Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion is intended to help the reader understand our results of operations and financial condition and is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto commencing on page F-1. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”
Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “ours” or similar words are to Hilltop Holdings Inc. and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, references to “Hilltop” refer solely to Hilltop Holdings Inc., references to “PCC” refer to PlainsCapital Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop), references to “Securities Holdings” refer to Hilltop Securities Holdings LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop), references to “Hilltop Securities” refer to Hilltop Securities Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Securities Holdings), references to “Momentum Independent Network” refer to Momentum Independent Network Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Securities Holdings, Hilltop Securities and Momentum Independent Network are collectively referred to as the “Hilltop Broker-Dealers”), references to the “Bank” refer to PlainsCapital Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary of PCC), references to “FNB” refer to First National Bank, references to “SWS” refer to the former SWS Group, Inc., references to “PrimeLending” refer to PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank) and its subsidiaries as a whole.
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OVERVIEW
We are a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Our primary line of business is to provide business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas through the Bank. We also provide an array of financial products and services through our broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments. The following includes additional details regarding the financial products and services provided by each of our primary business units.
PCC . PCC is a financial holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, traditional banking and wealth, investment and treasury management services primarily in Texas and residential mortgage loans throughout the United States.
Securities Holdings . Securities Holdings is a holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, investment banking and other related financial services, including municipal advisory, sales, trading and underwriting of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income securities, clearing, securities lending, structured finance and retail brokerage services throughout the United States.
The following historical consolidated data for the periods indicated has been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report (dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data).
Statement of Operations Data:
Net interest income
Provision for credit losses
Total noninterest income
Total noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Income attributable to Hilltop
Per Share Data:
Diluted earnings per common share
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared per common share
Dividend payout ratio (1)
Book value per common share (end of year)
Tangible book value per common share (2) (end of year)
Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets
Cash and due from banks
Securities
Loans held for sale
Loans held for investment, net of unearned income
Allowance for credit losses
Total deposits
Notes payable
Total stockholders' equity
Capital Ratios:
Common equity to assets ratio
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2)
Dividend payout ratio is defined as cash dividends declared per common share divided by basic earnings per common share.
For a reconciliation to the nearest accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) measure, see “—Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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Consolidated income before income taxes during 2025 included the following contributions from our reportable business segments.
The banking segment contributed $193.2 million of income before income taxes during 2025;
The broker-dealer segment contributed $67.6 million of income before income taxes during 2025; and
The mortgage origination segment incurred $17.5 million of losses before income taxes during 2025.
During 2025, we paid an aggregate of $184.0 million to repurchase shares of our common stock and declared and paid total common dividends of $45.4 million.
On January 30, 2025, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program through January 2026, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $100.0 million of our outstanding common stock, which authorization was increased to $135.0 million in July 2025, and to $185.0 million in October 2025.
During 2025, we paid $184.0 million to repurchase an aggregate of 5,705,205 shares of our common stock at an average price of $32.26 per share. During 2024, we paid $19.9 million to repurchase an aggregate of 640,042 shares of our common stock at an average price of $31.04 per share. These shares were repurchased under previous stock repurchase programs and returned to the pool of authorized but unissued shares of common stock.
On January 29, 2026, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share, an 11% increase from the prior quarter, payable on February 27, 2026 to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 13, 2026. Additionally, on January 29, 2026, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2027, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $125.0 million of our outstanding common stock. We commenced share repurchases under the stock repurchase program in the first quarter of 2026.
Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We present certain measures in our selected financial data that are not measures of financial performance recognized by GAAP. “Tangible book value per common share” is defined as our total stockholders’ equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by total common shares outstanding. “Tangible common equity to tangible assets” is defined as our total stockholders’ equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets, divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets. These measures are used by management, investors and analysts to assess use of equity. For companies such as ours that have engaged in business combinations, purchase accounting can result in the recording of significant amounts of goodwill and other intangible assets related to those transactions.
You should not view this disclosure as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and our disclosure is not necessarily comparable to that of other companies that use non-GAAP measures. The following table reconciles these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, “book value per common share” and “equity to total assets” (dollars in thousands, except per share data).
December 31,
Book value per common share
Effect of goodwill and intangible assets per share
Tangible book value per common share
Hilltop stockholders’ equity
Less: goodwill and intangible assets, net
Tangible common equity
Total assets
Less: goodwill and intangible assets, net
Tangible assets
Equity to assets
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
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Recent Developments
Notes Redemption
On January 15, 2025 (the “Senior Notes Redemption Date”), we redeemed all of our outstanding 5% senior notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”) at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of $150 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Senior Notes Redemption Date (collectively, the “Senior Notes Redemption Price”). The redemption of the Senior Notes was pursuant to the indenture, dated as of April 9, 2015 (the “Senior Notes Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (solely in its capacity as trustee for the Senior Notes), which permitted the redemption of the Senior Notes beginning 90 days prior to April 15, 2025 (the maturity date of the Senior Notes). The Company irrevocably deposited with the trustee funds using cash on hand in an amount sufficient to pay the Senior Notes Redemption Price on the Senior Notes Redemption Date to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Indenture.
On May 15, 2025 (the “2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Date”), we redeemed all of our outstanding 5.75% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Subordinated Notes”) at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of $50 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the 2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Date (collectively, the “ 2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Price”). The redemption of the 2030 Subordinated Notes was pursuant to the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2020 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), to the Indenture, dated as of May 11, 2020, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, which permitted the redemption of the 2030 Subordinated Notes beginning on May 15, 2025 (the date on which the 2030 Subordinated Notes converted from fixed to floating rate). The Company irrevocably deposited with the Trustee funds using cash on hand in an amount sufficient to pay the 2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Price on the 2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Date to satisfy and discharge its obligations under the 2030 Subordinated Notes and the First Supplemental Indenture .
Merchant Bank Transaction
In January 2025, our merchant bank subsidiary entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the capital stock of Moser Acquisition, Inc. to Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (“Atlas”) for consideration including cash and Atlas common stock. On February 24, 2025, the sale of the operations associated with our approximate 30% aggregate interest in Moser Holdings, LLC, which owns Moser Acquisition, Inc., was consummated. Our aggregate interest in Moser Holdings, LLC included equity investments that were included, and will continue to be included, within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets until liquidation of Moser Holdings, LLC. An initial pre-tax gain of $30.5 million ($23.6 million net of tax) was recorded during the first quarter of 2025 based on our aggregate interest in Moser Holdings, LLC and reported primarily as a component of other noninterest income within the consolidated statements of operations. Subsequently, during 2025, we recorded additional net adjustments associated with our aggregate interest in Moser Holdings, LLC and the liquidation Atlas common stock that resulted in an aggregate pre-tax gain during 2025 of $27.8 million ($21.6 million net of tax). The gain is subject to change given customary post-closing adjustments and the liquidation of Moser Holdings, LLC.
Settlement Agreement & Releases
In April 2025, PrimeLending entered into multiple Settlement Agreement & Releases (the “Settlements”) related to a matter whereby PrimeLending received an aggregate of $9.5 million from the respective parties thereto. The full amount associated with the Settlements was recorded within other noninterest income in the consolidated statement of operations during the second quarter of 2025.
Economic Environment
Our balance sheet, operating results and certain metrics during 2025 reflected uncertainty around general economic, market and business conditions that remain uncertain for 2026. The extent of the impacts of uncertain economic conditions on our financial performance during 2026 will depend in part on several developments outside of our control including, among others, changes in the political environment, the impact of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, the timing and
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significance of further changes in U.S. treasury yields and mortgage interest rates, and a volatile economic forecast. These economic conditions, coupled with exposure to changes in funding costs, inflationary pressures, and international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains within our business segments during 2024 and 2025 have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our operating results during 2026.
Uncertainty around general economic, market and business conditions impacts our ability to estimate credit losses and the allowance for credit losses, as well as the effects of changes in the level of, and trends in, loan delinquencies and write-offs. Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic uncertainties, as well as its potential impact on borrower cash flow. While all industries could experience volatility and adverse impacts, certain of our loan portfolio industry sectors and subsectors, including office buildings, retail, hotel/motel and auto note financing, have an increased level of risk given business and consumer sensitivity to interest rates and the size and permanence of tariffs. Refer to the discussions in the “Financial Condition – Loan Portfolio” and “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses” sections that follow for more details regarding the Bank’s loan portfolio and significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.
Historically, high-profile banking failures have periodically increased market uncertainty and concerns associated with banking sector liquidity positions, increased regulatory scrutiny and underscored the importance of maintaining access to diverse sources of funding. In light of these events, we have continued our efforts to monitor deposit flows and balance sheet trends to ensure that our liquidity needs and financial flexibility are maintained. During 2024, we increased interest-bearing deposit rates to address rising market interest rates and intense competition for liquidity to combat deposit outflows. Throughout 2024, we experienced net interest margin compression reflecting deposit repricing activity and demand deposit migration into interest-bearing accounts. Despite deposit costs remaining elevated throughout 2025, we took actions to reduce the interest paid on our interest-bearing deposits. Additionally, at December 31, 2025, we continued to access core deposits from our Hilltop Securities Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured sweep program, while the Bank was not utilizing any of its Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowing capacity.
We expect that overall deposit funding costs will continue to be influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to competitive pressures, broader economic conditions, future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate, customer behavior and our liquidity position at that time. An unexpected influx of withdrawals of deposits could adversely impact our ability to rely on organic deposits to primarily fund our operations, potentially requiring greater reliance on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawals of deposits or to fund continuing operations. These sources may include proceeds from FHLB advances, sales of investment securities and loans, federal fund lines of credit with correspondent banks, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, brokered time deposits, borrowings from the Federal Reserve and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions. Refer to the discussions in the “Segment Results – Banking Segment” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Banking Segment” sections that follow for more details regarding the Bank’s deposits, available liquidity and borrowing capacity at December 31, 2025.
We expect uncertainties related to economic headwinds discussed above, the impact of interest rate movements on the shape and inversions of the yield curve, and the continued active management of deposits and related funding costs that persisted through 2024 and 2025, to continue in 2026.
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for additional discussion of the potential adverse impacts of unpredictable economic, market and business conditions on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Asset Valuation
At each reporting date between annual impairment tests, we consider potential indicators of impairment, including the condition of the economy and financial services industry; government intervention and regulatory updates; the impact of recent events to financial performance and cost factors of the business segment; performance of our stock and other relevant events.
Continuing macroeconomic challenges related to mortgage loan origination volumes, customer sensitivity to interest rates and resulting demand for certain products have resulted in a challenging environment associated with the mortgage origination segment’s short- and long-term financial condition, resulting in variability in its operating results.
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Given the potential impacts of the operating performance of our reporting segments and overall economic conditions, actual results may differ materially from our current estimates as the scope of such impacts evolves or if the duration of business disruptions are longer than currently anticipated. We further considered the amount by which fair value exceeded book value in the most recent quantitative analysis and sensitivities performed. Accordingly, at the conclusion of the annual assessments, we determined that as of October 1, 2025 it was more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets exceeded their respective carrying values. We continue to monitor developments regarding overall economic conditions, market capitalization, and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment in the future.
To the extent future operating performance of our reporting segments remain challenged and below forecasted projections during 2026, significant assumptions such as expected future cash flows or the risk-adjusted discount rate used to estimate fair value are adversely impacted, or upon the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause us to perform impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangible assets, an impairment charge may be recorded for that period. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired, a non-cash charge for the respective amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
As a financial institution providing products and services through our banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments, we are directly affected by general economic and market conditions, many of which are beyond our control and unpredictable. A key factor impacting our results of operations is changes in the level of interest rates in addition to twists in the shape of the yield curve with the magnitude and direction of the impact varying across the different lines of business. Other factors impacting our results of operations include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities, inflation, political events, investor confidence, investor participation levels, legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements and competition. All of these factors have the potential to impact our financial position, operating results and liquidity. In addition, the recent economic and political environment has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives, both enacted and proposed, that could substantially change the regulation of the financial services industry and may significantly impact us.
Acquisitions
On November 30, 2012, we acquired PlainsCapital Corporation pursuant to a plan of merger whereby PlainsCapital Corporation merged with and into our wholly owned subsidiary (the “PlainsCapital Merger”), which continued as the surviving entity under the name “PlainsCapital Corporation”. Concurrent with the consummation of the PlainsCapital Merger, Hilltop became a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.
On September 13, 2013, the Bank assumed substantially all of the liabilities, including all of the deposits, and acquired substantially all of the assets of Edinburg, Texas-based FNB from the FDIC, as receiver, and reopened former branches of FNB acquired from the FDIC under the “PlainsCapital Bank” name (the “FNB Transaction”).
On January 1, 2015, we acquired SWS in a stock and cash transaction (the “SWS Merger”), whereby SWS’s broker-dealer subsidiaries became subsidiaries of Securities Holdings and SWS’s banking subsidiary, Southwest Securities, FSB, was merged into the Bank. On October 5, 2015, Southwest Securities, Inc. was renamed “Hilltop Securities Inc.”
On August 1, 2018, we acquired privately-held, Houston-based BORO in an all-cash transaction (“BORO Acquisition”). In connection with the BORO Acquisition, we merged BORO into the Bank, and all customer accounts were converted to the PlainsCapital Bank platform.
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Segment Information
The Company has two primary business units, PCC (banking and mortgage origination) and Securities Holdings (broker-dealer). Under GAAP, the Company’s units are comprised of three reportable business segments organized primarily by the core products offered to the segments’ respective customers: banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination. Consistent with our historical segment operating results, we anticipate that future revenues will be driven primarily from the banking segment, with the remainder being generated by our broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments. Operating results for the mortgage origination segment have historically been more volatile than operating results for the banking and broker-dealer segments.
The banking segment includes the operations of the Bank. The banking segment primarily provides business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas and generates revenue from its portfolio of earning assets. The Bank’s results of operations are primarily dependent on net interest income. The Bank also derives revenue from other sources, including service charges on customer deposit accounts and trust fees.
The broker-dealer segment includes the operations of Securities Holdings, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC. The broker-dealer segment generates a majority of its revenues from fees and commissions earned from investment advisory and securities brokerage services. Hilltop Securities is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and a member of the New York Stock Exchange. Momentum Independent Network is an introducing broker-dealer that is also registered with the SEC and FINRA. Hilltop Securities and Momentum Independent Network are both registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as non-guaranteed introducing brokers and as members of the National Futures Association. Additionally, Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC are investment advisers registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
The mortgage origination segment includes the operations of PrimeLending, which offers a variety of loan products and generates revenue predominantly from fees charged on the origination and servicing of loans and from selling these loans in the secondary market.
Corporate includes certain activities not allocated to specific business segments. These activities include holding company financing and investing activities, merchant banking investment opportunities, and management and administrative services to support the overall operations of the Company.
