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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Hilltop Holdings Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a6(i)(1) and 0-11.

NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT

  Graphic  

WHEN

  Graphic  

WHERE

  Graphic  

RECORD DATE

Thursday, July 20, 2023,
at 10:00 a.m., Dallas,
Texas local time

Vitrual meeting via live webcast, accessible at: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HTH2023

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 25, 2023

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

PROPOSAL

BOARD’S
RECOMMENDATION

SEE PAGE

1

Elect seventeen directors to serve on our Board of Directors until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

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“FOR each”

2

2

Conduct a non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

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“FOR”

82

3

Conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation;

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“1 YEAR”

83

4

Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023; and

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“FOR”

84

5

Transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing access to our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2022, over the Internet. As a result, we are providing to many of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a paper copy of our proxy materials. The notice contains instructions on how to access those proxy materials over the Internet, as well as instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials. All stockholders who are not sent a notice will be sent a paper copy of our proxy materials by mail. This electronic distribution process reduces the environmental impact and lowers the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials.

Your vote is very important. Please read the Proxy Statement and voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card. Then, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, and no matter how many shares you own, please vote by Internet, telephone or by marking, signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope, which requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States. Please see “Additional Information – How can I virtually attend the Annual Meeting?” for information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the meeting and vote virtually.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Graphic

Corey G. Prestidge
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel & Secretary

April 28, 2023
Dallas, Texas

       

THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS OR THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD, AS APPLICABLE, THE NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 WILL BE PROVIDED TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD ON OR ABOUT MAY 24, 2023.

  

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

GENERAL INFORMATION

1

PROPOSAL ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

2

General

2

Nominees for Election as Directors

2

Director Independence

12

Meeting Attendance

12

Vote Necessary to Elect Directors

12

Director Compensation

13

Board Committees

16

Corporate Governance

19

Director Nomination Procedures

23

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

26

Principal Stockholders

26

Security Ownership of Management

27

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

29

Executive Officers

29

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

31

Executive Summary

32

Compensation Program Philosophy and Objectives

38

Governance Highlights

39

Role of Stockholder Say-On-Pay Votes And Stockholder Engagement

39

Elements of our Executive Compensation Program

40

Compensation of Our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

47

Severance and Other Post-Termination Arrangements

48

Executive Compensation Process

52

Executive Compensation Programs and Policies

55

Compensation Committee Report

56

NEO Compensation

57

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

60

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

67

Pay for Performance

73

CEO Pay Ratio

76

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

77

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

77

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

78

PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

82

Vote Necessary to Approve, on a Non-Binding Advisory Basis, Executive Compensation

82

PROPOSAL THREE — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF STOCKHOLDER ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

83

PROPOSAL FOUR — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

84

Vote Necessary to Ratify the Appointment

84

Report of the Audit Committee

84

Independent Auditor’s Fees

85

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2024

87

OTHER MATTERS

87

MULTIPLE STOCKHOLDERS SHARING ONE ADDRESS

88

ANNUAL REPORT

88

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

88

ANNEX A

A-1

This Proxy Statement includes forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect the Company’s future results and financial condition, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card, as applicable, the Notice of 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022 will be provided to stockholders of record on or about May 24, 2023.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares:

FOR each of our director candidates;
FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers;
Every 1 YEAR, on a non-binding advisory basis, for the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation; and
FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2023.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this Proxy Statement 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 “PlainsCapital” 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 the “Bank” refer to PlainsCapital Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary of PlainsCapital), references to “First Southwest” refer to First Southwest Holdings, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Securities Holdings) and its subsidiaries as a whole, and references to “PrimeLending” refer to PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank) and its subsidiaries as a whole.

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

1

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

At the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors has nominated the director candidates named under “— Nominees for Election as Directors” below.

Our Board of Directors oversees our management on your behalf. The Board of Directors reviews our long-term strategic plans and exercises direct decision-making authority on key issues, such as the approval of business combination transactions, the authorization of dividends, the selection of the Chief Executive Officer, setting the scope of executives’ authority to manage our day-to-day operations and the evaluation of executives’ performance.

Our Board of Directors is not classified; thus, all of our directors are elected annually. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has recommended, and our Board of Directors has nominated, for re-election seventeen persons currently serving as directors whose terms are expiring at the Annual Meeting.

Our Board of Directors has also evaluated the service of Mr. Sherman in light of thresholds of certain major institutional investors and proxy advisory firms according to their respective voting policies and has determined that Mr. Sherman devotes the requisite time and effort in his board and committee responsibilities. Accordingly, we do not believe that he is over-boarded given there was no change in his duties as a result of Tectonic Financial Inc.’s preferred stock (as opposed to common stock) being quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market. We believe Mr. Sherman brings considerable and unique expertise to our Board of Directors as outlined below in “Director Qualifications for Service” and should be re-elected at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

If elected, each of the persons nominated as a director will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. Biographical information on each of our nominees is given below.

Nominees for Election as Directors

=

Rhodes R. Bobbitt

Graphic Independent Director since November 2005

AGE: 77

COMMITTEES

Investment
(Chairman)
Compensation
Merger and Acquisition

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON/DONALDSON LUFKIN & JENRETTE

Managing Director & Regional Office Manager of the Private Client Service Group (1987-2004)

GOLDMAN SACHS & COMPANY

Vice President of Security Sales, Dallas office (1969-1987)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Director of First Acceptance Corporation
Mr. Bobbitt is currently retired

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Bobbitt has an extensive investment background, which is particularly important given the investment portfolios at our subsidiaries

2

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Tracy A. Bolt

Graphic Independent Director since November 2012

AGE: 59

COMMITTEES

Audit
(Chairman)
Risk
Merger and Acquisition

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

INDEPENDENT ADVISOR

Has served as an advisor since 2014 to numerous management teams, public and private company boards, not for profit organizations and trusts

HARTMAN LEITO & BOLT, LLP

Founder, Partner and a member of the firm’s leadership committee focusing on accounting and consulting (1994-2014)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Fomer Director of PlainsCapital

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Bolt is a certified public accountant
Mr. Bolt has significant experience concerning accounting and risk matters that is essential to our Audit Committee’s, Risk Committee’s and Board of Directors’ oversight responsibilities

J. Taylor Crandall

Graphic Independent Director since April 2015

AGE: 69

COMMITTEES

Merger and Acquisition (Chairman)
Nominating and Corporate Governance

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

OAK HILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

Currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of Oak Hill Capital Management, a New York-based private equity firm
Founding Managing Partner and has served with the firm since 1986

KEYSTONE, INC.

Chief Operating Officer for the primary investment vehicle for Robert M. Bass

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

Vice President

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Director of Intermedia.net, Inc., Wave Division Holdings, LLC, Omada International, Pulsant Limited, Berlin Packaging LLC and Powdr Foundation
Secretary-Treasurer of the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Foundation
Trustee of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health
Board trustee of The Park City Foundation and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Crandall has significant experience in finance and management and board governance, including his experience serving on the boards of directors of public and private companies

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Hill A. Feinberg

Graphic Director since November 2012

AGE: 76

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

HILLTOP SECURITIES

Has served as Chairman Emeritus since 2019
Chairman and Chief Executive Office (1991-2019)

BEAR STERNS & CO

Senior managing director

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Fomer Director of PlainsCapital, Compass Bancshares, Inc. and Texas Regional Bancshares, Inc.
Former Advisory Director of Hall Phoenix Energy, LLC
Former Non-Executive Chairman and Director of General Cryogenics, Inc.
Past Chairman of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Mr. Feinberg was a member of the board of directors of Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited, a public company that filed bankruptcy in 2016

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Feinberg has extensive knowledge and experience concerning the broker-dealer segment and the industry in which it operates through his extended period of service to First Southwest and Hilltop Securities

Gerald J. Ford

Graphic  Chairman of the Board since June 2005

AGE: 78

COMMITTEES

Executive

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ENTREPRENEUR

Involved in numerous mergers and acquisitions of private and public sector financial institutions, primarily in the Southwestern United States, for more than 45 years
Acquired and consolidated 30 commercial banks from 1975 to 1993, forming First United Bank Group, Inc., a multi-bank holding company for which he functioned as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer until its sale in 1994
During this period, he also led investment consortiums that acquired numerous financial institutions, forming in succession, First Gibraltar Bank, FSB, First Madison Bank, FSB and First Nationwide Bank

GOLDEN STATE BANCORP INC.

