Hilltop Holdings Inc (HTH)

[Enterprising Investor]

Hilltop Holdings Inc. Names David E. Geschke to Leadership Positions at SWS Financial Services and Southwest Securities (4/16/15)

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH) today named David E. Geschke as CEO of SWS Financial Services and Director of Retail for Southwest Securities. The two companies became part of Hilltop Holdings earlier this year with its acquisition of SWS Group, Inc., a provider of a broad range of investment and financial services. Geschke will report directly to Southwest Securities CEO Robert W. Peterson.

Geschke began his career as a financial advisor and has more than 28 years of experience in the investment and financial services industry, including senior field and back office roles at H&R Block Financial Advisors and Ameriprise Financial.

As director of Southwest Securities’ retail brokerage operations, Geschke will play a key role in the company’s growth plans. The firm is currently in the process of integrating with First Southwest, a diversified broker-dealer in Hilltop Holdings’ family of companies. SWS Financial Services will be an integral part of the future combined organization.

“Dave Geschke has a proven track record as an innovative, strategic manager and is well-regarded for his strong, hands-on leadership,” Peterson said. “We are committed to growing Southwest Securities’ retail business, and following our integration with First Southwest we will be positioned to be the premier broker-dealer headquartered in the Southwest.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead Southwest Securities’ retail group,” Geschke said. “The folks I have met are energized and excited about the opportunity to build a first class regional presence in the Southwest. As part of Hilltop Holdings Inc., I am confident we can drive this group to new levels of productivity and growth to further serve our client base.”

About Hilltop

Hilltop Holdings is a Dallas-based financial holding company. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, PlainsCapital Corporation, a regional commercial banking franchise, it has two operating subsidiaries: PlainsCapital Bank and PrimeLending. Under Hilltop Securities Holdings LLC, First Southwest, Southwest Securities and SWS Financial Services provide a full complement of securities brokerage, institutional and investment banking services in addition to clearing services and retail financial advisory. Through Hilltop Holdings’ other wholly owned subsidiary, National Lloyds Corporation, it provides property and casualty insurance through two insurance companies, National Lloyds Insurance Company and American Summit Insurance Company. As of January 1, 2015, Hilltop employed approximately 5,300 people and operated approximately 450 locations in 44 states. Hilltop's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HTH. Find more information at hilltop-holdings.com, plainscapital.com, firstsw.com, swst.com, primelending.com and natlloyds.com.

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