The eliminations of intercompany transactions are included in “All Other and Eliminations.” Additional information concerning our reportable business segments is presented in Note 27, “Segment and Related Information,” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
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The following table presents certain information about the continuing operating results of our reportable business segments (in thousands). This table serves as a basis for the discussion and analysis in the segment operating results sections that follow.
Year Ended December 31,
Variance 2025 vs 2024
Variance 2024 vs 2023
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
Net interest income (expense):
Banking
Broker-Dealer
Mortgage Origination
Corporate
All Other and Eliminations (1)
Hilltop Consolidated
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses:
Banking
Broker-Dealer
Mortgage Origination
Corporate
All Other and Eliminations
Hilltop Consolidated
Noninterest income:
Banking
Broker-Dealer
Mortgage Origination
Corporate
All Other and Eliminations (1)
Hilltop Consolidated
Noninterest expense:
Banking
Broker-Dealer
Mortgage Origination
Corporate
All Other and Eliminations
Hilltop Consolidated
Income (loss) before taxes:
Banking
Broker-Dealer
Mortgage Origination
Corporate
All Other and Eliminations
Hilltop Consolidated
All other and eliminations amounts during each period include FDIC sweep program revenues and expenses earned on broker-dealer segment deposits placed with the banking segment that are eliminated in consolidation.
Key Performance Indicators
We utilize several key indicators of financial condition and operating performance to evaluate the various aspects of our business. In addition to traditional financial metrics, such as revenue and growth trends, we monitor several other financial measures and non-financial operating metrics to help us evaluate growth trends, measure the adequacy of our capital based on regulatory reporting requirements, measure the effectiveness of our operations and assess operational efficiencies. These indicators change from time to time as the opportunities and challenges in our businesses change.
Performance ratios and asset quality ratios are typically used for measuring the performance of banking and financial institutions. We consider return on average stockholders’ equity, return on average assets and net interest margin to be important supplemental measures of operating performance that are commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other parties interested in the banking and financial industry. The net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding ratio is also considered a key measure for our banking segment as it indicates the performance of our loan portfolio.
In addition, we consider regulatory capital ratios to be key measures that are used by us, as well as banking regulators, investors and analysts, to assess our regulatory capital position and to compare our regulatory capital to that of other financial services companies. We monitor our capital strength in terms of both leverage ratio and risk-based capital ratios
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based on capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. The risk-based capital ratios are minimum supervisory ratios generally applicable to banking organizations, but banking organizations are widely expected to operate with capital positions well above the minimum ratios. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
How We Generate Revenue
We generate revenue from net interest income and from noninterest income. Net interest income represents the difference between the income earned on our assets, including our loans and investment securities, and our cost of funds, including the interest paid on the deposits and borrowings that are used to support our assets. Net interest income is a significant contributor to our operating results. Fluctuations in interest rates, as well as the amounts and types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities we hold, affect net interest income. We generated $440.7 million in net interest income during 2025, compared with net interest income of $417.8 million and $466.8 million during 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in reportable business segment net interest income during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily reflected significant improvements within corporate and the banking and mortgage origination segments.
The other component of our revenue is noninterest income, which is primarily comprised of the following:
Income from broker-dealer operations. Through Securities Holdings, we provide investment banking and other related financial services that generated $253.8 million, $250.8 million and $218.9 million in principal transactions, commissions and fees and $181.3 million, $143.0 million and $134.3 million in investment banking, advisory and administrative fees during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Income from mortgage operations. Through PrimeLending, we generate noninterest income by originating and selling mortgage loans. During 2025, 2024 and 2023, we generated $301.2 million, $313.1 million and $316.7 million, respectively, in net gains from sale of loans, other mortgage production income (including income associated with retained mortgage servicing rights), and mortgage loan origination fees.
In the aggregate, we generated $841.1 million, $771.0 million and $729.0 million in noninterest income during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in noninterest income during 2025, compared with 2024, was predominantly attributable, as noted in the segment results table previously presented, primarily due to an increase in pre-tax gains associated with merchant bank equity investment activity within corporate and increased noninterest income within our broker-dealer segment from increased investment banking, advisory and administrative fees partially offset by a reduction in principal transactions, commission and fees.
We also incur noninterest expenses in the operation of our businesses. Our businesses engage in labor intensive activities and, consequently, employees’ compensation and benefits represent the majority of our noninterest expenses.
Consolidated Operating Results
Income applicable to common stockholders during 2025 was $165.6 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, compared with $113.2 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, during 2024, and $109.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, during 2023. Hilltop’s financial results during 2025 and 2024, compared with 2024 and 2023, respectively, are discussed in more detail below and within the respective “Banking Segment,” “Broker-Dealer Segment,” “Mortgage Origination Segment” and “Corporate” segment results sections that follow.
Certain items included in net income during 2025, 2024 and 2023 resulted from purchase accounting associated with the PlainsCapital Merger, the FNB Transaction, the SWS Merger and the BORO Acquisition (collectively, the “Bank Transactions”). Income before income taxes during 2025, 2024 and 2023 included net accretion on earning assets and liabilities of $3.1 million, $5.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, and amortization of identifiable intangibles of $1.0 million, $1.8 million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to the Bank Transactions.
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The information shown in the table below includes certain key performance indicators on a consolidated basis.
Year Ended December 31,
Return on average stockholders' equity (1)
Return on average assets (2)
Net interest margin (3) (4)
Leverage ratio (5) (end of year)
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (6)
(end of year)
Return on average stockholders’ equity is defined as consolidated income attributable to Hilltop divided by average total Hilltop stockholders’ equity.
Return on average assets is defined as consolidated net income divided by average assets.
Net interest margin is defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. We consider net interest margin as a key indicator of profitability as it represents interest earned on our interest-earning assets compared to interest incurred.
The securities financing operations within our broker-dealer segment had the effect of lowering both net interest margin and taxable equivalent net interest margin by 27 basis points, 24 basis points and 26 basis points during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The leverage ratio is a regulatory capital ratio and is defined as Tier 1 risk-based capital divided by average consolidated assets.
The common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio is a regulatory capital ratio and is defined as common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital divided by risk weighted assets. Common equity includes common equity Tier 1 capital (common stockholders’ equity and certain minority interests in the equity capital accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, but excluding goodwill and various intangible assets) and additional Tier 1 capital (certain qualifying minority interests not included in common equity Tier 1 capital, certain preferred stock and related surplus, and certain subordinated debt).
We present net interest margin and net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis below. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), a non-GAAP measure, is defined as taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest earning assets. Taxable equivalent adjustments are based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rate of 21% for all periods presented. The Company performs periodic reviews of the classification and categorization of the components impacting the calculation of net interest margin. The interest income earned on certain earning assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments. To provide more meaningful comparisons of net interest margins for all earning assets, we use net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments.
During 2025, 2024 and 2023, purchase accounting contributed 2, 4 and 6 basis points, respectively, to our consolidated taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.00%, 2.83% and 3.09%, respectively. The purchase accounting activity is primarily related to the accretion of discount on loans which totaled $3.1 million, $5.1 million and $8.6 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, associated with the Bank Transactions.
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The table below provides additional details regarding our consolidated net interest income (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Average
Interest
Annualized
Average
Interest
Annualized
Average
Interest
Annualized
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Assets
Interest-earning assets
Loans held for sale
Loans held for investment, gross (1)
Investment securities - taxable
Investment securities - non-taxable (2)
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
Securities borrowed
Other
Interest-earning assets, gross (2)
Allowance for credit losses
Interest-earning assets, net
Noninterest-earning assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits
Securities loaned
Notes payable and other borrowings
Total interest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interest
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Net interest income (2)
Net interest spread (2)
Net interest margin (2)
Average balance includes non-accrual loans.
Presented on a taxable equivalent basis with taxable equivalent adjustments based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rate of 21% for the periods presented. The adjustment to interest income was $3.2 million, $2.5 million and $2.7 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin shown above. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, such as securities borrowed in the broker-dealer segment and securities loaned in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, yields and costs on certain interest-earning assets, such as lines of credit extended to other operating segments by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
On a consolidated basis, the changes in net interest income during 2025, compared with 2024, were primarily due to decreased costs of deposits from rate decreases and decreased interest costs from the redemption of certain notes payable, partially offset by decreased interest income from loans held for investment yields and interest-bearing deposit yields from rate decreases. Refer to the discussion in the “Banking Segment” section that follows for more details on the
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changes in net interest income, including the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items.
The provision for (reversal of) credit losses is determined by management as the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for credit losses at the amount of expected credit losses inherent within the loans held for investment portfolio. The amount of expense and the corresponding level of allowance for credit losses for loans are based on our evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors. Substantially all of our consolidated provision for (reversal of) credit losses is related to the banking segment. During 2025, the provision for credit losses was primarily driven by a build in the allowance related to specific reserves and higher net charge-offs, partially offset by changes in the U.S. economic outlook and portfolio changes associated with collectively evaluated loans, including changes in loan mix and risk rating grade migration since December 31, 2024. During 2024, the provision for credit losses reflected a build in the allowance related to specific reserves, significantly offset by both the change in the U.S. economic outlook and changes in the collectively evaluated loan portfolio. Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit .
Noninterest income increased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to a pre-tax gain of $27.8 million associated with the sale of operations by a merchant bank equity investment in the first quarter of 2025, while other changes between periods included net increases within the broker-dealer segment’s public finance, wealth management and fixed income business lines, partially offset by a net decrease within the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance business line, and increases in net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income within our mortgage loan origination segment, partially offset by a decrease of mortgage loan origination fees within our mortgage origination segment. The increase in noninterest income during 2024, compared with 2023, was primarily due to net increases within the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance and public finance services business lines, an increase in pre-tax gains associated with the sale of merchant bank equity investments within corporate and increases in mortgage loan gains from sale of loans within the mortgage origination segment, partially offset by declines in mortgage loan origination fees and other related income within the mortgage origination segment and declines within the broker-dealer segment’s fixed income services and wealth management business lines.
Noninterest expense increased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to increases in both variable and non-variable compensation within our broker-dealer segment and an increase in variable compensation within our mortgage origination segment and within corporate associated with the sale of certain merchant bank equity investments during 2025, partially offset by a decrease in other segment operating costs within our mortgage origination segment. We continued to experience increases in certain noninterest expenses during 2025 and 2024, compared with respective prior periods, including compensation, occupancy, and software costs, due to inflationary pressures. We expect such inflationary headwinds to continue during 2026.
Effective income tax rates were 22.2%, 20.1% and 20.9% for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for 2025 was higher than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the impact of nondeductible expenses, nondeductible compensation expense and other permanent adjustments, partially offset by investments in tax-exempt instruments, state refund claims and return to provision adjustments. The effective tax rate for 2024 was lower than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to investments in tax-exempt instruments, state refund claims and return to provision adjustments, partially offset by the impact of nondeductible expenses, nondeductible compensation expense and other permanent adjustments.
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Segment Results
Banking Segment
The following table presents certain information about the operating results of our banking segment (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Net interest income
Provision for credit losses
Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
The increase in income before income taxes during 2025, compared with 2024, was primarily due to an increase in net interest income and a decrease in noninterest expense, partially offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses. The decrease in income before income taxes during 2024, compared with 2023, was primarily due to a decline in net interest income and an increase in noninterest expense, partially offset by a decline in the provision for credit losses. Changes to net interest income related to the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items are discussed in more detail below.
As discussed in more detail below, the banking segment’s cost of deposits decreased during 2025 primarily due to lower rates on interest-bearing deposits on certain products and product tiers in conjunction with rate reductions by the Federal Reserve to lower the effective funds rate. We are continuing to actively manage our overall deposit costs and anticipate potential opportunities to further lower interest-bearing deposit rates. Future decisions on the costs of deposits will be influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to competitive pressures, broader economic conditions, future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate, customer behavior and our liquidity position at that time.
The information shown in the table below includes certain key indicators of the performance and asset quality of our banking segment.
Year Ended December 31,
Efficiency ratio (1)
Return on average assets (2)
Net interest margin (3)
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding (4)
Efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expenses divided by the sum of total noninterest income and net interest income for the period. We consider the efficiency ratio to be a measure of the banking segment’s profitability.
Return on average assets is defined as net income divided by average assets.
Net interest margin is defined as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. We consider net interest margin as a key indicator of profitability, as it represents interest earned on interest-earning assets compared to interest incurred.
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding is defined as the greater of recoveries or charge-offs during the reported period minus charge-offs or recoveries divided by average loans outstanding. We use the ratio to measure the credit performance of our loan portfolio.
The banking segment presents net interest margin and net interest income in the following discussion and table below, on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), a non-GAAP measure, is defined as taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Taxable equivalent adjustments are based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rates of 21% for all periods presented. The banking segment performs periodic reviews of the classification and categorization of the components impacting the calculation of net interest margin. The interest income earned on certain earning assets is completely or partially exempt from federal income tax. As such, these tax-exempt instruments typically yield lower returns than taxable investments. To provide more meaningful comparisons of net interest margins for all earning assets, we use net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis in calculating net interest margin by increasing the interest income earned on tax-exempt assets to make it fully equivalent to interest income earned on taxable investments.
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During 2025, 2024 and 2023, purchase accounting contributed 3, 4 and 7 basis points, respectively, to the banking segment’s taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.17%, 3.04% and 3.14%, respectively. These purchase accounting items are primarily related to accretion of discount on loans associated with the Bank Transactions presented in the Consolidated Operating Results section.
The table below provides additional details regarding our banking segment’s net interest income (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Average
Interest
Annualized
Average
Interest
Annualized
Average
Interest
Annualized
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Outstanding
Earned
Yield or
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Assets
Interest-earning assets
Loans held for sale
Loans held for investment, gross (1)
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit
Investment securities - taxable
Investment securities - non-taxable (2)
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
Other
Interest-earning assets, gross (2)
Allowance for credit losses
Interest-earning assets, net
Noninterest-earning assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits
Notes payable and other borrowings
Total interest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Net interest income (2)
Net interest spread (2)
Net interest margin (2)
Average balance includes non-accrual loans.
Presented on a taxable equivalent basis with taxable equivalent adjustments based on the applicable corporate federal income tax rates of 21% for all periods presented. The adjustment to interest income was $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, such as securities borrowed in the broker-dealer segment and securities loaned in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, yields and costs on certain interest-earning assets, such as lines of credit extended to other operating segments by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
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The following table summarizes the changes in the banking segment’s net interest income for the periods indicated below, including the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Change Due To (1)
Change Due To (1)
Volume
Yield/Rate
Change
Volume
Yield/Rate
Change
Interest income
Loans held for sale
Loans held for investment, gross (2)
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit (3)
Investment securities - taxable
Investment securities - non-taxable (4)
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
Other
Total interest income (4)
Interest expense
Deposits
Notes payable and other borrowings
Total interest expense
Net interest income (4)
Changes attributable to both volume and yield/rate are included in yield/rate column.
