​	10,744	​	​	(4,709)	​
Other	​	​	294	​	​	(1,058)	​	​	1,352	​
​	​	​	30,880	​	​	19,043	​	​	11,837	​
Total noninterest income	​	​	98,623	​	​	86,209	​	​	12,414	​
Net revenue ^(2)^	​	​	109,137	​	​	99,382	​	​	9,755	​
Noninterest expense:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Variable compensation ^(3)^	​	​	37,412	​	​	32,024	​	​	5,388	​
Non-variable compensation and benefits	​	​	28,615	​	​	24,526	​	​	4,089	​
Segment operating costs ^(4)^	​	​	25,443	​	​	24,663	​	​	780	​
Total noninterest expense	​	​	91,470	​	​	81,213	​	​	10,257	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Income before income taxes	​	$	17,667	​	$	18,169	​	$	(502)	​
(1)	Securities commissions and fees includes income of $1.7 million and $3.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, that is eliminated in consolidation.
---	---
(2)	Net revenue is defined as the sum of total net interest income and total noninterest income. We consider net revenue to be a key performance measure in the evaluation of the broker-dealer segment’s financial position and operating performance as we believe it is the primary revenue performance measure used by investors and analysts. Net revenue provides for some level of comparability of trends across the financial services industry as it reflects both noninterest income, including investment and securities advisory fees and commissions, as well as net interest income. Internally, we assess the broker-dealer segment’s performance on a revenue basis for comparability with our banking segment.
---	---
(3)	Variable compensation represents performance-based commissions and incentives.
---	---
(4)	Segment operating costs include provision for credit losses associated with the broker-dealer segment within other noninterest expenses.
---	---
(5)	Noted balances during all prior periods include certain reclassifications to conform to current period presentation.
---	---

​

Despite the continued economic disruptions related to the pandemic, during the first quarter of 2021, the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services business line experienced improved net revenues of $1.3 million which was in line with modest improvements in both Texas and national issuance activity and market share compared to the same period during the prior year. The structured finance business line experienced comparatively improved results with strong issuance volumes and increased demand for mortgage products in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the market volatility experienced in the first quarter of 2020. However, interest rate volatility late in the quarter is expected to present headwinds to the business going forward. Additionally, although the fixed income services business line’s net revenues improved $1.1 million, compared with the same period in 2020, this improvement was offset by the wind-down of the equity capital market business line, resulting in an offsetting decline of net revenues of $1.6 million. The wealth management business line’s net revenues were lower in the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, as customer balance revenues were driven lower due to the current low interest rate environment. Additional information related to the impact of COVID-19 is included within the “Recent Developments” section above. 59

Table of Contents The $0.5 million decrease in the broker-dealer segment’s income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, was primarily as a result of the following:

●	a $12.7 million increase in the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance net revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the structured finance business line started the year in an optimal interest rate environment and added new clients to our platform. However, the sudden shift in the housing market in March 2020 resulted in a significant decline in value over a very short period of time resulting in a significant unrealized mark-to-market loss on the loan pipeline. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, structured finance revenues improved in line with increased volumes, reflecting robust activity in mortgage originations combined with improved product demand from the buy-side and other changes in the business line, resulting in a $15.2 million increase in the business line’s other noninterest income compared to the same period in 2020.
●	a $9.5 million increase in compensation expense, of which $5.4 million was due to the increase in variable compensation primarily resulting from increases in our public finance services and structured finance business line revenues; and
---	---
●	a $2.8 million decrease in net revenue in our wealth management business line, which was primarily due to lower customer balance-based revenues, including FDIC-insured investment products’ fees and net interest on other customer balances as a result of the low interest rate environment.
---	---

​

The broker-dealer segment is subject to interest rate risk as a consequence of maintaining inventory positions, trading in interest rate sensitive financial instruments and maintaining a matched stock loan book. Changes in interest rates are likely to have a meaningful impact on our overall financial performance. Our broker-dealer segment has historically earned a significant portion of its revenues from advisory fees upon the successful completion of client transactions, which could be adversely impacted by interest rate volatility. Rapid or significant changes in interest rates could adversely affect the broker-dealer segment’s bond trading, sales, underwriting activities and other interest spread-sensitive activities described below. The broker-dealer segment also receives administrative fees for providing money market and FDIC investment alternatives to clients, which tend to be sensitive to short term interest rates. In addition, the profitability of the broker-dealer segment depends, to an extent, on the spread between revenues earned on customer loans and excess customer cash balances, and the interest expense paid on customer cash balances, as well as the interest revenue earned on trading securities, net of financing costs.

​

In the broker-dealer segment, interest is earned from securities lending activities, interest charged on customer margin loan balances and interest earned on investment securities used to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. The decrease in net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, was primarily due to decreases in net interest income from our structured finance business and the interest earned from customer activities. With the 118 basis point decrease in the three-month weighted average Federal Funds interest rate from March 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021, the amount of interest earned on customer investment activities decreased as well. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in net interest earned from the broker-dealer’s taxable securities and our stock lending business. The net interest spread in our stock lending business increased 21 basis points from March 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

​

Noninterest income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in other noninterest income and investment and securities advisory fees and commissions, partially offset by a decrease in securities commissions and fees.

​

Securities commissions and fees decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in commissions earned in our wealth management line of business given declines in our money market and FDIC sweep revenues of $4.5 million.

​

Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in fees earned from our underwriting activities of $2.0 million and management fees earned by our wealth management business line from advisory services of $1.3 million.

​

Other noninterest income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. The increase during the period was primarily the result of a $15.2 million increase in trading gains earned from our structured finance business line’s derivative activities due to strong year-over-year volumes and robust customer 60

Table of Contents demand compared to the heightened market volatility from the sudden shift in the housing market in March 2020 brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional $1.3 million of the increase was noted in our deferred compensation plan investments due to the increase in the financial markets from the prior year comparable period. These year-over-year increases were partially offset by a $4.7 million decrease in other interest income within our fixed income services business line within both our taxable and municipal securities trading portfolios.

​

Noninterest expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in variable compensation and an increase in our deferred compensation expenses of $1.7 million. Additionally, other noninterest expense increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to increased expenses in 2021 associated with the deployment of the new back-office system.

​

Selected information concerning the broker-dealer segment, including key performance indicators, follows (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
**** ​	​	2021			​	2020	​
Total compensation as a % of net revenue ^(1)^	​	​	60.5	%	​	56.9	%
Pre-tax margin ^(2)^	​	​	16.2	%	​	18.3	%
FDIC insured program balances at the Bank (end of period)	​	$	734,685	​	$	1,500,117	​
Other FDIC insured program balances (end of period)	​	$	1,839,707	​	$	761,452	​
Customer funds on deposit, including short credits (end of period)	​	$	476,537	​	$	341,815	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Public finance services:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Number of issues	​	​	231	​	​	217	​
Aggregate amount of offerings	​	$	15,592,020	​	$	11,393,139	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Structured finance:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Lock production/TBA volume	​	$	1,933,214	​	$	1,954,482	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Fixed income services:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total volumes	​	$	63,330,195	​	$	25,591,017	​
Net inventory (end of period)	​	$	430,633	​	$	368,445	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Wealth management (Retail and Clearing services groups):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Retail employee representatives (end of period)	​	​	109	​	​	121	​
Independent registered representatives (end of period)	​	​	188	​	​	194	​
Correspondents (end of period)	​	​	125	​	​	143	​
Correspondent receivables (end of period)	​	$	217,889	​	$	245,316	​
Customer margin balances (end of period)	​	$	301,219	​	$	260,476	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Wealth management (Securities lending group):	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest-earning assets - stock borrowed (end of period)	​	$	1,545,730	​	$	1,275,774	​
Interest-bearing liabilities - stock loaned (end of period)	​	$	1,464,186	​	$	1,167,559	​
(1)	Total compensation includes the sum of non-variable compensation and benefits and variable compensation. We consider total compensation as a percentage of net revenue to be a key performance measure and indicator of segment profitability.
---	---
(2)	Pre-tax margin is defined as income before income taxes divided by net revenue. We consider pre-tax margin to be a key performance measure given its use as a profitability metric representing the percentage of net revenue earned that results in a profit.
---	---

​

​

​ 61

Table of Contents Mortgage Origination Segment

​

The following table presents certain information regarding the operating results of our mortgage origination segment (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					****	Variance		​
​	​	2021		​	2020		​	2021 vs 2020		​
Net interest income (expense)	​	$	(7,098)	​	$	368	​	$	(7,466)	​
Noninterest income	​		310,444	​		178,968	​		131,476	​
Noninterest expense	​	​	210,334	​		139,552	​		70,782	​
Income before income taxes	​	$	93,012	​	$	39,784	​	$	53,228	​

​

The mortgage lending business is subject to variables that can impact loan origination volume, including seasonal transaction volumes and interest rate fluctuations. Historically, the mortgage origination segment has experienced increased loan origination volume from purchases of homes during the spring and summer months, when more people tend to move and buy or sell homes. An increase in mortgage interest rates tends to result in decreased loan origination volume from refinancings, while a decrease in mortgage interest rates tends to result in increased loan origination volume from refinancings. Changes in mortgage interest rates have historically had a lesser impact on home purchases volume than on refinancing volume. See details regarding refinancing volume in the table below.

​

As discussed in more detail in the “Recent Developments” section above, since March 2020, economic uncertainties resulting from the spread of COVID-19 have had disruptive effects on the financial markets in which the mortgage origination segment operates as well as the global economy. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first quarter of 2020, the FOMC reduced short-term rates by 150 basis points to a range of 0% to 0.25%. 10-year interest rates declined significantly during the first quarter 2020, which was followed by a steady decrease in mortgage interest rates during the remainder of 2020. Since December 2020, mortgage rates have increased, but remained lower during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Recent trends, as well as typical historical patterns in loan origination volume from purchases of homes or from refinancings as a result of movements in mortgage interest rates, may not be indicative of future loan origination volumes given the economic uncertainties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortgage origination segment’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct mortgage transactions. The continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on such customers could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the mortgage origination segment. A further increase in mortgage interest rates during the remainder of 2021 could impact the percentage mix of refinancing and purchase volumes relative to total loan origination volume compared to 2020.

​

Income before income taxes increased $53.2 million, or 133.8%, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020. This increase was primarily the result of a slight increase in interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) related to an increase in mortgage loan applications, and to a greater extent an increase in the average value of individual IRLCs.

​

The CARES Act provides borrowers the ability to request forbearance of residential mortgage loan payments, placing a significant strain on mortgage servicers as they may be required to fund missed or deferred payments related to loans in forbearance. A significant increase in nationwide forbearance requests since March 2020 resulted in the reduction of third-party mortgage servicers willing to purchase mortgage servicing rights. As a result of this market dynamic, beginning in the second quarter of 2020, we increased the amount of retained servicing on mortgage loans sold, as discussed in more detail below. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020 and continuing into the first quarter of 2021, PrimeLending began to reduce the amount of retained servicing. However, amounts retained during the first quarter of 2021 continued to exceed amounts retained prior to the second quarter 2020. PrimeLending utilizes a third-party to manage its servicing portfolio, and we therefore do not expect significant fluctuations in infrastructure costs to manage changes in PrimeLending’s servicing portfolio. PrimeLending’s liquidity has not been, and we do not expect that it will be significantly impacted by forbearance requests resulting from the CARES Act. GNMA, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation may impose restrictions on loans the agencies will accept, including loans under a forbearance agreement, which could result in PrimeLending seeking non-agency investors or choosing to retain these loans.

​

As average mortgage interest rates decreased between the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, refinancing volume as a percentage of total origination volume increased from 35.4% to 53.1%. Since December 2020, mortgage interest rates have increased. If current mortgage interest rates remain relatively unchanged, we anticipate a lower percentage of refinancing volumes relative to total loan origination volume during the last three quarters of 2021 as 62

Table of Contents compared to the first quarter of 2021. A higher refinance percentage could be driven by a slowing of purchase volume due to the negative impact on new and existing home sales resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

​

The mortgage origination segment primarily originates its mortgage loans through a retail channel, with limited lending through its affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”). For the three months ended March 31, 2021, funded volume through ABAs was approximately 5% of the mortgage origination segment’s total loan volume. As of March 31, 2021, PrimeLending owns a greater than 50% membership interest in three ABAs. We expect total production within the ABA channel to increase slightly to 7% of loan volume of the mortgage origination segment during the remainder of 2021.

​

The following table provides further details regarding our mortgage loan originations and sales for the periods indicated below (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,									​	​	​	​
​	​	2021				​	2020				​	​	​	​
​	****	****	​	****	% of	****	****	​	****	% of	****	​	Variance	​
​	​	Amount		​	Total	​	Amount		​	Total	​	​	2021 vs 2020	​
Mortgage Loan Originations - units		​	21,741	​	​	​	​	13,738	​	​	​	​	8,003	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Mortgage Loan Originations - volume	​	$	6,184,105	​	​	​	$	3,622,588	​	​	​	$	2,561,517	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Mortgage Loan Originations:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Conventional	​	$	4,482,763		72.49	%	$	2,315,487		63.92	%	$	2,167,276	​
Government	​		803,172		12.99	%		890,176		24.57	%		(87,004)	​
Jumbo	​		707,543		11.44	%		244,958		6.76	%		462,585	​
Other	​		190,627		3.08	%		171,967		4.75	%		18,660	​
​	​	$	6,184,105		100.00	%	$	3,622,588		100.00	%	$	2,561,517	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Home purchases	​	$	2,902,710		46.94	%	$	2,341,847		64.65	%	$	560,863	​
Refinancings	​		3,281,395		53.06	%		1,280,741		35.35	%		2,000,654	​
​	​	$	6,184,105		100.00	%	$	3,622,588		100.00	%	$	2,561,517	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Texas	​	$	1,076,892		17.41	%	$	705,357		19.47	%	$	371,535	​
California	​		795,060		12.86	%		380,063		10.49	%		414,997	​
Arizona	​		290,436		4.70	%		174,724		4.82	%		115,712	​
Florida	​		280,907		4.54	%		271,185		7.49	%		9,722	​
South Carolina	​		261,218		4.22	%		151,845		4.19	%		109,373	​
North Carolina	​		226,466		3.66	%		113,645		3.14	%		112,821	​
Ohio	​		222,639		3.60	%		126,193		3.48	%		96,446	​
Washington	​		215,460		3.48	%		123,042		3.40	%		92,418	​
Maryland	​		195,113		3.16	%		133,370		3.68	%		61,743	​
Missouri	​		189,012		3.06	%		115,659		3.19	%		73,353	​
All other states	​		2,430,902		39.31	%		1,327,505		36.65	%		1,103,397	​
​	​	$	6,184,105		100.00	%	$	3,622,588		100.00	%	$	2,561,517	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Mortgage Loan Sales - volume:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
External third parties	​	$	6,192,073		97.50	%	$	3,355,689		96.26	%	$	2,836,384	​
Banking segment	​		158,764		2.50	%		130,560		3.74	%		28,204	​
​	​	$	6,350,837		100.00	%	$	3,486,249		100.00	%	$	2,864,588	​

​

We consider the mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume to be a key performance measure. Loan origination volume is central to the segment’s ability to generate income by originating and selling mortgage loans, resulting in net gains from the sale of loans, other mortgage production income and mortgage loan origination fees. Total loan origination volume is a measure utilized by management, our investors and analysts in assessing market share and growth of the mortgage origination segment.

​

While the mortgage origination segment’s loan applications and IRLCs increased slightly during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, total loan origination volume and income before income taxes increased 70.7% and 133.8% during that time, respectively. The increase in income before income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily due to an increase in the average value of individual IRLCs, which is ultimately reflected in net gains from sale of loans. This increase was partially offset by an increase in compensation that varies with the volume of mortgage loans originations (“variable compensation”) and a decrease in change in net fair value of interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale.

