Table of Contents
HOW
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 1-31987
Hilltop Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
84-1477939
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
organization)
6565 Hillcrest Avenue
Dallas, TX
75205
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(214) 855-2177
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
HTH
New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ⌧
Accelerated filer ◻
Non-accelerated filer ◻
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at April 22, 2022 was 79,439,118.
HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
3
Consolidated Statements of Operations
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
39
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
79
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
83
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
84
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits
85
2
HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
2,886,812
2,823,138
Federal funds sold
383
385
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes
128,408
221,740
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
256,991
118,262
Securities:
Trading, at fair value
471,763
647,998
Available for sale, at fair value, net (amortized cost of $1,526,614 and $2,148,635, respectively)
1,462,340
2,130,568
Held to maturity, at amortized cost, net (fair value of $949,034 and $276,296, respectively)
953,107
267,684
Equity, at fair value
225
250
2,887,435
3,046,500
Loans held for sale
1,643,994
1,878,190
Loans held for investment, net of unearned income
7,797,903
7,879,904
Allowance for credit losses
(91,185)
(91,352)
Loans held for investment, net
7,706,718
7,788,552
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables
1,610,352
1,672,946
Premises and equipment, net
198,906
204,438
Operating lease right-of-use assets
108,180
112,328
Mortgage servicing rights
100,475
86,990
Other assets
546,622
452,880
Goodwill
267,447
Other intangible assets, net
14,233
15,284
Total assets
18,356,956
18,689,080
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
4,694,592
4,577,183
Interest-bearing
7,972,110
8,240,894
Total deposits
12,666,702
12,818,077
Broker-dealer and clearing organization payables
1,397,836
1,477,300
Short-term borrowings
835,054
859,444
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
97,629
96,586
Notes payable
395,479
387,904
Operating lease liabilities
125,919
130,960
Other liabilities
347,742
369,606
Total liabilities
15,866,361
16,139,877
Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 13 and 14)
Stockholders' equity:
Hilltop stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized; 79,438,610 and 78,964,978 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively
794
790
Additional paid-in capital
1,275,649
1,274,446
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(80,565)
(10,219)
Retained earnings
1,267,415
1,257,014
Deferred compensation employee stock trust, net
744
752
Employee stock trust (5,234 and 5,749 shares, at cost, at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)
(104)
(115)
Total Hilltop stockholders' equity
2,463,933
2,522,668
Noncontrolling interests
26,662
26,535
Total stockholders' equity
2,490,595
2,549,203
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
Interest income:
Loans, including fees
90,408
104,277
Securities borrowed
8,817
28,972
Taxable
15,581
10,251
Tax-exempt
2,419
2,102
Other
2,312
1,321
Total interest income
119,537
146,923
Interest expense:
Deposits
4,193
7,741
Securities loaned
7,472
25,486
2,045
2,013
4,437
4,797
Junior subordinated debentures
—
562
1,399
642
Total interest expense
19,546
41,241
Net interest income
99,991
105,682
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses
115
(5,109)
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses
99,876
110,791
Noninterest income:
Net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income
110,894
267,080
Mortgage loan origination fees
32,062
43,155
Securities commissions and fees
37,146
38,314
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions
29,705
27,695
6,621
41,341
Total noninterest income
216,428
417,585
Noninterest expense:
Employees' compensation and benefits
200,019
270,353
Occupancy and equipment, net
24,766
24,429
Professional services
10,063
13,585
51,502
58,295
Total noninterest expense
286,350
366,662
Income before income taxes
29,954
161,714
Income tax expense
5,815
37,770
Net income
24,139
123,944
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
1,889
3,599
Income attributable to Hilltop
22,250
120,345
Earnings per common share:
Basic
0.28
1.46
Diluted
Weighted average share information:
79,114
82,169
79,356
82,657
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in fair value of cash flow and fair value hedges, net of tax of $2,103 and $505, respectively
21,877
6,035
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale, net of tax of $(10,677) and $(5,974), respectively
(35,543)
(20,241)
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income, net of tax of $3 and $(21), respectively
10
(71)
Adjustment for unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for sale to held-to-maturity, net of tax $(17,033) and $0, respectively
(56,690)
Comprehensive income (loss)
(46,207)
109,667
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Hilltop
(48,096)
106,068
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Accumulated
Deferred
Total
Additional
Compensation
Employee
Hilltop
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Retained
Employee Stock
Stock Trust
Stockholders’
Noncontrolling
Shares
Amount
Capital
Income (Loss)
Earnings
Trust, Net
Equity
Interest
Balance, December 31, 2020
82,185
822
1,317,929
17,763
986,792
771
(138)
2,323,939
26,708
2,350,647
Other comprehensive loss
(14,277)
Stock-based compensation expense
4,594
Common stock issued to board members
147
Issuance of common stock related to share-based awards, net