Changes in the yields earned on loans held for investment, gross included a decline during 2025 of $1.9 million in accretion of discount on loans, compared with 2024, and a decrease of $3.6 million during 2024, compared with 2023. Accretion of discount on loans is expected to decrease in future periods as loans acquired in the Bank Transaction are repaid, refinanced or renewed.
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
Annualized taxable equivalent.
With regard to net interest income, as of December 31, 2025, the banking segment maintained an asset sensitive rate risk position, meaning the amount of its interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities also maturing or repricing within that time period. During a period of declining interest rates, being asset sensitive tends to result in a decrease in net interest income, but during a period of rising interest rates, being asset sensitive tends to result in an increase in net interest income. Given projected impacts on net interest income associated with the expected transition into the next phase of the interest rate cycle, we continue to evaluate our current GAP position, which may result in a repositioning of the banking segment towards a more neutral or liability sensitive balance sheet.
The increases in net interest income during 2025, compared to 2024, as noted in the table above, were primarily driven by decreased funding costs on our deposit products from rate decreases, partially offset by decreased earnings on interest-earning assets, primarily loan and warehouse line of credit yields and investment securities. The decreases in net interest income during 2024, compared to 2023, were primarily driven by the increased funding costs on our deposit products from rate increases in 2023, the migration from non-interest-bearing deposits into interest-bearing products during the year-over-year period, and decreases in average loans held for investment, investment securities and deposits held in other financial institutions, partially offset by increased earnings on interest-earning assets, primarily loan yields.
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The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 70 basis points from 3.77% for 2024 to 3.07% for 2025, while the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 32 basis points from 5.58% for 2024 to 5.26% for 2025.
Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. The extent and timing of this impact on interest income will ultimately be driven by the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate and yield curve movements, as well as changes in market conditions and timing of management strategies. At December 31, 2025, approximately $561 million of our floating rate loans held for investment remained at or below their applicable rate floor, exclusive of our mortgage warehouse lending program, of which approximately 21% are not scheduled to reprice for more than one year based upon agreed-upon terms. If interest rates were to continue to fall, the impact on our interest income for certain variable-rate loans would be limited by these rate floors. If interest rates rise, yields on the portion of our loan portfolio that remain at applicable rate floors would rise more slowly than increases in market interest rates, unless such loans are refinanced or repaid. Competition for loan growth could also continue to put pressure on new loan origination rates.
Additionally, within our banking segment, the composition of the deposit base and ultimate cost of funds on deposits and net interest income are affected by the level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by competitors, the volatility of equity markets and other factors. Deposit products and pricing structures relative to the market are regularly evaluated to maintain competitiveness over time. As discussed above, our cost of deposits decreased during 2025, compared to 2024. While we expect such costs during 2026 will continue to be influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to competitive pressures, broader economic conditions, future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate, customer behavior and our liquidity position at that time. The Bank’s deposit base primarily includes a combination of commercial, wealth, and public funds deposits, without a high level of industry concentration. At December 31, 2025, total estimated uninsured deposits were $5.9 billion, or approximately 54% of total deposits, while estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized deposits of $693.9 million and internal accounts of $302.8 million, were $4.9 billion, or approximately 45% of total deposits.
Refer to the discussion in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Banking Segment” section that follows for more detail regarding the Bank’s activities regarding deposits, available liquidity and borrowing capacity.
To help mitigate net interest income spread volatility between our assets and liabilities, management maintains derivative trades, as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges, that better align repricing characteristics. Despite having these hedges in place, changes in interest rates across the term structure may continue to impact net interest income and net interest margin. The impact of rate movements will change with the shape of the yield curve, including any changes in steepness or flatness and inversions at any points on the yield curve.
During 2025, 2024 and 2023, the banking segment retained approximately $185.4 million, $124.3 million and $140.3 million, respectively, in mortgage loans originated by the mortgage origination segment. These loans are purchased by the banking segment at par. For origination services provided, the banking segment reimburses the mortgage origination segment for direct origination costs associated with these mortgage loans, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The correspondent fees are eliminated in consolidation. The determination of mortgage loan retention levels by the banking segment will be impacted by, among other things, an ongoing review of the prevailing mortgage rates, balance sheet positioning at Hilltop and the banking segment’s outlook for commercial loan growth.
The banking segment’s provision for (reversal of) credit losses has been subject to significant year-over-year and quarterly changes primarily attributable to the effects of the changing economic outlook, macroeconomic forecast assumptions and resulting impact on reserves. Specifically, during 2025, the banking segment’s provision for credit losses was primarily driven by a build in the allowance related to specific reserves and higher net charge-offs, partially offset by changes in the U.S. economic outlook and portfolio changes associated with collectively evaluated loans, including changes in loan mix and risk rating grade migration since December 31, 2024. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during 2025 included a provision for credit losses of $13.5 million, while collectively evaluated loans during 2025 included a reversal of credit losses of $6.2 million. The change in the allowance during 2025 was also impacted by net charge-offs of $16.9 million. Of the $16.9 million of net charge-offs at December 31, 2025, $11.5 million was comprised of three credit relationships associated with commercial and industrial loans within the auto note financing industry subsector. During 2024, the banking segment’s provision for
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credit losses reflected a build in the allowance related to specific reserves since December 31, 2023, significantly offset by both the change in the U.S. economic outlook and changes in the collectively evaluated loan portfolio. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during 2024 included a provision for credit losses of $15.2 million, while collectively evaluated loans during 2024 included a reversal of credit losses of $14.2 million. The change in the allowance during 2024 was also impacted by net charge-offs of $11.2 million. During 2023, the banking segment’s provision for credit losses reflected a build in the allowance related to loan portfolio changes since December 31, 2022 and a deteriorating outlook for commercial real estate markets. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with collectively evaluated loans during 2023 included a provision for credit losses of $12.7 million, while individually evaluated loans included a provision for credit losses of $5.8 million. The change in the allowance during 2023 was also impacted by net charge-offs of $2.4 million. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the noted periods also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix, and changes in risk grades and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit .
The banking segment’s noninterest income increased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to the receipt of a legal restitution payment during the second quarter of 2025 that compensated the Bank for previously incurred losses, partially offset by a decrease in oil and gas management fees. Noninterest income during 2024, compared with 2023, decreased primarily due to valuation adjustments associated with the sale of a single loan from loans held for sale during the second quarter of 2024 and a decrease in oil and gas management fees, partially offset by an increase in service charges on depositor accounts.
The banking segment’s noninterest expenses decreased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to decreases in occupancy and equipment expenses and professional fees, partially offset by an increase in employees’ compensation and benefits. The decrease in professional fees during 2025 was driven by the settlement and receipt of $6.5 million during the first quarter of 2025 that reimbursed the Bank for legal fees previously incurred. Noninterest expenses during 2024, compared with 2023, increased primarily due to a long-lived asset impairment charge of $4.8 million associated with one of the Bank’s support facilities that management has the intent to sell. The facility was written down to the estimated fair value of the property less the estimated costs to sell. Additionally, during 2024, the Bank incurred one-time compensation expenses associated with Bank leadership changes, partially offset by decreases in professional fees.
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Broker-Dealer Segment
The following table provides additional details regarding our broker-dealer segment operating results (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Net interest income:
Wealth management:
Securities lending
Clearing services
Structured finance (1)
Fixed income services (1)
Other (1)
Total net interest income
Noninterest income:
Principal transactions, commissions and fees by business line (2) (3) :
Fixed income services
Wealth management:
Retail
Clearing services
Structured finance
Other
Investment banking, advisory and administrative fees by business line (1) (2) :
Public finance services
Fixed income services
Wealth management:
Retail
Clearing services
Structured finance
Other
Other (1) (2) :
Total noninterest income
Net revenue (4)
Noninterest expense:
Variable compensation (5)
Non-variable compensation and benefits
Segment operating costs (6)
Total noninterest expense
Income before income taxes
Noted balances during the prior period include certain reclassifications due to the restructuring of certain business lines to conform to current period presentation.
During 2025, certain financial statement line items within the noninterest income section of the consolidated income statement were reclassified to better align disclosures to business activities. These reclassifications were applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. Total noninterest income did not change as a result of these reclassifications.
Principal transactions, commissions and fees includes income from FDIC sweep investments with the banking segment of $15.4 million, $24.9 million, and $47.1 million during 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, that is eliminated in consolidation.
Net revenue is defined as the sum of total net interest income and total noninterest income. We consider net revenue to be a key performance measure in the evaluation of the broker-dealer segment’s financial position and operating performance as we believe it is a primary revenue performance measure used by investors and analysts. Net revenue provides for some level of comparability of trends across the financial services industry as it reflects both noninterest income, including investment and securities advisory fees and commissions, as well as net interest income. Internally, we assess the broker-dealer segment’s performance on a net revenue basis for comparability with our banking segment.
Variable compensation represents performance-based commissions and incentives.
Segment operating costs include provision for (reversal of) credit losses associated with the broker-dealer segment within other noninterest expenses.
The increases in net revenue and income before income taxes during 2025, compared with 2024, was primarily due to improved net revenues within our public finance services, fixed income services and wealth management business lines, partially offset by a decline in net revenues within our structured finance business line and increases in segment compensation costs. The increase in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services business line was primarily due to improved fees earned from banking services. The increase in fixed income services business line’s net revenues was primarily due to improved market conditions resulting in the increase in net revenues from fixed income sales and trading activities, in particular, from municipal products. The increase in the wealth management business line’s net revenue was driven by an increase in advisory fees revenues generated from customer assets under management. The decrease in the structured finance business line’s net revenues was primarily due to a decrease in trading gains from the to-be-announced (“TBA”) business partially offset by commissions earned on commodities and
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securitized mortgage-backed securities transactions. Income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2025 was impacted by the changes in net revenues as described above and a net increase in noninterest expense.
The increase in net revenue and the decline in income before income taxes during 2024, compared with 2023, was primarily due to improved period-over-period results within our structured finance and public finance services business lines, partially offset by declines within our fixed income services and wealth management business lines and increases in segment compensation costs. The increase in the structured finance business line’s net revenues was primarily due to an increase in trading gains from the TBA business and commissions earned on commodities transactions. The increase in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services business line was primarily due to fees earned from managed assets and municipal advisory revenues. The wealth management business line’s net revenue decrease was driven by decreases in commissions earned from our FDIC sweep program on lower customer balances. These decreases were partially offset by improved advisory fees revenues generated from customer assets under management. The decrease in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s fixed income services business line was primarily due to declines in revenues from net interest income earned on inventory positions and trading profits. Income before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by the changes in net revenues as described above and a net increase in noninterest expense.
The broker-dealer segment is subject to interest rate risk as a consequence of maintaining inventory positions, trading in interest rate sensitive financial instruments and maintaining a matched stock loan book. Changes in interest rates are likely to have a meaningful impact on our overall financial performance. Our broker-dealer segment has historically earned a significant portion of its revenues from advisory fees upon the successful completion of client transactions, which could be adversely impacted by interest rate volatility. Rapid or significant changes in interest rates could adversely affect the broker-dealer segment’s bond trading, sales, underwriting activities and other interest spread-sensitive activities described below. The broker-dealer segment also receives administrative fees for providing money market and FDIC investment alternatives to clients, which tend to be sensitive to short-term interest rates. In addition, the profitability of the broker-dealer segment depends, to an extent, on the spread between revenues earned on customer loans and excess customer cash balances, and the interest expense paid on customer cash balances, as well as the interest revenue earned on trading securities, net of financing costs. The broker-dealer segment is also exposed to interest rate risk through its structured finance business line, which is dependent on mortgage loan production that tends to be impacted by increasing interest rates, resulting in valuation-related adjustments.
In the broker-dealer segment, interest is earned from securities lending activities, interest charged on customer margin loan balances and interest earned on investment securities used to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. During 2025, compared with 2024, along with the increase in our stock lending activities, the broker-dealer segment experienced an increase in net interest earned on inventory positions within the fixed income services and structured finance business lines, partially offset by the net interest earned on our correspondent inventory positions. The decrease in net interest income during 2024, compared with 2023, was primarily due to the decrease in the net interest income from the fixed income services business line due to decreases in net interest earned on inventory positions.
Noninterest income increased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to increases in investment banking, advisory and administrative fees, partially offset by decreases in principal transactions, commissions and fees and other noninterest income. Noninterest income increased during 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to increases in principal transactions, commissions and fees, investment banking, advisory and administrative fees and other noninterest income.
Principal transactions, commissions and fees decreased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to decreases in trading gains earned from our structured finance business line, partially offset by increases in commodities and insurance product sales commissions and earnings from our fixed income services line of business. Principal transactions, commissions and fees increased during 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to an increase in the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance business line due to an increase in commissions earned on commodities transactions and increases in trading gains earned from structured finance trading activities. Buy-side demand improved resulting in increases in the structured finance business line for 2024, when compared to 2023. The increase in principal transactions, commissions and fees during 2024, compared with 2023, was partially offset by the decreases in the fixed income services and wealth management business lines. The decrease in the fixed income services business line was primarily due to
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decreased trading gains driven by municipal and taxable securities trading despite the increase in trading volumes. The declines in principal transactions, commissions and fees in the broker-dealer segment’s wealth management business line was due to decreases in FDIC sweep revenues and net clearing revenues, as well as a decline in commissions earned on insurance product sales.
Investment banking advisory and administrative fees increased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to increases in fees earned from managed assets and municipal advisory transactions. Investment banking advisory and administrative fees increased during 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to increases in fees earned from managed assets and municipal advisory transactions.
The increase in noninterest expenses during 2025, compared with 2024, was due to increases in segment compensation primarily from increased variable compensation, health insurance and severance costs. The increase in noninterest expenses during 2024, compared with 2023, was due to increases in segment compensation and other segment operating costs, primarily quotation expenses.
The following table provides selected information concerning the broker-dealer segment, including key performance indicators (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Total compensation as a % of net revenue (1)
Pre-tax margin (2)
FDIC insured program balances at the Bank (end of year)
Other FDIC insured program balances (end of year)
Customer funds on deposit, including short credits (end of year)
Public finance services:
Number of issues
Aggregate amount of offerings
Structured finance:
Lock production/TBA volume
Fixed income services:
Total volumes
Net inventory (end of year)
Wealth management (Retail and Clearing services groups):
Retail employee representatives (end of year)
Independent registered representatives (end of year)
Correspondents (end of year)
Correspondent receivables (end of year)
Customer margin balances (end of year)
Wealth management (Securities lending group):
Interest-earning assets - stock borrowed (end of year) (3)
Interest-bearing liabilities - stock loaned (end of year)
Total compensation includes the sum of non-variable compensation and benefits and variable compensation. We consider total compensation as a percentage of net revenue to be a key performance measure and indicator of segment profitability.