​

Net interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was comprised of interest income earned on loans held for sale offset by interest incurred on warehouse lines of credit primarily held with the Bank, and related intercompany financing costs. The decrease in net interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included the effects of decreased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale between the two periods. 63

Table of Contents ​

Noninterest income was comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	Variance		​
​		2021			2020			2021 vs 2020
Net gains from sale of loans	​	$	246,588	​	$	113,538	​	$	133,050	​
Mortgage loan origination fees and other related income	​	​	43,155	​	​	28,554	​	​	14,601	​
Other mortgage production income:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Change in net fair value and related derivative activity:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
IRLCs and loans held for sale	​	​	(4,606)	​	​	34,028	​	​	(38,634)	​
Mortgage servicing rights asset	​	​	9,132	​	​	(3,027)	​	​	12,159	​
Servicing fees	​	​	16,175	​	​	5,875	​	​	10,300	​
Total noninterest income	​	$	310,444	​	$	178,968	​	$	131,476	​

​

​

The increase in net gains from sale of loans during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, was primarily a result of an increase in total loan sales volume, in addition to an increase in average loan sales margin. Since PrimeLending sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, the increases in loan sales volume during the three months ended March 31, 2021 is consistent with the increase in loan origination volume during the period. The increase in average loans sales margin was primarily driven by PrimeLending managing increased loan origination volumes to a level that could be supported by its loan fulfillment operations and addressing anticipated enhanced credit and liquidity risks triggered by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in mortgage loan origination fees during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with the same period in 2020, were primarily the result of an increase in loan origination volume, partially offset by a decrease in average mortgage loan origination fees.

​

We consider the mortgage origination segment’s net gains from sale of loans margin, in basis points, to be a key performance measure. Net gains from sale of loans margin is defined as net gains from sale of loans divided by loan sales volume. The net gains from sale of loans is central to the segment’s generation of income. The mortgage origination segment’s net gains from sale of loans margin, including loans sold to the banking segment, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 388 bps and 325 bps, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the mortgage origination segment originated approximately $159 million and $131 million, respectively, in loans on behalf of the banking segment, representing 2.5% and 3.6%, respectively, of PrimeLending’s total loan origination volume during each respective period. These loans were sold to the banking segment at par. For origination services provided, the mortgage origination segment was reimbursed direct origination costs associated with these loans, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The reimbursed origination costs and correspondent fee are included in the mortgage origination segment operating results, and the correspondent fees are eliminated in consolidation. The impact of loans sold to the banking segment at par was a decrease to the net gain from sale of loans margin of 10 basis points and 13 basis points during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Loan volumes to be originated on behalf of and retained by the banking segment are evaluated each quarter. While we anticipate an increase in loans sold to the banking segment during the remainder of 2021, we do not expect these sales to exceed 5% of total origination volume during this time. In March 2020, the mortgage origination segment executed a letter of intent with the banking segment to purchase mortgage loans previously sold to the banking segment with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $210 million. Such original sales of approximately $121 million are reflected in the previous mortgage loan details table within the mortgage loan sales volume to the banking segment during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The remaining $91 million of such original sales were sold to the banking segment during 2019. When these loans were sold at par by the mortgage origination segment, the banking segment’s intent was to hold these loans for investment. The mortgage origination segment completed the repurchase of these loans from the banking segment and in turn sold the loans to investors in the secondary market during the second quarter of 2020.

​

Noninterest income included changes in the net fair value of the mortgage origination segment’s IRLCs and loans held for sale and the related activity associated with forward commitments used by the mortgage origination segment to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was the result of a decrease in the average value of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale, partially offset by an increase in the total volume of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale.

​

The mortgage origination segment sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, historically with the majority servicing released. In addition, the mortgage origination segment originates loans on behalf of the Bank. The mortgage origination segment’s determination of whether to retain or release servicing on mortgage loans it sells is impacted by, among other things, changes in mortgage interest rates, and 64

Table of Contents refinancing and market activity. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, PrimeLending retained servicing on 9% of loans sold. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, we increased the amount of retained servicing on mortgage loan sales. During both the second and third quarters of 2020, PrimeLending retained servicing on 89% of total mortgage loans sold. The increase in rates of retained servicing during this time was due to the reduction in third-party servicing outlets during the second quarter of 2020 resulting from the impact of the CARES Act. The CARES Act permits borrowers of federally-backed mortgage loans to forbear payments, which could negatively impact servicers’ liquidity and their ability to purchase servicing. As forbearance requests leveled off during the latter part of 2020, the third-party market for mortgage servicing rights improved, increasing demand, which allowed PrimeLending to reduce retained servicing to 57% of total mortgage loans sold during the fourth quarter of 2020 and 50% of total mortgage loans sold during the first quarter 2021. If the third-party market for mortgage servicing rights continues to improve, we expect that PrimeLending will continue to reduce retained servicing on mortgage loans sold during the remainder of 2021. The related MSR asset was valued at $142.5 million on $12.2 billion of serviced loan volume at March 31, 2021, compared with a value of $144.2 million on $14.7 billion of serviced loan volume at December 31, 2020. The mortgage origination segment may, from time to time, manage its MSR asset through different strategies, including varying the percentage of mortgage loans sold servicing released and opportunistically selling MSR assets. The mortgage origination segment has also retained servicing on certain loans sold to the banking segment. Gains and losses associated with such sales to the banking segment and the related MSR asset are eliminated in consolidation. The mortgage origination segment uses derivative financial instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options, as a means to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its MSR asset. Changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and the related derivatives associated with normal customer payments, changes in discount rates, prepayment speed assumptions and customer payoffs resulted in a net gain of $9.1 million and a net loss of $3.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, net servicing income was $7.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with $2.7 million during the same period in 2020. On March 31, 2021, the mortgage origination segment sold MSR assets of $52.8 million, which represented $4.9 billion of its serviced loan volume at the time.

​

Noninterest expenses were comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​	Variance		​
​		2021			2020			2021 vs 2020
Variable compensation	​	$	115,486	​	$	58,280	​	$	57,206	​
Non-variable compensation and benefits	​	​	50,762	​	​	42,048	​	​	8,714	​
Segment operating costs	​	​	30,420	​	​	31,652	​	​	(1,232)	​
Lender paid closing costs	​	​	5,468	​	​	4,360	​	​	1,108	​
Servicing expense	​	​	8,198	​	​	3,212	​	​	4,986	​
Total noninterest expense	​	$	210,334	​	$	139,552	​	$	70,782	​

​

Total employees’ compensation and benefits accounted for the majority of noninterest expenses incurred during all periods presented. Specifically, variable compensation comprised 69.5% and 58.1% of total employees’ compensation and benefits expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in the percentage concentration of variable compensation and benefits was primarily due to an increase in loan origination volume. Variable compensation, which is primarily driven by loan origination volume, tends to fluctuate to a greater degree than loan origination volume because mortgage loan originator and fulfillment staff incentive compensation plans are structured to pay at increasing rates as higher monthly volume tiers are achieved. However, certain other incentive compensation plans driven by non-mortgage production criteria may alter this trend. In addition to an increase in loan origination volume primarily driving the increase in variable compensation and benefits, an increase in the average incentive rate paid and the impact of incentive plans driven by non-mortgage production criteria contributed to the increase in variable compensation.

​

While total loan origination volume increased 70.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, the aggregate non-variable compensation and benefits of the mortgage origination segment increased by 20.7%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in salaries resulting from increased underwriting and loan fulfillment staff and an increase in overtime expense incurred to support the increase in loan origination volume during the first quarter of 2021. Segment operating costs decreased slightly during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily as a result of a decrease in advertising and business development expense.

​

In exchange for a higher interest rate, customers may opt to have PrimeLending pay certain costs associated with the origination of their mortgage loans (“lender paid closing costs”). Fluctuations in lender paid closing costs are not always aligned with fluctuations in loan origination volume. Other loan pricing conditions, including the mortgage loan interest 65

Table of Contents rate, loan origination fees paid by the customer, and a customer’s willingness to pay closing costs, may influence fluctuations in lender paid closing costs.

​

Between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2021, the mortgage origination segment sold mortgage loans totaling $135.2 billion. These loans were sold under sales contracts that generally include provisions that hold the mortgage origination segment responsible for errors or omissions relating to its representations and warranties that loans sold meet certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. In addition, the sales contracts typically require the refund of purchased servicing rights plus certain investor servicing costs if a loan experiences an early payment default. While the mortgage origination segment sold loans prior to 2012, it does not anticipate experiencing significant losses in the future on loans originated prior to 2012 as a result of investor claims under these provisions of its sales contracts.

​

When a claim for indemnification of a loan sold is made by an agency, investor, or other party, the mortgage origination segment evaluates the claim and determines if the claim can be satisfied through additional documentation or other deliverables. If the claim is valid and cannot be satisfied in that manner, the mortgage origination segment negotiates with the claimant to reach a settlement of the claim. Settlements typically result in either the repurchase of a loan or reimbursement to the claimant for losses incurred on the loan.

​

Following is a summary of the mortgage origination segment’s claims resolution activity relating to loans sold between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Original **** Loan **** Balance				​	Loss **** Recognized				​
​	​	​	​	​	% of	​	​	​	​	% of	​
​	​	​	**** ​	​	Loans	​	​	**** ​	​	Loans	​
​		Amount		****	Sold	****	Amount		****	Sold
Claims resolved with no payment	​	$	192,704	​	0.14%	​	$	—	​	0.00%	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Claims resolved because of a loan repurchase or payment to an investor for losses incurred (1)	​	​	215,463	​	0.16%	​	​	8,165	​	0.01%	​
​	​	$	408,167	​	0.30%	​	$	8,165	​	0.01%	​
(1)	Losses incurred include refunded purchased servicing rights.
---	---

​

For each loan it concludes its obligation to a claimant is both probable and reasonably estimable, the mortgage origination segment has established a specific claims indemnification liability reserve. An additional indemnification liability reserve has been established for probable agency, investor or other party losses that may have been incurred, but not yet reported to the mortgage origination segment based upon a reasonable estimate of such losses. In addition to other factors, the mortgage origination segment has considered that GNMA, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation have imposed certain restrictions on loans the agencies will accept under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could increase the magnitude of indemnification losses on these loans.

​

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the mortgage origination segment’s total indemnification liability reserve totaled $24.3 million and $21.5 million, respectively. The related provision for indemnification losses was $3.0 million and $0.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

​

Corporate

​

The following table presents certain financial information regarding the operating results of corporate (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					****	Variance		​
​	​	2021		​	2020		​	2021 vs 2020		​
Net interest expense	​	$	(4,692)	​	$	(1,656)	​	$	(3,036)	​
Noninterest income	​		506	​		2,309	​		(1,803)	​
Noninterest expense	​	​	9,588	​		4,853	​		4,735	​
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	​	$	(13,774)	​	$	(4,200)	​	$	(9,574)	​

​

Corporate includes certain activities not allocated to specific business segments. These activities include holding company financing and investing activities, merchant banking investment opportunities and management and administrative services to support the overall operations of the Company. Hilltop’s merchant banking investment 66

Table of Contents activities include the identification of attractive opportunities for capital deployment in companies engaged in non-financial activities through its merchant bank subsidiary, Hilltop Opportunity Partners LLC.

​

As a holding company, Hilltop’s primary investment objectives are to support capital deployment for organic growth and to preserve capital to be deployed through acquisitions, dividend payments and potential stock repurchases. Investment and interest income earned during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily comprised of dividend income from merchant banking investment activities, in addition to interest income earned on intercompany notes.

​

Interest expense during each period included recurring quarterly interest expense of $1.9 million incurred on our $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5% senior notes due 2025 (“Senior Notes”). During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred interest expense of $3.1 million on our $200 million aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes, which were issued in May 2020. Additionally, we incurred interest expense of $0.6 million and $0.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, on junior subordinated debentures of $67.0 million issued by PCC (the “Debentures”).

​

Noninterest income from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included activity related to our investment in a real estate development in Dallas’ University Park, which also serves as headquarters for both Hilltop and the Bank, and net noninterest income associated with activity within our merchant bank subsidiary.

​

Noninterest expenses from continuing operations were primarily comprised of employees’ compensation and benefits, occupancy expenses and professional fees, including corporate governance, legal and transaction costs. Noninterest expenses increased during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a prior year non-recurring gain on sale transaction, partially offset by an increase in expenses associated with professional fees.

​

Results from Discontinued Operations

​

Insurance Segment

​

As previously discussed, on June 30, 2020, we completed the sale of NLC. Accordingly, insurance segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 have been presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. Additional details are presented in Note 3, Discontinued Operations, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. All activity associated with the insurance segment was recognized in 2020, therefore, there are no results in the three months ended March 31, 2021. Income from discontinued operations before income taxes was $4.0 million during the three months ended March, 31 2020.

​

Corporate

​

As a result of the previously noted sale of NLC on June 30, 2020 for cash proceeds of $154.1 million, Hilltop recognized an aggregate pre-tax gain on sale within discontinued operations of corporate of $36.8 million, net of customary transaction costs of $5.1 million. The resulting book gain from this sale transaction was not recognized for tax purposes pursuant to the rules under the Internal Revenue Code. All income from discontinued operations before income taxes associated with corporate was recognized beginning in the second quarter of 2020.

​

​

Financial Condition

​

The following discussion contains a more detailed analysis of our financial condition at March 31, 2021, as compared with December 31, 2020.

​

Securities Portfolio

​

At March 31, 2021, investment securities consisted of securities of the U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and its agencies, obligations of municipalities and other political subdivisions, primarily in the State of Texas, as well as mortgage-backed, corporate debt, and equity securities. We may categorize investments as trading, available for sale, held to maturity and equity securities.

​ 67

Table of Contents Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are carried at fair value, marked to market through operations and held at the Bank and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers. Securities classified as available for sale may, from time to time, be bought and sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in securities’ prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, general liquidity needs and to take advantage of market conditions that create more economically attractive returns. Such securities are carried at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity investments are carried at fair value, with all changes in fair value recognized in net income. Securities are classified as held to maturity based on the intent and ability of our management, at the time of purchase, to hold such securities to maturity. These securities are carried at amortized cost.

​

The table below summarizes our securities portfolio (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Trading securities, at fair value	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
U.S. Treasury securities	​	$	465	​	$	40,491	​
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds	​	​	20,376	​	​	40	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​	​	161,557	​	​	336,081	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	861	​	​	876	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​	​	80,729	​	​	69,172	​
Corporate debt securities	​	​	64,535	​	​	62,481	​
States and political subdivisions	​	​	183,385	​	​	171,573	​
Private-label securitized product	​	​	11,655	​	​	8,571	​
Other	​		5,149	​		4,970	​
​	​		528,712	​		694,255	​
Securities available for sale, at fair value	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Bonds	​		77,163	​	​	82,806	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		900,283	​	​	641,611	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	148,949	​	​	124,538	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		539,818	​	​	565,908	​
States and political subdivisions	​		49,193	​		47,342	​
​	​		1,715,406	​		1,462,205	​
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
U.S. government agencies:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Residential mortgage-backed securities	​		12,541	​	​	13,547	​
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	​	​	152,309	​	​	152,820	​
Collateralized mortgage obligations	​		65,043	​	​	74,932	​
States and political subdivisions	​		70,195	​	​	70,645	​
​	​		300,088	​		311,944	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Equity securities, at fair value	​	​	189	​	​	140	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Total securities portfolio	​	$	2,544,395	​	$	2,468,544	​

​

We had nominal net unrealized losses at March 31, 2021 and net unrealized gains of $26.3 million at December 31, 2020 related to the available for sale investment portfolio, and net unrealized gains of $11.3 million and $14.7 million associated with the securities held to maturity portfolio at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Equity securities included net unrealized gains of $0.1 million at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

​

Banking Segment

​

The banking segment’s securities portfolio plays a role in the management of our interest rate sensitivity and generates additional interest income. In addition, the securities portfolio is used to meet collateral requirements for public and trust deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other purposes. The available for sale and equity securities portfolios serve as a source of liquidity. Historically, the Bank’s policy has been to invest primarily in securities of the U.S. government and its agencies, obligations of municipalities in the State of Texas and other high grade fixed income securities to minimize credit risk. At March 31, 2021, the banking segment’s securities portfolio of $2.0 billion was comprised of trading securities of $1.0 million, available for sale securities of $1.7 billion, equity securities of $0.2 68

Table of Contents million and held to maturity securities of $300.1 million, in addition to $15.0 million of other investments included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.