Chief Executive Officer

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Director of Mechanics Bank
Former Chairman and Director of Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. and Pacific Capital Bancorp, Golden State Bancorp Inc. and a former Director of Light & Wonder, Inc. (f/k/a Scientific Games Corporation), First Acceptance Corporation, SWS Group, Inc. and McMoRan Exploration Co.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Gerald J. Ford has extensive banking industry experience and educational background provide him with significant knowledge in dealing with financial and regulatory matters, making him a valuable member of our Board of Directors
In addition, his previous service experience on the boards of directors and audit and corporate governance committees of a variety of public companies gives him a deep understanding of the role of the Board of Directors

4

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Jeremy B. Ford

Graphic Director since March 2010

AGE: 48

COMMITTEES

Executive (Chairman)

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.

Currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer

FORD FINANCIAL FUND, L.P.

Principal (2008-2010)

DIAMOND A-FORD CORPORATION

Vice President (2004-2008)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Chairman and Director of First Acceptance Corporation

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Jeremy B. Ford has worked in the financial services industry for over 24 years, primarily focused on operating and acquiring depository institutions and financial services companies
Mr. Jeremy B. Ford has extensive executive officer experience and knowledge of our operations
Additionally, he has been actively involved in numerous acquisitions, including those consummated by Hilltop

J. Markham Green

Graphic Independent Director since February 2004

AGE: 79

COMMITTEES

Audit
Risk
Investment

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

PRIVATE INVESTOR

Private investor since 2003

JP MORGAN CHASE

Vice Chairman of the Financial Institutions and Governments Group in investment banking (2001-2003)

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO

Various capacities, including general partner and co-head of the Financial Services Industry Group (1973-1992)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Former Director of MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership
Former Chairman and Director of POwerOne Media LLC

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Green has an extensive background in financial services, as well as board service
His investment banking background also provides our Board of Directors with expertise surrounding acquisitions and investments

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Charlotte Jones

Graphic Independent Director since November 2012

AGE: 56

COMMITTEES

Merger and Acquisition
Nominating and Corporate Governance

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL CLUB

Currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of the Dallas Cowboys, a National Football League football team
Has worked in various leadership capacities since 1989

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Fomer Director of PlainsCapital
Recognized as one of the most powerful women in sports, Ms. Jones has served as Chairman of the NFL Foundation, and serves on the NFL Conduct Committee, NFL Health and Safety Committee and the NFL Legalized Sports Betting Committee
Chairman of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation
Ms. Jones served as the first female Chairman of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board.Involved with a number of charitable organizations, including The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, The Rise School, the Southwest Medical Foundation, the Dallas Symphony, The Dallas Center for Performing Arts Foundation, the Shelton School, TACA, and Make-a-Wish North Texas Foundation

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Ms. Jones has significant managerial and executive officer experience with large entrepreneurial businesses and brand management

Lee Lewis

Graphic Director since November 2012

AGE: 71

COMMITTEES

Merger and Acquisition
Nominating and Corporate Governance

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

LEE LEWIS CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (1976-present) of Lee Lewis Construction, a construction firm based in Lubbock, Texas

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Fomer Director of PlainsCapital
Member of the American General Contractors Association, West Texas Chapter, Chancellors Council for the Texas Tech University System, and Red Raider Club

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Through his service on our Board of Directors and former service on PlainsCapital’s Board of Directors, Mr. Lewis has many years of knowledge of PlainsCapital and the challenges and opportunities that the Company is presented
The background of Mr. Lewis as an owner and chief executive officer of a Texas-based company also provides unique insight to the Board of Directors

6

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Andrew J. Littlefair

Graphic Independent Director since November 2012

AGE: 62

COMMITTEES

Compensation

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

CLEAN ENERGY FUELS CORP.

Co-Founder of Clean Energy Fuels, a provider of compressed and liquified natural gas in the United States and Canada
Has served as President and Chief Executive Officer (2001-present)

PICKENS FUEL CORP.

President (1996-2001)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Fomer Director of PlainsCapital
Director of Clean Energy Fuels Corp
Served as Chairman of NGV America, the leading U.S. advocacy group for natural gas vehicles

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Littlefair has significant experience serving as a chief executive officer and as a director of publicly traded companies and provides the Board of Directors with the perspective of one of PlainsCapital’s customers

W. Robert Nichols, III

Graphic Independent Director since April 2008

AGE: 78

COMMITTEES

Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chairman)
Merger and Acquisition

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

CONLEY LOTT NICHOLS

President of Conley Lott Nichols, a dealer for several manufacturers of construction machinery

RUSTY’S OILFIELD SERVICES COMPANY

Served as Chairman and President until January 2020

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Mr. W. Robert Nichols, III has been a leader in the construction machinery business since 1966
He has served on numerous bank and bank holding company boards, including United New Mexico Bancorp and Ford Bank Group
Mr. W. Robert Nichols, III is active in civic and charitable activities, serving as an active director at M.D. Anderson Hospital, The Nature Conservancy of Texas and Mercy Street

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. W. Robert Nichols III has broad experience in managing and leading enterprises
This significant experience provides our Board of Directors with additional perspectives on our operations

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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Table of Contents

PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Thomas C. Nichols

Graphic Independent Director since August 2020

AGE: 75

COMMITTEES

Risk (Chairman)
Merger and Acquisition

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

CARLILE HOLDINGS, INC.

Owner and Chief Executive Officer of family investment office since 2017

CARLILE BANCSHARES, INC.

Served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2008-2017)

FDIC

Bank Examiner

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Former Director of Independent Bancshares, Inc.
Mr. Nichols has acquired, merged and sold banking organizations and other financial services companies for over 30 years

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Thomas C. Nichols has significant experience in managing and leading banking and other financial services enterprises, including merger and acquisition activities, which provides our Board of Directors with additional perspectives on our operations

Kenneth D. Russell

Graphic Director since August 2010

AGE: 74

COMMITTEES

Risk

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

FIRST ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION

Interim Chief Executive Officer (2022-Present)
Special Advisor (2021-2022)
Chief Executive Officer (2019-2021)
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (2016-2019)

MECHANICS BANK

Chief Executive Officer (2015-2016)

FORD FINANCIAL FUND II, L.P.

Principal (2012-Present)

FORD FINANCIAL FUND, L.P.

Advisor (2010-2012)

KPMG

Rose from a staff accountant in the U.S. division to become a member of KPMG Germany’s managing Board of Directors
During 20 years in KPMG LLP’s Dallas office, he led the engagement efforts with the firm’s regional banking, thrift and other financial service clients
Mr. Russell joined KPMG’s national office in New York and led their financial services advisory unit, which supported many of the nation’s largest banks

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Director of First Acceptance Corporation and Mechanics Bank
He joined the Managing Board for KPMG in Germany, where he served as the global lead partner in the firm’s relationship with Deutsche Bank
Lead a new Partner Mentoring Program for KPMG’s offices throughout Europe, working to help young professionals become category and practice leaders

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Russell’s extensive background in accounting and operating entities provides valuable insight to our Board of Director
Experience managing and consulting on banking operations in over 50 countries

8

HILLTOP HOLDINGS 2023 Proxy Statement

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

A. Haag Sherman

Graphic Independent Director since November 2012

AGE: 57

COMMITTEES

Compensation (Chairman)
Investment
Audit

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

TECTONIC FINANCIAL, INC.