Pre-tax margin is defined as income before income taxes divided by net revenue. We consider pre-tax margin to be a key performance measure given its use as a profitability metric representing the percentage of net revenue earned that results in a profit.
Noted balances during all prior periods include certain reclassifications to conform to current period presentation.
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Mortgage Origination Segment
The following table presents certain information regarding the operating results of our mortgage origination segment (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Net interest income (expense)
Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Loss before income taxes
The mortgage lending business is subject to variables that can impact loan origination volume, including seasonal transaction volumes and interest rate fluctuations. Historically, the mortgage origination segment has experienced increased loan origination volume from purchases of homes during the spring and summer months, when more people tend to move and buy or sell homes. A decrease in mortgage interest rates tends to result in increased loan origination volume from refinancings, while an increase in mortgage interest rates tends to result in decreased loan origination volume from refinancings. While changes in mortgage interest rates have historically had a lesser impact on home purchases volume than on refinancing volume, net increases in mortgage interest rates since 2022 have negatively impacted home purchase volume through 2025. The effect of this trend was compounded by periods of broader economic uncertainty during that time. Mortgage interest rates fluctuated slightly during the first half of 2025, followed by a gradual and modest decline during the second half of 2025. During the fourth quarter of 2025, average mortgage interest rates decreased compared to average mortgage rates during the fourth quarter of 2024. See details regarding loan origination volume in the table below.
Current trends, as well as typical historical patterns in loan origination volume from purchases of homes or from refinancings because of movements in mortgage interest rates, may not be indicative of future loan origination volumes. Between 2023 and 2025, certain events initially triggered as early as 2022 have continued to challenge total mortgage market origination volumes because of their effect on the economy, including an increase in average interest rates during this period when compared to the average of the three years prior to 2023, the Federal Reserve’s actions and communications, geopolitical events and ongoing economic uncertainty. During 2025, specific developments driving economic uncertainty include the United States government’s position on increasing tariffs on foreign imports and reciprocal tariffs imposed by numerous United States foreign trading partners on United States exports and the government’s passage of a comprehensive tax and spending bill. Between September 2024 and December 2024, the Federal Reserve cut the target range for the federal funds rate by 100 basis points to 4.25% - 4.5%. These were the first reductions since March 2022 when the target range was 0.25% - 0.50%. Between September 2025 and December 2025, the Federal Reserve cut the target range for the federal funds rate by another 75 basis points to 3.5% - 3.75%. Since the rate cuts occurred during the later part of 2025, they had modest impact on total 2025 loan origination volumes. Despite the reduction in the federal fund rates during 2024, average mortgage interest rates increased during the first six months of 2025, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. However, during the last six months of 2025 average mortgage interest rates decreased to levels not observed since the first half of 2023. We expect loan production during the first quarter of 2026 to decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, consistent with historical trends. During the third quarter of 2025, PrimeLending reduced a portion of its underwriting, loan fulfillment, operations and corporate headcount to address current mortgage market production . Anticipated annual savings associated with these reductions approximate $4.4 million.
PrimeLending continues to evaluate its cost structure to address the current mortgage environment and we believe that ongoing cost-saving initiatives are critical to improving PrimeLending’s short- and long-term financial condition and operating results. Due to conditions and challenges discussed in detail within this section of segment results, the mortgage origination segment experienced operating losses during 2024 and 2025. While the mortgage origination segment reported income before income taxes during the second quarter of 2025, an operating loss would have been experienced if not for the receipt by PrimeLending of $9.5 million associated with the Settlements. In light of these current macroeconomic challenges in the mortgage industry including tight housing inventories and mortgage interest rate levels, the fair value of the mortgage origination reporting unit may decline, and we may be required to record a
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goodwill impairment charge. These conditions will continue to be considered during future impairment evaluations of goodwill.
As a GNMA approved lender, we are subject to minimum capital, leverage, net worth and liquidity requirements established by HUD and GNMA, including timely reporting if a quarter’s operating loss exceeds more than 20% of its previous quarter or year-end net worth (the “operating loss ratio”) and/or if a quarter’s capital ratio is below 6% (the “GNMA leverage ratio”). If this occurs, certain additional financial reporting submissions are required. During the first quarter of 2024, the HUD operating loss ratio was 22.6%, while during the second quarter of 2024, PrimeLending reported a HUD operating gain. During the third and fourth quarters of 2024 and the first, third and fourth quarters of 2025, the operating loss ratios were below the 20% threshold at 14.4%, 16.6%, 12.9%, 10.3% and 7.3%, respectively. PrimeLending reported a HUD operating gain during the second quarter of 2025. During the first and second quarters of 2024, the GNMA leverage ratio was 5.56% and 4.41%, respectively. Including two $10 million capital infusions received by PrimeLending from its parent company, PlainsCapital Bank, between September and December 2024 totaling $20 million, the GNMA leverage ratio increased to 6.38% and 6.36% during the third and fourth quarters of 2024, respectively. During 2025, PrimeLending received additional capital infusions from PlainsCapital Bank totaling $25 million and the GNMA leverage ratio remained above the required 6% at 7.12%, 6.30%, 7.35% and 6.73% during each consecutive quarter of 2025, respectively. Any of these trends requiring notification to GNMA and HUD have been reported to those entities, respectively. Such capital infusions are possible in future periods, including those in the near-term, based on a range of factors including PrimeLending’s financial performance.
In addition, as a FNMA and FHLMC approved lender, we are subject to certain minimum capital, net worth and liquidity requirements established by FNMA and FHLMC, including maintaining a minimum capital ratio of 6% (the “FNMA/FHLMC capital ratio”). The FNMA/FHLMC capital ratio exceeded the required 6%, for each quarter during 2025 and 2024, except during the second quarter of 2024, the capital ratio decreased to 5.52%. FNMA and FHLMC may also monitor additional financial performance trends at their discretion, including risk-based analyses focused on loans that the mortgage origination segment is currently responsible for representations and warranties that agency loans sold meet certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. One FNMA discretionary performance trend monitors the change in adjusted net worth during the prior twelve months. FNMA’s acceptable threshold for this performance trend is less than minus 30%, but is only considered if a company has four consecutive quarterly losses. During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2024, PrimeLending experienced four consecutive quarterly losses; the loss ratios during these periods were 37.5%, 28.9%, 23.9% and 13.7%, respectively. PrimeLending also recognized four consecutive quarterly losses during the first quarter of 2025, when the loss ratio was 10.5%. During the second quarter of 2025 PrimeLending reported an operating . PrimeLending reported a during both the third and fourth quarters of 2025. Any of these trends requiring notification to FNMA and FHLMC have been reported to those entities, respectively.
The loss before income taxes decreased in 2025, compared with 2024. This decrease was primarily the result of decreases in noninterest expense and net interest expense, partially offset by a decline in noninterest income. The loss before income taxes decreased in 2024, compared with 2023. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in noninterest expense.
Average interest rates during the latter part of 2025 experienced a gradual decline from the peak levels reached in 2022. Refinancing volume as a percentage of total origination volume was higher during 2025 at 14.1%, compared to 9.9%, during 2024. Although we anticipate the percentage of refinancing volume relative to total loan origination volume during 2026 will approximate 2025, an even higher refinance percentage could be driven by a slowing of purchase volume due to the negative impact on new and existing home sales resulting from existing home inventory shortages and affordability challenges related to new home construction, and/or an increase in all-cash buyers.
The mortgage origination segment primarily originates its mortgage loans through a retail channel, with additional lending through its affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”). For 2025, funded volume through ABAs was approximately 14% of the mortgage origination segment’s total loan volume. Currently, PrimeLending owns a greater than 50% interest in two ABAs. We expect total production within the ABA channel to continue to approximate 14% of loan volume of the mortgage origination segment during 2026.
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The following table provides further details regarding our mortgage loan originations and sales for the periods indicated below (dollars in thousands). Loan volumes associated with mortgage loan transactions facilitated between PrimeLending and third-party mortgage lenders when requested products are not offered by PrimeLending are included in mortgage loan origination units and volume and are not included in mortgage loan sales volume below.
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Mortgage Loan Originations - units
Mortgage Loan Originations - volume:
Conventional
Government
Jumbo
Other
Home purchases
Refinancings
Texas
California
South Carolina
Missouri
New York
Florida
Ohio
Washington
Arizona
Massachusetts
All other states
Mortgage Loan Sales - volume:
Third parties
Banking segment
We consider the mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume to be a key performance measure. Loan origination volume is central to the segment’s ability to generate income by originating and selling mortgage loans, resulting in net gains from the sale of loans, mortgage loan origination fees, and other mortgage production income. Total loan origination volume is a measure utilized by management, our investors, and analysts in assessing market share and growth of the mortgage origination segment.
The mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume increased 3.3% during 2025, compared with 2024, while loss before income taxes decreased 48.0%, compared with 2024. The decrease in loss before income taxes during 2025 was primarily due to decreases in the loss on the change in the net fair value and related derivative activity associated with mortgage servicing rights assets, servicing fee expense and net interest expense. Additionally, contributing to the decrease was the receipt by PrimeLending of $9.5 million under the Settlements in April 2025. These positive changes were partially offset by unfavorable decreases in servicing fee income, and mortgage loan origination fees and servicing fees. During 2024, the mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume increased 4.5% compared with 2023, while loss before income taxes decreased 46.3% during 2024, compared with 2023. The decrease in loss before income taxes during 2024 was primarily due to an increase in average loan sales margin, increases in average value of IRLCs and decreases in non-variable compensation and benefits expense and segment operating costs, partially offset by a decrease in the average value of mortgage loan origination fees and to a lesser extent, decreases in net servicing income and an increase in the on the change in the net fair value and related derivative activity related to mortgage servicing rights assets, compared with 2023.
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The information shown in the table below includes certain additional key performance indicators for the mortgage origination segment.
Year Ended December 31,
Net gains from mortgage loan sales (basis points):
Loans sold to third parties (1)
Broker fee income (2)
Impact of loans retained by banking segment
As reported
Variable compensation as a percentage of total compensation
Mortgage servicing rights asset ($000's) (end of year) (3)
Net gains from mortgage loans sold to third parties reflects provisions for anticipated indemnification claims and penalties for early payoff of loans which had the effect of lowering such net gains from mortgage loans sold to third parties by 10 basis points, 8 basis points and 4 basis points during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Broker fee income is earned by the mortgage origination segment for facilitating mortgage loan transactions between PrimeLending customers and third-party mortgage lenders when the requested loan products are not offered by PrimeLending.
Reported on a consolidated basis and therefore does not include mortgage servicing rights assets related to loans serviced for the banking segment, which are eliminated in consolidation.
Net interest expense was comprised of interest income earned on loans held for sale offset by interest incurred on warehouse lines of credit primarily held with the Bank, and related intercompany financing costs. The decreases in net interest expense during 2025 and 2024, compared with 2024 and 2023, respectively, reflect decreases in the negative net interest margin between each year.
Noninterest income was comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Net gains from sale of loans
Mortgage loan origination fees and other related income
Other mortgage production income:
Change in net fair value and related derivative activity:
IRLCs and loans held for sale
Mortgage servicing rights asset
Servicing fees
Other
Total noninterest income
Net gains from sale of loans increased 5.6%, while total loans sales volume increased 0.7% during 2025, compared with 2024. The increase in net gains from sales of loans was primarily due to an increase in average loan sale margin as mortgage loan sale volume remained relatively flat. The 17.1% increase in net gains from sale of loans during 2024, compared with 2023, was primarily the result of an increase in average loan sale margin.
Mortgage loan origination fees and other related income decreased 16.6% during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to a decrease in average mortgage loan origination fees, as loan origination volume increased 3.3% during 2025, compared with 2024. The 14.9% decrease in mortgage loan origination fees and other related income during 2024, compared with 2023, was also primarily the result of a decrease in average mortgage loan origination fees as loan origination volume increased 4.5% between the two years.
In April 2025, PrimeLending entered into the Settlements related to a matter whereby PrimeLending received an aggregate of $9.5 million from the respective parties. The full amount associated with the Settlements was recorded within other noninterest income during the second quarter of 2025.
Fluctuations in mortgage loan origination fees and net gains on sale of loans are not always aligned with fluctuations in loan origination and loan sale volumes, respectively, since customers may opt to pay PrimeLending discount fees on their mortgage loans, which are included in mortgage loan origination fees, in exchange for a lower interest rate, which decreases the value of a loan in the secondary market.
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We consider the mortgage origination segment’s net gains from sale of loans margin, in basis points, to be a key performance measure. Net gains from mortgage loan sales margin is defined as net gains from sale of loans divided by mortgage loan sales volume. The net gains from sale of loans is central to the segment’s generation of income and may include loans sold to third parties and loans sold to and retained by the banking segment. For origination services provided, the mortgage origination segment was reimbursed direct origination costs associated with loans retained by the banking segment, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The reimbursed origination costs and correspondent fee are included in the mortgage origination segment operating results, and the correspondent fees are eliminated in consolidation. Loan volumes to be originated on behalf of and retained by the banking segment are evaluated each quarter. Loans sold to and retained by the banking segment during 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $185.4 million, $124.3 million and $140.3 million, respectively. Loan volumes to be originated on behalf of and retained by the banking segment are expected to be impacted by, among other things, an ongoing review of the prevailing mortgage rates, balance sheet positioning at Hilltop and the banking segment’s outlook for commercial loan growth.
Noninterest income includes changes in the net fair value of the mortgage origination segment’s IRLCs and loans held for sale and the related activity associated with forward commitments used by the mortgage origination segment to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its IRLCs and mortgage loans held for sale (“net fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale”). The gain recognized during 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the average net value of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale and the related forward commitments between December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The mortgage origination segment sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market. In addition, the mortgage origination segment originates loans on behalf of the Bank. The mortgage origination segment’s determination of whether to retain or release servicing on mortgage loans it sells is impacted by, among other things, changes in mortgage interest rates, refinancing and market activity, and balance sheet positioning at Hilltop . During 2025, 2024 and 2023, the mortgage origination segment retained servicing on approximately 10%, 7% and 18%, respectively, of loans sold. A reduction in third-party mortgage servicers purchasing mortgage servicing rights, even if modest, may result in PrimeLending increasing the rate of retained servicing on mortgage loans sold at any time. The mortgage origination segment may, from time to time, manage its MSR asset through different strategies, including varying the percentage of mortgage loans sold servicing released and opportunistically selling MSR assets. The mortgage origination segment has also retained servicing on certain loans sold to and retained by the banking segment. Gains and losses associated with such sales to the banking segment and the related MSR asset are eliminated in consolidation.