​

Broker-Dealer Segment

​

The broker-dealer segment holds securities to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. The interest rate risk inherent in holding these securities is managed by setting and monitoring limits on the size and duration of positions and on the length of time the securities can be held. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers are required to carry their securities at fair value and record changes in the fair value of the portfolio in operations. Accordingly, the securities portfolio of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers included trading securities of $527.7 million at March 31, 2021. In addition, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers enter into transactions that represent commitments to purchase and deliver securities at prevailing future market prices to facilitate customer transactions and satisfy such commitments. Accordingly, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ ultimate obligation may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. These securities, which are carried at fair value and reported as securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets, had a value of $97.1 million at March 31, 2021.

​

Corporate

​

At March 31, 2021, the corporate portfolio included other investments, including those associated with merchant banking, of $38.8 million in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.

​

Allowance for Credit Losses for Available for Sale Securities and Held to Maturity Securities

​

We have evaluated available for sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and have determined that any declines in value are unrelated to credit loss and related to changes in market interest rates since purchase. None of the available for sale debt securities held were past due at March 31, 2021. In addition, as of March 31, 2021, we had evaluated our held to maturity debt securities, considering the current credit ratings and recognized losses, and determined the potential credit loss to be minimal. With respect to these securities, we considered the risk of credit loss to be negligible, and therefore, no allowance was recognized on the debt securities portfolio at March 31, 2021.

​

Loan Portfolio

​

Consolidated loans held for investment are detailed in the tables below, classified by portfolio segment.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	****	March 31,		****	December 31,
​	​	2021		​	2020
Commercial real estate	​	$	3,114,936	​	$	3,133,903
Commercial and industrial	​		2,574,229	​		2,627,774
Construction and land development	​		821,883	​		828,852
1-4 family residential	​		745,544	​		629,938
Consumer	​	​	33,890	​	​	35,667
Broker-dealer	​	​	520,175	​	​	437,007
Loans held for investment, gross	​		7,810,657	​		7,693,141
Allowance for credit losses	​		(144,499)	​		(149,044)
Loans held for investment, net of allowance	​	$	7,666,158	​	$	7,544,097

​

Banking Segment

​

The loan portfolio constitutes the primary earning asset of the banking segment and typically offers the best alternative for obtaining the maximum interest spread above the banking segment’s cost of funds. The overall economic strength of the banking segment generally parallels the quality and yield of its loan portfolio.

​

The banking segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $9.5 billion and $9.6 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The banking segment’s loan portfolio includes warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending of $3.3 billion, of which $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion was drawn at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Amounts advanced against the warehouse lines of credit are eliminated from net loans held for investment on our consolidated balance sheets. The banking segment does not generally participate in syndicated loan transactions and has no foreign loans in its portfolio. 69

Table of Contents ​

The banking segment’s loan portfolio included $492.4 million related to both initial and second round PPP loans at March 31, 2021. While these loans have terms up to 60 months, borrowers can apply for forgiveness of these loans with the SBA. Through April 16, 2021, the SBA had approved approximately 2,270 initial round PPP forgiveness applications from the Bank totaling approximately $420 million, with PPP loans of approximately $185 million pending SBA review and approval. We anticipate a significant amount of these remaining initial round PPP loans pending approval being forgiven over the next quarter. The Bank has not commenced the submission of PPP forgiveness applications on second round PPP loans. The forgiveness/payoff of the PPP loans would generate an increase in interest income as we would recognize the remaining unamortized origination fee at the time of payoff or forgiveness.

​

At March 31, 2021, the banking segment had loan concentrations (loans to borrowers engaged in similar activities) that exceeded 10% of total loans in its real estate portfolio. The areas of concentration within our real estate portfolio were non-construction commercial real estate loans, construction and land development loans, and non-construction residential real estate loans, which represented 42.7%, 11.3% and 10.2%, respectively, of the banking segment’s total loans held investment at March 31, 2021. The banking segment’s loan concentrations were within regulatory guidelines at March 31, 2021.

​

Broker-Dealer Segment

​

The loan portfolio of the broker-dealer segment consists primarily of margin loans to customers and correspondents. These loans are collateralized by the securities purchased or by other securities owned by the clients and, because of collateral coverage ratios, are believed to present minimal collectability exposure. Additionally, these loans are subject to a number of regulatory requirements as well as the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ internal policies. The broker-dealer segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $519.9 million and $436.8 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. This increase from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to an increase of $44.5 million, or 17%, in customer margin accounts and an increase of $37.7 million, or 21%, in receivables from correspondents.

​

Mortgage Origination Segment

​

The loan portfolio of the mortgage origination segment consists of loans held for sale, primarily single-family residential mortgages funded through PrimeLending, and IRLCs with customers pursuant to which we agree to originate a mortgage loan on a future date at an agreed-upon interest rate. The components of the mortgage origination segment’s loans held for sale and IRLCs are as follows (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​
​	****	2021		****	2020		****
Loans held for sale:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unpaid principal balance	​	$	2,207,245	​	$	2,411,626	​
Fair value adjustment	​		41,822	​		109,778	​
​	​	$	2,249,067	​	$	2,521,404	​
IRLCs:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unpaid principal balance	​	$	2,673,869	​	$	2,470,013	​
Fair value adjustment	​		48,809	​		76,048	​
​	​	$	2,722,678	​	$	2,546,061	​

​

The mortgage origination segment uses forward commitments to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its loans held for sale and IRLCs. The notional amounts of these forward commitments at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $3.9 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively, while the related estimated fair values were $43.1 million and ($28.0) million, respectively.

​

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

​

For additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses, refer to the section captioned “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Form 10-K.

​ 70

Table of Contents Loans Held for Investment

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The Bank has lending policies in place with the goal of establishing an asset portfolio that will provide a return on stockholders’ equity sufficient to maintain capital to assets ratios that meet or exceed established regulations. Loans are underwritten with careful consideration of the borrower’s financial condition, the specific purpose of the loan, the primary sources of repayment and any collateral pledged to secure the loan.

​

Underwriting procedures address financial components based on the size and complexity of the credit. The financial components include, but are not limited to, current and projected cash flows, shock analysis and/or stress testing, and trends in appropriate balance sheet and statement of operations ratios. The Bank’s loan policy provides specific underwriting guidelines by portfolio segment, including commercial and industrial, real estate, construction and land development, and consumer loans. The guidelines for each individual portfolio segment set forth permissible and impermissible loan types. With respect to each loan type, the guidelines within the Bank’s loan policy provide minimum requirements for the underwriting factors listed above. The Bank’s underwriting procedures also include an analysis of any collateral and guarantor. Collateral analysis includes a complete description of the collateral, as well as determined values, monitoring requirements, loan to value ratios, concentration risk, appraisal requirements and other information relevant to the collateral being pledged. Guarantor analysis includes liquidity and cash flow evaluation based on the significance with which the guarantors are expected to serve as secondary repayment sources.

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The Bank maintains a loan review department that reviews credit risk in response to both external and internal factors that potentially impact the performance of either individual loans or the overall loan portfolio. The loan review process reviews the creditworthiness of borrowers and determines compliance with the loan policy. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel. Results of these reviews are presented to management, the Bank’s board of directors and the Risk Committee of the board of directors of the Company.

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The allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment represents management’s best estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then-existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods. Such future changes in the allowance for credit losses are expected to be volatile given dependence upon, among other things, the portfolio composition and quality, as well as the impact of significant drivers, including prepayment assumptions and macroeconomic conditions and forecasts.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a weak labor market and weak overall economic conditions that have affected borrowers across our lending portfolios. Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic downturn, as well as its potential impact on borrower defaults and loss severity. In particular, macroeconomic conditions and forecasts regarding the duration and severity of the economic downturn are rapidly changing and remain highly uncertain as COVID-19 cases and vaccine effectiveness evolve nationally and in key geographies. It is difficult to predict exactly how borrower behavior will be impacted by these economic conditions as the effectiveness of vaccinations, government stimulus, customer relief and enhanced unemployment benefits should help mitigate in the short term, but the extent and duration of government stimulus as well as performance of recently implemented payment deferral programs remains uncertain.

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One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating our allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. To determine the allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2021, we utilized a single macroeconomic consensus scenario published by Moody’s Analytics in March 2021.

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During previous quarterly macroeconomic assessments through December 31, 2020, we utilized a single baseline scenario published by Moody’s Analytics. The change to the consensus scenario was based on our evaluation of the Moody’s economic forecast compared to other industry surveys over the reasonable and supportable period and our assessment of the reasonableness of impacts associated with the key monetary and government stimulus policy assumptions. The consensus economic scenario considered several industry surveys in the near-term forecasts and assumes reversion to the long-term trends embedded in the baseline economic scenario before reverting to historical data.

​ 71

Table of Contents The following table summarizes the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth rates and unemployment rate assumptions used in our economic forecast to determine our best estimate of expected credit losses.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	As of
​	​	​	March 31,	​	December 31,	​	September 30,	​	June 30,	​	March 31,
​	​	​	2021	​	2020	​	2020	​	2020	​	2020
GDP growth rates:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Q1 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	(2.5)%
​	Q2 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	(33.4)%	​	(18.3)%
​	Q3 2020	​	​	​	​	​	26.6%	​	19.8%	​	10.9%
​	Q4 2020	​	​	​	4.0%	​	2.9%	​	0.1%	​	2.4%
​	Q1 2021	​	5.0%	​	1.6%	​	3.6%	​	0.2%	​	2.6%
​	Q2 2021	​	6.5%	​	4.5%	​	3.1%	​	1.8%	​	3.3%
​	Q3 2021	​	6.7%	​	4.7%	​	4.4%	​	8.5%	​	5.1%
​	Q4 2021	​	4.8%	​	5.8%	​	6.0%	​	7.3%	​	​
​	Q1 2022	​	3.2%	​	4.8%	​	5.5%	​	​	​	​
​	Q2 2022	​	2.5%	​	4.4%	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Q3 2022	​	2.1%	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Unemployment rates:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Q1 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	3.8%
​	Q2 2020	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	14.0%	​	8.7%
​	Q3 2020	​	​	​	​	​	8.9%	​	9.1%	​	6.3%
​	Q4 2020	​	​	​	6.7%	​	9.1%	​	9.5%	​	6.5%
​	Q1 2021	​	6.3%	​	6.9%	​	8.9%	​	9.7%	​	6.7%
​	Q2 2021	​	6.2%	​	7.1%	​	8.7%	​	9.7%	​	6.7%
​	Q3 2021	​	5.8%	​	7.0%	​	8.3%	​	9.2%	​	6.6%
​	Q4 2021	​	5.4%	​	6.8%	​	7.8%	​	8.7%	​	​
​	Q1 2022	​	5.1%	​	6.5%	​	7.3%	​	​	​	​
​	Q2 2022	​	4.9%	​	6.2%	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	Q3 2022	​	4.7%	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​

​

As of March 31, 2021, our near-term economic forecast improved from December 31, 2020, reflecting better than expected economic and COVID case data and the approval of a third round of $1.9 trillion in government stimulus in March 2021. As a result, projected real GDP growth through the third quarter of 2021 was revised upward and unemployment rate forecasts were adjusted lower based on economic and employment data observed in February 2021. Forecasts for commercial real estate prices nationally were updated higher with declines through 2021 and recovery to pre-COVID levels in early 2024. Our new interest rate expectations assume monetary policy support from the Federal Reserve and a target range of the federal funds rate at 0% to 0.25% into mid-2023.

​

As of December 31, 2020, our near-term economic forecast improved from September 30, 2020, reflecting better than expected economic data and approval of additional government stimulus earlier than expected. As such, projected real GDP growth in the first quarter of 2021 was revised upward. However, we revised our near-term 2021 real GDP forecast to reflect approximately $900 billion of additional stimulus compared to $1.5 trillion planned as of September 30, 2020. Unemployment rate forecasts were adjusted lower based on economic data observed in October and November 2020, as well as recent COVID vaccine approvals showing progress towards the next phase of labor market recovery. Forecasts for commercial real estate prices nationally were updated lower as of December 31, 2020 to reflect declines through 2022 and recovery to pre-COVID levels in late 2024. Prior quarter forecasts as of September 30, 2020 assumed declines through 2021 and recovery to pre-COVID levels in mid-2023. Our interest rate expectations continued to assume monetary policy support from the Federal Reserve and a target range of the federal funds rate at 0% to 0.25% into late 2023.

​

Since December 31, 2019, our economic forecast changed significantly year-over-year in response to weak economic conditions caused by the COVID pandemic as developments occurred rapidly in February and March 2020 associated with fiscal and monetary stimulus measures and the expected beneficial impacts of the CARES Act and certain regulatory interagency guidance. As of December 31, 2019, we assumed the U.S. economy was in the late stages of the economic cycle with unemployment rates near historical lows of 3.6% increasing to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2020 and reverting to historical data in the fourth quarter of 2022. Downside risks to the economy were concerns over international trade war between the U.S. and its trading partners and potential fallout from a Brexit in 2020. Interest rate expectations assumed one rate cut in 2020 with the Federal Reserve target range of the federal funds rate at 1.25% to 1.50% before reverting to historical data in 2023. In response to the COVID pandemic, the Federal Reserve twice cut federal funds rate targets in March 2020 to 0% to 0.25% with interest rate expectations as of December 31, 2020 72

Table of Contents unchanged until late 2023. Several U.S. fiscal and monetary policy changes during early 2020 were enacted to counter a severe, but short U.S. recession during the first half of 2020 and support a strong economic recovery during the second half of 2020 with U.S. budget deficits increasing to more than $3 trillion during the year. U.S. unemployment rates reached 14.8% in April 2020 before declining to 6.7% as of December 31, 2020, which was 3.1% higher than the unemployment rate as of December 31, 2019. Annualized real GDP growth rates declined 31.4% in the second quarter of 2020 and increased 33.4% in the third quarter of 2020. The U.S. presidential election later in 2020 resulted in several changes, as Presidential Candidate Joe Biden won the electoral vote to replace President Donald Trump in 2021 and majority control of the U.S. Congress moved from Republican to Democratic parties. As economic growth slowed during the fourth quarter of 2020, additional government stimulus of approximately $900 billion was approved.

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As previously discussed, we adopted the new CECL standard and recorded transition adjustment entries that resulted in an allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment of $73.7 million as of January 1, 2020, an increase of $12.6 million. This increase reflected credit losses of $18.9 million from the expansion of the loss horizon to life of loan and also takes into account forecasts of expected future macroeconomic conditions, partially offset by the elimination of the non-credit component within the historical allowance related to previously categorized PCI loans of $6.3 million. This increase, net of tax, was largely reflected within the banking segment and included a decrease of $5.7 million to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2020.

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During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the allowance reflected a net reversal of credit losses of $5.1 million on loans held for investment. This net reversal of credit losses was primarily comprised of a net reversal of credit losses on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans of $6.5 million primarily due to improvements in the macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter, partially offset by slower prepayment assumptions on certain commercial real estate and construction and land portfolios, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses on individually evaluated loans of $1.4 million primarily related to changes in risk rating grades and updated realizable values. The change in the allowance for credit losses during the current period was primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix, and changes in qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was also impacted by net recoveries of $0.6 million.

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As discussed under the section entitled “Loan Portfolio” earlier in this Item 2, the Bank’s actions beginning in the second and third quarters of 2020 included supporting our impacted banking clients experiencing an increased level of risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic through loan modifications. The significant build in the allowance included provision for credit losses associated with this deteriorating economic outlook and resulted in an allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP lending programs, of 2.38%.