Director and Chief Executive Officer (2019-Present)
Chairman (2017-2019)

TECTONIC HOLDINGS LLC

Chief Executive Officer (2015-2019)

SALIENT PARTNERS, LP

Served in various executive positions, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Salient, a Houston-based investing firm (2002-2011)

THE REDSTONE COMPANIES

Served an executive officer and partner (1998-2002)

AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, LLP

Practiced corporate law (1992-1996)

PRICE WATERHOUSE

Served as an auditor (1988-1989)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Former Director of PlainsCapital Bank, Miller Energy Resources and ZaZa Energy Corp.
Director of CBIZ, Inc.
Mr. Sherman has served as an adjunct professor of law at The University of Texas School of Law

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Sherman has significant experience concerning investing, legal and accounting matters that is essential to our Board of Director’s oversight responsibilities
His 25 years of experience in financial services (including asset and wealth management, investment and commercial banking and mortgage origination) and his understanding of our business lines provides valuable input as a member of our Board of Directors and the Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of Audit Committee
Mr. Sherman generally has conducted our stockholder outreach initiatives and his background managing an investment firm and experience on public boards of directors assists in effective communication in such efforts
Mr. Sherman is an attorney and certified public accountant
The Board of Directors has determined that he devotes the requisite time and effort in his board and committee responsibilities; accordingly, we do not believe that he is over-boarded given there was no change in his duties as a result of Tectonic Financial Inc.’s preferred stock (as opposed to common stock) being quoted on the Nasdaq Global Markets

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Jonathan S. Sobel

Graphic Director since July 2019

AGE: 56

COMMITTEES

Investment

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

HILLTOP SECURITIES INC.

Non-executive Chairman (2019-Present)

FORD MANAGEMENT II, L.P. AND FORD MANAGEMENT III, L.P.

Partner (2012-Present)

DTF HOLDINGS, LLC

Managing Member (2008-Present)

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO.

Partner and Managing Director
Served in executive roles including Global Head of Mortgage Department, Global Head of Money Markets, head of the firm’s Global Bank Group and Chief Risk Officer for Goldman Sachs Asseet Management (1987-2008)

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Served as a member of Goldman Sachs’ Capital, Risk and Finance Committees
He is a trustee of the Hospital for Special Surgery and the Whitney Museum

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Sobel has significant experience in the banking, mortgage and broker-dealer industries, as well as risk management
He also possesses extensive knowledge regarding the Company and its operations, which makes him a valuable member of the Board of Director

Robert C. Taylor, Jr.

Graphic Independent Director since November 2012

AGE: 75

COMMITTEES

Merger and Acquisition
Nominating and Corporate Governance

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

UNITED SUPERMARKETS, LLC

Currently serves on the executive team, with involvement in government relations, real estate, innovation and special projects
Retired as Chief Executive Officer, with previous roles as Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain (2009-2021)

R.C. TAYLOR DISTRIBUTING, INC.

Served as President

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Former Director of PlainsCapital Bank and United Supermarkets, LLC
Director of Texas Tech Chancellors Advisory and Texas Tech Foundation
Chairman of the Lubbock Downtown Tax Increment Finance Redevelopment Committee

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Through his service on our Board of Directors and former service on PlainsCapital’s Board of Directors, Mr. Taylor has many years of knowledge of PlainsCapital and the challenges and opportunities that it is presented
The background of Mr. Taylor as a manager of a Texas-based company also provides unique insight to the Board of Directors

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Carl B. Webb

Graphic Director since June 2005

AGE: 73

COMMITTEES

Executive

  

  

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

FORD FINANCIAL FUND II, L.P. AND FORD FINANCIAL FUND III, L.P.

Co-Managing Member

PACIFIC CAPITAL BANCORP

Chief Executive Officer (2010-2012)

SANTA BARBARA BANK & TRUST, N.A.

Served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (2010-2012)

FORD FINANCIAL FUND, L.P.

Served as Senior Principal of private equity fund that was the parent company of SB Acquisition Company LLC, the majority stockholder of Pacific Capital Bancorp prior to its sale to UnionBanCal Corporation (2008-2012)

VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTUION AND BANK EXECUTIVE ROLES

Served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Golden State Bancorp Inc. and its subsidiary, California Federal Bank, FSB
Previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Madison Bank, FSB and First Gibraltar Bank, FSB, as well as President of First National Bank at Lubbock

  

  

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Chairman of Mechanics Bank and a Director of Prologis, Inc.
Former Director of Pacific Capital Bancorp, M&F Worldwide Corp., Plum Creek Timber Company, Golden State Bancorp Inc., California Federal Bank, FSB and First National Bank at Lubbock
Consultant to Hunter’s Glen/Ford, Ltd.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Mr. Webb possesses particular knowledge and experience in strategic planning and the financial industry, as well as expertise in bank management, that strengthen the Board of Directors’ collective qualifications, skills and experience

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Director Independence

As a public company, we are required to comply with the rules of the NYSE and are subject to the rules and regulations of the SEC, including Sarbanes-Oxley. The NYSE rules require listed companies to have a board of directors with at least a majority of independent directors. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that ten of the seventeen nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting have no material relationship with us (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us) and are independent within the meaning of the director independence requirements of the listing standards of the NYSE. The independent directors are Rhodes Bobbitt, Tracy A. Bolt, J. Taylor Crandall, J. Markham Green, Charlotte Jones, Andrew J. Littlefair, W. Robert Nichols, III, Thomas C. Nichols, A. Haag Sherman and Robert C. Taylor, Jr. In addition, each member of the Audit Committee has been affirmatively determined by the Board of directors to be independent under SEC rules and NYSE listing standard for the purposes of Audit Committee service.

In conducting its annual review of director independence, the Board of Directors considered transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Company.

The Board of Directors also considered the lease transactions and relationships between companies affiliated with Ms. Jones, a director of the Company, and the Company. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviewed and approved each of these leases and determined such leases were on an arms-length basis. Accordingly, the Board of Directors determined that Ms. Jones is, and continues to be, an independent director of the Company given, among other things, the arrangement and the immaterial nature of the leases to Ms. Jones and the Company.

Meeting Attendance

Our Board of Directors met four times during 2022. No director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served, if applicable, during 2022. Our Board of Directors has not adopted a formal policy with regard to director attendance at the annual meetings of stockholders. We, however, encourage members of the Board of Directors to attend annual meetings. Eighteen directors, Ms. Jones and Messrs. Bobbitt, Bolt, Crandall, Feinberg, Gerald J. Ford, Jeremy B. Ford, Green, Hill, Lewis, Littlefair, W. Robert Nichols, III, Thomas C. Nichols, Russell, Sherman, Sobel, Taylor and Webb, attended the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders in person or virtually.

Vote Necessary to Elect Directors

The seventeen director candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes, or a plurality, will be elected as directors. For purposes of the election of directors, withheld votes and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for purposes of determining a quorum. Under applicable NYSE rules, a broker or other nominee does not have the authority to vote for the director nominees in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the relevant shares. Stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE.

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Director Compensation

General

Members of our Board of Directors who also are full-time employees do not receive any compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors. During 2022, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and all other directors received the following compensation for their service on the Board of Directors:

    

Annual Fee

    

Annual Fee

Committee

for Chairperson ($)

for Other Members ($)

  

Board of Directors

210,000

48,000

Audit Committee

70,000

8,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

15,000

5,000

Compensation Committee

17,500

(a)

5,000

Investment Committee

30,000

5,000

Risk Committee

50,000

8,000

Merger and Acquisition Committee

15,000

5,000

Executive Committee (b)

5,000

(a) Annual fee for chairperson increased from $15,000 to $30,000 effective November 2022.
(b) Jeremy B. Ford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is chairman of the Executive Committee. Because he is a full-time employee of the Company, no fee is or was paid to the chairman of the Executive Committee.