222
(748)
(746)
Repurchases of common stock
(150)
(1)
(2,404)
(2,545)
(4,950)
Dividends on common stock ($0.12 per share)
(9,865)
Deferred compensation plan
(19)
17
(2)
Net cash distributed to noncontrolling interest
(3,477)
Balance, March 31, 2021
82,261
823
1,319,518
3,486
1,094,727
(121)
2,419,185
26,830
2,446,015
Balance, December 31, 2021
78,965
(70,346)
5,114
152
469
(4,063)
(4,059)
Dividends on common stock ($0.15 per share)
(11,849)
(8)
11
(1,762)
Balance, March 31, 2022
79,439
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Operating Activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net
7,709
5,930
Deferred income taxes
2,664
1,424
Other, net
5,231
5,775
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell
(138,729)
(26,023)
Net change in trading securities
176,235
165,543
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables
289,274
(275,257)
Net change in other assets
(53,745)
(97,606)
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization payables
(129,753)
171,709
Net change in other liabilities
(20,854)
(13,289)
Net change in securities sold, not yet purchased
1,043
17,266
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights asset
1,876
52,783
Change in valuation of mortgage servicing rights asset
(8,060)
(16,865)
Net gains from sales of loans
(110,894)
(267,080)
Loans originated for sale
(3,968,559)
(6,960,572)
Proceeds from loans sold
4,310,942
7,431,243
Net cash provided by operating activities
388,634
313,816
Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of securities held to maturity
22,851
11,707
Proceeds from sales, maturities and principal reductions of securities available for sale
94,687
249,628
Purchases of securities available for sale
(256,887)
(531,701)
Net change in loans held for investment
(142,451)
(29,151)
Purchases of premises and equipment and other assets
(1,380)
(8,341)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and other real estate owned
843
867
Net cash paid to Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
(143)
(35)
Net cash used in investing activities
(282,480)
(307,026)
Financing Activities
Net change in deposits
(101,086)
496,605
Net change in short-term borrowings
(24,334)
(18,834)
Proceeds from notes payable
200,416
239,020
Payments on notes payable and junior subordinated debentures
(192,955)
(219,401)
Payments to repurchase common stock
Dividends paid on common stock
(4,244)
(913)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(135,814)
478,185
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(29,660)
484,975
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
3,045,263
1,353,303
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
3,015,603
1,838,278
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash to Consolidated Balance Sheets
1,564,489
396
273,393
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest
14,862
37,095
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
1,322
1,622
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Activities
Conversion of loans to other real estate owned
53
461
Additions to mortgage services rights
7,301
34,301
Carrying amount of AFS securities transferred to HTM, net of $73,722 unrealized loss
708,701
Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Subsidiaries
1. Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies
Nature of Operations
Hilltop Holdings Inc. (“Hilltop” and, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company’s primary line of business is to provide business and consumer banking services from offices located throughout Texas through PlainsCapital Bank (the “Bank”). In addition, the Company provides an array of financial products and services through its broker-dealer and mortgage origination subsidiaries.
The Company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides its products and services through two primary business units, PlainsCapital Corporation (“PCC”) and Hilltop Securities Holdings LLC (“Securities Holdings”). PCC is a financial holding company that provides, through its subsidiaries, traditional banking, wealth and investment management and treasury management services primarily in Texas and residential mortgage lending throughout the United States. 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.
As a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and its additional variants, economic uncertainties have contributed to significant volatility in the global economy, as well as banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates. The effects of COVID-19 have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on the financial markets and overall economic conditions on an unprecedented scale. The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of COVID-19. COVID-19 presents uncertainty which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021 Form 10-K”). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year or any future period.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates regarding the allowance for credit losses, the fair values of financial instruments, the mortgage loan indemnification liability, and the potential impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are particularly subject to change. The Company has applied its critical accounting policies and estimation methods consistently in all periods presented in these 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.
Hilltop owns 100% of the outstanding stock of PCC. PCC owns 100% of the outstanding stock of the Bank and 100% of the membership interest in Hilltop Opportunity Partners LLC, a merchant bank utilized to facilitate investments in companies engaged in non-financial activities. The Bank owns 100% of the outstanding stock of PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (“PrimeLending”).
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”), which holds an ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”).