The mortgage origination segment uses derivative financial instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options and MBS commitments, to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its MSR asset. During 2025, changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and the related derivatives resulted in net losses of $1.7 million. These changes were primarily driven by losses totaling $1.0 million and $0.9 million during 2025 to account for portfolio runoff and customer payoffs, respectively. During 2024, changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and the related derivatives resulted in net losses of $19.2 million. In addition to normal customer payments and customer payoffs, these changes were primarily driven by losses totaling $12.3 million during 2024, to account for MSR valuation assumption changes, including prepayment and discount rates used as inputs to value the MSR asset, and differences between MSR carrying values and sales prices related to the sale of MSR assets. Fluctuations in the net fair value of the MSR asset driven by net changes in long-term U.S. Treasury bond rates and the related derivatives used to hedge the MSR during 2024 resulted in net losses of $3.2 million. During the second quarter of 2024, the mortgage origination segment signed a letter of intent to sell and completed the sale of MSR assets of $45.1 million, which represented $2.9 billion of its serviced loan volume at the time. In addition, during September 2024, the mortgage origination segment signed a letter of intent to sell MSR assets of $42.6 million, which represented $2.3 billion of its serviced loan volume. This sale was completed during the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, the mortgage origination segment does not currently expect the level of MSR assets to be significant in the short-term. In addition to and generated by changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and related derivatives, net servicing income of $0.8 million and $8.6 million was recognized during 2025 and 2024, respectively. The mortgage origination segment does not currently expect the level of MSR assets to be significant in the short-term.
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Noninterest expenses were comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Variable compensation
Non-variable compensation and benefits
Segment operating costs
Lender paid closing costs
Servicing expense
Total noninterest expense
Total employees’ compensation and benefits accounted for the majority of the noninterest expenses incurred during all periods presented. Historically, variable compensation comprises the majority of total employees’ compensation and benefits expenses. Variable compensation, which is primarily driven by loan origination volume, tends to fluctuate to a greater degree than loan origination volume, because mortgage loan originator and fulfillment staff incentive compensation plans are structured to pay at increasing rates as higher monthly volume tiers are achieved. However, certain other incentive compensation plans driven by non-mortgage production criteria may alter this trend.
While total loan origination volumes increased 3.3% during 2025, compared with 2024, the aggregate non-variable compensation and benefits of the mortgage origination segment was relatively flat between the same periods. During the third quarter of 2025, PrimeLending reduced a portion of its underwriting, loan fulfillment, operations, and corporate headcount to address current mortgage market production challenges. One-time severance expenses related to this reduction approximated $0.6 million. Anticipated annual savings associated with these reductions approximate $4.4 million. The decrease in non-variable compensation and benefits during 2025, compared to 2024, was primarily due to a decrease in salaries associated with periodic reductions in underwriting and loan fulfillment, operations and corporate headcount as PrimeLending continued to evaluate its cost structure to address the current mortgage environment. The decrease in salaries was partially offset by an increase in health insurance expense. Segment operating costs decreased during 2025, compared with 2024, primarily due to decreases in professional fees and occupancy and software expense. During 2024, compared with 2023, the decrease in segment operating costs was primarily due to decreases in occupancy and software expense.
In exchange for a higher interest rate, customers may opt to have PrimeLending pay certain costs associated with the origination of their mortgage loan (“lender paid closing costs”). Fluctuations in lender paid closing costs are not always aligned with fluctuations in loan origination volume. Other loan pricing conditions, including the mortgage loan interest rate, loan origination fees paid by the customer, and a customer’s willingness to pay closing costs, may influence fluctuations in lender paid closing costs.
Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2025, the mortgage origination segment sold mortgage loans totaling $141.3 billion. These loans were sold under sales contracts that generally include provisions that hold the mortgage origination segment responsible for errors or omissions relating to its representations and warranties that loans sold meet certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. In addition, the sales contracts typically require the refund of purchased servicing rights plus certain investor servicing costs if a loan experiences an early payment default. While the mortgage origination segment sold loans prior to 2016, it does not anticipate experiencing significant losses in the future on loans originated prior to 2016 as a result of investor claims under these provisions of its sales contracts.
When a claim for indemnification of a loan sold is made by an agency, investor, or other party, the mortgage origination segment evaluates the claim and determines if the claim can be satisfied through additional documentation or other deliverables. If the claim is valid and cannot be satisfied in that manner, the mortgage origination segment negotiates with the claimant to reach a settlement of the claim. Settlements typically result in either the repurchase of a loan or reimbursement to the claimant for losses incurred on the loan.
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The following is a summary of the mortgage origination segment’s claims resolution activity relating to loans sold between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands).
Original Loan Balance
Loss Recognized
Amount
Loans Sold
Amount
Loans Sold
Claims resolved with no payment
Claims resolved because of a loan repurchase or payment to an investor for losses incurred (1)
Losses incurred include refunded purchased servicing rights.
For each loan, when the mortgage origination segment concludes its obligation to a claimant is both probable and reasonably estimable, the mortgage origination segment has established a specific claims indemnification liability reserve.
An additional indemnification liability reserve has been established for probable agency, investor or other party losses that may have been incurred, but not yet reported to the mortgage origination segment based upon a reasonable estimate of such losses. Factors considered in the calculation of this reserve include, but are not limited to, the total volume of loans sold exclusive of specific claimant requests, actual claim inquiries, claim settlements and the severity of estimated losses resulting from future claims, and the mortgage origination segment’s history of successfully curing defects identified in claim requests.
Although management considers the total indemnification liability reserve to be appropriate, there may be changes in the reserve over time to address incurred losses due to unanticipated adverse changes in the economy and historical loss patterns, discrete events adversely affecting specific borrowers or industries, and/or actions taken by institutions or investors. The impact of such matters is considered in the reserving process when probable and estimable. During 2025, there was no adjustment made to the indemnification liability reserve. PrimeLending will continue to monitor agency claim inquiry trends and assess its potential impact on the indemnification liability reserve.
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the mortgage origination segment’s total indemnification liability reserve totaled $6.9 million and $8.1 million, respectively. The related provision for indemnification losses was $3.3 million, $2.8 million and $1.6 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Corporate
The following table presents certain financial information regarding the operating results of corporate (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Variance
Net interest income (expense)
Noninterest income
Noninterest expense
Loss before income taxes
Corporate includes certain activities not allocated to specific business segments. These activities include holding company financing and investing activities, merchant banking investment opportunities and management and administrative services to support the overall operations of the Company. Hilltop’s merchant banking investment activities include the identification of attractive opportunities for capital deployment in companies engaged in non-financial activities through its merchant bank subsidiary, Hilltop Opportunity Partners LLC. These merchant banking activities currently include investments within various industries, including power generation, youth sports and entertainment, dental health and industrial equipment manufacturing, industrial and mechanical construction, and aerospace and defense manufacturing, with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $89 million at December 31, 2025.
As a holding company, Hilltop’s primary investment objectives are to support capital deployment for organic growth and to preserve capital to be deployed through acquisitions, dividend payments and potential stock repurchases. Investment
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and interest income earned during 2025 was primarily comprised of dividend income from merchant banking investment activities, in addition to interest income earned on intercompany notes.
Interest expense during 2025, 2024 and 2023 included recurring annual interest expense of $9.4 million incurred on our $150 million aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes due 2035 (the “2035 Subordinated Notes,” the 2030 Subordinated Notes and the 2035 Subordinated Notes, collectively, the “Subordinated Notes”). Interest expense during 2024 and 2023 also included interest expense of $7.7 million on our outstanding Senior Notes that were redeemed on January 15, 2025 and $1.5 million, $3.0 million and $3.0 million during 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, on our 2030 Subordinated Notes that were redeemed on May 15, 2025, respectively. Interest expense during 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $11.5 million, $20.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively.
Noninterest income during each period included activity related to our investment in a real estate development in Dallas’ University Park, which also serves as headquarters for both Hilltop and the Bank, and net noninterest income associated with activity within our merchant bank subsidiary. During 2025, the sale of certain merchant bank equity investments resulted in aggregate pre-tax gains of $30.5 million, which was primarily comprised of a pre-tax gain of $27.8 million ($21.6 million net of tax) related to the sale of operations associated with our aggregate interest in Moser Holdings, LLC. These gain amounts are inclusive of variable compensation expenses reflected within noninterest expense. During 2024, noninterest income included pre-tax gains of $5.3 million associated with the sale of merchant bank equity investments.
Noninterest expenses were primarily comprised of employees’ compensation and benefits, occupancy expenses and professional fees, including corporate governance, legal and transaction costs. During 2025, compared with 2024, the increase in noninterest expenses was primarily driven by variable compensation associated with the sale of certain merchant bank equity investments during 2025 and other changes associated with employees’ compensation and benefits. During 2024, compared with 2023, the increase in noninterest expenses was primarily due to increases associated with software costs and employees’ compensation and benefits, partially offset by a decrease in professional services expenses.
Financial Condition
The following discussion contains a more detailed analysis of our financial condition at December 31, 2025 as compared with December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Securities Portfolio
At December 31, 2025, investment securities consisted of securities of the U.S. Treasury, U.S. government and its agencies, obligations of municipalities and other political subdivisions, primarily in the State of Texas, as well as mortgage-backed, corporate debt, and equity securities. We may categorize investments as trading, available for sale, held to maturity and equity securities.
Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are carried at fair value, marked to market through operations and held at the Bank and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers. Securities classified as available for sale may, from time to time, be bought and sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in securities’ prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, general liquidity needs and to take advantage of market conditions that create more economically attractive returns. Such securities are carried at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity investments are carried at fair value, with all changes in fair value recognized in net income. Securities are classified as held to maturity based on the intent and ability of our management, at the time of purchase, to hold such securities to maturity. These securities are carried at amortized cost.
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The table below summarizes our securities portfolio (in thousands).
December 31,
Trading securities, at fair value
U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. government agencies:
Bonds
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Other
Corporate debt securities
States and political subdivisions
Private-label securitized product
Other
Securities available for sale, at fair value
U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. government agencies:
Bonds
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Corporate debt securities
States and political subdivisions
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
U.S. government agencies:
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Collateralized mortgage obligations
States and political subdivisions
Equity securities, at fair value
Total securities portfolio
We had net unrealized losses of $63.0 million, $101.9 million and $114.2 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to the available for sale investment portfolio. Within the held to maturity portfolio, we had net unrealized losses of $53.4 million, $88.0 million and $80.8 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. Equity securities included net unrealized gains of $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In future periods, we expect changes in prevailing market interest rates, coupled with changes in the aggregate size of the investment portfolio, to be significant drivers of changes in the unrealized losses or gains in these portfolios, and therefore accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Banking Segment
The banking segment’s securities portfolio plays a role in the management of our interest rate sensitivity and generates additional interest income. In addition, the securities portfolio is used to meet collateral requirements for public and trust deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other purposes. The available for sale and equity securities portfolios serve as a source of liquidity. Historically, the Bank’s policy has been to invest primarily in securities of the U.S. government and its agencies, obligations of municipalities in the State of Texas and other high grade fixed income securities to minimize credit risk. At December 31, 2025, the banking segment’s securities portfolio of $2.2 billion was comprised of trading securities of $34 thousand, available for sale securities of $1.4 billion, held to maturity securities of $728.3 million and equity securities of $0.3 million, in addition to $10.9 million of other investments included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
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Broker-Dealer Segment
The broker-dealer segment holds securities to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. The interest rate risk inherent in holding these securities is managed by setting and monitoring limits on the size and duration of positions and on the length of time the securities can be held. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers are required to carry their securities at fair value and record changes in the fair value of the portfolio to the statements of operations. Accordingly, the securities portfolio of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers included trading securities of $617.4 million at December 31, 2025. In addition, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers enter into transactions that represent commitments to purchase and deliver securities at prevailing future market prices to facilitate customer transactions and satisfy such commitments. Accordingly, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ ultimate obligation may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. These securities, which are carried at fair value and reported as securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated balance sheets, had a value of $38.0 million at December 31, 2025.
Corporate
At December 31, 2025, the corporate portfolio included other investments, including those associated with merchant banking, of available for sale securities of $62.0 million and other assets of $26.7 million within the consolidated balance sheet.
Allowance for Credit Losses for Available for Sale Securities and Held to Maturity Securities
We have evaluated available for sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and have determined that any declines in value are unrelated to credit loss and related to changes in market interest rates since purchase. None of the available for sale debt securities held were past due at December 31, 2025. In addition, as of December 31, 2025, we evaluated our held to maturity debt securities, considering the current credit ratings and recognized losses, and determined the potential credit loss to be minimal. With respect to these securities, we considered the risk of credit loss to be negligible, and therefore, no allowance was recognized on the debt securities portfolio at December 31, 2025.
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The following table sets forth the estimated maturities of our debt securities, excluding trading securities, at December 31, 2025. Contractual maturities may be different (dollars in thousands, yields are tax-equivalent).
One Year
One Year to
Five Years to
Greater Than
Or Less
Five Years
Ten Years
Ten Years
Total
U.S. Treasury securities:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
U.S. government agencies:
Bonds:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Corporate debt securities:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
States and political subdivisions:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Total securities portfolio:
Amortized cost
Fair value
Weighted average yield (1)
Weighted average yield is defined as interest earned by average interest-earning assets.
Loan Portfolio
Consolidated loans held for investment are detailed in the table below, classified by portfolio segment (in thousands).
December 31,
Loan Held for Investment
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Loans held for investment, gross
Allowance for credit losses
Loans held for investment, net of allowance
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Banking Segment
The loan portfolio constitutes the primary earning asset of the banking segment and typically offers the best alternative for obtaining the maximum interest spread above the banking segment’s cost of funds. The overall economic strength of the banking segment generally parallels the quality and yield of its loan portfolio.
As discussed in more detail within the section captioned “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” below, the banking segment’s credit policies emphasize strong underwriting and governance standards and early detection of potential problem credits in order to develop and implement action plans on a timely basis to mitigate potential losses. These formal credit policies and procedures provide the banking segment with a framework for consistent underwriting and a basis for sound credit decisions. The banking segment strives to avoid the risk of concentrations of credit in any particular industry, collateral type, location, or with any individual customer or counterparty.
To manage the credit risks associated with its loan portfolio, management may, depending upon current or anticipated economic conditions and related exposures, apply enhanced risk management measures to loans through analysis of a specific borrower’s financial condition, including cash flow, collateral values, and guarantees, among other credit factors.
The banking segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $8.8 billion, $8.3 billion and $8.5 billion at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. At December 31, 2025, the banking segment’s loan portfolio included warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending and its ABAs of $1.3 billion, of which $0.9 billion was drawn. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, amounts drawn on the available warehouse lines of credit were $1.3 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively. Amounts advanced against the warehouse lines of credit are eliminated from net loans held for investment on our consolidated balance sheets. The banking segment does not generally participate in syndicated loan transactions and has no foreign loans in its portfolio.
A significant portion of the banking segment’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2025 consisted of commercial real estate loans secured by properties. Such loans can involve high principal loan amounts, and the repayment of these loans is dependent, in large part, on a borrower’s ongoing business operations or on income generated from the properties that are leased to third parties.