Members of our Board of Directors may elect to receive their aggregate Board of Directors and board committee compensation:

entirely in the form of cash;
entirely in the form of common stock; or
one-half in cash and one-half in common stock.

Any elections, or changes in elections, by directors regarding the form of compensation to be received may only occur during a “trading window” and only become effective at the “trading window” immediately following such election or change in election. Cash and shares of common stock are paid and issued, respectively, on a calendar quarterly basis, with no vesting requirements. Customarily, these payments and issuances occur by the fifth day of the month following the applicable calendar quarter-end. The value of the common stock awarded is based upon the average closing price per share of our common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the applicable calendar quarter. In lieu of fractional shares of common stock that would otherwise be issuable to a director, we pay cash to the director based upon the value of those fractional shares at the value of the shares awarded to the director. If a director does not serve for the entire calendar quarter, that director is compensated based upon the time of service during the applicable calendar quarter.

Under our stock ownership policy, directors are expected to own shares with a value greater than five times their annual retainer for serving on the Board of Directors of the Company, unless they are subject to certain restrictions on receiving director fees or on receiving fees in the form of stock.

Each member of our Board of Directors is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses associated with his or her service on, and attendance at, Board of Directors or board committee meetings. Other than as described above, members of our Board of Directors receive no additional compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or board committees.

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Compensation of Our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

Gerald J. Ford, Chairman of the Board of Directors, provides us with significant value given his experience in the financial services industry, including mergers and acquisitions, capital and liquidity management and other operating matters, such as key personnel hires. On a very frequent basis, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer discuss matters relating to the Company. Our Chairman also meets with the executive management of the Company to discuss matters related to the Company in scheduled meetings generally occurring each week. In addition, our Chairman is instrumental in the sourcing, negotiation and completion of acquisitions and dispositions. Accordingly, our Chairman, in addition to his strategic input, spends considerable time and efforts in guiding our business and executive management in creating value for stockholders.

In addition to the fees paid to our Chairman of the Board of Directors described above, we also grant the Chairman of the Board of Directors a restricted stock unit, or RSU, award representing 30,000 shares each year. This RSU award cliff vests on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The RSU award agreement also provides for pro rata vesting upon termination without cause, death or disability. Commencing in 2019, all equity award agreements, including the RSU awards granted to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, contain “double trigger” provisions, which require termination without cause within the six months preceding or the twelve months following a change in control in order for the equity awards to vest in connection with a change in control.

The Compensation Committee evaluates the compensation of directors annually, including grants of RSUs to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Given the experience and involvement of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee believes that the compensation paid to the Chairman of the Board of Directors is considerably less than the cost that we would incur to employ or retain an individual of comparable skill and experience to provide similar services to us.

Political Action Committee Matching Program

The Hilltop Holdings Inc. PAC, or the PAC, is a separate segregated fund that was formed to make political contributions. To encourage participation in the PAC by eligible participants, for each contribution made to the PAC by an eligible individual contributor, Hilltop makes a matching contribution to any Section 501(c)(3) organization of the contributor’s choice, dollar for dollar, up to the maximum amount an eligible individual can contribute to the PAC in a given calendar year. Under this program, no contributor to the PAC receives any financial, tax or other tangible benefit or premium from either the recipient charities or us. This program is completely voluntary.

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2022 Director Compensation

Director Compensation Table for 2022

    

Fees Earned or

    

Stock

    

All Other

    

  

Paid in Cash

Awards

Compensation

Total

 

Name

($)(a)

($)(a)

($)

($)

 

Rhodes R. Bobbitt

 

88,000

 

 

88,000

Tracy A. Bolt

 

62

 

130,938

 

131,000

J. Taylor Crandall

68,000

 

 

68,000

Charles R. Cummings (b)

 

35,583

 

 

35,583

Hill A. Feinberg

 

 

Gerald J. Ford (c)

 

79

 

1,227,121

(d)

1,227,200

Jeremy B. Ford

 

 

 

J. Markham Green

 

69,000

 

 

69,000

William T. Hill, Jr. (e)

 

47,279

 

15,721

 

63,000

Charlotte Jones

 

29,068

 

28,932

 

58,000

Lee Lewis

 

53,000

 

 

53,000

Andrew J. Littlefair

 

26,545

 

26,455

 

53,000

W. Robert Nichols, III

 

68,000

 

 

68,000

Thomas C. Nichols

 

103,000

 

 

103,000

Kenneth D. Russell

 

56,000

 

 

56,000

A. Haag Sherman

71

74,429

74,500

Jonathan S. Sobel (f)

 

26,545

 

26,455

 

53,000

Robert C. Taylor, Jr.

 

29,068

 

28,932

 

58,000

Carl B. Webb

 

91

 

52,909

 

53,000

(a) Fees earned for services performed in 2022 include annual retainers and chairperson remuneration. Aggregate fees paid to non-employee directors for annual retainers and committee chairmanships were paid quarterly. Cash was paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares. Service for any partial quarter is calculated and paid on the basis of time served during the applicable calendar quarter. Non-employee directors are solely responsible for the payment of taxes payable on remuneration paid by the Company. The number of shares awarded was determined based upon the average closing price per share of our common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the calendar quarter during which the stock was earned, and the dollar value reported in the table represents the aggregate dollar amount of cash fees forgone.
(b) Mr. Cummings did not stand for re-election at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; accordingly, Mr. Cummings was no longer on the Board or its committees following the Annual Meeting on July 21, 2022.
(c) Mr. Gerald J. Ford held an aggregate 90,000 unvested RSUs as of December 31, 2022.
(d) Directors fees paid in stock of $214.921 and the grant date fair value of $1,012,200 of an equity award calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Compensation Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). Such award represents a time-based RSU that will cliff vest upon the earlier of February 8, 2025 and a change of control.
(e) Mr. Hill is not nominated for re-election at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; accordingly, Mr. Hill will no longer be on the Board or its committees following the Annual Meeting on July 20, 2023.
(f) Mr. Sobel held an aggregate 20,000 unvested RSUs as of December 31, 2022.

As described above, stock awards were issued to each non-employee director who elected to receive all or part of his or her director compensation in the form of our common stock generally within five days following each applicable calendar quarter-end. All of our personnel, as well as non-employee directors, are subject to trading restrictions with regard to our common stock, and trading may only occur during a “trading window.” Provided that any such party does not possess material, non-public information about us, this trading period commences on the next trading day following

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two calendar days after the public release of quarterly or annual financial information and continues until the close of business on the 10th calendar day of the last month of the fiscal quarter.

The following numbers of shares of our common stock were issued to our directors as director fees for services performed during 2022:

    

Number of

  

Name

Shares

Tracy A. Bolt

 

4,707

Gerald J. Ford

7,726

William T. Hill, Jr.

555

Charlotte Jones

 

1,040

Andrew J. Littlefair

951

A. Haag Sherman

2,673

Jonathan S. Sobel

951

Robert C. Taylor, Jr.

1,040

Carl B. Webb

1,902

For further information about the stockholdings of these directors and our management, see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” commencing on page 26 of this Proxy Statement.

Board Committees

General

The Board of Directors appoints committees to assist it in carrying out its duties. In particular, committees work on key issues in greater detail than would be practical at a meeting of all the members of the Board of Directors. Each committee reviews the results of its deliberations with the full Board of Directors.