PCC also owned 100% of the outstanding common securities of PCC Statutory Trusts I, II, III and IV (the “Trusts”), which were not included in the consolidated financial statements under the requirements of the Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) Subsections of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) because the primary beneficiaries of the Trusts are not within the consolidated group. Following receipt of regulatory approval, during June, July and August 2021, PCC submitted to the trustees of each of the Trusts notices to redeem in full outstanding junior subordinated debentures of $67.0 million issued by PCC, which resulted in the full redemption to the holders of the associated preferred securities and common securities during the third quarter of 2021. For further details, see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
Hilltop has a 100% membership interest in Securities Holdings, which operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hilltop Securities Inc. (“Hilltop Securities”), Momentum Independent Network Inc. (“Momentum Independent Network” and collectively with Hilltop Securities, the “Hilltop Broker-Dealers”) and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC. Hilltop Securities is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Momentum Independent Network is an introducing broker-dealer that is also registered with the SEC and FINRA. Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC are registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
In addition, Hilltop owns 100% of the membership interest in each of HTH Hillcrest Project LLC (“HTH Project LLC”) and Hilltop Investments I, LLC. Hilltop Investments I, LLC owns 50% of the membership interest in HTH Diamond Hillcrest Land LLC (“Hillcrest Land LLC”) which is consolidated under the aforementioned VIE Subsections of the ASC. These entities are related to the Hilltop Plaza investment discussed in detail in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K and are collectively referred to as the “Hilltop Plaza Entities.”
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the above-named entities. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Noncontrolling interests have been recorded for minority ownership in entities that are not wholly owned and are presented in compliance with the provisions of Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiary Subsections of the ASC.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform with the current period presentation. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, subsequent events were evaluated through the time the financial statements were issued. Financial statements are considered issued when they are widely distributed to all stockholders and other financial statement users, or filed with the SEC.
Significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted During 2022
In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-01 to expand and clarify the guidance on fair value hedge accounting of interest rate risk for portfolios of financial assets. ASU 2022-01 amends the guidance in ASU 2017-12 that, among other things, established the “last-of-layer” method for making the fair value hedge accounting for these portfolios more accessible. The amendment further improves the last-of-layer (renamed the “portfolio layer”) concepts to expand to nonprepayable financial assets and allows more flexibility in the derivative structures used to hedge the interest rate risk. For entities that have already adopted ASU 2017-12 this update is available for immediate adoption. As permitted within
9
the amendment, the Company elected to early adopt the provisions as of April 1, 2022 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In March 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-02 to eliminate the recognition and measurement guidance on troubled debt restructurings for creditors, and require enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The amendments are effective in periods beginning after December 15, 2022 using either a prospective or modified retrospective transition. Early adoption of certain or all of the amendments is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the amendments and the impact on its future consolidated financial statements.
3. Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
The Company determines fair values in compliance with The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the ASC (the “Fair Value Topic”). The Fair Value Topic defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Fair Value Topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Fair Value Topic assumes that transactions upon which fair value measurements are based occur in the principal market for the asset or liability being measured. Further, fair value measurements made under the Fair Value Topic exclude transaction costs and are not the result of forced transactions.
The Fair Value Topic includes a fair value hierarchy that classifies fair value measurements based upon the inputs used in valuing the assets or liabilities that are the subject of fair value measurements. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs, as indicated below.
Fair Value Option
The Company has elected to measure substantially all of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale and the retained mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) asset at fair value, under the provisions of the Fair Value Option. The Company elected to apply the provisions of the Fair Value Option to these items so that it would have the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the aggregate fair value of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale accounted for under the Fair Value Option was $1.54 billion and $1.78 billion, respectively, and the unpaid principal balance of those loans was $1.53 billion and $1.73 billion, respectively. The interest component of fair value is reported as interest income on loans in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Company holds a number of financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, either by the application of the Fair Value Option or other authoritative pronouncements. The fair values of those instruments are determined primarily using Level 2 inputs, as further described below. Those inputs include quotes from mortgage loan investors and derivatives dealers and data from independent pricing services. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using an exit price method.
The following tables present information regarding financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands).
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
March 31, 2022
Inputs
Fair Value
Trading securities
6,973
464,790
Available for sale securities
Equity securities
1,490,589
45,977
1,536,566
Loans held for investment
9,611
Derivative assets
108,449
MSR asset
Securities sold, not yet purchased
54,337
43,292
Derivative liabilities
39,360
December 31, 2021
8,628
639,370
1,734,875
47,716
1,782,591
48,122
45,973
50,613
21,816
The following tables include a rollforward for those financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs (in thousands).
Total Gains or Losses
(Realized or Unrealized)
Balance,
Transfers
Included in Other
Beginning of
Purchases/
Sales/
to (from)
Included in
Period
Additions
Reductions
Net Income
End of Period
Three months ended March 31, 2022
6,986
(12,658)
4,744
(811)
(1,876)
8,060
134,706
23,898
(14,534)
7,249
156,063
Three months ended March 31, 2021
71,816
12,494
(7,239)
741
(537)
77,275
143,742
(52,783)
16,865
142,125
215,558
46,795
(60,022)
16,328
219,400
All net realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the tables above are reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The unrealized gains (losses) relate to financial instruments still held at March 31, 2022.
For material Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows.