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The respective distribution of the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio and total active loan modifications, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP lending programs, are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Allowance For	​	​	​		​	Allowance		​	Allowance For	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	Credit Losses	​	​	​		​	For Credit		​	Credit Losses	​
​	​	**** ​	​	​	Total		​	as a % of		​	​		​	Losses on		​	as a % of	​
​	​	Total		​	Allowance		​	Total Loans	​	​	Active		​	Active		​	Active	​
​	​	Loans Held		​	for Credit		​	Held For		​	Loan		​	Loan		​	Loan	​
March 31, 2021	​	For Investment		​	Losses		​	Investment	​	​	Modifications		​	Modifications		​	Modifications	​
Commercial real estate	​	$	3,114,936	​	$	104,126	​	3.34	%	​	$	89,496	​	$	15,587	​	17.42	%
Commercial and industrial (1)	​	​	1,338,511	​	​	28,141	​	2.10	%	​	​	5,708	​	​	1,052	​	18.43	%
Construction and land development	​		821,883	​		7,249	​	0.88	%	​	​	25,591	​		731	​	2.86	%
1-4 family residential	​		745,544	​		3,388	​	0.45	%	​	​	9,493	​		60	​	0.63	%
Consumer	​	​	33,890	​		944	​	2.79	%	​	​	—	​		—	​	—	​
​	​		6,054,764	​		143,848	​	2.38	%	​	​	130,288	​		17,430	​	13.38	%
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	520,175	​	​	279	​	0.05	%	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​
Mortgage warehouse lending	​	​	743,347	​	​	372	​	0.05	%	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​
Paycheck Protection Program	​	​	492,371	​	​	—	​	—	​	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	—	​
​	​	$	7,810,657	​	$	144,499	​	1.85	%	​	$	130,288	​	$	17,430	​	13.38	%
(1)	Commercial and industrial portfolio amounts reflect balances excluding banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP loans.
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​ 73

Table of Contents Allowance Model Sensitivity

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Our allowance model was designed to capture the historical relationship between economic and portfolio changes. As such, evaluating shifts in individual portfolio attributes or macroeconomic variables in isolation may not be indicative of past or future performance. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one factor or input might affect the overall allowance for credit losses because we consider a wide variety of factors and inputs in the allowance for credit losses estimate. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all geographies or product types, and changes in factors and input may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor may offset deterioration in others.

​

However, to consider the sensitivity of credit loss estimates to alternative macroeconomic forecasts, we compared the Company’s allowance for credit loss estimates as of March 31, 2021, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment, the banking segment mortgage warehouse, and PPP lending programs, with modeled results using both upside (“S1”) and downside (“S3”) economic scenario forecasts published by Moody’s Analytics.

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Compared to our economic forecast, the upside scenario assumes consumer and business confidence increases as new cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID recede faster than expected, while vaccinations and consumer spending accelerate earlier than expected. Real GDP growth is expected to grow 8.9% in the second quarter of 2021, 10.0% in the third quarter of 2021 and 9.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 9.4% in the first quarter 2022. Average unemployment rates decline to 3.5% by the end of 2021 and 3.2% by the end of 2022. Monetary and fiscal policy assumptions include the Federal Reserve maintaining a near 0% target for the federal funds rate until the fourth quarter of 2022 and additional government infrastructure and social program spending approved in the fourth quarter of 2021 of $1.5 trillion.

​

Compared to our economic forecast, the downside scenario assumes consumer and business confidence declines as hospitalizations and deaths from COVID rise again resulting in increased concerns associated with vaccine effectiveness. As the number of new cases rise, consumer confidence and spending erode causing the economy to fall back into recession. Real GDP growth is expected to decrease 3.5% in the second quarter of 2021, 2.3% in the third quarter of 2021 and 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021. Average unemployment rates increase to 8.2% by the fourth quarter of 2021 and improve modestly to 7.7% by the end of 2022. Unemployment is expected to remain elevated but improve to 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and reverts to historical average rates over time. Monetary and fiscal policy assumptions include the Federal Reserve maintaining a near 0% target for the federal funds rate through mid-2025, while disagreements in Congress prevent any additional stimulus from being enacted beyond the American Rescue Plan Act passed in March 2021.

​

The impact of applying all of the assumptions of the upside economic scenario during the reasonable and supportable forecast period would have resulted in a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $21 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 1.62% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP lending programs.

​

The impact of applying all of the assumptions of the downside economic scenario during the reasonable and supportable forecast period would have resulted in an increase in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $73 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 3.20% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP lending programs.

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This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as they do not reflect any potential changes in the adjustment to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions. It also did not consider impacts from recent Bank deferral and customer accommodation efforts or government fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.

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Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of current expected credit losses, which is highly dependent on the path of the virus and expectations around the production and distribution of reliable vaccines and medical treatments. We continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policy measures on the economy and if pace and vigor of the expected recovery is worse than expected, further meaningful provisions could be required. Future allowance for credit losses may vary considerably for these reasons.

​ 74

Table of Contents Allowance Activity

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The following tables presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses within our loan portfolio for the periods presented (in thousands). Substantially all of the activity shown below occurred within the banking segment.

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​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,					​
Loans Held for Investment	****	2021		****	2020		****
Balance, beginning of period	​	$	149,044	​	$	61,136	​
Transition adjustment for adoption of CECL accounting standard	​	​	—	​	​	12,562	​
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses	​		(5,109)	​		34,549	​
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Commercial real estate	​		14	​		10	​
Commercial and industrial	​		433	​		387	​
Construction and land development	​		—	​		—	​
1-4 family residential	​		409	​		10	​
Consumer	​	​	76	​		120	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	—	​		—	​
Total recoveries	​		932	​		527	​
Loans charged off:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Commercial real estate	​		—	​		214	​
Commercial and industrial	​		179	​		1,440	​
Construction and land development	​		—	​		2	​
1-4 family residential	​		110	​		203	​
Consumer	​	​	79	​		176	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	—	​		—	​
Total charge-offs	​		368	​		2,035	​
Net recoveries (charge-offs)	​		564	​		(1,508)	​
Balance, end of period	​	$	144,499	​	$	106,739	​
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans held for investment	​	​	1.85	%	​	1.45	%

​

​

The distribution of the allowance for credit losses among loan types and the percentage of the loans for that type to gross loans, excluding unearned income, within our loan portfolio are presented in the table below (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021				​	December 31, 2020				​
​	****	****	​	****	% of	****	****	​	****	% of	****
​	​	​	​	​	Gross	​	​	​	​	Gross	​
​	​	Reserve		​	Loans	​	Reserve		​	Loans	​
Commercial real estate		$	104,126		39.88	%	$	109,629		40.74	%
Commercial and industrial			28,513		33.00	%		27,703		34.16	%
Construction and land development			7,249		10.52	%		6,677		10.77	%
1-4 family residential			3,388		9.51	%		3,946		8.19	%
Consumer	​	​	944		0.43	%		876		0.46	%
Broker-dealer	​	​	279		6.66	%		213		5.68	%
Total		$	144,499		100.00	%	$	149,044		100.00	%

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The following table summarizes historical levels of the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​	September 30,		​	June 30,		​	March 31,
​	****	2021		****	2020		​	2020		****	2020		****	2020
Commercial real estate	​	$	104,126	​	$	109,629	​	$	104,566	​	$	106,551	​	$	53,939
Commercial and industrial	​		28,513	​		27,703	​		38,178	​		31,863	​		38,550
Construction and land development	​		7,249	​		6,677	​		6,270	​		8,393	​		6,360
1-4 family residential	​		3,388	​		3,946	​		5,052	​		7,399	​		6,365
Consumer	​	​	944	​	​	876	​	​	1,002	​	​	1,429	​	​	1,203
Broker-dealer	​	​	279	​	​	213	​	​	146	​	​	748	​	​	322
​	​	$	144,499	​	$	149,044	​	$	155,214	​	$	156,383	​	$	106,739

75

Table of Contents ​

The increase in the allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment during 2020 in the table above was primarily attributable to the adoption of the new CECL standard as of January 1, 2020 and a deteriorating economic outlook associated with the impact of the market disruption caused by COVID-19 conditions. As previously noted, the adoption of CECL requires that we reflect the expansion of the loss horizon to life of loan and take into account forecasts of expected future macroeconomic conditions in our determination of the allowance for credit losses.

​

Unfunded Loan Commitments

​

In order to estimate the allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, the Bank uses a process similar to that used in estimating the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. The allowance is based on the estimated exposure at default, multiplied by the lifetime probability of default grade and loss given default grade for that particular loan segment. The Bank estimates expected losses by calculating a commitment usage factor based on industry usage factors. The commitment usage factor is applied over the relevant contractual period. Loss factors from the underlying loans to which commitments are related are applied to the results of the usage calculation to estimate any liability for credit losses related for each loan type. The expected losses on unfunded commitments align with statistically calculated parameters used to calculate the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. Letters of credit are not currently reserved because they are issued primarily as credit enhancements and the likelihood of funding is low.

​

Changes in the allowance for credit losses for loans with off-balance sheet credit exposures are shown below (in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,
​		2021		****	2020
Balance, beginning of period	​	$	8,388	​	$	2,075
Transition adjustment CECL accounting standard	​	​	—	​	​	3,837
Other noninterest expense	​	​	419	​	​	1,297
Balance, end of period	​	$	8,807	​	$	7,209

​

As previously discussed, we adopted the new CECL standard and recorded a transition adjustment entry that resulted in an allowance for credit losses of $5.9 million as of January 1, 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to increases in available commitment balances.

​

Potential Problem Loans

​

Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms but for which management has concerns about the ability of an obligor to continue to comply with repayment terms because of the obligor’s potential operating or financial difficulties. Management monitors these loans and reviews their performance on a regular basis. Potential problem loans contain potential weaknesses that could improve, persist or further deteriorate. If such potential weaknesses persist without improving, the loan is subject to downgrade, typically to substandard, in three to six months. Potential problem loans are assigned a grade of special mention within our risk grading matrix. Potential problem loans do not include purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans because PCD loans exhibited evidence of more than insignificant credit deterioration at acquisition that made it probable that all contractually required principal payments would not be collected. Additionally, potential problem loans do not include loans that have been modified in connection with our COVID-19 payment deferment programs which allow for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments. Within our loan portfolio, we had three credit relationships totaling $4.8 million of potential problem loans at March 31, 2021, compared with seven credit relationships totaling $11.3 million of potential problem loans at December 31, 2020.

​

Non-Performing Assets

​

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was passed in March 2020, which among other things, allows the Bank to suspend the TDR requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR. Starting in March 2020, the Bank implemented several actions to better support our impacted banking clients and allow for loan modifications such as principal and/or interest payment deferrals, participation in the PPP as an SBA preferred lender and personal banking assistance including waived fees, increased daily spending limits and suspension of residential foreclosure activities. The COVID-19 payment deferment programs allow for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on the maturity date of the existing loan.

​ 76

Table of Contents Specifically, as discussed under the section titled “Loan Portfolio” earlier in this Item 2, the Bank’s actions during 2020 included approval of $1.0 billion of COVID-19 related loan modifications. The portfolio of active deferrals that have not reached the end of their deferral period was approximately $130 million as of March 31, 2021. While the majority of the portfolio of COVID-19 related loan modifications no longer require deferral, such loans represent elevated risk, and therefore management continues to monitor these loans. The extent to which these measures will impact the Bank, and any progression of loans, whether receiving COVID-19 payment deferrals or not, into non-performing assets, during future periods is uncertain and will depend on future developments that cannot be predicted.

​

The following table presents components of our non-performing assets (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,		​	​	​	​	​
​	****	2021		****	2020		****	​	Variance		****
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:	​		​	​		​	​	​	​	​	​
Commercial real estate	​	$	10,668	​	$	11,133	​	​	$	(465)	​
Commercial and industrial	​		36,144	​		34,049	​	​		2,095	​
Construction and land development	​		501	​		507	​	​		(6)	​
1-4 family residential	​		30,937	​		32,263	​	​		(1,326)	​
Consumer	​	​	26	​		28	​	​	​	(2)	​
Broker-dealer	​	​	—	​		—	​	​	​	—	​
​	​	$	78,276	​	$	77,980	​	​	$	296	​
Troubled debt restructurings included in accruing loans held for investment	​	​	1,584	​	​	1,954	​	​	​	(370)	​
Non-performing loans	​	$	79,860	​	$	79,934	​	​	$	(74)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans	​		0.77	%		0.76	%	​		0.01	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Other real estate owned	​	$	19,899	​	$	21,289	​	​	$	(1,390)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Other repossessed assets	​	$	—	​	$	101	​	​	$	(101)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-performing assets	​	$	99,759	​	$	101,324	​	​	$	(1,565)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets	​		0.56	%		0.60	%	​		(0.04)	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing	​	$	265,230	​	$	243,630	​	​	$	21,600	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​

​

At March 31, 2021, non-accrual loans included 49 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by accounts receivable, life insurance, oil and gas, livestock and equipment. Non-accrual loans at March 31, 2021 also included $8.3 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. At December 31, 2020, non-accrual loans included 60 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by accounts receivable, life insurance, oil and gas, livestock and equipment. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2020 also included $10.9 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale.

​

At March 31, 2021, TDRs were comprised of $1.6 million of loans that are considered to be performing and accruing, and $15.8 million of loans considered to be non-performing reported in non-accrual loans. At December 31, 2020, TDRs were comprised of $2.0 million of loans that are considered to be performing and accruing, and $16.0 million of loans that were considered to be non-performing reported in non-accrual loans. In March 2020, the CARES Act was passed, which, among other things, allows the Bank to suspend the requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR. Therefore, the Bank is not reporting COVID-19 related modifications as TDRs in accordance with the CARES Act.

​

OREO decreased from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2021, primarily due to disposals totaling $1.8 million, partially offset by additions of $0.5 million. At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, OREO was primarily comprised of commercial properties.

​

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were primarily comprised of loans held for sale and guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, including GNMA-related loans subject to repurchase within our mortgage origination segment. As of March 31, 2021, $155.7 million of loans subject to repurchase were 77

Table of Contents under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. During May 2020, GNMA announced it will temporarily exclude any new GNMA lender delinquencies, occurring on or after April 2020, when calculating the delinquency ratios for the purposes of enforcing compliance with its delinquency rate thresholds. This exclusion is extended automatically to GNMA lenders that were compliant with GNMA’s delinquency rate thresholds as reflected by their April 2020 investor accounting report. The mortgage origination segment qualified for this exclusion as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, $152.0 million of loans subject to repurchase under a forbearance agreement had delinquencies on or after April 2020.

​

Deposits

​

The banking segment’s major source of funds and liquidity is its deposit base. Deposits provide funding for its investments in loans and securities. Interest paid for deposits must be managed carefully to control the level of interest expense and overall net interest margin. The composition of the deposit base (time deposits versus interest-bearing demand deposits and savings), as discussed in more detail within the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Banking Segment” below, is constantly changing due to the banking segment’s needs and market conditions.

​

The table below presents the average balance of, and rate paid on, consolidated deposits (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	Three Months Ended March 31,									​
​	​	2021				​	2020				​
​	****	Average		****	Average	****	Average		****	Average	****
​	​	Balance		​	Rate Paid	​	Balance		​	Rate Paid	​
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	​	$	3,729,994		0.00	%	$	2,730,975		0.00	%
Interest-bearing demand deposits	​		5,625,682		0.24	%		4,589,046		0.71	%
Savings deposits	​		270,475		0.07	%		195,915		0.18	%
Time deposits	​		1,730,418		1.04	%		1,479,866		1.88	%
​	​	$	11,356,569		0.28	%	$	8,995,802		0.67	%

​

​

​

Borrowings

​

Our consolidated borrowings are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021				​	December 31, 2020				​	​	​	​	​
​	****	****	​	****	Average	****	****	​	****	Average	****	​	​		​
​	​	Balance		​	Rate Paid	​	Balance		​	Rate Paid	​	​	Variance		​
Short-term borrowings	​	$	676,652		1.22	%	$	695,798		1.46	%	​	$	(19,146)	​
Notes payable	​		401,713		4.95	%		381,987		4.54	%	​	​	19,726	​
Junior subordinated debentures	​		67,012		3.40	%		67,012		4.13	%	​	​	—	​
​	​	$	1,145,377		2.66	%	$	1,144,797		2.51	%	​	$	580	​

​

Short-term borrowings consisted of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings at the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), short-term bank loans and commercial paper. The decrease in short-term borrowings at March 31, 2021, compared with December 31, 2020, included a decrease in borrowings in our banking primarily associated with the continued utilization of available internal funds and a decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase by the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, partially offset by increases in short-term bank loans and commercial paper used by the Hilltop Broker-Dealers to finance their activities. Notes payable at March 31, 2021 was comprised of $149.0 million related to the Senior Notes, net of loan origination fees, Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees, of $196.9 million and mortgage origination segment borrowings of $55.9 million.