The table below sets forth the banking segment’s commercial real estate loan portfolio, by portfolio industry sector and collateral location as of December 31, 2025 (in thousands).
Brownsville-
Other
Dallas-
Harlingen-
San
Outside
Commercial Real Estate
Fort Worth
Austin
Houston
McAllen
Antonio
Lubbock
Texas
Texas
Total
Non-owner occupied:
Office
Retail
Hotel/Motel
Multifamily
Industrial
All other
Owner occupied:
Office
Retail
Industrial
All other
Total commercial real estate loans
At December 31, 2025, the banking segment had loan concentrations (loans to borrowers engaged in similar activities) that exceeded 10% of total loans in its real estate portfolio. The areas of concentration within our real estate portfolio were non-construction commercial real estate loans, non-construction residential real estate loans, and construction and land development loans, which represented 45.9%, 23.4% and 11.2%, respectively, of the banking segment’s total loans
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held for investment at December 31, 2025. The banking segment’s loan concentrations were within regulatory guidelines at December 31, 2025.
In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio includes collateralized loans extended to businesses that depend on the energy industry, including those within the exploration and production, field services, pipeline construction and transportation sectors. Crude oil prices remain uncertain given future supply and demand for oil are influenced by international armed conflicts and geopolitical tension, new energy policies and government regulation, and the pace of transition towards renewable energy resources. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s energy loan exposure was approximately $111 million of loans held for investment with unfunded commitment balances of approximately $32 million. The allowance for credit losses on the Bank’s energy portfolio was $1.4 million, or 1.2% of loans held for investment at December 31, 2025.
The following table provides information regarding the maturities of the banking segment’s gross loans held for investment, net of unearned income (in thousands). The commercial and industrial portfolio segment includes amounts advanced against the warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending.
December 31, 2025
Due Within
Due From One
Due from Five
Due After
One Year
To Five Years
To Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
Total
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Total
The following table provides information regarding the interest rate composition, based on contractual terms, of the banking segment's loans held for investment, net of unearned income (in thousands).
Loans maturing after one year
Fixed Interest
Floating Interest
December 31, 2025
Rate
Rate
Total
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Total
In the table above, floating interest rate loans totaling $119.6 million as of December 31, 2025 had reached their applicable rate floor and were expected to reprice, subject to their scheduled repricing timing and frequency terms. The majority of floating rate loans carry an interest rate tied to a SOFR rate or The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal.
Broker-Dealer Segment
The loan portfolio of the broker-dealer segment consists primarily of margin loans to customers and correspondents that are due within one year. The interest rate on margin accounts is computed on the settled margin balance at a fixed rate established by management. These loans are collateralized by the securities purchased or by other securities owned by the clients and, because of collateral coverage ratios, are believed to present minimal collectability exposure. Additionally, these loans are subject to a number of regulatory requirements as well as the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’
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internal policies. The broker-dealer segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $344.5 million, $363.7 million and $344.1 million at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, was primarily attributable to a decrease of $41.5 million, or 28%, in receivables from correspondents, partially offset by an increase of $21.3 million, or 10%, in customer margin accounts. The increase from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, was primarily attributable to an increase of $30.0 million, or 25%, in receivables from correspondents, partially offset by a decrease of $11.3 million, or 5%, in customer margin accounts.
Mortgage Origination Segment
The loan portfolio of the mortgage origination segment consists of loans held for sale, primarily single-family residential mortgages funded through PrimeLending, and IRLCs with customers pursuant to which we agree to originate a mortgage loan on a future date at an agreed-upon interest rate. The components of the mortgage origination segment’s loans held for sale and IRLCs are as follows (in thousands).
December 31,
Loans held for sale:
Unpaid principal balance
Fair value adjustment
IRLCs:
Unpaid principal balance
Fair value adjustment
The mortgage origination segment uses forward commitments to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its loans held for sale and IRLCs. The notional amounts of these forward commitments at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $1.0 billion, $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, while the related estimated fair values were ($1.9) million, $6.4 million and ($10.2) million, respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
For additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses, refer to the section captioned “Critical Accounting Estimates” included in this Form 10-K.
Loans Held for Investment
The Bank has lending policies in place with the goal of establishing an asset portfolio that will provide a return on stockholders’ equity sufficient to maintain capital to assets ratios that meet or exceed established regulations. Loans are underwritten with careful consideration of the borrower’s financial condition, the specific purpose of the loan, the primary sources of repayment and any collateral pledged to secure the loan.
Underwriting procedures address financial components based on the size and complexity of the credit. The financial components include, but are not limited to, current and projected cash flows, shock analysis and/or stress testing, and trends in appropriate balance sheet and statement of operations ratios. The Bank’s loan policy provides specific underwriting guidelines by portfolio segment, including commercial and industrial, real estate, construction and land development, and consumer loans. The guidelines for each individual portfolio segment set forth permissible and impermissible loan types. With respect to each loan type, the guidelines within the Bank’s loan policy provide minimum requirements for the underwriting factors listed above. The Bank’s underwriting procedures also include an analysis of any collateral and guarantor. Collateral analysis includes a complete description of the collateral, as well as determined values, monitoring requirements, loan to value ratios, concentration risk, appraisal requirements and other information relevant to the collateral being pledged. Guarantor analysis includes liquidity and cash flow evaluation based on the significance with which the guarantors are expected to serve as secondary repayment sources.
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The Bank maintains a loan review department that reviews credit risk in response to both external and internal factors that potentially impact the performance of either individual loans or the overall loan portfolio. The loan review process reviews the creditworthiness of borrowers and determines compliance with the loan policy. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel. Results of these reviews are presented to management, the Bank’s board of directors and the Risk Committee of the board of directors of the Company.
The allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment represents management’s best estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then-existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods. Such future changes in the allowance for credit losses are expected to be volatile given dependence upon, among other things, the portfolio composition and quality, as well as the impact of significant drivers, including prepayment assumptions and macroeconomic conditions and forecasts.
Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic uncertainties, as well as its potential impact on borrower default and loss severity. In particular, macroeconomic conditions and forecasts are rapidly changing and remain highly uncertain.
One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating our allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. To determine the allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2025, we utilized a single macroeconomic scenario, the baseline forecast, published by Moody’s Analytics in December 2025. The macroeconomic scenario utilizes multiple economic variables in forecasting the economic outlook. During our previous quarterly macroeconomic assessment as of September 30, 2025, we utilized the same single macroeconomic scenario, the baseline forecast, published by Moody’s Analytics in September 2025. Management determined it was appropriate to utilize the baseline macroeconomic scenario as of December 31, 2025 as this baseline scenario best aligns with our internal outlook, given the combination of the ongoing resilience of the U.S. economy, the weakening of the job market and the potential impact of tariffs.
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The following table and paragraphs summarize the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth rates and unemployment rate assumptions used in our economic forecast, and based on the single macroeconomic scenario selected for respective periods, to determine our best estimate of expected credit losses.
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
GDP growth rates:
Unemployment rates:
As of December 31, 2025, our U.S. economic forecast assumes real GDP will remain below trend in the near term as economic policy uncertainty weighs on the economy’s growth. The changes in real GDP on an annual average basis are 2.1% in 2026 and 1.9% in 2027. The unemployment rate increases in 2026 and reaches a peak of 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2026 before slowly receding. Our forecast considers the potential for monetary policy to ease from the Federal Reserve with the federal funds rate at 2.9% by year end 2026. Vacancy rates for certain commercial real estate sectors remain elevated, and the interest rate outlook challenges the recovery.
During 2025, we updated our U.S. economic outlook to reflect our expectations of a period of below trend economic growth in the near term. Economic policy uncertainty weighs on the economy’s growth. The labor market has softened and the unemployment rate has gradually increased. In response to the weakening labor market, the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate target to 3.75% - 3.50%.
During 2024, we updated our U.S. economic outlook to reflect our expectations of a period of below trend economic growth beginning in 2025. The U.S. economic outlook was updated for recent changes in monetary policy and given that the ongoing resilience of the U.S. economy. Given the moderation of inflation, the Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate target by 100-basis points since September 2024 to 4.25% - 4.5%. Labor market conditions eased as the unemployment rate increased to 4.2% in November 2024. Trade policy changes expected to be implemented by the then new administration added uncertainty to the outlook.
During 2023, our economic outlook was updated to reflect our expectations of a period of below trend economic growth beginning in 2023 and a mild U.S. recession in 2024. The Federal Reserve increased its federal funds rate target from 4.00% - 4.25% in January 2023 to 5.25% - 5.50% in August 2023 and held rates steady through December 2023. In March and April 2023, as a result of three of the largest bank failures in U.S. history, the Federal Reserve implemented several liquidity programs to stabilize consumer and business confidence. The Federal Reserve continued to balance
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inflation expectations and labor market constraints with tighter financial conditions throughout 2023. The duration of the higher interest rates also renewed credit and refinance risk concerns about residential and commercial real estate loans. The consumer price index improved from 6.4% in January 2023 to 3.4% in December 2023, but inflation rates still remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Global supply chains eased throughout 2023 and adjusted to the longer than expected Russia-Ukraine conflict; however, conflicts in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas and the U.S. and Yemen added new uncertainties. Labor market conditions eased modestly but remained historically tight as the unemployment rate increased from 3.4% to 3.7% during the year.
During 2025, the provision for credit losses was primarily driven by a build in the allowance related to specific reserves and higher net charge-offs, partially offset by changes in the U.S. economic outlook and portfolio changes associated with collectively evaluated loans, including changes in loan mix and risk rating grade migration since December 31, 2024. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during 2025 included a provision for credit losses of $13.5 million, while collectively evaluated loans included a reversal of credit losses of $6.2 million. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the noted periods were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, and changes in loan balances and qualitative factors from the prior period. The change in the allowance during 2025 was also impacted by net charge-offs of $16.9 million. Of the $16.9 million of net charge-offs at December 31, 2025, $11.5 million was comprised of three credit relationships associated with commercial and industrial loans within the auto note financing industry subsector.
As noted above, the combined impacts of specific reserves and loan portfolio changes within the banking segment and changes in the U.S. economic outlook since December 31, 2024 have resulted in a net decrease in the allowance at December 31, 2025, compared to December 31, 2024. The resulting allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs, was 1.19%, 1.37% and 1.47% as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. While changes in the U.S. economic outlook have been reflected in our current allowance at December 31, 2025, uncertainties that include, among others, the uncertain timing, duration and significance of further changes in market interest rates and an uncertain macroeconomic forecast could adversely impact borrower cash flows and result in further increases in the allowance during future periods. While all industries could experience adverse impacts, certain of our loan portfolio industry sectors and subsectors, including real estate collateralized by office buildings, retail, hotel/motel and auto note financing, have an increased level of risk.
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The respective distribution of the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs, are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands).
Allowance For
Credit Losses
Total
Total
Allowance
Total Loans
Loans Held
for Credit
Held For
December 31, 2025
For Investment
Losses
Investment
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied (1)
Owner occupied (2)
Commercial and industrial (3)
Construction and land development (4)
Total commercial loans
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Total retail loans
Total commercial and retail loans
Broker-dealer
Mortgage warehouse lending
Total loans held for investment
Included within commercial real estate non-owner occupied portfolio are loans within the office, retail and hotel/motel portfolio industry subsectors. At December 31, 2025, the office, retail and hotel/motel loans held for investment balances of approximately $538 million, $365 million and $140 million, respectively, had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $10 million, $3 million and $2 million, respectively, and an allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans held for investment of 1.9%, 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively.
Included within commercial real estate owner occupied portfolio are loans within the industrial and office portfolio industry subsectors. At December 31, 2025, the industrial and office loans held for investment balances of approximately $442 million and $337 million, respectively, had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $9 million and $7 million, respectively, and an allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans held for investment of 2.1% and 2.1%, respectively.
Commercial and industrial portfolio amounts reflect balances excluding banking segment mortgage warehouse lending. Included within commercial and industrial portfolio are loans within the auto note financing industry subsector. At December 31, 2025, the auto note financing loans held for investment balance of approximately $54 million had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $1 million, and an allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans held for investment of 2.7%.
Included within construction and land development portfolio are loans within the office and retail portfolio industry subsectors. At December 31, 2025, the retail and office loans held for investment balances of approximately $77 million and $36 million, respectively, had an allowance for credit losses of approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and an allowance for credit losses as a % of total loans held for investment of 0.3% and 1.7%, respectively.
Allowance Model Sensitivity
Our allowance model was designed to capture the historical relationship between economic and portfolio changes. As such, evaluating shifts in individual portfolio attributes or macroeconomic variables in isolation may not be indicative of past or future performance. It is difficult to estimate how potential changes in any one factor or input might affect the overall allowance for credit losses because we consider a wide variety of factors and inputs in the allowance for credit losses estimate. Changes in the factors and inputs considered may not occur at the same rate and may not be consistent across all geographies or product types, and changes in factors and input may be directionally inconsistent, such that improvement in one factor may offset deterioration in others.
However, to consider the sensitivity of credit loss estimates to alternative macroeconomic forecasts, we compared the Company’s allowance for credit loss estimates as of December 31, 2025, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment, and the banking segment mortgage warehouse programs, with modeled results using both upside (“S1”) and downside (“S3”) economic scenario forecasts published by Moody’s Analytics.
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Compared to our economic forecast, the upside scenario assumes the economic impacts from tariffs recede faster than expected. Real GDP is expected to grow 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, 3.3% in the second quarter of 2026, 3.3% in the third quarter of 2026, and 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2026. Average unemployment rates are expected to decline to 3.7% by the second quarter of 2026 before reverting to historical data. The Federal Reserve reduces the federal funds rate to 3.0% during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Compared to our economic forecast, the downside scenario assumes the economic impacts from tariffs are larger than expected and the economy falls into recession in the first quarter of 2026. The recession lasts through the third quarter of 2026. Real GDP is expected to decrease 3.3% in the first quarter of 2026, 3.3% in the second quarter of 2026, and 3.8% in the third quarter of 2026. Average unemployment rates are expected to increase to 8.4% by the first quarter of 2027 and revert back to historical average rates over time. The Federal Reserve reduces the federal funds rate to support the economy to a 2.2% target by the fourth quarter of 2026 and a 1.8% target by the first quarter of 2027.
The impact of applying all of the assumptions of the upside economic scenario during the reasonable and supportable forecast period would have resulted in a decrease in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $16 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 1.1% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs.
The impact of applying all of the assumptions of the downside economic scenario during the reasonable and supportable forecast period would have resulted in an increase in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $53 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 2.1% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs.
This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as they do not reflect any potential changes in the adjustment to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions.
Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of current expected credit losses, which is highly dependent on several assumptions, including the macroeconomic outlook, inflationary pressures and labor market conditions, international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains, the U.S. elections and other various fiscal and monetary policy decisions. The sensitivities of many of these assumptions are often correlated and nonlinear so these results should not be simply extrapolated to estimate the allowance for credit losses accurately for more severe changes in economic scenarios. Future allowance for credit losses may vary considerably for these reasons.
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Allowance Activity
The following table presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses and selected credit metrics within our loan portfolio for the periods presented (in thousands). Substantially all of the activity shown below occurred within the banking segment.
Year Ended December 31,
Loans Held for Investment:
Balance, beginning of year
Provision for credit losses
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Total recoveries
Loans charged off:
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Total charge-offs
Net charge-offs
Balance, end of year
Average loans held for investment for the year
Total loans held for investment (end of year)
Loans Held for Sale:
Average loans held for sale for the year
Total loans held for sale (end of year)
Selected Credit Metrics:
Net charge-offs to average total loans held for investment (1)
Non-accrual loans:
Loans held for investment (end of year)
Loans held for sale (end of year)
Non-accrual loans to total loans (end of year)
Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment to:
Total loans (end of year)
Total loans held for investment (end of year)
Total non-accrual loans (end of year)
Non-accrual loans held for investment (end of year)
Net charge-offs to average total loans held for investment ratio presented on a consolidated basis for all periods. Refer to following table for details by loan portfolio segment.
Total non-accrual loans classified as loans held for investment decreased by $35.4 million from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, compared to an increase of $20.1 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. These
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changes in non-accrual loans from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, were primarily due to the decreases in commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans and construction and land development loans.
The following table presents additional details regarding our net charge-offs to average total loans held for investment ratios by loan portfolio segment for the periods presented (in thousands). Substantially all of the activity shown below occurred within the banking segment.
Net
Total
Recoveries
Allowance
Net
Average
(Charge-Offs)
for Credit
Recoveries
Loans Held
Year Ended December 31, 2025
Losses
(Charge-Offs)
for Investment
Average Loans
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 Family Residential
Consumer
Broker-Dealer
Total
Net
Total
Recoveries
Allowance
Net
Average
(Charge-Offs)
for Credit
Recoveries
Loans Held
Year Ended December 31, 2024
Losses
(Charge-Offs)
for Investment
Average Loans
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 Family Residential
Consumer
Broker-Dealer
Total
Net
Total
Recoveries
Allowance
Net
Average
(Charge-Offs)
for Credit
Recoveries
Loans Held
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Losses
(Charge-Offs)
for Investment
Average Loans
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 Family Residential
Consumer
Broker-Dealer
Total
As previously discussed in detail within this section, the allowance for credit losses has fluctuated from period to period, which impacted the resulting ratios noted in the table above. For the periods presented, the changes in the allowance for credit losses primarily reflected loan portfolio changes, net charge-offs activity, and changes in the U.S. economic outlook.
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The distribution of the allowance for credit losses among loan types and the percentage of the loans for that type to gross loans, excluding unearned income, within our loan portfolio is presented in the table below (dollars in thousands).
December 31,
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
Reserve
Gross Loans
Reserve
Gross Loans
Reserve
Gross Loans
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Total
The following table summarizes historical levels of the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment (in thousands).
December 31,
September 30,
June 30,
March 31,
December 31,
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Unfunded Loan Commitments
In order to estimate the allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, the Bank uses a process similar to that used in estimating the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. The allowance is based on the estimated exposure at default, multiplied by the lifetime probability of default grade and loss given default grade for that particular loan segment. The Bank estimates expected losses by calculating a commitment usage factor based on industry usage factors. The commitment usage factor is applied over the relevant contractual period. Loss factors from the underlying loans to which commitments are related are applied to the results of the usage calculation to estimate any liability for credit losses related for each loan type. Letters of credit are not currently reserved because they are issued primarily as credit enhancements and the likelihood of funding is low.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses for loans with off-balance sheet credit exposures are shown below (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Balance, beginning of year
Other noninterest expense
Balance, end of year
During 2025, the increase in the allowance for unfunded commitments was due to increases in commitment balances, partially offset by decreases in loan expected loss rates. During 2024, the decrease in the allowance for unfunded commitments was primarily due to decreases in commitment balances and loan expected loss rates, while during 2023, the increase in the allowance for unfunded commitments was due to increases in loan expected loss rates.
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Potential Problem Loans
Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms but for which management has concerns about the ability of an obligor to continue to comply with repayment terms because of the obligor’s potential operating or financial difficulties or whether repayment may depend on collateral or other risk mitigation. Management monitors these loans and reviews their performance on a regular basis. Potential problem loans contain potential weaknesses that could improve, persist or further deteriorate. If such potential weaknesses persist without improving, the loan is subject to downgrade, typically to substandard, in three to six months. Potential problem loans include those loans assigned a grade of special mention and accrual within our risk grading matrix. Potential loans do not include purchased credit (“PCD”) loans because PCD loans exhibited evidence of more than insignificant credit at acquisition that made it probable that all contractually required principal payments would not be collected.
At December 31, 2025, we had $124.9 million in potential problem loans, compared to $166.9 million at December 31, 2024 and $207.4 million at December 31, 2023. Our potential problem loans designated as substandard accrual at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 totaled $124.9 million, $152.6 million and $204.1 million, respectively. The decrease in potential problem loans from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 was primarily attributable to decreases in commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans, construction and land development loans, 1-4 family residential loans and commercial and industrial loans, partially offset by an increase in commercial real estate owner occupied loans. Of the $124.9 million of potential problem loans designated as substandard accrual at December 31, 2025, $42.2 million, $32.9 million and $32.1 million were associated with commercial real estate owner occupied, commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans, respectively, compared to $37.3 million, $35.2 million and $48.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2025 there were no potential problem loans designated as special mention, compared with four credit relationships totaling $14.2 million at December 31, 2024 and three credit relationships totaling $3.2 million at December 31, 2023.
Non-Performing Assets
The following table presents components of our non-performing assets (dollars in thousands).
December 31,
Variance
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
Owner occupied
Commercial and industrial
Construction and land development
1-4 family residential
Consumer
Broker-dealer
Non-accrual loans
Non-accrual loans as a percentage of total loans
Other real estate owned
Other repossessed assets
Non-performing assets
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
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At December 31, 2025, non-accrual loans included 29 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured primarily by notes receivable, accounts receivable and inventory. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2025 also included $4.4 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. At December 31, 2024, non-accrual loans included 27 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured primarily by notes receivable, accounts receivable and equipment. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2024 also included $3.7 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. At December 31, 2023, non-accrual loans included 40 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured primarily by accounts notes receivable, accounts receivable and equipment. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2023 also included $4.0 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. The change in loans in non-accrual status since December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by decreases in commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) increased from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025, primarily due to additions totaling $7.6 million, partially offset by disposals and valuation adjustments totaling $2.4 million. OREO decreased from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, primarily due to disposals and valuation adjustments totaling $4.8 million, partially offset by additions totaling $2.5 million.
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were primarily comprised of loans held for sale and guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, including GNMA related loans subject to repurchase within our mortgage origination segment. The significant decline in loans included in loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing since December 31, 2023 was primarily due to sale of such loans serviced by the mortgage origination segment during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Deposits
The banking segment’s major source of funds and liquidity is its deposit base. Deposits provide funding for its investments in loans and securities. Interest paid for deposits must be managed carefully to control the level of interest expense and overall net interest margin. The composition of the deposit base (time deposits versus interest-bearing demand deposits and savings), as discussed in more detail within the section titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Banking Segment” below, is constantly changing due to the banking segment’s needs and market conditions. Currently, the banking segment is facing continued competition for its deposit base as customers seek higher yields on deposits. Consistent with the consolidated trend in average rates paid on interest-bearing deposits noted in the table below, the banking segment’s average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits during 2025, 2024 and 2023 was 3.09%, 3.83% and 3.50%, respectively.
Given the cumulative 125-basis point decrease in interest rates since September 2024 and current deposit levels, the Bank’s cumulative interest-bearing deposit pricing beta, excluding deposits from the Hilltop Securities FDIC-insured sweep program and brokered deposits, has approximated 68%. The deposit pricing beta represents the change in interest-bearing deposit pricing in response to a change in market interest rates. The historical interest-bearing deposit pricing beta for the Bank, excluding deposits from our Hilltop Securities FDIC-insured sweep program and brokered deposits, has approximated 58% . We expect that the Bank’s cost related to interest-bearing deposits during 2026 will continue to be driven by various factors, including, but not limited to competitive pressures, broader economic conditions, future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate, customer behavior and our liquidity position at that time.
The table below presents the average balance of, and rate paid on, consolidated deposits (dollars in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Balance
Rate Paid
Balance
Rate Paid
Balance
Rate Paid
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand
Savings
Time
Total deposits
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The table above includes interest-bearing brokered deposits with balances of approximately $15 million at December 31, 2025, compared with approximately $15 million and $208 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The variability in the level of brokered deposits has been, and will continue to be, managed through asset/liability strategy and policies that are address diversification of funding sources and market conditions, including demand by customers and other investors for those deposits, and the cost of funds available from alternative sources at the time.
At December 31, 2025, total estimated uninsured deposits were $5.9 billion, or approximately 54% of total deposits, while estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized deposits of $693.9 million and internal accounts of $302.8 million, were $4.9 billion, or approximately 45% of total deposits. Total estimated uninsured deposits were $5.7 billion, or approximately 52% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2024.
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of the portion of our time deposits that are in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 as of December 31, 2025 (in thousands).
Months to maturity:
3 months or less
3 months to 6 months
6 months to 12 months
Over 12 months
Borrowings
Our consolidated borrowings are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).
December 31,
Average
Average
Average
Balance
Rate Paid
Balance
Rate Paid
Balance
Rate Paid
Short-term borrowings
Notes payable
Short-term borrowings consisted of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings at the FHLB, short-term bank loans and commercial paper. The decrease in short-term borrowings at December 31, 2025, compared with December 31, 2024, primarily reflected a decrease in federal funds purchased by the banking segment, partially offset by increases in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and commercial paper by the broker-dealer segment. The decrease in short-term borrowings at December 31, 2024, compared with December 31, 2023, primarily reflected decreases in federal funds purchased by the banking segment and securities sold under agreements to repurchase by the broker-dealer segment, partially offset by an increase in commercial paper by the broker-dealer segment.
Notes payable at December 31, 2025 was comprised of $148.6 million related to the 2035 Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees. Notes payable at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was comprised of $149.7 million and $149.5 million, respectively, related to the Senior Notes, net of loan origination fees, that were redeemed on January 15, 2025, the 2030 Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees, of $49.6 million and $49.5 million, respectively, that were redeemed on May 15, 2025, and the 2035 Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees, of $148.6 million and $148.2 million, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Hilltop is a financial holding company whose assets primarily consist of the stock of its subsidiaries and invested assets. Hilltop’s primary investment objectives, as a holding company, are to support capital deployment for organic growth and to preserve capital to be deployed through acquisitions, dividend payments and stock repurchases. At December 31, 2025, Hilltop had $212.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $207.8 million from $420.5 million at
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December 31, 2024. This decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to cash outflows from the redemption of our Senior Notes and 2030 Subordinated Notes, $184.0 million in stock repurchases, $45.4 million in cash dividends declared and other general corporate expenses, partially offset by the receipt of $249.0 million of dividends from subsidiaries. Subject to regulatory restrictions, Hilltop has received, and may also continue to receive, dividends from its subsidiaries. If necessary or appropriate, we may also finance acquisitions with the proceeds from equity or debt issuances. We believe that Hilltop’s liquidity is sufficient for the foreseeable future, with current short-term liquidity needs including operating expenses, redemption of debt obligations, interest on debt obligations, dividend payments to stockholders and potential stock repurchases.
As discussed in more detail below, our 2030 Subordinated Notes, previously scheduled to mature in May 2030, were redeemed on May 15, 2025 using cash on hand, and all of our outstanding Senior Notes previously scheduled to mature in April 2025 were redeemed on January 15, 2025 using cash on hand.
Economic Environment
As previously discussed, operational and financial headwinds during 2023, 2024 and 2025 have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our operating results during 2026. The extent of the impacts of uncertain economic conditions on our financial performance that began in 2022 and have continued throughout 2025, and are expected to continue in 2026, will depend on several developments outside of our control, including, among others, changes in the political environment, the timing and significance of further changes in U.S. treasury yields and mortgage interest rates, changes in funding costs, inflationary pressures associated, and international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains. As demonstrated during the extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets beginning in March 2020 resulting from the pandemic and banking sector-related uncertainty and concerns associated with liquidity positions primarily due to bank failures during early 2023 and their respective negative impacts on the economy, we will continue to monitor the economic environment and evaluate appropriate actions to enhance our financial flexibility, protect capital, minimize and ensure target liquidity levels.
Dividend Program and Declaration
In October 2016, we announced that our board of directors authorized a dividend program under which we intend to pay quarterly dividends on our common stock, subject to quarterly declarations by our board of directors. During 2025, we declared and paid cash dividends of $0.72 per common share, or $45.4 million.
On January 29, 2026, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share, payable on February 27, 2026 to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 13, 2026.
Future dividends on our common stock are subject to the determination by the board of directors based on an evaluation of our earnings and financial condition, liquidity and capital resources, the general economic and regulatory climate, our ability to service any equity or debt obligations senior to our common stock and other factors.
Stock Repurchases
In January 2026, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2027, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $125.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. Under the stock repurchase program authorized, we may repurchase shares in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions as permitted under Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The extent to which we repurchase our shares and the timing of such repurchases depends upon market conditions and other corporate considerations, as determined by Hilltop’s management team. Repurchased shares will be returned to our pool of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. We commenced share repurchases under the stock repurchase program in the first quarter of 2026.
In January 2025, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program through January 2026, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $100.0 million of our outstanding common stock, which authorization was increased to $135.0 million in July 2025, and to $185.0 million in October 2025. During 2025, Hilltop
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paid $184.0 million to repurchase an aggregate of 5,705,205 shares of our common stock at an average price of $32.26 per share pursuant to the stock repurchase program.
In January 2024, our board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program through January 2025, pursuant to which we were authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock. During 2024, Hilltop paid $19.9 million to repurchase an aggregate of 640,042 shares of our common stock at an average price of $31.04 per share pursuant to the stock repurchase program.
Our share repurchases in excess of issuance may be subject to a nondeductible 1% excise tax enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, subject to certain limitations. During 2025, an excise tax of $1.7 million on net share repurchases was accrued and recorded to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets. While we may complete transactions subject to the excise tax, we do not expect the tax to have a material impact to our financial condition or results of operations.
Senior Notes due 2025
On January 15, 2025 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Senior Notes) we redeemed, at our election, all of our outstanding Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of $150 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date using cash on hand, which also satisfied and discharged our obligations under the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Indenture.