Range (Weighted-Average)
Financial instrument
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Inputs
Market comparable
Projected price
93
-
94
%
(
%)
95
Discounted cash flows
Constant prepayment rate
8.47
10.02
Discount rate
14.36
14.32
The fair value of certain loans held for sale that cannot be sold through normal sale channels or are non-performing is measured using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of such loans is generally based upon estimates of expected cash flows using unobservable inputs, including listing prices of comparable assets, uncorroborated expert opinions, and/or management’s knowledge of underlying collateral.
The MSR asset is reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The MSR asset is valued by projecting net servicing cash flows, which are then discounted to estimate the fair value. The fair value of the MSR asset is impacted by a variety of factors. Prepayment and discount rates, the most significant unobservable inputs, are discussed further in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. The decrease in the prepayment rate used to value the MSR asset at March 31, 2022, compared to December 31, 2021, reflects the effect of increased mortgage rates reducing consumer refinancing activity.
The Company had no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the periods presented. Any transfers are based on changes in the observability and/or significance of the valuation inputs and are assumed to occur at the beginning of the quarterly reporting period in which they occur.
The following table presents those changes in fair value of instruments recognized in the consolidated statements of operations that are accounted for under the Fair Value Option (in thousands).
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Net
Noninterest
Changes in
Gains (Losses)
Income
(50,855)
(67,956)
Loans held for investments
The Fair Value of Financial Instruments Subsection of the ASC requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, including the financial assets and liabilities previously discussed. There have been no changes to the methods for determining estimated fair value for financial assets and liabilities as described in detail in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
12
The following tables present the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis (in thousands).
Estimated Fair Value
Carrying
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
2,887,195
Held to maturity securities
949,034
107,428
7,697,107
506,513
7,224,947
7,731,460
71,616
69,909
1,707
Financial liabilities:
12,659,980
Debt
8,688
2,823,523
276,296
95,599
733,193
7,266,732
7,999,925
73,041
71,290
1,751
12,821,138
3,944
The Company held equity investments other than securities of $64.3 million and $54.0 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are included within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Of the $64.3 million of such equity investments held at March 31, 2022, $28.0 million do not have readily determinable fair values and each is measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The following table presents the adjustments to the carrying value of these investments during the periods presented (in thousands).
Balance, beginning of period
16,817
22,844
Additional investments
11,000
Upward adjustments
214
121
Impairments and downward adjustments
(45)
(60)
Balance, end of period
27,986
22,905
13
4. Securities
The fair value of trading securities is summarized as follows (in thousands).
U.S. Treasury securities
2,048
3,728
U.S. government agencies:
Bonds
17,504
3,410
Residential mortgage-backed securities
88,066
152,093
Collateralized mortgage obligations
134,670
126,389
Corporate debt securities
79,605
60,671
States and political subdivisions
130,903
285,376
Private-label securitized product
13,724
11,377
5,243
4,954
Totals
In addition to the securities shown above, 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 obligations 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 $97.6 million and $96.6 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale and held to maturity securities are summarized as follows (in thousands).
Available for Sale
Amortized
Unrealized
Cost
Gains
Losses
24,916
(446)
24,470
42,751
515
(397)
42,869
511,749
1,338
(20,788)
492,299
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
166,003
74
(16,098)
149,979
739,554
261
(27,231)
712,584
41,641
404
(1,906)
40,139
1,526,614
2,592
(66,866)
14,937
(75)
43,448
838
(153)
44,133
900,084
7,979
(9,617)
898,446
219,460
367
(9,128)
210,699
926,783
2,547
(12,464)
916,866
43,923
1,839
(200)
45,562
2,148,635
13,570
(31,637)
14
Held to Maturity
325,023
(50)
324,982
207,145
268
(898)
206,515
353,954
1
(1,147)
352,808
66,985
307
(2,563)
64,729
585
(4,658)
9,892
400
10,292
145,742
5,311
151,053
43,990
476
44,466
68,060
2,428
(3)
70,485
8,615
Additionally, the Company had unrealized net gains of $0.2 million at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 from equity securities with fair values of $0.2 million held at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The Company recognized nominal net losses and gains during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, due to changes in the fair value of equity securities still held at the balance sheet date. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, net losses and gains recognized from equity securities sold were nominal.
The Company transferred certain agency-issued securities from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity portfolio on March 31, 2022 having a book value of approximately $782 million and a market value of approximately $708 million. As of the date of transfer, the related pre-tax net unrecognized losses of approximately $74 million within the accumulated other comprehensive loss balance are being amortized over the remaining term of the securities using the effective interest method. This transfer was completed after careful consideration of the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Factors used in assessing the ability to hold these securities to maturity were future liquidity needs and sources of funding.
15
Information regarding available for sale and held to maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position is shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands).