The standing committees of the Board of Directors currently consist of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Risk Committee, the Investment Committee, the Merger and Acquisition Committee, and the Executive Committee. A more detailed description of these committees is set forth below. Our Board of Directors may, from time to time, establish certain other committees to facilitate our management. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for each of these committees. Current copies of the charters for each of the foregoing committees, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, or the General Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, and Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, or the Senior Officer Code of Ethics, may be found on our website at ir.hilltop-holdings.com, under the heading “Investor Relations — Overview — Governance Documents.” Printed versions also are available to any stockholder who requests them by contacting our corporate Secretary at the address listed within the section titled “Additional Information — Who can help answer my questions?”

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Committee Membership

The following table shows the current membership as of December 31, 2022, and the 2022 fiscal year meeting information for, each of the committees of the Board of Directors.

Rhodes Bobbitt *

Tracy A. Bolt *

J. Taylor Crandall *

Hill A. Feinberg

Gerald J. Ford

Jeremy B. Ford

J. Markham Green *

William T. Hill, Jr. **

Charlotte Jones *

Lee Lewis

Andrew J. Littlefair *

W. Robert Nichols, III *

Thomas C. Nichols *

Kenneth D. Russell

A. Haag Sherman *

Jonathan S. Sobel

Robert C. Taylor, Jr.*

Carl B. Webb

Meetings in Fiscal 2022

COMMITTEES

AUDIT

C

Graphic

Graphic

6

COMPENSATION

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

C

8

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

C

Graphic

4

RISK

Graphic

Graphic

C

Graphic

5

INVESTMENT

C

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

4

MERGER AND ACQUISITION

Graphic

Graphic

C

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

0

EXECUTIVE

Graphic

C

Graphic

10

C  Chairman     Graphic  Member

*

Denotes independent director.

**

Mr. Hill is not nominated for re-election at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; accordingly, Mr. Hill will no longer be on the Board or its committees following the Annual Meeting on July 20, 2023.

AUDIT
COMMITTEE

Graphic

We have a standing Audit Committee established within the meaning of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee helps our Board of Directors ensure the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. In furtherance of those matters, the Audit Committee assists in the establishment and maintenance of our internal audit controls, selects, meets with and assists the independent registered public accounting firm, oversees each annual audit and quarterly review and prepares the report that federal securities laws required be included in our annual proxy statement, which appears on page 84. Mr. Cummings was Chairman of the Audit Committee until April 22, 2021, at which time Mr. Bolt succeeded him as Chairman. Mr. Cummings remained a member of the Audit Committee with Mr. Green through the Annual Meeting on July 21, 2022 at which time Mr. Sherman was elected as a replacement for Mr. Cummings by the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has reviewed the education, experience and other qualifications of each member of the Audit Committee. Based upon that review, our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Bolt and Sherman qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the rules of the SEC, and each member of the Audit Committee is independent in accordance with the rules of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. Currently, none of our Audit Committee members serve on the audit committees of three or more public companies.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Graphic

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, administers the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Annual Incentive Plan, or the Annual Incentive Plan, the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Equity Incentive Plans, and produces the annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement, which appears on page 56. Each member is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE.

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Graphic

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purpose is as follows:

Identify, screen and recommend to our Board of Directors individuals qualified to serve as members, and on committees, of the Board of Directors;
Advise our Board of Directors with respect to the composition, procedures and committees of the Board of Directors;
Advise our Board of Directors with respect to the corporate governance principles applicable to the Company;
Oversee the evaluation of the Board of Directors and our management; and
Oversee our Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and its efforts and initiatives, including the report we produce annually.

Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE.

RISK
COMMITTEE

Graphic

The purpose of the Risk Committee is to provide assistance to the Board of Directors in its oversight of:

The Company’s risk governance structure;
The Company’s risk tolerance;
The Company’s risk management and risk assessment guidelines and policies regarding market, credit, operational, liquidity, funding, strategic, regulatory and such other risks as necessary;
The Company’s capital and liquidity and funding; and
The performance of the Company’s enterprise risk function.

The duties assigned to the Risk Committee are meant to ensure that there is an effective system reasonably designed to evaluate and control risk throughout the Company.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

Graphic

The Investment Committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing investment policies, strategies and programs; reviewing the procedures that we utilize in determining that funds are invested in accordance with policies and limits approved by the Investment Committee; and reviewing the quality and performance of our investment portfolios and the alignment of asset duration to liabilities.

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MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMMITTEE

Graphic

The purpose of the Merger and Acquisition Committee is to review potential mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of material assets or a material portion of any business proposed by management and to report its findings and conclusions to the Board of Directors. Each member of the Merger and Acquisition Committee is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Graphic

The Executive Committee, with certain exceptions, has the power and authority of the Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the Company between meetings of the Board of Directors.

Corporate Governance

General

We are committed to good corporate governance practices and, as such, we have adopted formal corporate governance guidelines to maintain our effectiveness. The guidelines govern, among other things, board member qualifications, responsibilities, education and executive sessions. A copy of the corporate governance guidelines may be found at our corporate website at ir.hilltop-holdings.com under the heading “Investor Relations — Overview — Governance Documents.” A copy also may be obtained upon request from our corporate Secretary at the address listed within the section titled “Additional Information — Who can help answer my questions?”

Board Leadership Structure

We have separated the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board as a means of separating management of the Company from our Board of Director’s oversight of management. Separating these roles also enables an orderly leadership transition when necessary. We believe, at this time, that this structure provides desirable oversight of our management and affairs. We have in the past appointed, and will continue to appoint, lead independent directors as circumstances require. No lead independent director is appointed at this time.

Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors and the Risk Committee of the Board of Directors oversee an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, including cybersecurity risks, intended to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. Our Board of Directors and the Risk Committee are actively involved in establishing and refining our business strategy, including assessing management’s appetite for risk and determining the appropriate level of overall risk for the Company. The Company conducts continual assessments through its enterprise risk function.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND RISK COMMITTEE

While the Board of Directors has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board of Directors outside of the Risk Committee also have responsibility for risk management.

AUDIT
COMMITTEE

Graphic

COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE

Graphic

NOMINATING AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE

Graphic

INVESTMENT
COMMITTEE

Graphic

focuses on financial risk, including internal controls
from time to time, discusses and evaluates matters of risk, risk assessment and risk management with our management team
responsible for overseeing the management of risk associated with our compensation policies and arrangements
ensures that the internal processes by which we are governed are consistent with prevailing governance practices and applicable laws and regulations
ensures that our funds are invested in accordance with policies and limits approved by it

Our Senior Officer Code of Ethics, General Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, committee charters and other governance documents are reviewed by the appropriate committees annually to confirm continued compliance, ensure that the totality of our risk management processes and procedures are appropriately comprehensive and effective and that those processes and procedures reflect established practices.

Board Performance

Our Board of Directors conducts an evaluation of performance with a view to improving effectiveness of the Board of Directors. In addition, the full Board of Directors reviews annually the qualifications and effectiveness of the Audit Committee and its members.

Director Qualifications for Service

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers a variety of factors when evaluating a potential candidate to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors or when nomination of an incumbent director for re-election is under consideration. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors strive to balance a diverse mix of experience, perspective, skill and background with the practical requirement that the Board of Directors will operate collegially, with the common purpose of overseeing our business on behalf of our stockholders. All of our directors possess relevant experience, and each of them approaches the business of the Board of Directors and his or her responsibilities with great seriousness of purpose. Further information, with respect to each director, his or her particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that qualify him or her to serve as a director, is set forth within “Proposal One — Election of Directors — Nominees for Election as Directors” beginning on page 2.

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Executive Board Sessions

The current practice of our Board of Directors is to hold an executive session of its non-management directors at least once per quarter. The individual who serves as the chair at these executive sessions is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Executive sessions of the independent directors of the Board of Directors also are held at least once per fiscal year, and at each executive session the independent directors select the independent director to preside over such executive session.

Communications with Directors

Our Board of Directors has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member or all members of the Board of Directors, the non-management directors or any group or committee of directors by mail. To communicate with our Board of Directors, any individual director or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Directors or any such individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title. The correspondence should be sent to Hilltop Holdings Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 6565 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75205.

All communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph will be opened by the corporate Secretary or assistant corporate Secretary for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message to our directors. Any contents that are not in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or service or patently offensive material will be forwarded promptly to the addressee(s). In the case of communications to the Board of Directors or any group or committee of directors, the corporate Secretary’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to whom the communication is addressed. If the amount of correspondence received through the foregoing process becomes excessive, our Board of Directors may consider approving a process for review, organization and screening of the correspondence by the corporate Secretary or other appropriate person.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Chief Information Officer. We also have adopted a General Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to all officers, directors and employees. Both codes are available on our website at ir.hilltop-holdings.com under the heading “Overview — Governance Documents.” Copies also may be obtained upon request by writing our corporate Secretary at the address listed within the section titled “Additional Information — Who can help answer my questions?”. We intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, our Senior Officer Code of Ethics and our General Code of Ethics and Business Conduct at the same website address provided above.

Hedging and Other Securities Transaction Policy

The Company has adopted a written Insider Trading Policy, or the Trading Policy, which sets forth the Company’s policies and procedures. Directors and executive officers are required to receive the permission of the General Counsel prior to entering into any transactions in our securities, including gifts, grants and those involving derivatives. Generally, trading is permitted only during announced trading periods for directors, executive officers and certain

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employees. Directors, executive officers and employees who are subject to trading restrictions, may enter into a trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. These trading plans may be entered into only during an open trading period and must be approved by the General Counsel. We require trading plans to include a waiting period and the trading plans may not be amended during their term. Such director or employee bears full responsibility if he or she violates our policy by permitting shares to be bought or sold without pre-approval or when trading is restricted.

All employees, executive officers and directors also are prohibited from entering into hedging, short sale and derivative transactions and are subject to restrictions on pledging our securities. Additionally, all employees, executive officers and directors are prohibited from hedging or pledging unvested RSUs. The Trading Policy is available on our website at ir.hilltop-holdings.com under the heading “Overview — Governance Documents.”

Policies and Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions

Transactions with related persons are governed by our General Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which applies to all officers, directors and employees. This code covers a wide range of potential activities, including, among others, conflicts of interest, self-dealing and related party transactions.

The Company also has adopted a written Related Party Transaction Policy, or the Related Party Policy, which sets forth the Company’s policies and procedures for reviewing and approving transactions with related persons – namely, our directors, executive officers, their respective immediate family members and 5% stockholders. The transactions covered by the Policy include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company is a participant, the related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest and the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year.

After becoming aware of any transaction which may be subject to the Related Party Policy, the related person is required to report all relevant facts with respect to the transaction to the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel of Hilltop. Upon determination by the Company’s legal department that a transaction requires review under the Related Party Policy, the material facts of the transaction and the related person’s interest in the transaction are provided to the Audit Committee. The transaction is then reviewed by the disinterested members of the Audit Committee, who determine whether approval of the transaction shall be granted. In reviewing a transaction, the Audit Committee considers facts and circumstances that it deems relevant to its determination, such as: management’s assessment of the commercial reasonableness of the transaction; the materiality of the related person’s direct or indirect interest in the transaction; whether the transaction may involve an actual, or the appearance of, a conflict of interest; and, if the transaction involves a director, the impact of the transaction on the director’s independence.

Certain types of transactions are pre-approved in accordance with the terms of the Related Party Policy. These include transactions in the ordinary course of business involving financial products and services provided by, or to, the Company, including loans, provided that such transactions are in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Federal Reserve Board Regulation O and other applicable laws and regulations.

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Stockholder Rights and Protections

The Company’s Amended and Restated Charter and By-laws provide stockholders with important rights and protections, including:

The ability to call a special meeting by stockholders holding at least 15% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, subject to a one-year ownership requirement and certain other requirements.
No “poison pill” in effect.
No super-majority vote requirements in our Amended and Restated Charter or By-laws (other than for an action by written consent).

The Company’s Amended and Restated Charter and By-laws are available as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with SEC.

Director Nomination Procedures

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that, at a minimum, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors should have a demonstrated ability to make a meaningful contribution to the Board of Directors’ oversight of our business and affairs and have a record and reputation for honest and ethical conduct. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends director nominees to the Board of Directors based on, among other things, its evaluation of a candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, expertise, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of our business environment and a willingness to devote adequate time and effort to board responsibilities. In making its recommendations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also seeks to have the Board of Directors nominate candidates who have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise so that each member can offer a unique and valuable perspective. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently has an emphasis on evaluating and selecing nominees of diverse ethnicity.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects, in the future, to identify potential nominees by asking current directors and executive officers to notify the committee if they become aware of persons who meet the criteria described above. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also, from time to time, may engage firms, at our expense, that specialize in identifying director candidates. As described below, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will consider candidates recommended by stockholders.

Once a person has been identified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as a potential candidate, the committee expects to collect and review publicly available information regarding the person to assess whether the person should be considered further. If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines that the candidate warrants further consideration, and if the person expresses a willingness to be considered and to serve on the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects to request information from the candidate, review the person’s accomplishments and qualifications, including in light of any other candidates that the committee might be considering, and conduct one or more interviews with the candidate. In certain instances, members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may contact one or more references provided by the candidate or may contact other members of the business community or other persons that may have greater first-hand knowledge of the candidate’s accomplishments.

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

In addition to formally nominating individuals for election as directors in accordance with our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as summarized below on page 87 under “Stockholder Proposals for 2024,” stockholders may send written recommendations of potential director candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for its consideration. Such recommendations should be submitted to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee “c/o Corporate Secretary” at Hilltop Holdings Inc., 6565 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75205. Director recommendations submitted by stockholders should include the following information regarding the stockholder making the recommendation and the individual(s) recommended for nomination:

name, age, business address and residence address;
the class, series and number of any shares of Hilltop stock or other securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop owned, beneficially or of record (including the name of the nominee holder if beneficially owned);
the date(s) that shares of Hilltop stock or other securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition;
any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop;
whether and the extent to which such person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the prior six months has engaged in, any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (a) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Hilltop securities or any security of any entity listed in the peer group in the stock performance graph included in the materials distributed with this Proxy Statement or (b) increase or decrease the voting power of such person in Hilltop disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in Hilltop securities (or, as applicable, any security of any entity listed in the peer group in the stock performance graph included in the materials distributed with this Proxy Statement);
any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with us), by security holdings or otherwise of such person in us or in any of our affiliates, other than an interest arising from the ownership of securities where such person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;
the investment strategy or objective, if any, of the stockholder making the recommendation and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors, or potential investors, in such stockholder (if not an individual);
to the extent known by the stockholder making the recommendation, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or re-election as a director;
a certificate executed by the proposed nominee that certifies that the proposed nominee is not, and will not, become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than us in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to us and that the proposed nominee consents to being named in a proxy statement and will serve as a director if elected;
completed proposed nominee questionnaire (which will be provided upon request by writing or telephoning our corporate Secretary at the address or phone number listed within the section titled “Additional Information — Who can help answer my questions?”; and

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all other information that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder.

The stockholder recommendation of potential director candidates and information described above must be delivered to the corporate Secretary not earlier than the 120th day and not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas local time, on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to, or delayed by more than 60 days after, the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, the stockholder recommendation and information must be delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas local time, on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting of stockholders or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made. In the event, however, the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement of such action at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder recommendation also will be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by the increase, if it is delivered to the corporate Secretary not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas local time, on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement is first made.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects to use a similar process to evaluate candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors recommended by stockholders as the one it uses to evaluate candidates otherwise identified by the committee.