Subordinated Notes due 2030 and 2035
On May 7, 2020, we completed a public offering of $50 million aggregate principal amount of 2030 Subordinated Notes and $150 million aggregate principal amount of 2035 Subordinated Notes with scheduled maturities on May 15, 2030 and May 15, 2035, respectively. The price to the public for the Subordinated Notes was 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and fees and expenses of $3.4 million, were $196.6 million.
On May 15, 2025, we redeemed, at our election, all of our outstanding 2030 Subordinated Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of $50 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the 2030 Subordinated Notes Redemption Date using cash on hand, which also satisfied and discharged our obligations under the 2030 Subordinated Notes and the First Supplemental Indenture .
We may redeem the 2035 Subordinated Notes, in whole or in part, from time to time, subject to obtaining Federal Reserve approval, beginning with the interest payment date of May 15, 2030 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Subordinated Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date of redemption.
The 2035 Subordinated Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on November 15, 2020. The interest rate for the 2035 Subordinated Notes will reset quarterly beginning May 15, 2030 to an interest rate, per year, equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which is expected to be three-month term SOFR rate plus 5.80%, payable quarterly in arrears. At December 31, 2025, $150.0 million of our Subordinated Notes was outstanding.
Regulatory Capital
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may prompt certain actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Under capital adequacy and regulatory requirements, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
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In order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments, stock repurchases and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, Basel III requires banking organizations to maintain a capital conservation buffer above minimum risk-based capital requirements measured relative to risk-weighted assets.
The following table shows PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s actual capital amounts and ratios in accordance with Basel III compared to the regulatory minimum capital requirements including conservation buffer ratio in effect at December 31, 2025 (dollars in thousands). Based on actual capital amounts and ratios shown in the following table, PlainsCapital’s ratios place it in the “well capitalized” (as defined) capital category under regulatory requirements.
Minimum Capital
Requirements Including
To Be Well
December 31, 2025
Conservation Buffer
Capitalized
Amount
Ratio
Ratio
Ratio
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):
PlainsCapital
Hilltop
Common equity Tier 1 capital
(to risk-weighted assets):
PlainsCapital
Hilltop
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
PlainsCapital
Hilltop
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):
PlainsCapital
Hilltop
We discuss regulatory capital requirements in more detail in Note 21 to our consolidated financial statements, as well as under the caption “Government Supervision and Regulation — Corporate — Capital Adequacy Requirements and BASEL III” set forth in Part I, Item I. of this Annual Report.
Banking Segment
Within our banking segment, our primary uses of cash are for customer withdrawals and extensions of credit as well as our borrowing costs and other operating expenses. Historically, high-profile bank failures have periodically increased market uncertainty and concerns associated with banking sector liquidity positions, increased regulatory scrutiny and underscored the importance of maintaining access to diverse sources of funding. Our corporate treasury group is responsible for continuously monitoring our liquidity position to ensure that our assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet our short-term and long-term cash requirements. Our goal is to manage our liquidity position in a manner such that we can meet our customers’ short-term and long-term deposit withdrawals and anticipated and unanticipated increases in loan demand without penalizing earnings. Funds invested in short-term marketable instruments, the continuous maturing of other interest-earning assets, cash flows from self-liquidating investments such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, the possible sale of available for sale securities, and the ability to securitize certain types of loans provide sources of liquidity from an asset perspective. The liability base provides sources of liquidity through deposits and the maturity structure of short-term borrowed funds. For short-term liquidity needs, we utilize federal fund lines of credit with correspondent banks, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings from the Federal Reserve and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions. For intermediate liquidity needs, we utilize from the FHLB. To supply liquidity over the longer term, we have access to brokered time deposits, term loans at the FHLB and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions.
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The above sources of liquidity allow the banking segment to meet increased liquidity demands without adversely affecting daily operations. The Bank’s borrowing capacity through access to secured funding sources is summarized in the following table (in millions). Available liquidity noted below does not include borrowing capacity available through the discount window at the Federal Reserve.
December 31,
FHLB capacity
Investment portfolio (available)
Fed deposits (excess daily requirements)
As previously discussed, during 2025, our overall deposit costs decreased, primarily due to lower rates on interest-bearing deposits on certain products and product tiers in conjunction with rate reductions by the Federal Reserve to lower the effective funds rate. During 2024, our deposit funding costs increased due to continued competition for liquidity to combat deposit outflows. During 2023, we began increasing interest-bearing deposit rates to address rising market interest rates and intense competition for liquidity to combat deposit outflows. We are continuing to actively manage our overall deposit funding costs and anticipate potential opportunities to further lower interest-bearing deposit rates. Future decisions on the cost of deposits will continue to be influenced by various factors including, but not limited to competitive pressures, broader economic conditions, future changes in the target range for the federal funds rate, customer behavior and our liquidity position at that time. At December 31, 2025, the Bank accessed and included approximately $100 million of core deposits on its balance sheet from our Hilltop Securities FDIC-insured sweep program. The Bank is not utilizing any of its FHLB borrowing capacity noted above through the use of short-term borrowings.
Within our banking segment, deposit flows are affected by the level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by competitors, the volatility of equity markets and other factors. An economic recovery and improved commercial real estate investment outlook may result in an outflow of deposits at an accelerated pace as customers utilize such available funds for expanded operations and investment opportunities. The Bank regularly evaluates its deposit products and pricing structures relative to the market to maintain competitiveness over time. Currently, the Bank is facing continued competition from bank and non-bank competitors for its deposit base and expects that its interest expense on certain deposits will continue to be driven by various factors, including competition as well as economic and market area factors.
The Bank’s 15 largest depositors, excluding Hilltop, Hilltop Securities and PrimeLending, collectively accounted for 16.02% of the Bank’s total deposits, and the Bank’s five largest depositors, excluding Hilltop, collectively accounted for 10.16% of the Bank’s total deposits at December 31, 2025. The loss of one or more of our largest Bank customers, or a significant decline in our deposit balances due to ordinary course fluctuations related to these customers’ businesses, could adversely affect our liquidity and might require us to raise deposit rates to attract new deposits, purchase federal funds or borrow funds on a short-term basis to replace such deposits.
Broker-Dealer Segment
The Hilltop Broker-Dealers finance their assets and operations primarily from their equity capital, short-term bank borrowings, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing client credit balances, correspondent deposits, securities lending arrangements, repurchase agreement financing, commercial paper issuances and other payables, subject to their respective compliance with broker-dealer net capital and customer protection rules. At December 31, 2025, Hilltop Securities had credit arrangements with two unaffiliated banks, with maximum aggregate commitments of up to $425.0 million. These credit arrangements are used to finance securities owned, securities held for correspondent accounts, receivables in customer margin accounts and underwriting activities. These credit arrangements are provided on an “as offered” basis and are not committed lines of credit. In addition, Hilltop Securities has committed revolving credit facilities with two unaffiliated banks, with aggregate availability of up to $125.0 million. At December 31, 2025, Hilltop Securities had no outstanding borrowings under its credit arrangements or its credit facilities.
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Hilltop Securities uses the net proceeds (after deducting related issuance expenses) from the sale of two commercial paper programs for general corporate purposes, including working capital and the funding of a portion of its securities inventories. The commercial paper notes (“CP Notes”) may be issued with maturities of 14 days to 270 days from the date of issuance. The CP Notes are issued under two separate programs, Series 2019-2 CP Notes and Series 2024-1 CP, in maximum aggregate amounts of $200 million and $300 million, respectively. The CP Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity or subject to voluntary prepayment and do not bear interest, but are sold at a discount to par. The CP Notes are secured by a pledge of collateral owned by Hilltop Securities.
As of December 31, 2025, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 145 days at a rate of 4.45%, with a weighted average remaining life of 67 days. At December 31, 2025, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $254.4 million, which was collateralized by securities held for Hilltop Securities accounts valued at $279.0 million.
Mortgage Origination Segment
PrimeLending funds the mortgage loans it originates through a warehouse line of credit maintained with the Bank which had a total commitment of $1.2 billion, of which $870.6 million was drawn at December 31, 2025. PrimeLending sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, historically with the majority with servicing released. As these mortgage loans are sold in the secondary market, PrimeLending pays down its warehouse line of credit with the Bank. In addition, PrimeLending has an available line of credit with an unaffiliated bank of up to $1.0 million, of which no borrowings were drawn at December 31, 2025.
PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”) which holds a controlling ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain ABAs. At
December 31, 2025, these ABAs had combined available lines of credit totaling $65.0 million, all of which was with the Bank, with outstanding borrowings of $31.6 million.
Other Material Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Guarantees
The following table presents information regarding other material contractual obligations at December 31, 2025 not previously discussed (in thousands). Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts, and the table below includes all leases that had commenced as of December 31, 2025.
Payments Due by Period
More than 1
3 Years or
1 year
Year but Less
More but Less
5 Years
or Less
than 3 Years
than 5 Years
or More
Total
Finance lease obligations
Operating lease obligations
Total
Additionally, in the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets.
Banking Segment
We enter into contractual loan commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of our commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards until the time of loan funding. We minimize our exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. We assess the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit and have recorded a liability related to such credit risk in our consolidated financial statements.
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Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third-party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. Our policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.
In the aggregate, the Bank had outstanding unused commitments to extend credit of $2.2 billion at December 31, 2025 and outstanding financial and performance standby letters of credit of $108.5 million at December 31, 2025.
Broker-Dealer Segment
The Hilltop Broker-Dealers execute, settle and finance various securities transactions that may expose the Hilltop Broker-Dealers to off-balance sheet risk in the event that a customer or counterparty does not fulfill its contractual obligations. Examples of such transactions include the sale of securities not yet purchased by customers or for the account of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, use of derivatives to support certain non-profit housing organization clients, clearing agreements between the Hilltop Broker-Dealers and various clearinghouses and broker-dealers, secured financing arrangements that involve pledged securities, and when-issued underwriting and purchase commitments.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which presently require us to measure financial position and operating results primarily in terms of historic dollars. Changes in the relative value of money due to inflation or recession are generally not considered. The primary effect of inflation on our operations is reflected in increased operating costs. Historically, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of a financial institution to a far greater degree than changes in the inflation rate. Inflationary pressures have moderated in recent periods with the inflation rate coming down from its peak with the expectation that there will be continued moderation of inflation during 2026. However, the impact and timing of tariffs and changes in trade policy add uncertainty to the inflation outlook. Furthermore, a prolonged period of inflation has, and could cause our costs, including compensation, occupancy and software costs, to increase, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have identified certain accounting estimates which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts and values as of the balance sheet dates may be materially different than the amounts and values reported due to the inherent uncertainty in the estimation process. Also, future amounts and values could differ materially from those estimates due to changes in values and circumstances after the balance sheet date. The critical accounting estimates, as summarized below, which we believe to be the most critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements relate to allowance for credit losses and goodwill and identifiable intangible assets.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses for loans represents management’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing loan portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods.
We employ a disciplined process and methodology to establish our allowance for credit losses that has two basic components: first, an asset-specific component involving individual loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans and the measurement of expected credit losses for such individual loans; and second, a pooled component for estimated expected credit losses for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics.
The credit loss estimation process for both on and off-balance sheet exposures involves procedures to appropriately consider the unique characteristics of our loan portfolio segments, which are further disaggregated into loan classes, the level at which credit risk is monitored. When computing allowance levels, credit loss assumptions are estimated using models that analyze loans according to credit risk ratings, loss history, delinquency status and other credit trends and risk characteristics, including current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. Significant variables that impact the modeled losses across our loan portfolios are the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, growth rates and unemployment rate assumptions. Future factors and forecasts may result in significant changes in the allowance and provision for (reversal of) credit losses in those future periods.
Credit quality is assessed and monitored by evaluating various attributes, such as credit risk ratings, historic loss experience, past due status and other credit trends and risk characteristics, including current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. The results of these continuous credit quality evaluations help form our underwriting criteria for new loans and also factor into the process for estimation of the allowance for credit losses. The allowance level is influenced by loan volumes, loan asset quality, delinquency status, historic loss experience and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions. The allowance for credit losses will primarily reflect estimated losses for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics, but will also consider individual loans that do not share risk characteristics with other loans.
In estimating the component of the allowance for credit losses for loans that share similar risk characteristics with other loans, such loans are segregated into loan classes. Loans are designated into loan classes based on loans pooled by product types and similar risk characteristics or areas of risk concentration. In determining the allowance for credit losses, we derive an estimated credit loss assumption from a model that categorizes loan pools based on loan type and internal risk rating or delinquency bucket.
When a loan moves to a substandard non-accrual or worse risk rating grade, it is removed from the collective evaluation allowance methodology and is subject to individual evaluation. A problem asset report is prepared for each loan in excess of a predetermined threshold and the net realizable value of the loan is determined. This value is compared to the appropriate loan basis (depending on whether the loan is a PCD loan or a non-PCD loan) to determine the required allowance for credit loss reserve amount.
Estimating the timing and amounts of future losses is subject to significant management judgment as these loss cash flows rely upon estimates such as default rates, loss severities, collateral valuations, the amounts and timing of principal payments (including any expected prepayments) or other factors that are reflective of current or future expected conditions. These estimates, in turn, depend on the duration of current overall economic conditions, industry, borrower, or portfolio specific conditions, the expected outcome of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, as well as, in certain circumstances, other economic factors, including the level of current and future real estate prices. All of these estimates and assumptions require significant management judgment and certain assumptions that are highly subjective. Model imprecision also exists in the allowance for credit losses estimation process due to the inherent time lag of available industry information and differences between expected and actual outcomes.
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The provision for (reversal of) credit losses recorded through earnings, and reduced by the charge-off of loan amounts, net of recoveries, is the amount necessary to maintain the allowance for credit losses at the amount of expected credit losses inherent within the loans held for investment portfolio. The amount of expense and the corresponding level of allowance for credit losses for loans are based on our evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other significant qualitative and quantitative factors. Refer to “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” and Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the methodology used in establishing the allowance and changes during the relevant period in the provision for (reversal of) credit losses.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets are initially recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and other intangible assets having an indefinite useful life are not amortized for financial statement purposes. In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets may be impaired, an interim impairment test would be required. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. We perform required annual impairment tests of our goodwill and other intangible assets as of October 1 st for our reportable business segments.
The goodwill impairment test requires us to make judgments and assumptions. The test consists of estimating the fair value of each reportable business segment based on valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow model using revenue and profit forecasts and recent industry transaction and trading multiples of our peers, and comparing those estimated fair values with the carrying values of the assets and liabilities of each business segment, which includes the allocated goodwill. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, we will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the business segment’s fair value; however, any loss recognized will not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that business segment.
This evaluation includes multiple assumptions, including estimated discounted cash flows and other estimates that may change over time. If future discounted cash flows become less than those projected by us, future impairment charges may become necessary that could have a materially adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition in the period in which the write-off occurs.