Number of
Securities
U.S. treasury securities:
Unrealized loss for less than twelve months
446
75
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer
Bonds:
9,664
335
9,904
6,116
62
6,184
59
15,780
397
16,088
153
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
72
454,914
15,871
52
548,392
6,915
24
195,127
4,917
104,378
2,702
96
650,041
20,788
69
652,770
9,617
Commercial mortgage-backed securities:
87,051
9,222
65,636
1,776
50,908
6,876
138,619
7,352
137,959
16,098
19
204,255
9,128
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
106
762,632
25,447
618,464
11,316
76,562
1,784
62,647
1,148
119
839,194
27,231
82
681,111
12,464
States and political subdivisions:
28
15,072
1,304
5,576
200
2,124
602
34
17,196
1,906
Total available for sale:
218
1,353,803
52,625
1,262,834
20,376
49
330,837
14,241
42
311,828
11,261
267
1,684,640
66,866
189
1,574,662
31,637
5,318
50
88,404
898
18
38,027
1,147
104
38,828
2,524
558
228
266
105
39,056
2,563
824
Total held to maturity:
140
170,577
4,619
141
170,805
4,658
16
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The amortized cost and fair value of securities, excluding trading and equity securities, at March 31, 2022 are shown by contractual maturity below (in thousands).
Due in one year or less
21,653
21,538
275
Due after one year through five years
36,299
35,934
897
Due after five years through ten years
17,304
17,539
16,014
15,865
Due after ten years
34,052
32,467
49,799
47,691
109,308
107,478
The Company recognized net losses of $11.5 million and net gains of $8.7 million from its trading portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers realized net gains from structured product trading activities of $6.7 million and $44.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company had nominal other realized gains on securities during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and $0.1 million in other realized losses on securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021. All such realized gains and losses are recorded as a component of other noninterest income within the consolidated statements of operations.
Securities with a carrying amount of $868.3 million and $809.9 million (with a fair value of $839.6 million and $817.7 million, respectively) at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, were pledged by the Bank to secure public and trust deposits, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law. Substantially all of these pledged securities were included in the available for sale and held to maturity securities portfolios at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations consist primarily of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) pass-through and participation certificates. GNMA securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States, while FNMA and FHLMC securities are fully guaranteed by those respective United States government-sponsored enterprises, and conditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
5. Loans Held for Investment
The Bank originates loans to customers primarily in Texas. Although the Bank has diversified loan and leasing portfolios and, generally, holds collateral against amounts advanced to customers, its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is substantially dependent upon the general economic conditions of the region and of the industries in which its debtors operate, which consist primarily of agribusiness, construction, energy, real estate and wholesale/retail trade. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers make loans to customers and correspondents through transactions originated by both employees and independent retail representatives throughout the United States. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers control risk by requiring customers to maintain collateral in compliance with various regulatory and internal guidelines, which may vary based upon market conditions. Securities owned by customers and held as collateral for loans are not included in the consolidated financial statements.
Loans held for investment summarized by portfolio segment are as follows (in thousands).
Commercial real estate
3,105,734
3,042,729
Commercial and industrial (1)
1,820,476
1,875,420
Construction and land development
942,929
892,783
1-4 family residential
1,394,334
1,303,430
Consumer
27,917
32,349
Broker-dealer (2)
Total loans held for investment, net of allowance
The following table provides details associated with non-accrual loans, excluding those classified as held for sale (in thousands).
Non-accrual Loans
Interest Income Recognized
With
With No
Allowance
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
408
868
1,276
413
1,853
2,266
97
Owner occupied
3,036
1,841
4,877
3,058
1,277
4,335
90
Commercial and industrial
13,140
5,346
18,486
16,536
5,942
22,478
188
143
1,072
15,784
16,856
902
17,306
18,208
421
924
21
23
Broker-dealer
17,678
23,839
41,517
20,934
26,378
47,312
796
1,246
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $1.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively, of real estate loans secured by residential properties and classified as held for sale were in non-accrual status.
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis decreased from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022, by $5.8 million. The change in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to decreases in commercial and industrial loans of $4.0 million, 1-4 family residential loans of $1.4 million, and commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans of $1.0 million, partially offset by an increase in real estate owner occupied loans of $0.5 million. The respective decreases in commercial and industrial loans and commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans in non-accrual status since December 31, 2021 were primarily due to principal paydowns associated with four relationships.
The Company considers non-accrual loans to be collateral-dependent unless there are underlying mitigating circumstances. The practical expedient to measure the allowance using the fair value of the collateral has been implemented.
The Bank classifies loan modifications as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) when it concludes that it has both granted a concession to a debtor and that the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. Loan modifications are typically structured to create affordable payments for the debtor and can be achieved in a variety of ways. The Bank modifies loans by reducing interest rates and/or lengthening loan amortization schedules. The Bank may also reconfigure a single loan into two or more loans (“A/B Note”). The typical A/B Note restructure results in a “bad” loan which is charged off and a “good” loan or loans, the terms of which comply with the Bank’s customary underwriting policies. The debt charged off on the “bad” loan is not forgiven to the debtor.