No fee was paid to any third party or parties to identify or evaluate, or assist in identifying or evaluating, potential nominees.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not receive the name of any stockholder recommendations for director nominees with respect to the Annual Meeting.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not receive any recommendations for director nominees from any non-management stockholder or group of stockholders that beneficially owns more than 5% of our common stock.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Principal Stockholders

The following table sets forth information regarding our common stock beneficially owned as of April 25, 2023 by any person or “group,” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, known to us to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

    

Amount and Nature of

    

Percent of

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Beneficial Ownership

Class (a)

 

Gerald J. Ford (b)

15,822,119

 

24.3

%

6565 Hillcrest Avenue, 6th Floor

 

Dallas, Texas 75205

BlackRock, Inc. (c)

7,860,953

12.1

%

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055

The Vanguard Group (d)

5,208,414

8.0

%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (e)

3,708,457

5.7

%

Building One

6300 Bee Cave Road

Austin, Texas 78746

(a) Based on 65,023,881 shares of common stock outstanding on April 25, 2023. Shares issuable under instruments to purchase our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of April 25, 2023 are treated as if outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these instruments, but are not treated as outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(b) The shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Gerald J. Ford include 84,310 shares that are owned by Turtle Creek Revocable Trust, a revocable trust for the benefit of the members of Mr. Gerald J. Ford’s family, and indirectly by Mr. Gerald J. Ford as settlor and trustee of the trust. Mr. Gerald J. Ford disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 15,544,674 shares owned by Diamond A Financial, LP. Mr. Gerald J. Ford is the sole member of Diamond HTH Stock Company GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP, which is the sole general partner of Diamond A Financial, LP. Mr. Gerald J. Ford is the sole limited partner of Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP. Each of Mr. Gerald J. Ford, Diamond A Financial, LP, Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP and Diamond HTH Stock Company GP, LLC may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power of these shares. Excludes 90,000 RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(c) Based on the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 6) filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc. on January 26, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 6), BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 7,741,284 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 7,860,953 shares of our common stock. According to the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 6), BlackRock, Inc. is a parent holding company or control person, and various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of our common stock. The Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 6) reports that Blackrock Fund Advisors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackrock, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 5% or greater of the outstanding shares of the security class reported on the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 5).
(d) Based on the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 7) filed with the SEC by The Vanguard Group on February 9, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G (Amendment No. 7), The Vanguard Group has shared voting power over 34,644 shares of our common stock, sole dispositive power over 5,124,163 shares of our common stock and shared dispositive power over 84,251 shares of our common stock.
(e) Based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Dimension Fund Advisors LP on February 10, 2023. According to the Schedule 13G, Dimension Fund Advisors LP has sole voting power over 3,668,636 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 3,708,457 shares of our common stock.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of April 25, 2023, by:

each of our directors and director nominees;
each of our named executive officers; and
all of our directors and executive officers presently serving, as a group.

Except as otherwise set forth below, the address of each of the persons listed below is c/o Hilltop Holdings Inc., 6565 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75205. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have specified that they have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to any applicable community property law.

Common Stock

 

    

Amount and Nature of

    

Percent of

   

Name of Beneficial Owner

Beneficial Ownership

Class (a)

 

Rhodes Bobbitt

 

126,059

(b)  

*

Tracy A. Bolt

 

45,097

*

J. Taylor Crandall

 

*

Hill A. Feinberg

 

595,912

(c)  

*

Gerald J. Ford

 

15,822,119

(d)  

24.3%

6565 Hillcrest Avenue, 6th Floor

Dallas, Texas 75205

Jeremy B. Ford

1,182,875

(e)  

1.8%

William B. Furr

113,005

(f)  

*

J. Markham Green

 

114,763

*

William T. Hill, Jr.

37,204

(g)  

*

Charlotte Jones

 

14,292

*

Lee Lewis

 

107,951

(h)  

*

Andrew J. Littlefair

 

18,651

*

W. Robert Nichols, III

 

16,000

(i)  

*

Thomas C. Nichols

 

16,180

(j)  

*

Kenneth D. Russell

 

*

Jerry L. Schaffner

 

114,367

(k)  

*

A. Haag Sherman

 

28,419

*

Jonathan S. Sobel

 

3,636

(l)  

*

Robert C. Taylor, Jr.

 

41,308

*

Stephen Thompson

 

39,506

(m)  

*

Carl B. Webb

124,557

*

M. Bradley Winges

 

61,492

(n)  

*

All Directors and Executive Officers,

 

as a group (25 persons)

18,818,284

(o)  

28.9%

*     Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of such class.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

(a) Based on 65,023,881 shares of common stock outstanding on April 25, 2023. Shares issuable under instruments to purchase our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of April 25, 2023 are treated as if outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these instruments, but are not treated as outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(b) Includes 62,100 shares of common stock held in an IRA account for the benefit of Mr. Bobbitt.
(c) Includes 16,776 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Feinberg’s wife.
(d) The shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Gerald J. Ford include 84,310 shares that are owned by Turtle Creek Revocable Trust, a revocable trust for the benefit of the members of Mr. Gerald J. Ford’s family, and indirectly by Mr. Gerald J. Ford as settlor of the trust. Mr. Gerald J. Ford disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 15,544,674 shares owned by Diamond A Financial, LP. Mr. Gerald J. Ford is the sole member of Diamond HTH Stock Company GP, LLC, which is the sole general partner of Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP, which is the sole general partner of Diamond A Financial, LP. Mr. Gerald J. Ford is the sole limited partner of Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP. Each of Mr. Gerald J. Ford, Diamond A Financial, LP, Diamond HTH Stock Company, LP and Diamond HTH Stock Company GP, LLC may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power of these shares. Excludes 90,000 restricted stock units, or RSUs, that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(e) Jeremy B. Ford is a beneficiary of a trust that owns a 49% limited partnership interest in Diamond A Financial, LP (see footnote (d)). Excludes 352,416 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023 and 15,544,674 shares of common stock held by Diamond A Financial, LP.
(f) Excludes 85,553 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(g) Includes 14,550 shares of common stock held in a SEP IRA account for the benefit of Mr. Hill.
(h) Includes 55,169 shares of common stock held by Lee Lewis Construction. Mr. Lewis is the sole owner of Lee Lewis Construction and may be deemed to have voting and/or investment power with respect to the shares owned by Lee Lewis Construction.
(i) Includes 15,942 shares of common stock held in an IRA account for the benefit of Mr. W. Robert Nichols, III.
(j) Includes 2,000 shares of common stock held in an IRA account for the benefit of Mr. Thomas C. Nichols.
(k) Includes 1,459 shares of common stock held in an IRA account for the benefit of Mr. Schaffner’s wife. Excludes 53,016 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(l) Excludes 20,000 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(m) Excludes 93,334 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(n) Excludes 84,755 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.
(o) Represents 25 persons. Excludes 864,779 shares of common stock deliverable upon the vesting of RSUs that will not vest within 60 days of April 25, 2023.

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eXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Officers

General

We have identified the following officers as “executive officers,” as such term is defined by the SEC, as of April 25, 2023:

Name

    

Age

    

Position

    

Officer
Since

  

Keith E. Bornemann

50

Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

2017

Jeremy B. Ford

48

President and Chief Executive Officer

2010

William B. Furr

45

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

2016

Darren E. Parmenter

60

Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

2007

Corey G. Prestidge

49

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

2008

Jerry L. Schaffner

65

President and Chief Executive Officer of PlainsCapital Bank

2012

Stephen Thompson

61

President and Chief Executive Officer of PrimeLending

2020

M. Bradley Winges

55

President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilltop Securities

2019

Business Experience of Executive Officers

Information concerning the business experience of Mr. Jeremy B. Ford is set forth above under “Proposal One — Election of Directors — Nominees for Election as Directors” beginning on page 2.

