About Us

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Advancing Individuals and Communities Through Innovative Financial Solutions

HilltopSecurities is a unique blend of financial strength, deep industry knowledge, and years of experience. But that’s only part of the story.

Our firm was born out of the fusion of two respected and successful firms with complementary business lines: First Southwest Company, a broker-dealer founded in 1946 and known for its municipal advisory practice, and Southwest Securities Inc., a full-service broker-dealer since 1972.

As part of Hilltop Holdings, a well-capitalized and publicly traded parent company, we’re backed by a strong and diverse financial services enterprise. One that’s focused on moving our clients forward. Nothing better represents this than our iconic buffalo mascot, “Mo,” a symbol for our collective strength, unified force, and the unstoppable momentum of an advancing herd.

Our Business Divisions

Public Finance

Serving governments, school districts, authorities, nonprofits, and privately held entities with a full suite of solutions, including municipal advisory and underwriting.

Wealth Management

Providing personal financial advisory, clearing services, and securities lending solutions to clients across the country.

Fixed Income Capital Markets

Serving issuers, institutional investors, and individuals with underwriting, trading, and sales services on a broad range of taxable and municipal fixed income securities, as well as equities.

Structured Finance

Serving public/private entities and housing finance agencies with a full suite of financing solutions & consulting services, including specialty finance, structured products, housing advisory, & TBA.

MISSION & VALUES

HilltopSecurities is committed to improving lives — for our customers and our employees. We seek to serve as your trusted advocate by providing the financial guidance, solutions and services that achieve your definition of success.

01

Integrity

02

Collaboration

03

Adaptability

04

Respect

05

Excellence

Our History

75+ Years of HilltopSecurities

1946

First Southwest Company forms in Dallas as a broker-dealer specializing in public finance. FirstSouthwest begins ongoing relationship with the City of Dallas as municipal advisor.

/ 01

1972

Southwest Securities Inc. incorporates and becomes one of the first broker-dealers to enter the fully disclosed securities clearing business.

/ 02

1986

SWS launches Brokers Transaction Services, a licensed broker-dealer subsidiary serving independent advisors. In October 2015 it becomes Hilltop Securities Independent Network Inc., and in February 2021 it is renamed Momentum Independent Network Inc.

/ 03

1991

Through an Initial Public Offering, Southwest Securities Group becomes a public company and begins trading on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

/ 04

1996

FirstSouthwest acquires Texas’ second-largest financial adviser, Masterson Moreland Sauer Whisman Inc. of Houston, sealing the firm’s dominance in Texas municipal finance.

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1997

SWS Group Inc. lists on the New York Stock Exchange, and the firm adds 12 correspondent firms with the acquisition of Equity Securities Trading Company, Inc.

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2008

SWS Group acquires California-based M.L. Stern & Co., significantly expanding its retail brokerage business on the West Coast. Later that year, PlainsCapital Corporation acquires First Southwest Company.

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2012

FirstSouthwest joins the Hilltop Holdings family of companies through Hilltop’s acquisition of PlainsCapital Corporation.

/ 08

2015

Hilltop Holdings Inc. acquires SWS Group to further the expansion of its securities business.

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2016

HilltopSecurities forms from the merger of FirstSouthwest and SWS Group creating one of the leading municipal investment banks and wealth advisory firms in America.

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2021

HilltopSecurities relocates to its new national headquarters, HilltopSecurities Tower at 717 N. Harwood St. in Dallas, and celebrates 75 years of serving clients in the securities business.

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Related Companies

Our company draws strength from its ability to collaborate across numerous industries,
each providing national resources and a regional expertise.

Here are our related companies that help us better serve you.

LEARN MORE

PlainsCapital Bank

PlainsCapital Bank seeks to be a leader in the financial services industry and the bank of choice for middle market businesses and individuals in the markets we serve.

LEARN MORE

PrimeLending

At the heart of your PrimeLending experience is a personal relationship with a home loan expert to guide you through the mortgage process at every turn.

We Care About Our Communities

The leaders and professionals at HilltopSecurities care deeply about our communities and are committed to serving others in order to improve lives and secure a better future.

Our community involvement reaches all areas of society. Whether supporting inner city schools, helping the elderly, promoting the arts, or supporting medical and non-profit organizations, HilltopSecurities is involved. Our associates personally dedicate themselves and their time as community leaders by serving on the boards of civic and charitable organizations and by participating in the everyday volunteer activities that make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

We Care About Our People

Our associates’ civic engagement is no accident. We are dedicated to providing a great workplace that cultivates our business culture and allows us to attract and retain the best people to meet the needs of our clients and the communities in which they live. We are committed to creating a diverse team of experienced professionals with the expertise to assume leadership roles. We encourage and reward our associates’ community involvement, and we offer them opportunities to learn and improve through collaboration and empowerment.