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Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

​

Hilltop is a financial holding company whose assets primarily consist of the stock of its subsidiaries and invested assets. Hilltop’s primary investment objectives, as a holding company, are to support capital deployment for organic growth and to preserve capital to be deployed through acquisitions, dividend payments and stock repurchases. At March 31, 2021, Hilltop had $383.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $8.5 million from $374.8 million at December 31, 2020. This increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the receipt of $40.0 million of dividends from subsidiaries, significantly offset by $9.9 million in cash dividends declared, $5.0 million of stock repurchases, and other general corporate expenses. Subject to regulatory restrictions, Hilltop has received, and may also continue to receive, dividends from its subsidiaries. If necessary or appropriate, we may also finance acquisitions with the proceeds from equity or debt issuances. We believe that Hilltop’s liquidity is sufficient for the foreseeable future, with current short-term liquidity needs including operating expenses, interest on debt obligations, dividend payments to stockholders and potential stock repurchases.

​

COVID-19

​

As previously discussed, in light of the extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets beginning in March 2020 resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, including a significant decline in corporate debt and equity issuances and a deterioration in the mortgage servicing and commercial paper markets, we took a number of precautionary actions in March 2020 to enhance our financial flexibility by bolstering our cash position to ensure we have adequate cash readily available to meet both expected and unexpected funding needs without adversely affecting our daily operations.

​

To strengthen the Bank’s available liquidity position during 2020, we raised brokered deposits, as well as swept additional deposits from Hilltop Securities into the Bank. At March 31, 2021, given the continued strong cash and liquidity levels at the Bank, brokered deposits declined to $639 million and the total funds swept from Hilltop Securities into the Bank was approximately $700 million. In addition, we continue to evaluate market conditions to determine the appropriateness of capital market inventory limits at Hilltop Securities.

​

To meet demand for customer loan advances and satisfy our obligations to repay long-term debt maturing over the next 12 months, we believe we currently have sufficient liquidity from the available on- and off-balance sheet liquidity sources and our ability to issue debt in the capital markets. We continue to review actions that we may take to further enhance our financial flexibility in the event that market conditions deteriorate for an extended period.

​

Dividend Declaration

​

On April 22, 2021, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per common share, payable on May 28, 2021 to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 14, 2021.

​

Future dividends on our common stock are subject to the determination by the board of directors based on an evaluation of our earnings and financial condition, liquidity and capital resources, the general economic and regulatory climate, our ability to service any equity or debt obligations senior to our common stock and other factors.

​

Stock Repurchases

​

In January 2021, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2022 pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. Under the stock repurchase program authorized, we may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions as permitted under Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The extent to which we repurchase our shares and the timing of such repurchases depends upon market conditions and other corporate considerations, as determined by Hilltop’s management team. Repurchased shares will be returned to our pool of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

​

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we paid $5.0 million to repurchase an aggregate of 149,878 shares of common stock at an average price of $33.01 per share. The purchases were funded from available cash balances.

​ 79

Table of Contents Senior Notes due 2025

​

The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2015. The Senior Notes will mature on April 15, 2025, unless we redeem the Senior Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on or after January 15, 2025 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Senior Notes) at our election at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At March 31, 2021, $150.0 million of our Senior Notes was outstanding.

​

Subordinated Notes due 2030 and 2035

​

On May 7, 2020, we completed a public offering of $50 million aggregate principal amount of 2030 Subordinated Notes and $150 million aggregate principal amount of 2035 Subordinated Notes. The price to the public for the Subordinated Notes was 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and fees and expenses of $3.4 million, were $196.6 million.

​

The 2030 Subordinated Notes and the 2035 Subordinated Notes will mature on May 15, 2030 and May 15, 2035, respectively. We may redeem the Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to obtaining Federal Reserve approval, beginning with the interest payment date of May 15, 2025 for the 2030 Subordinated Notes and beginning with the interest payment date of May 15, 2030 for the 2035 Subordinated Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding, the date of redemption.

​

The 2030 Subordinated Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on November 15, 2020. The interest rate for the 2030 Subordinated Notes will reset quarterly beginning May 15, 2025 to an interest rate, per year, equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which is expected to be three-month term SOFR rate, plus 5.68%, payable quarterly in arrears. The 2035 Subordinated Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on November 15, 2020. The interest rate for the 2035 Subordinated Notes will reset quarterly beginning May 15, 2030 to an interest rate, per year, equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which is expected to be three-month term SOFR rate plus 5.80%, payable quarterly in arrears. At March 31, 2021, $200 million of our Subordinated Notes was outstanding.

​

Junior Subordinated Debentures

​

The Debentures have a stated term of 30 years with maturities ranging from July 2031 to February 2038 with interest payable quarterly. The rate on the Debentures, which resets quarterly, is three-month LIBOR plus an average spread of 3.22%. The total average interest rate at March 31, 2021 was 3.42%. The Debentures are callable at PCC’s discretion with a minimum of a 45- to 60- day notice. At March 31, 2021, $67.0 million of PCC’s Debentures were outstanding.

​

Regulatory Capital

​

We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may prompt certain actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Under capital adequacy and regulatory requirements, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

​

In order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, Basel III requires banking organizations to maintain a capital conservation buffer above minimum risk-based capital requirements measured relative to risk-weighted assets.

​

Bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009 are allowed to continue to include junior subordinated debentures in Tier 1 capital, subject to certain restrictions. However, because Hilltop has grown above $15 billion, if we make an acquisition in the future, the debentures issued to the Trusts may out of Tier 1 and into Tier 2 capital. All of the debentures issued to the PCC Statutory Trusts I, II, III and IV (the “Trusts”), less the common 80

Table of Contents stock of the Trusts, qualified as Tier 1 capital as of March 31, 2021, under guidance issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

​

Actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2021 reflect PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s decision to elect the transition option as issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies in March 2020 that permits banking institutions to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects from CECL over a five-year transitionary period.

​

At March 31, 2021, Hilltop had a total capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 22.96%, Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 20.22%, common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 19.63% and a Tier 1 capital to average assets, or leverage, ratio of 13.01%. Accordingly, Hilltop’s actual capital amounts and ratios in accordance with Basel III exceeded the regulatory capital requirements including conservation buffer in effect at the end of the period.

​

At March 31, 2021, PlainsCapital had a total capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 15.64%, Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 14.74%, common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets ratio of 14.74% and a Tier 1 capital to average assets, or leverage, ratio of 10.50%. Accordingly, PlainsCapital’s actual capital amounts and ratios in accordance with Basel III resulted in it being considered “well-capitalized” and exceeded the regulatory capital requirements including conservation buffer in effect at the end of the period.

​

We discuss regulatory capital requirements in more detail in Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements, as well as under the caption “Government Supervision and Regulation — Corporate — Capital Adequacy Requirements and BASEL III” set forth in Part I, Item I. of our 2020 Form 10-K.

​

Banking Segment

​

Within our banking segment, our primary uses of cash are for customer withdrawals and extensions of credit as well as our borrowing costs and other operating expenses. Our corporate treasury group is responsible for continuously monitoring our liquidity position to ensure that our assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements. Our goal is to manage our liquidity position in a manner such that we can meet our customers’ short-term and long-term deposit withdrawals and anticipated and unanticipated increases in loan demand without penalizing earnings. Funds invested in short-term marketable instruments, the continuous maturing of other interest-earning assets, cash flows from self-liquidating investments such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, the possible sale of available for sale securities and the ability to securitize certain types of loans provide sources of liquidity from an asset perspective. The liability base provides sources of liquidity through deposits and the maturity structure of short-term borrowed funds. For short-term liquidity needs, we utilize federal fund lines of credit with correspondent banks, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings from the Federal Reserve and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions. For intermediate liquidity needs, we utilize advances from the FHLB. To supply liquidity over the longer term, we have access to brokered time deposits, term loans at the FHLB and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions.

​

As previously discussed, to meet increased liquidity demands and ensure availability of adequate cash to meet both expected and unexpected funding needs without adversely affecting our daily operations and to improve the Bank’s already strong liquidity position, we raised brokered deposits during 2020 that have a remaining balance of approximately $639 million at March 31, 2021, down from approximately $731 million at December 31, 2020. Further, beginning in March 2020, additional deposits were swept from Hilltop Securities into the Bank. Since June 30, 2020, given the continued strong cash and liquidity levels at the Bank, the total funds swept from Hilltop Securities into the Bank was reduced, and is approximately $700 million as of March 31, 2021. As a result, the Bank was able to further fortify its borrowing capacity through access to secured funding sources as summarized in the following table (in millions).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31,		​	December 31,
​	​	2021		​	2020
FHLB capacity	​	$	4,378	​	$	4,410
Investment portfolio (available)	​		1,188	​		982
Fed deposits (excess daily requirements)	​	​	1,415	​	​	875
​	​	$	6,981	​	$	6,267

​

As noted in the table above, the Bank’s available liquidity position and borrowing capacity at March 31, 2021 continues to be at a heightened level given the uncertain outlook for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the extent to 81

Table of Contents which COVID-19 will impact the Bank is uncertain, the Bank is targeting available liquidity of between approximately $5 billion and $6 billion during the remainder of 2021. Available liquidity does not include borrowing capacity available through the discount window at the Federal Reserve.

​

Within our banking segment, deposit flows are affected by the level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by competitors, the volatility of equity markets and other factors. While the Bank experienced an increase in non-brokered customer deposits during 2020, an economic recovery and improved commercial real estate investment outlook may result in an outflow of deposits at an accelerated pace as customers utilize such available funds for expanded operations and investment opportunities. The Bank regularly evaluates its deposit products and pricing structures relative to the market to maintain competitiveness over time.

​

The Bank’s 15 largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 9.24% of the Bank’s total deposits, and the Bank’s five largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 4.54% of the Bank’s total deposits at March 31, 2021. The loss of one or more of our largest Bank customers, or a significant decline in our deposit balances due to ordinary course fluctuations related to these customers’ businesses, could adversely affect our liquidity and might require us to raise deposit rates to attract new deposits, purchase federal funds or borrow funds on a short-term basis to replace such deposits.

​

Broker-Dealer Segment

​

The Hilltop Broker-Dealers rely on their equity capital, short-term bank borrowings, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing client credit balances, correspondent deposits, securities lending arrangements, repurchase agreement financing, commercial paper issuances and other payables to finance their assets and operations, subject to their respective compliance with broker-dealer net capital and customer protection rules. At March 31, 2021, Hilltop Securities had credit arrangements with four unaffiliated banks, with maximum aggregate commitments of up to $600.0 million. These credit arrangements are used to finance securities owned, securities held for correspondent accounts, receivables in customer margin accounts and underwriting activities. These credit arrangements are provided on an “as offered” basis and are not committed lines of credit. In addition, Hilltop Securities has committed revolving credit facilities with three unaffiliated banks, with aggregate availability of up to $250.0 million. At March 31, 2021, Hilltop Securities had borrowed $58.0 million under its credit arrangements and had no borrowings under its credit facilities.

​

Hilltop Securities uses the net proceeds (after deducting related issuance expenses) from the sale of two commercial paper programs for general corporate purposes, including working capital and the funding of a portion of its securities inventories. The commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) may be issued with maturities of 14 days to 270 days from the date of issuance. The commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) are issued under two separate programs, Series 2019-1 CP Notes and Series 2019-2 CP Notes, in maximum aggregate amounts of $300 million and $200 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2021, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 157 days at a rate of 1.13% with a weighted average remaining life of 106 days. At March 31, 2021, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $336.4 million, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $364.1 million.

​

Mortgage Origination Segment

​

PrimeLending funds the mortgage loans it originates through warehouse lines of credit maintained with the Bank, which have an aggregate commitment of $3.3 billion, of which $2.3 billion was drawn at March 31, 2021. PrimeLending sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, historically with the majority with servicing released. As these mortgage loans are sold in the secondary market, PrimeLending pays down its warehouse line of credit with the Bank. In addition, PrimeLending has an available line of credit with an unaffiliated bank of up to $1.0 million, of which no borrowings were drawn at March 31, 2021.

​

PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”) which holds an ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain ABAs. At March 31, 2021, these ABAs had combined available lines of credit totaling $175.0 million, $85.0 million of which was with a single unaffiliated bank, and the remaining $90.0 million of which was with the Bank. At March 31, 2021, Ventures Management had outstanding borrowings of $64.4 million, $8.6 million of which was with the Bank.

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Table of Contents

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

​

Our consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which presently require us to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historic dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered. The primary effect of inflation on our operations is reflected in increased operating costs. In management’s opinion, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities.

​

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements; Commitments; Guarantees

​

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets.

​

Banking Segment

​

We enter into contractual loan commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of our commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards until the time of loan funding. We minimize our exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. We assess the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit and have recorded a liability related to such credit risk in our consolidated financial statements.

​

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third-party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. Our policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.

​

In the aggregate, the Bank had outstanding unused commitments to extend credit of $2.0 billion at March 31, 2021 and outstanding financial and performance standby letters of credit of $83.7 million at March 31, 2021.

​

Broker-Dealer

​

In the normal course of business, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers execute, settle and finance various securities transactions that may expose the Hilltop Broker-Dealers to off-balance sheet risk in the event that a customer or counterparty does not fulfill its contractual obligations. Examples of such transactions include the sale of securities not yet purchased by customers or for the account of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, use of derivatives to support certain non-profit housing organization clients, clearing agreements between the Hilltop Broker-Dealers and various clearinghouses and broker-dealers, secured financing arrangements that involve pledged securities, and when-issued underwriting and purchase commitments.

​

Critical Accounting Estimates

​

Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition. We have identified certain significant accounting policies which involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in making certain estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies which we believe to be the most critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements relate to allowance for credit losses, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, mortgage loan indemnification liability, mortgage servicing rights asset and acquisition accounting. Since 83

Table of Contents December 31, 2020, there have been no changes in critical accounting policies as further described under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2020 Form 10-K.

​

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

​

Our assessment of market risk as of March 31, 2021 indicates there are no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures from those previously reported in our 2020 Form 10-K, except as discussed below.

​

The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from changes in value of a financial instrument as a result of changes in interest rates, market prices and the credit perception of an issuer. The disclosure is not meant to be a precise indicator of expected future losses, but rather an indicator of reasonably possible losses, and therefore our actual results may differ from any of the following projections. This forward-looking information provides an indicator of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures.

​

Banking Segment

​

The banking segment is engaged primarily in the business of investing funds obtained from deposits and borrowings in interest-earning loans and investments, and our primary component of market risk is sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Consequently, our earnings depend to a significant extent on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and our interest expense on deposits and borrowings. To the extent that our interest-bearing liabilities do not reprice or mature at the same time as our interest-bearing assets, we are subject to interest rate risk and corresponding fluctuations in net interest income.

​

There are several common sources of interest rate risk that must be effectively managed if there is to be minimal impact on our earnings and capital. Repricing risk arises largely from timing differences in the pricing of assets and liabilities. Reinvestment risk refers to the reinvestment of cash flows from interest payments and maturing assets at lower or higher rates. Basis risk exists when different yield curves or pricing indices do not change at precisely the same time or in the same magnitude such that assets and liabilities with the same maturity are not all affected equally. Yield curve risk refers to unequal movements in interest rates across a full range of maturities.