In March 2020, the CARES Act was passed, which, among other things, allows the Bank to suspend the requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR, including the related impairment for accounting purposes. On
December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 was signed into law. Section 541 of this legislation, “Extension of Temporary Relief From Troubled Debt Restructurings and Insurer Clarification,” extended certain relief provisions from the CARES Act to January 1, 2022. The Bank’s COVID-19 payment deferral programs allowed for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on maturity date of the existing loan.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 there was one TDR granted with a balance at date of extension of $0.6 million and a balance at March 31, 2022 of $0.6 million, while there were no TDRs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that do not qualify for the CARES Act exemption. The Bank had no unadvanced commitments to borrowers whose loans had been restructured in TDRs at March 31, 2022 and nominal commitments to such borrowers at December 31, 2021. There were no TDRs granted during the twelve months preceding March 31, 2022 and 2021 for which a payment was at least 30 days past due.
An analysis of the aging of the Company’s loan portfolio is shown in the following tables (in thousands).
Accruing Loans
Loans Past Due
Total Past
Current
Past Due
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days or More
Due Loans
Loans
199
1,812,273
1,812,472
672
113
2,265
3,050
1,290,212
1,293,262
4,495
67
12,274
16,836
1,803,640
7,355
956
5,269
13,580
1,380,754
100
122
20
239
27,678
12,644
1,233
20,027
33,904
7,763,999
117
1,173
1,290
1,728,409
1,729,699
590
688
2,273
3,551
1,309,479
1,313,030
1,059
277
13,640
14,976
1,860,444
946
891,837
7,642
2,738
4,842
15,222
1,288,208
123
22
167
32,182
10,477
3,725
21,950
36,152
7,843,752
101
In addition to the loans shown in the tables above, PrimeLending had $87.4 million and $60.7 million of loans included in loans held for sale (with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $88.3 million and $61.7 million, respectively) that were 90 days past due and accruing interest at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. These loans are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and include loans that are subject to repurchase, or have been repurchased, by PrimeLending.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company allowed modifications, such as payment deferrals for up to 90 days and temporary forbearance, to credit-worthy borrowers who are experiencing temporary hardship due to the effects of COVID-19. These short-term modifications generally meet the criteria of the CARES Act and, therefore, they are not reported as past due or placed on non-accrual status (provided the loans were not past due or on non-accrual status prior to the deferral). The Company elected to accrue and recognize interest income on these modifications during the payment deferral period.
Additionally, the Company granted temporary forbearance to borrowers of a federally backed mortgage loan experiencing financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, which among other things, established the ability for financial institutions to grant a forbearance for up to 180 days, which can be extended for an additional 180-day period upon the request of the borrower. During that time, no fees, penalties or interest beyond the amounts scheduled or calculated as if the borrower made all contractual payments on time and in full under the mortgage contract will accrue on the borrower’s account. As of March 31, 2022, PrimeLending had $37.4 million of loans subject to repurchase under a forbearance agreement related to delinquencies on or after April 1, 2020.
Management tracks credit quality trends on a quarterly basis related to: (i) past due levels, (ii) non-performing asset levels, (iii) classified loan levels, and (iv) general economic conditions in state and local markets. The Company defines classified loans as loans with a risk rating of substandard, doubtful or loss. There have been no changes to the risk rating internal grades utilized for commercial loans as described in detail in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
The following table presents loans held for investment grouped by asset class and credit quality indicator, segregated by year of origination or renewal (in thousands).
Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
2017 and
2020
2019
2018
Prior
Revolving
Commercial real estate: non-owner occupied
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)
46,615
21,875
15,853
4,698
8,920
11,687
109,648
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)
95,564
315,087
171,618
99,716
48,529
73,652
43,970
848,136
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)
61,069
218,841
174,513
111,858
79,166
121,205
1,357
768,009
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)
3,093
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)
14,671
23,918
4,148
15,352
9,159
15,062
82,310
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)
407
869
Commercial real estate: owner occupied
10,579
107,384
58,612
14,701
24,999
66,334
4,902
287,511
40,171
196,366
98,866
95,547
81,919
82,779
17,853
613,501
24,342
83,691
101,623
37,621
69,770
36,185
880
354,112
579
8,939
1,940
6,788
15,015
33,261
634
1,535
(4)
340
2,372
11,989
39,228
23,278
26,431
5,590
9,029
105,205
220,750
68,770
125,092
76,928
21,534
18,220
20,850
315,926
647,320
28,620
98,569
66,526
24,775
9,771
8,719
273,923
510,903
2,454
11,835
4,552
5,405
7,210
7,202
38,658
184
3,228
14,239
348
472
6,065
11,647
36,455
3,120
1,550
3,223
62,061
78,010
301,661
100,930
14,959
3,033
3,556
37,517
539,666
70,820
171,810
30,082
5,002
749
1,690
34,941
315,094
1,369
27
5,299
6,695
Construction and land development - individuals
FICO less than 620
FICO between 620 and 720
179
1,004
2,505
FICO greater than 720
5,387
9,105
56
14,548
Substandard non-accrual
Other (1)
1,516
2,359
548
458
608
3,585
24,556
240
29,995
8,914
15,083
9,742
6,563
7,038
30,351
2,746
80,437
85,058
800,097
116,004
49,919
29,163
59,967
3,598
1,143,806
(5)
791
271
15,799
17,246
81,074
8,941
5,675
3,468
6,447
389
123,240
150
285
352
360
2,250
1,859
2,648
797
679
91
471
1,961
8,506
2,742
2,675
1,799
645
163
3,042
11,080
1,960
2,926
568
293
258
6,060
Total loans with credit quality measures
683,114
2,642,018
1,133,090
550,462
419,100
622,976
856,271
6,907,031
Commercial and industrial (mortgage warehouse lending)
337,097
Commercial and industrial (Paycheck Protection Program loans)
37,651
Commercial and industrial (loans accounted for at fair value)
Broker-Dealer (margin loans and correspondent receivables)
Total loans held for investment
(1) Loans classified in this category were assigned a FICO score based on various factors specific to the borrower for credit modeling purposes.
6. Allowance for Credit Losses
Available for Sale Securities and Held to Maturity Securities
The Company has evaluated available for sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position and has determined that any decline in value is 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 March 31, 2022. In addition, as of March 31, 2022, the Company had not made a decision to sell any of its debt securities held, nor did the Company consider it more likely than not that it would be required to sell such securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The Company does not expect to have credit losses associated with the debt securities and no allowance was recognized on the debt securities portfolio at transition.
Loans Held for Investment
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. Management’s methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses uses the current expected credit losses (“CECL”) standard. Management considers the level of allowance for credit losses to be a reasonable and supportable estimate of expected credit losses inherent within the loans held for investment portfolio as of March 31, 2022. While the Company believes it has an appropriate allowance for the existing loan portfolio at March 31, 2022, additional provision for losses on existing loans may be necessary in the future. 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. In addition to the allowance for credit losses, the Company maintains a separate allowance for credit losses related to off-balance sheet credit exposures, including unfunded loan commitments, and this amount is included in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. For further information on the policies that govern the estimation of the allowances for credit losses levels, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating the Company’s allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. To determine our best estimate of expected credit losses as of March 31, 2022, the Company utilized a single macroeconomic alternative scenario, or S7, published by Moody’s Analytics in March 2022 that was updated to reflect the U.S. economic outlook. This alternative economic scenario expects the economy to continue to grow in 2022 as the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine resolves itself in the baseline scenario, except inflation continues to trend higher than expectation as supply-chain issues and tight labor market conditions persist during the reasonable and supportable period. Federal Reserve monetary policy raises interest rates faster and higher than the baseline scenario where the federal funds rate increases to 1.4% by the end of 2022 and 3.1% by the end of 2023. Other 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. Changes in these assumptions and forecasts of economic conditions could significantly affect the estimate of expected credit losses at the balance sheet date or between reporting periods.
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted financial markets and overall economic conditions, and may continue to have implications on borrowers across our lending portfolios. Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic uncertainties, as well as its potential impact on borrower defaults and loss severity. In particular, macroeconomic conditions and forecasts are rapidly changing and remain highly uncertain.
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the allowance was primarily comprised of a net reversal of credit losses on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans of $6.5 million primarily due to improvements in the macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter, partially offset by slower prepayment assumptions on certain commercial real estate and construction and land portfolios, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses on individually evaluated loans of $1.4 million primarily related to changes in risk rating grades and updated realizable values. The change in the allowance for credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan growth, loan mix, and changes in qualitative
factors from the prior quarter. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was also impacted by net recoveries of $0.6 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase in the allowance reflected a slower U.S. economic outlook since the prior quarter, significantly offset by decreases in specific reserves and positive risk rating grade migration. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a provision for credit losses of $0.3 million, while collectively evaluated loans included a reversal of credit losses of $0.2 million. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the current period were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, changes in loan balances and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The changes in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were also impacted by net charge-offs of $0.3 million.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment, are shown below (in thousands).