Keith E. Bornemann. Mr. Bornemann has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Hilltop since July 2020. Mr. Bornemann previously served as Executive Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer of Hilltop from November 2017 to July 2020 and Corporate Controller of Hilltop from February 2017 to July 2020. He also served as Senior Vice President and Director of Accounting and Reporting of Hilltop from January 2016 to January 2017 and Vice President of Financial Reporting of Hilltop from January 2013 to January 2016. Prior to joining Hilltop in 2013, Mr. Bornemann was the Vice President and Corporate Controller at First Acceptance Corporation and spent nine years working for the accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.

William B. Furr. Mr. Furr has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Hilltop since September 2016. Prior to joining Hilltop, Mr. Furr served as Executive Vice President and Community Bank Chief Financial Officer for KeyCorp from November 2012 to August 2016. Before joining KeyCorp, Mr. Furr served in various financial leadership roles at Regions Financial Corporation and Bank of America Corporation.

Darren E. Parmenter. Mr. Parmenter has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Hilltop since September 2016. Mr. Parmenter previously served as Executive Vice President and Principal Financial Officer of Hilltop from February 2014 to September 2016 and as Senior Vice President of Finance of Hilltop from June 2007 to February 2014. From January 2000 to June 2007, Mr. Parmenter was with Hilltop’s predecessor, Affordable Residential Communities Inc., and served as the Controller of Operations from April 2002 to June 2007. Prior to 2000, Mr. Parmenter was employed by Albertsons Inc. as an Assistant Controller.

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Corey G. Prestidge. Mr. Prestidge has served as an Executive Vice President of Hilltop since February 2014 and General Counsel and Secretary of Hilltop since January 2008. From November 2005 to January 2008, Mr. Prestidge was the Assistant General Counsel of Mark Cuban Companies. Prior to that, Mr. Prestidge was an associate in the corporate and securities practice group at Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, which is a former national law firm. Mr. Prestidge is the son-in-law of our Chairman of the Board, Gerald J. Ford, and the brother-in-law of our President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy B. Ford.

Jerry L. Schaffner. Mr. Schaffner has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of PlainsCapital Bank since November 2010. He currently serves as a director of PlainsCapital Bank and various other subsidiaries, and previously served as a director of PlainsCapital from 1993 until March 2009. Mr. Schaffner joined PlainsCapital in 1988 as part of its original management group.

Stephen Thompson. Mr. Thompson has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of PrimeLending since January 2020, a continuation of his previous role as President of PrimeLending since 2017. Mr. Thompson joined PrimeLending in 2011 and has held the roles of Regional Production Leader, Divisional Production Leader and National Production Leader. Mr. Thompson has over 30 years of mortgage banking experience.

M. Bradley Winges. Mr. Winges has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilltop Securities since February 2019. Prior to joining Hilltop Securities, Mr. Winges most recently served as Senior Executive Managing Director at Piper Jaffray, where he had worked since February 1991. While at Piper Jaffray, he was a member of the firm’s leadership team and held the roles of Head of Fixed Income Services and Firm Investments and Trading, President of Piper Jaffray Investment Management, Firm Risk Management, Head of Hopewood Lane Trading, Co-Head of Piper Jaffray Financial Products, Head of Municipal Sales and Trading and Institutional Municipal Sales Representative. Mr. Winges also is a member of the Board of the Bond Dealers of America and a committee member of the Fixed Income Market Structure at the SEC.

Terms of Office and Relationships

Our executive officers are elected by our Board of Directors annually or, as necessary, to fill vacancies or newly created offices. Each executive officer holds office until his successor is duly elected and qualified or, if earlier, until his death, resignation or removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by our Board of Directors may be removed by our Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, our best interests will be served, but any removal will be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Except as disclosed under “Proposal One — Election of Directors — Nominees for Election as Directors” commencing on page 2 and under “Executive Compensation — Executive Officers — Business Experience of Executive Officers” on page 29, (a) there are no familial relationships among any of our current directors or executive officers and (b) none of our director nominees hold, or in the last five years have held, directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee for election as a director or officer and any other person pursuant to which that director was nominated or that officer was selected.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or this CD&A, reviews the compensation program for our named executive officers, or NEOs, which include each person who served as our principal executive officer or principal financial officer during the year ended December 31, 2022 and our three other most highly-compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2022.

For 2022, our NEOs were:

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER

TITLE/ROLE

Jeremy B. Ford

President and Chief Executive Officer

William B. Furr

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Jerry L. Schaffner

President and Chief Executive Officer of PlainsCapital Bank

Stephen Thompson

President and Chief Executive Officer of PrimeLending

M. Bradley Winges

President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilltop Securities

The following is the reporting structure for our operating subsidiaries:

JEREMY B. FORD

President & CEO
Hilltop Holdings Inc.

JERRY SCHAFFNER

STEPHEN THOMPSON

M. BRADLEY WINGES

President & CEO
PlainsCapital Bank

President & CEO
PrimeLending

President & CEO
Hilltop Securities Inc.

CD&A Table of Contents

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Summary

Business Highlights

Despite headwinds faced by some of our business lines, Hilltop was profitable in 2022 as a result of the strength of its banking franchise. At the end of 2022, Hilltop had a strong balance sheet with diversified and accessible funding sources and excess operating capital. During 2022, we worked to enhance productivity and expense efficiency across all business lines and, in particular, executed on significant actions within our mortgage operations to better align with the current market. Through our efforts in 2022, we expect to achieve a more efficient fixed expense base to assist in combating inflationary costs and realize on opportunities when the economy recovers. We also returned a record amount of capital to our stockholders during 2022.

2022 Net Income

$113 Million

2022 ROAA

0.69%

12/31/2022 Total Assets

$16.3 Billion

2022 ROAE

5.11%

Key Financial Results

We continued to achieve profitable financial results in 2022. While the financial results in 2022 did not reach the same level as in 2021 and 2020, our 2022 financial results were positive in a challenging environment for PrimeLending and Hilltop Securities. The make-up of these results were as follows:

PlainsCapital Bank had income before taxes of $219 million, primarily driven by rising interest rates and net interest margin expansion. Income before taxes was $283 million in 2021, which included a reversal of provision for credit losses of $58 million.
PrimeLending had a loss before taxes of $37 million in 2022, as compared to income before taxes of $236 million in 2021. This decrease was driven by a significant decline in mortgage originations due to rising interest rates and limited housing supply, in addition to a decline in gain-on-sale margins.
Hilltop Securities had income before taxes of $38 million in 2022, as compared to $44 million in 2021, which decrease was largely caused by lower net revenues in the fixed income services and structured finance businesses given market uncertainty.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The charts below illustrate our financial and market performance in 2022 and prior years. Additional details regarding our results can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

REVENUE ($MM)

(Continuing Operations)

PRE-PROVISION NET REVENUE ($MM)

(Continuing Operations)

Graphic

Graphic

NET INCOME ($MM)

(Continuing Operations)

EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE ($)

(Continuing Operations)

Graphic

Graphic

RETURN ON AVERAGE ASSETS

(Continuing Operations)

RETURN ON AVERAGE EQUITY

(Continuing Operations)

Graphic

Graphic

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Hilltop ranked in the 72nd percentile of the regional banks included in the KBW Regional Banking Index in total shareholder return for the three-year period ended December 31, 2022.

Total Shareholder Return vs.
Banks in the KBW Regional Banking Index*
3-Year Period Ending December 31, 2022

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*

Calculated using a 20-trading day average stock proce through December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2022, and assuming dividends were reinvested.

Capital Management

Hilltop has grown capital and deployed it in a prudent manner, repurchasing a total of $961 million of its common stock from 2015 through 2022. During 2022, we returned a record $485 million of capital to stockholders through dividends and a modifed dutch auction tender offer.

Capital Management and Tangible Book Value Growth

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Note: Tangible common equity and tangible book value per share (TBVPS) are non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of tangible common equity and TBVPS to the nearest GAAP measure, see “Annex A.”