​

We have employed asset/liability management policies that attempt to manage our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, thereby attempting to control the volatility of net interest income, without having to incur unacceptable levels of risk. We employ procedures which include interest rate shock analysis, repricing gap analysis and balance sheet decomposition techniques to help mitigate interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the asset/liability management policies permit the use of various derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk or hedge specified assets and liabilities.

​

An interest rate sensitive asset or liability is one that, within a defined time period, either matures or experiences an interest rate change in line with general market interest rates. The management of interest rate risk is performed by analyzing the maturity and repricing relationships between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at specific points in time (“GAP”) and by analyzing the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income over specific periods of time by projecting the performance of the mix of assets and liabilities in varied interest rate environments. Interest rate sensitivity reflects the potential effect on net interest income resulting from a movement in interest rates. A company is considered to be asset sensitive, or have a positive GAP, when the amount of its interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities also maturing or repricing within that time period. Conversely, a company is considered to be liability sensitive, or have a negative GAP, when the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of its interest-earning assets also maturing or repricing within that time period. During a period of rising interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to affect net interest income adversely, while a positive GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive GAP would tend to affect net interest income adversely. However, it is our intent to remain relatively balanced so that changes in rates do not have a significant impact on earnings.

​ 84

Table of Contents As illustrated in the table below, the banking segment is asset sensitive overall. Loans that adjust daily or monthly to the Wall Street Journal Prime rate comprise a large percentage of interest sensitive assets and are the primary cause of the banking segment’s asset sensitivity. To help neutralize interest rate sensitivity, the banking segment has kept the terms of most of its borrowings under one year as shown in the following table (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021																	****
​	****	3 Months or		****	> 3 Months to		****	> 1 Year to		****	> 3 Years to		****	​	​	****	​	​	****
​	​	Less		​	1 Year		​	3 Years		​	5 Years		​	> 5 Years		​	Total		****
Interest sensitive assets:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Loans	​	$	5,831,382	​	$	1,272,479	​	$	1,759,078	​	$	624,047	​	$	113,503	​	$	9,600,489	​
Securities	​		243,895	​		223,652	​		495,426	​		343,779	​		680,197	​		1,986,949	​
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell	​		396	​		—	​		—	​		—	​		—	​		396	​
Other interest sensitive assets	​		1,424,757	​		—	​		—	​		—	​		29,450	​		1,454,207	​
Total interest sensitive assets	​		7,500,430	​		1,496,131	​		2,254,504	​		967,826	​		823,150	​		13,042,041	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest sensitive liabilities:	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest bearing checking	​	$	5,715,596	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	—	​	$	5,715,596	​
Savings	​		271,910	​		—	​		—	​		—	​		—	​		271,910	​
Time deposits	​		474,647	​		941,381	​		114,605	​		35,641	​		—	​		1,566,274	​
Notes payable and other borrowings	​		158,900	​		207	​		642	​		801	​		2,977	​		163,527	​
Total interest sensitive liabilities	​		6,621,053	​		941,588	​		115,247	​		36,442	​		2,977	​		7,717,307	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Interest sensitivity gap	​	$	879,377	​	$	554,543	​	$	2,139,257	​	$	931,384	​	$	820,173	​	$	5,324,734	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap	​	$	879,377	​	$	1,433,920	​	$	3,573,177	​	$	4,504,561	​	$	5,324,734	​	​	​	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Percentage of cumulative gap to total interest sensitive assets	​		6.74	%		10.99	%		27.40	%		34.54	%		40.83	%	​	​	​

​

The positive GAP in the interest rate analysis indicates that banking segment net interest income would generally rise if rates increase. Because of inherent limitations in interest rate GAP analysis, the banking segment uses multiple interest rate risk measurement techniques. Simulation analysis is used to subject the current repricing conditions to rising and falling interest rates in increments and decrements of 50 to 100 basis points to determine the effect on net interest income changes for the next twelve months. The banking segment also measures the effects of changes in interest rates on economic value of equity by discounting projected cash flows of deposits and loans. Economic value changes in the investment portfolio are estimated by discounting future cash flows and using duration analysis. Investment security prepayments are estimated using current market information. We believe the simulation analysis presents a more accurate picture than the GAP analysis. Simulation analysis recognizes that deposit products may not react to changes in interest rates as quickly or with the same magnitude as earning assets contractually tied to a market rate index. The sensitivity to changes in market rates varies across deposit products. Also, unlike GAP analysis, simulation analysis takes into account the effect of embedded options in the securities and loan portfolios as well as any off-balance sheet derivatives.

​

The table below shows the estimated impact of a range of changes in interest rates on net interest income and on economic value of equity for the banking segment at March 31, 2021 (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Change in	​	Changes in				​	​	Changes in				****
Interest Rates	​	Net Interest Income				​	​	Economic Value of Equity				****
(basis points)	****	Amount		****	Percent	****	****	Amount		****	Percent	****
+300	​	$	107,701	​	29.11	%	​	$	665,753	​	33.97	%
+200	​	$	68,693		18.57	%	​	$	478,475		24.41	%
+100	​	$	31,121		8.41	%	​	$	261,669		13.35	%
-50	​	$	(9,027)		(2.44)	%	​	$	(291,115)		(14.85)	%

​

The projected changes in net interest income and economic value of equity to changes in interest rates at March 31, 2021 were in compliance with established internal policy guidelines. These projected changes are based on numerous assumptions of growth and changes in the mix of assets or liabilities.

​

Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. Some of our variable-rate loans remain at applicable rate floors, which may delay and/or limit changes in interest income during a period of changing rates. If interest rates were to fall, the impact on our interest income would be limited by these rate floors. In addition, declining interest rates may negatively affect our cost of funds on deposits. The extent of this impact will ultimately be driven by the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate and yield curve movements, as well as changes in market conditions and timing of management strategies. If interest rates were to rise, yields on the portion of 85

Table of Contents our portfolio that remain at applicable rate floors would rise more slowly than increases in market interest rates. Any changes in interest rates across the term structure will continue to impact net interest income and net interest margin. The impact of rate movements will change with the shape of the yield curve, including any changes in steepness or flatness and inversions at any points on the yield curve.

​

Broker-Dealer Segment

​

Our broker-dealer segment is exposed to market risk primarily due to its role as a financial intermediary in customer transactions, which may include purchases and sales of securities, use of derivatives and securities lending activities, and in our trading activities, which are used to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. We are subject to the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, market prices, investor expectations and changes in credit ratings of the issuer.

​

Our broker-dealer segment is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of maintaining inventories of interest rate sensitive financial instruments and other interest-earning assets including customer and correspondent margin loans and receivables and securities borrowing activities. Our funding sources, which include customer and correspondent cash balances, bank borrowings, repurchase agreements and securities lending activities, also expose the broker-dealer to interest rate risk. Movement in short-term interest rates could reduce the positive spread between the broker-dealer segment’s interest income and interest expense.

​

With respect to securities held, our interest rate risk is managed by setting and monitoring limits on the size and duration of positions and on the length of time securities can be held. Much of the interest rates on customer and correspondent margin loans and receivables are indexed and can vary daily. Our funding sources are generally short term with interest rates that can vary daily.

​

The following table categorizes the broker-dealer segment’s net trading securities which are subject to interest rate and market price risk (dollars in thousands).

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
​	​	March 31, 2021														​
​	​	1 Year		​	> 1 Year		​	> 5 Years		​	​		​	​		​
​	​	or Less		​	to 5 Years		​	to 10 Years		​	> 10 Years		​	Total		​
Trading securities, at fair value	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Municipal obligations	​	$	84	​	$	3,713	​	$	34,870	​	$	144,718	​	$	183,385	​
U.S. government and government agency obligations	​	​	12,004	​	​	(7,601)	​	​	(19,376)	​	​	213,753	​	​	198,780	​
Corporate obligations	​	​	(4,786)	​	​	7,653	​	​	5,893	​	​	36,465	​	​	45,225	​
Total debt securities	​	​	7,302	​	​	3,765	​	​	21,387	​	​	394,936	​	​	427,390	​
Corporate equity securities	​	​	(1,905)	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	(1,905)	​
Other	​	​	5,148	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	—	​	​	5,148	​
​	​	$	10,545	​	$	3,765	​	$	21,387	​	$	394,936	​	$	430,633	​
​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Weighted average yield	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Municipal obligations	​	​	0.00	%	​	1.62	%	​	1.69	%	​	3.05	%	​	2.79	%
U.S. government and government agency obligations	​	​	0.01	%	​	0.59	%	​	1.30	%	​	3.20	%	​	2.73	%
Corporate obligations	​	​	0.78	%	​	2.57	%	​	2.79	%	​	2.98	%	​	2.68	%

​

Derivatives are used to support certain customer programs and hedge our related exposure to interest rate risks.

​

Our broker-dealer segment is engaged in various brokerage and trading activities that expose us to credit risk arising from potential non-performance from counterparties, customers or issuers of securities. This risk is managed by setting and monitoring position limits for each counterparty, conducting periodic credit reviews of counterparties, reviewing concentrations of securities and conducting business through central clearing organizations.

​

Collateral underlying margin loans to customers and correspondents and with respect to securities lending activities is marked to market daily and additional collateral is required as necessary.

​

Mortgage Origination Segment

​

Within our mortgage origination segment, our principal market exposure is to interest rate risk due to the impact on our mortgage-related assets and commitments, including mortgage loans held for sale, IRLCs and MSR. Changes in interest rates could also materially and adversely affect our volume of mortgage loan originations. 86

Table of Contents ​

IRLCs represent an agreement to extend credit to a mortgage loan applicant, whereby the interest rate on the loan is set prior to funding. Our mortgage loans held for sale, which we hold in inventory while awaiting sale into the secondary market, and our IRLCs are subject to the effects of changes in mortgage interest rates from the date of the commitment through the sale of the loan into the secondary market. As a result, we are exposed to interest rate risk and related price risk during the period from the date of the lock commitment until (i) the lock commitment cancellation or expiration date or (ii) the date of sale into the secondary mortgage market. Loan commitments generally range from 20 to 60 days, and our average holding period of the mortgage loan from funding to sale is approximately 30 days. An integral component of our interest rate risk management strategy is our execution of forward commitments to sell MBSs to minimize the impact on earnings resulting from significant fluctuations in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and IRLCs caused by changes in interest rates.

​

We have expanded, and may continue to expand, our residential mortgage servicing operations within our mortgage origination segment. As a result of our mortgage servicing business, we have a portfolio of retained MSR. One of the principal risks associated with MSR is that in a declining interest rate environment, they will likely lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of higher than anticipated prepayments. Moreover, if prepayments are greater than expected, the cash we receive over the life of the mortgage loans would be reduced. The mortgage origination segment uses derivative financial instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options, Eurodollar futures and forward MBS commitments, as a means to mitigate market risk associated with MSR assets. No hedging strategy can protect us completely, and hedging strategies may fail because they are improperly designed, improperly executed and documented or based on inaccurate assumptions and, as a result, could actually increase our risks and losses. The increasing size of our MSR portfolio may increase our interest rate risk and, correspondingly, the volatility of our earnings, especially if we cannot adequately hedge the interest rate risk relating to our MSR.

​

The goal of our interest rate risk management strategy within our mortgage origination segment is not to eliminate interest rate risk, but to manage it within appropriate limits. To mitigate the risk of loss, we have established policies and procedures, which include guidelines on the amount of exposure to interest rate changes we are willing to accept.

​

​

Item 4. Controls and Procedures .

​

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

​

Our management, with the supervision and participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.

​

Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

​

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

​

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our first fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

​ 87

Table of Contents PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

​

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

​

For a description of material pending legal proceedings, see the discussion set forth under the heading “Legal Matters” in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated by reference herein.

​

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

​

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2020 Form 10-K. For additional information concerning our risk factors, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2020 Form 10-K.

​

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds .

​

The following table details our repurchases of shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

​

​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​	​
Period	****	Total Number of Shares Purchased	****	Average Price Paid per Share		****	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	****	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
January 1 - January 31, 2021		—	​	$	—	​	—	​	$	75,000,000
February 1 - February 28, 2021		108,682	​	​	32.98	​	108,682	​	​	71,415,668
March 1 - March 31, 2021		41,196	​	​	33.11	​	41,196	​	​	70,051,668
Total	​	149,878	​	$	33.01	​	149,878	​	​	​
(1)	On January 22, 2021, we announced that our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock through January 2022, which is inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation.
---	---

88

Table of Contents Item 6. Exhibits.

​

ExhibitNumber	****	Description of Exhibit
​	​	​
2.1#	​	Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Hilltop Holdings Inc., ARC Insurance Holdings, Inc., Align NL Holdings, LLC and, for limited purposes set forth therein, Align Financial Holdings, LLC and MGI Holdings, Inc., dated January 30, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 5, 2020 (File No. 001-31987) and incorporated herein by reference).
​	​	​
2.2#	​	First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Hilltop Holdings Inc., ARC Insurance Holdings, Inc., Align NL Holdings, LLC and, for limited purposes set forth therein, Align Financial Holdings, LLC and MGI Holdings, Inc., dated June 30, 2020 (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 1, 2020 (File No. 001-31987) and incorporated herein by reference).
​	​	​
10.1*	​	Compensation arrangement of Jeremy B. Ford.
​	​	​
10.2*	​	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Performance-Based) for awards beginning in 2021.
10.3*	​	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-Based Vesting for Section 16 Officers) for awards beginning in 2021.
​	​	​
10.4*	​	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Time-Based Vesting for Non-Section 16 Officers) for awards beginning in 2021.
​	​	​
31.1*	​	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
​	​	​
31.2*	​	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
​	​	​
32.1*	​	Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
​	​	​
101.INS	​	XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
​	​	​
101.SCH*	​	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
​	​	​
101.CAL*	​	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
​	​	​
101.DEF*	​	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
​	​	​
101.LAB*	​	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
​	​	​
101.PRE*	​	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
​	​	​
104	​	Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*	Filed herewith.
---	---
#	Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted from this Exhibit pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment will be furnished to the SEC upon request.
---	---

​ 89

Table of Contents SIGNATURES

​

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

​

​	​	​
​	HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.
​	​	​
Date: April 26, 2021	By:	/s/ William B. Furr
​	​	William B. Furr
​	​	Chief Financial Officer<br><br>(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized officer)

​

​

​

​

​ 90

Exhibit 10.1

​

Compensation of Jeremy B. Ford

Until March 27, 2021	​
​	​
Annual Base Salary:	$775,000
​	​
Annual Incentive Plan:	Mr. Jeremy Ford is entitled to participate in the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Annual Incentive Plan, as amended. His target is 100% of Annual Base Salary.
​	​
Long-Term Incentive Plan:	Mr. Ford is entitled to participate in the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Annual Incentive Plan.

​

​

After March 27, 2021	​
​	​
Annual Base Salary:	$800,000
​	​
Annual Incentive Plan:	Mr. Jeremy Ford is entitled to participate in the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Annual Incentive Plan, as amended. His target is 100% of Annual Base Salary.
​	​
Long-Term Incentive Plan:	Mr. Ford is entitled to participate in the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Annual Incentive Plan.

​ ​

Exhibit 10.2

​

Form of

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ___________, between Hilltop Holdings Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and _____________ (the “Participant”).

W I T N E S S E T H

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Grant and Vesting of Restricted Stock Units.

(a)Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to the provisions of the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Participant as of ________________ (the “Date of Grant”), an Award under the Plan of __________ Restricted Stock Units (the “Awarded Units”).  Each Awarded Unit shall be a notional share of Common Stock, with the value of each Awarded Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at any time.  All capitalized terms used herein, to the extent not defined, shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

(b)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Awarded Units shall vest and no longer be subject to any restriction (other than the restrictions set forth in Section 4(b) below) according to the provisions set forth in Exhibit A, with the period during which any of the Awarded Units remain unvested being the “Restriction Period”, provided that the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is an Outside Director or Contractor, is providing services to) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates on the Vesting Date (as defined in Exhibit A).

