DALLAS, December 19, 2023 – Hilltop Securities Inc. (HilltopSecurities) today announced that five of its municipal finance professionals—Ted Chapman, Doug Nelson, Yaffa Rattner, Phil Villaluz, and Tom Kozlik—have been elected to Smith's Research and Gradings' (Smith's) 2023 Municipal Analysts All-Star Team. This also marks the third consecutive year that HilltopSecurities ranked among the top 10 in Smith’s All-Star Team rankings, placing No. 8.

Chapman, Investment Banker, was named to the first team in the water and sewer revenue bond category. Nelson, Municipal Credit Analyst, was elected to the second team in the airport revenue bond category, while Rattner, Head of Municipal Credit, was named to the second team in the senior living category. Villaluz, Municipal Credit Analyst, was elected to the second team in the transportation-surface category. Kozlik, Head of Public Policy and Municipal Strategy, was elected to the first team in the generalist category and the third team in the sell-side director of research category.

Established in 1992, the Smith's All-Star Team recognizes the nation’s brightest municipal bond analysts. This year’s Smith's All-Star ballot included over 390 municipal analysts from more than 85 firms and was voted on by more than 1,000 institutional investors.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that Kozlik has been recognized as a first-team All-Star in the generalist category and the fourth straight year he has been named in the sell-side director of research category. This is the seventh year that Rattner has been elected to the Smith's All-Star team in the senior living or charter school bond categories. Nelson has been recognized as an All-Star for six years and Chapman for eight years. This is Phil Villaluz's fifth year of being elected.

“We are pleased to congratulate Tom, Yaffa, Doug, Ted, and Phil for their well-deserved achievement as members of Smith’s 2023 All-Star Team,” said HilltopSecurities President and CEO Brad Winges. “This recognition is a testament to their unwavering expertise and dedication to serving our clients and further cements HilltopSecurities' position as a leader in the municipal finance industry. We are enormously proud of their ongoing success and contributions to our organization.”

About Hilltop Securities Inc.
HilltopSecurities is a full-service municipal investment bank and wealth advisory firm providing a full suite of financial services for public entities, institutional investors, housing finance agencies, broker-dealers, and individual investors. Founded in 1946, its primary areas of focus include public finance, capital markets, structured finance, retail brokerage, clearing services, and securities lending. Hilltop Securities Inc.’s goal is to build long-term relationships to help communities, businesses, and individuals thrive. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), HilltopSecurities’ affiliates include Momentum Independent Network, PlainsCapital Bank, and PrimeLending. Learn more at HilltopSecurities.com. Member: NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

HilltopSecurities professionals attending the annual Smith’s All-Star Awards program in New York City on Dec. 6, 2023, included (l to r) Investment Banker Bruce Rideaux, Head of Public Policy & Municipal Strategy Tom Kozlik, Investment Banker Ted Chapman, Head of Municipal Credit Yaffa Rattner, Municipal Credit Analyst Phil Villaluz, Smith’s Research and Gradings CEO Terry Smith, Chief Administrative Officer Clare Graca, and Municipal Institutional Sales Manager Bill Isenberg.

CONTACT: 
Hilltop Holdings Inc.
Ben Brooks
214.252.4047
Ben.Brooks@Hilltop-Holdings.com