(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period:

(i)due to death or Total and Permanent Disability, a prorated portion of the Awarded Units granted hereunder shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to restriction, with such proration determined by multiplying the total number of the Awarded Units granted hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months during the Restriction Period prior to the Termination of Service, but including the full vesting month in which the Participant’s death or Total and Permanent Disability occurs, and the denominator of which is ____________; or

​

(ii)by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or due to Retirement (as defined below),  a prorated portion of the Awarded Units granted hereunder shall remain outstanding and eligible for vesting at the end of the Restriction Period, with such proration determined by multiplying the total number of the Awarded Units granted hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months during the Restriction Period  prior to the Termination of Service, but including the full month in which the Participant’s Termination of

Performance Based (Section 16)

​

​

Service or Retirement occurs, and the denominator of which is ­­____________; provided that any Awarded Units that remain outstanding shall be vested and no longer subject to restriction at the end of the Restriction Period according to the provisions set forth in Exhibit A (and shall be forfeited at the end of the Restriction Period if the conditions for vesting as set forth in Exhibit A are not achieved).

​

Except as specifically provided in (i) and (ii) immediately above, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period, all unvested Awarded Units shall be forfeited by the Participant for no consideration effective immediately upon such termination.  Upon forfeiture, all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Awarded Units shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.  Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate the Participant at any time.

(d)To the extent not previously forfeited, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason (as defined below), in either case, within six (6) months prior to or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the Awarded Units shall vest at the greater of (i) achievement of the target level of the applicable Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A and (ii) the projected actual achievement of the applicable Performance Goals set forth on Exhibit A based upon results achieved through the date of such Termination of Service.

(e)For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

(i)“Cause” means any of the following: (A) the Participant shall have committed a felony or an intentional act of gross misconduct, moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, theft, dishonesty, misappropriation, or criminal conduct; (B) the Company shall have been ordered or directed by any federal, state or administrative regulatory agency with jurisdiction to terminate or suspend the Participant; (C) after being notified in writing by the Company to cease any particular activity, the Participant shall have continued such activity; or (D) deliberate failure on the part of the Participant (1) to perform the Participant’s principal duties, (2) to comply with the policies of the Company and its affiliates in any material respect, or (3) to follow specific reasonable directions received from the Company and its affiliates.

​

(ii)“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events, conditions or actions taken by the Company without Cause and without Participant’s written consent: (i) a material reduction of Participant’s total annual compensation; (ii) a material reduction in Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a relocation of Participant to a Company facility that increases Participant’s one-way commute by more than thirty (30) miles as compared to the then-current Company facility immediately prior to such relocation (excluding regular travel in the ordinary course of business); or (iv) a material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement or, if applicable, Participant’s employment agreement with the Company; provided, however, that in each case above, in order for Participant’s resignation to be deemed to have been for Good Reason, Participant must give the Board written notice of the action or omission giving rise to “Good Reason”; the Company must fail to reasonably cure such action

Performance Based (Section 16)

​

​

or omission within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice (the “Cure Period”), and Participant’s resignation from all positions Participant holds with the Company must be effective not later than seven (7) days after the expiration of such Cure Period.

​

(iii)“Retirement” means the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than by the Company for Cause on or after the Participant has attained age ________ and completed at least _______ years of continuous service as an Employee or Outside Director of the Company or any of its affiliates.

​

(f)Awarded Units that have become vested pursuant to the terms of this Section 1 are collectively referred to herein as “Vested RSUs.”  All other Awarded Units are collectively referred to herein as “Unvested RSUs.”

2.Issuance of Shares.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, as soon as practicable following the date on which (but in no event more than two and a half (2½) months following the close of the calendar year in which) the Awarded Units vest in accordance with Section 1 above, the Company shall convert the Vested RSUs into the number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs, subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, including, without limitation, the forfeiture provisions of Section 1(c), and the clawback provisions of Section 15, and shall either electronically register such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall convert any Awarded Units that become Vested RSUs as a result of the Participant’s death into the number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs within thirty (30) days following the Participant’s death, subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement.  The Company shall electronically register such shares of Common Stock, or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock, equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name or in the name of such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution.  From and after the date of registration or receipt of such shares of Common Stock, the Participant, or such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such shares of Common Stock, subject to Section 4(b) hereof and applicable state and federal regulations.

3.Who May Receive Converted Vested RSUs.

During the lifetime of the Participant, the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion of Vested RSUs shall only be received by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.  If the Participant dies prior to the date his or her Vested RSUs are converted into shares of Common Stock as described in Section 2 above, the shares of Common Stock relating to such converted Vested RSUs may be received by any individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Performance Based (Section 16)

​

​ 4.Nontransferability of the Restricted Stock Units.

(a)    Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Unvested RSUs shall not be transferable by the Participant by means of sale, assignment, exchange, encumbrance, pledge, or otherwise.

(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for the one year period immediately following the end of the Restriction Period, the Vested RSUs (and the shares of Common Stock received upon the conversion of the Vested RSUs under Section 2) shall not be transferable by the Participant by means of sale, assignment, exchange, or otherwise, provided that (i) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the Participant from pledging or encumbering such shares of Common Stock during such one year period so long as such pledge or encumbrance cannot cause a transfer or sale of the shares of Common Stock until after the expiration of such one year period; (ii) in the event of the Participant’s death during such one year period, such restrictions shall terminate on the Participant’s death and the shares of Common Stock may be transferred to the individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution; (iii) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the sale or transfer of the shares of Common Stock on, in connection with, or after a  Change in Control; and (iv) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the withholding of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon vesting of the Awarded Units as provided in Section 8 below.

5.Rights as a Stockholder.

The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by this Agreement until the electronic registration of, or the issuance of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name with respect to the Awarded Units.  The Awarded Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement regarding such shares of Common Stock.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the registration of, or the issuance of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name.

6.Adjustments.

Adjustments to the Awarded Units (or any of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Awarded Units), if any, shall be made in accordance with Articles 11 through 13 of the Plan.

7.Conditions for Issuance.

The Committee may, in its discretion, require the Participant to represent to, and agree with, the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares of Common Stock without a view toward the distribution thereof. The certificates for such shares of Common Stock may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) listing, or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares of Common Stock on the applicable exchange or inter-dealer quotation system; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ Stock of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval or permit from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he or she will not acquire any shares of Common Stock, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock to the Participant hereunder, if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority. Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive. The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules and regulations.

8.Taxes and Withholding.

No later than the date as of which an amount with respect to this Agreement first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant or subject to withholding for federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes, the Participant shall pay to the Company or the applicable affiliate, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by Applicable Law and regulations to be withheld with respect to such amount. Unless the Participant has made separate arrangements satisfactory to the Company, the Company may elect, but shall not be obligated, to withhold shares of Common Stock deliverable upon vesting of the Awarded Units having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount (or, if permitted by Applicable Law and the Company, such higher withholding rate to the extent consistent with equity accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Plan shall be conditional on compliance by the Participant with this Section 8, and the Company and its affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise payable to the Participant. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with shares of Common Stock.

9.Notices.

All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by e-mail, electronic, facsimile, overnight courier or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Participant:	At the most recent home address and/or e-mail address maintained by the Company in its personnel records.

​

If to the Company:Hilltop Holdings Inc.

_____________

_____________

Attention:_____________

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ or to such other address, e-mail or facsimile number as any party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 9. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

10.Successors and Assigns.

The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and upon the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, transferees and successors in interest, and upon the Company and its successors and assignees.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights granted herein shall be assignable by the Participant.

11.Laws Applicable to Construction.

The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, this Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

12.Severability.

The invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

13.Conflicts and Interpretation.

In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.  In the event of any ambiguity in this Agreement, or any matters as to which this Agreement is silent, the Plan shall govern, including, without limitation, the provisions thereof pursuant to which the Committee has the power, among others, to (i) interpret the Plan; (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and (iii) make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any question arising under this Agreement.

14.Amendment.

This Agreement may be unilaterally amended or modified by the Committee at any time; provided that no amendment or modification shall, without the Participant’s written consent, materially impair the rights of the Participant as provided by this Agreement, except such an amendment made to cause the terms of this Agreement or the Awarded Units granted hereunder to comply with Applicable Law (including tax law), securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation listing standards or accounting rules.  The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ 15.Clawback.

All Awarded Units granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any clawback, recoupment or forfeiture provisions (i) required by law or regulation and applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time or (ii) set forth in any policies adopted or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time.

​

16.Headings.

The headings of paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

17.Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. A manually or electronically signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

18.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by electronic means or request the Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.

19.Data Privacy.

The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as described in this Section 19. The Company, its affiliates, and the Participant’s employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any securities or directorships held in the Company, details of all entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, canceled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). The Company and its affiliates may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of the Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its affiliates may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company or any such affiliate in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of securities on the Participant’s behalf to a broker or to other third party with

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ whom the Participant may elect to deposit any securities acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or otherwise).

20.Entire Agreement.

This Agreement, together with the Plan, supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to said subject matter.  All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan, and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

​

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, as of the date first above written, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer and the Participant has hereunto set the Participant’s hand.

HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.

By:​ ​

Name:

Title:

​

​

​

Agreed and acknowledged:

​

PARTICIPANT

​

​

___________________________

Name:

​

​

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ EXHIBIT A

The Awarded Units shall vest in 20__ in accordance with the provisions set forth below on the date that the Committee has certified the extent that the Performance Goals set forth below have been attained for the Performance Period (as defined below) (the “Vesting Date”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement (including, without limitation, the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 1 of the Agreement).  Any Awarded Units outstanding on the Vesting Date that are not vested in accordance with this Exhibit A or pursuant to Section 1(c) or Section 1(d) of the Agreement shall be immediately forfeited as of the Vesting Date.  The Committee shall certify the extent that the Performance Goals have been attained in 20__ prior to ________, 20__.

1.	Performance Period:  ________, 20__ – ________, 20__.

​

2.	Performance Goals **:**Achievement of the Performance Goals set forth in this paragraph 2 of this Exhibit A shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

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Primary Performance Goal

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and this Exhibit A, the percentage of Awarded Units that potentially vest (the “Reference Amount”) shall be determined based on the achievement by the Company of GAAP cumulative basic earnings per share for the Performance Period of at least $_____ per share (the “Target Aggregate EPS”):

​
​	Threshold	Target	Stretch
Aggregate EPS	___% of Target Aggregate EPS	___% of Target Aggregate EPS	___% of Target Aggregate EPS
Reference Amount	___% of Awarded Units	___% of Awarded Units	___% of Awarded Units

​

Attainment between Threshold and Target and Target and Stretch Performance Metrics shall be subject to straight-line interpolation.  Performance Goal achievement below the Threshold level shall result in forfeiture of all Awarded Units.

Modifier to Primary Performance Goal

​

Following the completion of the Performance Period, the Reference Amount determined in accordance with the Primary Performance Metric above will be adjusted by the TSR Modifier (as described below). A Participant’s earned Awarded Units (if any) shall be equal to the Reference Amount multiplied by the TSR Modifier for the Performance Period. The TSR Modifier will be determined based on the Company’s ___ year performance (with TSR measurement being made at the end of the Performance Period) as measured against the ___ year performance of the companies comprising the KBW Regional Banking Index over the same period.

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Performance Based (Section 16)

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​

​	​	​	​
​	Threshold	Target	Stretch
Relative TSR	___% Percentile	___% Percentile	___% Percentile
TSR Modifier	___% of Reference Amount for Threshold and below	___% of Reference Amount	___% of Reference Amount and above

​

For performance between the threshold level and target level, a proportionate fraction of the TSR Modifier between ___% and ___% will be applied, and for performance between the target level and the stretch level, a proportionate fraction of the TSR modifier between ___% and ___% will be applied. In no event shall more than ___% of the number of Awarded Units set forth in the Award Agreement be eligible to be earned.

​

TSR shall be calculated on a per share basis as the quotient of (i) (Ending Price plus Dividends per Share Paid minus Beginning Price), divided by (ii) the Beginning Price, where:

​

●	Ending Price means the average closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock over the 20 trading days immediately preceding January 1, 20__.

​

●	Dividends per Share Paid means cumulative dividends per share of Common Stock paid by the Company between January 1, 20__ and December 31, 20__. Dividends are assumed to be reinvested on the ex-dividend date.

​

●	Beginning Price means the average closing share price of the Company’s Common Stock over the 20 trading days immediately preceding January 1, 20__.

​

​

The KBW Regional Banking Index is comprised of those companies that make up the KBW Regional Banking Index on the first day of the performance period) with the following exceptions:

​

●	If a company has been acquired as of the end of the performance period the company will be removed from the index.

​

●	If a company goes bankrupt during the performance period the company will be included in the ranking at -100%.

Performance Based (Section 16)

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​ Performance Based (Section 16)

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Exhibit 10.3

​

FORM OF

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of _____________, between Hilltop Holdings Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and _______________ (the “Participant”).

W I T N E S S E T H

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Grant and Vesting of Restricted Stock Units.

(a)Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to the provisions of the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Participant as of _______________ (the “Date of Grant”), an Award under the Plan of _______ Restricted Stock Units (the “Awarded Units”).  Each Awarded Unit shall be a notional share of Common Stock, with the value of each Awarded Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share at any time.  All capitalized terms used herein, to the extent not defined, shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

(b)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, one hundred percent (100%) of the Awarded Units shall vest and no longer be subject to any restriction (other than the restrictions set forth in Section 4(b) below) on the _______ anniversary of the Date of Grant (the “Restriction Period”), provided that the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is an Outside Director or Contractor, is providing services to) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates on such date.

(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period due to death or Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement (as defined below) or by the Company without Cause (as defined below), a prorated portion of the Awarded Units granted hereunder shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to restriction, with such proration determined by multiplying the total number of the Awarded Units granted hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months during the Restriction Period prior to the Termination of Service, but including the full vesting month in which the Participant’s death or Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement or Termination of Service without Cause occurs, and the denominator of which is __________.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period, all unvested Awarded Units shall be forfeited by the Participant for no consideration effective immediately upon such Termination of Service.  Upon forfeiture, all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Awarded Units shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.  Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate the Participant at any time.

Time-Based (Section 16)

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(d)To the extent not previously forfeited, the Awarded Units shall immediately vest in full and no longer be subject to restriction upon the Participant’s Termination of Service without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason within six (6) months preceding or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

(e)For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

i.“Cause” means any of the following: (A) the Participant shall have committed a felony or an intentional act of gross misconduct, moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, theft, dishonesty, misappropriation, or criminal conduct; (B) the Company shall have been ordered or directed by any federal, state or administrative regulatory agency with jurisdiction to terminate or suspend the Participant; (C) after being notified in writing by the Company to cease any particular activity, the Participant shall have continued such activity; or (D) deliberate failure on the part of the Participant (1) to perform the Participant’s principal duties, (2) to comply with the policies of the Company and its affiliates in any material respect, or (3) to follow specific reasonable directions received from the Company and its affiliates.

​

ii.“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events, conditions or actions taken by the Company without Cause and without Participant’s written consent: (i) a material reduction of Participant’s total annual compensation; (ii) a material reduction in Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a relocation of Participant to a Company facility that increases Participant’s one-way commute by more than thirty (30) miles as compared to the then-current Company facility immediately prior to such relocation (excluding regular travel in the ordinary course of business); or (iv) a material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement or, if applicable, Participant’s employment agreement with the Company; provided, however, that in each case above, in order for Participant’s resignation to be deemed to have been for Good Reason, Participant must give the Board written notice of the action or omission giving rise to “Good Reason”; the Company must fail to reasonably cure such action or omission within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice (the “Cure Period”), and Participant’s resignation from all positions Participant holds with the Company must be effective not later than seven (7) days after the expiration of such Cure Period.

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iii.“Retirement” means the Participant’s Termination of Service other than by the Company for Cause on or after the Participant has attained age ________ and completed at least _______ years of continuous service as an Employee or Outside Director of the Company or any of its affiliates.

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(f)Awarded Units that have become vested pursuant to the terms of this Section 1 are collectively referred to herein as “Vested RSUs.”  All other Awarded Units are collectively referred to herein as “Unvested RSUs.”

Time-Based (Section 16)

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2.Issuance of Shares.

The Company shall convert the Vested RSUs into the number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs, subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, including, without limitation, the forfeiture provisions of Section 1(c), and the clawback provisions of Section 15, and shall either electronically register such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name, on the first of the following events:

(i)on the _______ anniversary of the Date of Grant;

(ii) within thirty (30) days following the Participant’s Termination of Service due to death, Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement or by the Company without Cause, provided, that if such thirty (30) day period begins in one taxable year and ends in a second taxable year, the Vested RSUs shall be converted into shares of Common Stock in the second taxable year; or

​

(iii)as a result of a Change in Control, within thirty (30) days following the later of (A) Participant’s Termination of Service with Cause or by Participant for Good Reason or (B) on the effective date of a Change in Control.

​

The Company shall electronically register such shares of Common Stock, or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock, equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name or in the name of such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution. From and after the date of registration or receipt of such shares of Common Stock, the Participant, or such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such shares of Common Stock, subject to Section 4(b) hereof and applicable state and federal regulations.

3.Who May Receive Converted Vested RSUs.

During the lifetime of the Participant, the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion of Vested RSUs shall only be received by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.  If the Participant dies prior to the date his or her Vested RSUs are converted into shares of Common Stock as described in Section 2 above, the shares of Common Stock relating to such converted Vested RSUs may be received by any individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

4.Nontransferability of the Restricted Stock Units.

(a)     Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Unvested RSUs shall not be transferable by the Participant by means of sale, assignment, exchange, encumbrance, pledge, or otherwise.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for the one year period immediately following the end of the Restriction Period, the Vested RSUs (and the shares

Time-Based (Section 16)

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of Common Stock received upon the conversion of the Vested RSUs under Section 2) shall not be transferable by the Participant by means of sale, assignment, exchange, or otherwise, provided that (i) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the Participant from pledging or encumbering such shares of Common Stock during such one year period so long as such pledge or encumbrance cannot cause a transfer or sale of the shares of Common Stock until after the expiration of such one year period; (ii) in the event of the Participant’s death during such one year period, such restrictions shall terminate on the Participant’s death and the shares of Common Stock may be transferred to the individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution; (iii) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the sale or transfer of the shares of Common Stock on, in connection with, or after a Change in Control; and (iv) nothing in this Section 4(b) shall prevent the withholding of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon vesting of the Awarded Units as provided in Section 8 below.

5. Rights as a Stockholder.

The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by this Agreement until the electronic registration of, or the issuance of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name with respect to the Awarded Units.  The Awarded Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement regarding such shares of Common Stock.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the registration of, or the issue of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name.

​

6.Adjustments.

Adjustments to the Awarded Units (or any of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Awarded Units), if any, shall be made in accordance with Articles 11 through 13 of the Plan.

​

7.Conditions for Issuance.

The Committee may, in its discretion, require the Participant to represent to, and agree with, the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares of Common Stock without a view toward the distribution thereof.  The certificates for such shares of Common Stock may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) listing, or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares of Common Stock on the applicable exchange or inter-dealer quotation system; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common Stock of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval or permit from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he or she will not acquire any shares of Common Stock, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any

Time-Based (Section 16)

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shares of Common Stock to the Participant hereunder, if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority.  Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive.  The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules and regulations.

8.Taxes and Withholding.

No later than the date as of which an amount with respect to this Agreement first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant or subject to withholding for federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes, the Participant shall pay to the Company or the applicable affiliate, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by Applicable Law and regulations to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless the Participant has made separate arrangements satisfactory to the Company, the Company may elect, but shall not be obligated, to withhold shares of Common Stock deliverable upon vesting of the Awarded Units having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount (or, if permitted by Applicable Law and the Company, such higher withholding rate to the extent consistent with equity accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes.  The obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Plan shall be conditional on compliance by the Participant with this Section 8, and the Company and its affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise payable to the Participant.  The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with shares of Common Stock.

9.Notices.

All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by e-mail, electronic, facsimile, overnight courier or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Participant:	At the most recent home address and/or e-mail address maintained by the Company in its personnel records

​

If to the Company:Hilltop Holdings Inc.

_________________

_________________

Attention:_________________

​

or to such other address, e-mail or facsimile number as any party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 9.  Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

Time-Based (Section 16)

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10.Successors and Assigns.

The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and upon the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, transferees and successors in interest, and upon the Company and its successors and assignees.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights granted herein shall be assignable by the Participant.

11.Laws Applicable to Construction.

The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, this Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

12.Severability.

The invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

13.Conflicts and Interpretation.

In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.  In the event of any ambiguity in this Agreement, or any matters as to which this Agreement is silent, the Plan shall govern, including, without limitation, the provisions thereof pursuant to which the Committee has the power, among others, to (i) interpret the Plan; (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and (iii) make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any question arising under this Agreement.

14.Amendment.

This Agreement may be unilaterally amended or modified by the Committee at any time; provided that no amendment or modification shall, without the Participant’s written consent, materially impair the rights of the Participant as provided by this Agreement, except such an amendment made to cause the terms of this Agreement or the Awarded Units granted hereunder to comply with Applicable Law (including tax law), securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation listing standards or accounting rules.  The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.

15.Clawback.

All Awarded Units granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any clawback, recoupment or forfeiture provisions (i) required by law or regulation and applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time or (ii) set forth in any

Time-Based (Section 16)

​

policies adopted or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time.

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16.Headings.

The headings of paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

17.Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. A manually or electronically signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

18.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by electronic means or request the Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or a third party vendor designated by the Company.

19.Data Privacy.

The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as described in this Section 19. The Company, its affiliates, and the Participant’s employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other employee identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any securities or directorships held in the Company, details of all entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, canceled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). The Company and its affiliates may transfer Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of the Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its affiliates may each further transfer Data to any third parties assisting the Company or any such affiliate in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. The Participant acknowledges that the transferors and transferees of such Data may be located anywhere in the world and hereby authorizes each of them to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of securities on the Participant’s behalf to a broker or to other third party with whom the Participant may elect to deposit any securities acquired under the Plan (whether pursuant to the Award or otherwise).

Time-Based (Section 16)

​

20.Entire Agreement.

This Agreement, together with the Plan, supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan, and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

​

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, as of the date first above written, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer and the Participant has hereunto set the Participant’s hand.

HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.

By:​ ​

Name:

Title:

​

​

Agreed and acknowledged:

​

PARTICIPANT

​

​

___________________________

Name:

Time-Based (Section 16)

​

Exhibit 10.4

​

FORM OF

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ____________, between Hilltop Holdings Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and _______________ (the “Participant”).

W I T N E S S E T H

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.Grant and Vesting of Restricted Stock Units.

(a)Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to the provisions of the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company hereby grants to the Participant as of ______________ (the “Date of Grant”), an Award under the Plan of _______ Restricted Stock Units (the “Awarded Units”).  Each Awarded Unit shall be a notional share of Common Stock, with the value of each Awarded Unit being equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at any time.  All capitalized terms used herein, to the extent not defined, shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

(b)Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, one hundred percent (100%) of the Awarded Units shall vest and no longer be subject to any restriction on the _______ anniversary of the Date of Grant (the “Restriction Period”), provided that the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is an Outside Director or Contractor, is providing services to) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates on such date.

(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period due to death or Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement (as defined below) or by the Company without Cause (as defined below), a prorated portion of the Awarded Units granted hereunder shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to restriction, with such proration determined by multiplying the total number of the Awarded Units granted hereunder by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months during the Restriction Period prior to the Termination of Service, but including the full vesting month in which the Participant’s death or Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement or Termination of Service without Cause occurs, and the denominator of which is ___________.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Service during the Restriction Period, all unvested Awarded Units shall be forfeited by the Participant for no consideration effective immediately upon such Termination of Service.  Upon forfeiture, all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Awarded Units shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.  Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any such Subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate the Participant at any time.

Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

​

(d)To the extent not previously forfeited, the Awarded Units shall immediately vest in full and no longer be subject to restriction upon the Participant’s Termination of Service without Cause within six (6) months preceding or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

(e)For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms are defined as set forth below:

i.“Cause” means any of the following: (A) the Participant shall have committed a felony or an intentional act of gross misconduct, moral turpitude, fraud, embezzlement, theft, dishonesty, misappropriation, or criminal conduct; (B) the Company shall have been ordered or directed by any federal, state or administrative regulatory agency with jurisdiction to terminate or suspend the Participant; (C) after being notified in writing by the Company to cease any particular activity, the Participant shall have continued such activity; or (D) deliberate failure on the part of the Participant (1) to perform the Participant’s principal duties, (2) to comply with the policies of the Company and its affiliates in any material respect, or (3) to follow specific reasonable directions received from the Company and its affiliates.

​

ii.“Retirement” means the Participant’s Termination of Service other than by the Company for Cause on or after the Participant has attained age __________ and completed at least ________ years of continuous service as an Employee or Outside Director of the Company or any of its affiliates.

​

(f)Awarded Units that have become vested pursuant to the terms of this Section 1 are collectively referred to herein as “Vested RSUs.”  All other Awarded Units are collectively referred to herein as “Unvested RSUs.”

2.Issuance of Shares.

The Company shall convert the Vested RSUs into the number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested RSUs, subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, including, without limitation, the forfeiture provisions of Section 1(c), and the clawback provisions of Section 15, and shall either electronically register such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name, on the first of the following events:

(i)on the ______ anniversary of the Date of Grant;

(ii) within thirty (30) days following the Participant’s Termination of Service due to death, Total and Permanent Disability, Retirement or by the Company without Cause, provided, that if such thirty (30) day period begins in one taxable year and ends in a second taxable year, the Vested RSUs shall be converted into shares of Common Stock in the second taxable year; or

​ Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

(iii)as a result of a Change in Control, within thirty (30) days following the later of (A) Participant’s Termination of Service or (B) on the effective date of a Change in Control.

​

The Company shall electronically register such shares of Common Stock, or issue certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock, equal to the Vested RSUs in the Participant’s name or in the name of such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution. From and after the date of registration or receipt of such shares of Common Stock, the Participant, or such person or persons to whom the Participant’s rights under the Award passed by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, as the case may be, shall have full rights of transfer or resale with respect to such shares of Common Stock, subject to applicable state and federal regulations.

3.Who May Receive Converted Vested RSUs.

During the lifetime of the Participant, the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion of Vested RSUs shall only be received by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative. If the Participant dies prior to the date his or her Vested RSUs are converted into shares of Common Stock as described in Section 2 above, the shares of Common Stock relating to such converted Vested RSUs may be received by any individual who is entitled to receive the property of the Participant pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

4.Nontransferability of the Restricted Stock Units.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, the Unvested RSUs shall not be transferable by the Participant by means of sale, assignment, exchange, encumbrance, pledge, or otherwise.

5. Rights as a Stockholder.

The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by this Agreement until the electronic registration of, or the issuance of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name with respect to the Awarded Units.  The Awarded Units shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement regarding such shares of Common Stock.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the registration of, or the issue of certificates for, such shares of Common Stock in the Participant’s name.

6.Adjustments.

Adjustments to the Awarded Units (or any of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Awarded Units), if any, shall be made in accordance with Articles 11 through 13 of the Plan. Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

7.Conditions for Issuance.

The Committee may, in its discretion, require the Participant to represent to, and agree with, the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares of Common Stock without a view toward the distribution thereof.  The certificates for such shares of Common Stock may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i) listing, or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares of Common Stock on the applicable exchange or inter-dealer quotation system; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common Stock of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining in effect of any such registration or other qualification that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval or permit from any state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he or she will not acquire any shares of Common Stock, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock to the Participant hereunder, if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority.  Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive.  The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules and regulations.

8.Taxes and Withholding.

No later than the date as of which an amount with respect to this Agreement first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant or subject to withholding for federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes, the Participant shall pay to the Company or the applicable affiliate, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by Applicable Law and regulations to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless the Participant has made separate arrangements satisfactory to the Company, the Company may elect, but shall not be obligated, to withhold shares of Common Stock deliverable upon vesting of the Awarded Units having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the minimum amount (or, if permitted by Applicable Law and the Company, such higher withholding rate to the extent consistent with equity accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement and the Plan shall be conditional on compliance by the Participant with this Section 8, and the Company and its affiliates shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise payable to the Participant.  The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with shares of Common Stock. Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

9.Notices.

All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by e-mail, electronic, facsimile, overnight courier or registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Participant:	At the most recent home address and/or e-mail address maintained by the Company in its personnel records

​

If to the Company:Hilltop Holdings Inc.

_________________

_________________

Attention:_________________

​

or to such other address, e-mail or facsimile number as any party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 9.  Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

10.Successors and Assigns.

The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and upon the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, transferees and successors in interest, and upon the Company and its successors and assignees.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any rights granted herein shall be assignable by the Participant.

11.Laws Applicable to Construction.

The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, this Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

12.Severability.

The invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

13.Conflicts and Interpretation.

In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.  In the event of any ambiguity in this Agreement, or any matters as to which this Agreement is silent, the Plan shall govern, including, without limitation, the provisions thereof pursuant to which the Committee has the power, among others, to (i) interpret the Plan; (ii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and (iii) make all other Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any question arising under this Agreement.

14.Amendment.

This Agreement may be unilaterally amended or modified by the Committee at any time; provided that no amendment or modification shall, without the Participant’s written consent, materially impair the rights of the Participant as provided by this Agreement, except such an amendment made to cause the terms of this Agreement or the Awarded Units granted hereunder to comply with Applicable Law (including tax law), securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation listing standards or accounting rules.  The waiver by either party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.

15.Clawback.

All Awarded Units granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any clawback, recoupment or forfeiture provisions (i) required by law or regulation and applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time or (ii) set forth in any policies adopted or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates as in effect from time to time.

​

16.Headings.

The headings of paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

17.Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. A manually or electronically signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

18.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, deliver any documents related to the Award by electronic means or request the Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive all applicable documentation by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line (and/or voice activated) system established and maintained by the Company or a third-party vendor designated by the Company.

19.Data Privacy.

The Participant acknowledges and consents to the collection, use, processing and transfer of personal data as described in this Section 19. The Company, its affiliates, and the Participant’s employer hold certain personal information about the Participant, including the Time-Based (Non-Section 16)

Exhibit 31.1

​

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

​

I, Jeremy B. Ford, certify that:

​

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Hilltop Holdings Inc.;

​

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

​

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

​

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

​

(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

​

(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

​

(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

​

(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

​

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

​

(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

​

(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

​

​	​	​	​
Date: April 26, 2021		By:	/s/ Jeremy B. Ford
​	​	​	Jeremy B. Ford
​	​	​	President and Chief Executive Officer

​ ​

​ Exhibit 31.2

​

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

​

I, William B. Furr, certify that:

​

1.	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Hilltop Holdings Inc.;

​

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

​

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

​

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

​

(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

​

(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

​

(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

​

(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

​

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

​

(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

​

(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

​

​	​	​	​
Date: April 26, 2021		By:	/s/ William B. Furr
​	​	​	William B. Furr
​	​	​	Chief Financial Officer

​ ​

​ Exhibit 32.1

​

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

​

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021 (the “Report”) of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned hereby certify in their capacities as President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to their knowledge:

​

(1)	the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

​

(2)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

​

​

​	​	​	​
Date: April 26, 2021		By:	/s/ Jeremy B. Ford
​	​	​	Jeremy B. Ford
​	​	​	President and Chief Executive Officer

​

​	​	​	​
Date: April 26, 2021		By:	/s/ William B. Furr
​	​	​	William B. Furr
​	​	​	Chief Financial Officer

​

​

The foregoing certification is furnished as an exhibit to the Report and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. ​