Provision for
Recoveries on
(Reversal of)
Charged Off
End of
Credit Losses
59,354
975
32
60,361
21,982
(1,550)
(1,209)
907
20,130
4,674
841
5,515
4,589
(247)
(15)
4,340
578
(69)
(113)
103
499
175
165
91,352
(1,337)
1,055
91,185
109,629
(5,517)
104,126
27,703
556
(179)
433
28,513
6,677
572
3,946
(857)
(110)
409
3,388
876
71
(79)
76
944
213
66
279
149,044
(368)
932
144,499
Unfunded Loan Commitments
The Bank uses a process similar to that used in estimating the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion to estimate the allowance for credit loss on unfunded loan commitments. 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. The expected losses on unfunded commitments align with statistically calculated parameters used to calculate the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. There is no reserve calculated for letters of credit as 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).
5,880
8,388
Other noninterest expense
607
419
6,487
8,807
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to increases in available commitment balances, while during the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to increases in both loan expected loss rates and available commitment balances.
7. Mortgage Servicing Rights
The following tables present the changes in fair value of the Company’s MSR asset and other information related to the serviced portfolio (dollars in thousands).
Sales
Changes in fair value:
Due to changes in model inputs or assumptions (1)
10,856
24,137
Due to customer payoffs
(2,796)
(7,272)
Mortgage loans serviced for others (2)
6,432,236
6,355,927
MSR asset as a percentage of serviced mortgage loans
1.56
1.37
The key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the Company’s MSR asset were as follows.
Weighted average constant prepayment rate
Weighted average discount rate
Weighted average life (in years)
7.8
7.1
A sensitivity analysis of the fair value of the Company’s MSR asset to certain key assumptions is presented in the following table (in thousands).
Constant prepayment rate:
Impact of 10% adverse change
(1,047)
(2,603)
Impact of 20% adverse change
(2,289)
(5,315)
Discount rate:
(5,025)
(4,070)
(9,556)
(7,753)
This sensitivity analysis presents the effect of hypothetical changes in key assumptions on the fair value of the MSR asset. The effect of such hypothetical change in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in one key assumption to the change in the fair value of the MSR asset is not linear. In addition, in the analysis, the impact of an adverse change in one key assumption is calculated independent of any impact on other assumptions. In reality, changes in one assumption may change another assumption.
Contractually specified servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned of $8.5 million and $16.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were included in net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income within the consolidated statements of operations.
8. Deposits
Deposits are summarized as follows (in thousands).
Noninterest-bearing demand
Interest-bearing:
Demand accounts
3,198,506
3,270,522
Brokered - demand
101,058
114,393
Money market
3,277,619
3,433,341
Brokered - money market
103,998
98,614
Savings
356,036
345,795
Time
919,416
962,752
Brokered - time
15,477
At March 31, 2022, remaining maturities of uninsured time deposits greater than $250,000 were $416.3 million.
9. Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows (in thousands).
Federal funds purchased
286,550
171,925
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
168,445
191,547
Federal Home Loan Bank
Short-term bank loans
25,500
142,000
Commercial paper
354,559
353,972
Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature one to ninety days from the transaction date, on demand, or on some other short-term basis. The Bank and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers execute transactions to sell securities under agreements to repurchase with both customers and other broker-dealers. Securities involved in these transactions are held by the Bank, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers or a third-party dealer.
Information concerning federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase is shown in the following tables (dollars in thousands).
Average balance during the period
429,000
367,313
Average interest rate during the period
0.34
0.36
Average interest rate at end of period
0.38
0.31
Securities underlying the agreements at end of period:
Carrying value
268,423
191,483
Estimated fair value
281,993
205,734
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)
FHLB short-term borrowings mature over terms not exceeding 365 days and are collateralized by FHLB Dallas stock, nonspecified real estate loans and certain specific commercial real estate loans. The Company had no FHLB short-term borrowings during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
Short-Term Bank Loans
The Hilltop Broker-Dealers use short-term bank loans periodically to finance securities owned, margin loans to customers and correspondents and underwriting activities. Interest on the borrowings varies with the federal funds rate. The weighted average interest rate on the borrowings at March 31, 2022 was 1.50%.
Commercial Paper
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 2019-1 CP Notes and Series 2019-2 CP Notes, in maximum aggregate amounts of $300 million and $200 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 March 31, 2022, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 143 days at a rate of 1.17%, with a weighted average remaining life of 77 days. At March 31, 2022, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $354.6 million, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $381.4 million.
25
10. Notes Payable
Notes payable consisted of the following (in thousands).
Senior Notes due April 2025, net of discount of $840 and $886, respectively
149,160
149,114
Subordinated Notes due May 2030, net of discount of $681 and $704, respectively
49,319
49,296
Subordinated Notes due May 2035, net of discount of $2,175 and $2,220, respectively
147,825
147,780
Ventures Management lines of credit
49,175
41,714
11. Leases
Supplemental balance sheet information related to finance leases is as follows (in thousands).
Finance leases:
Premises and equipment
7,780
Accumulated depreciation
(5,505)
(5,358)
2,275
2,422
The components of lease costs, including short-term lease costs, are as follows (in thousands).
Operating lease cost
9,606
9,718
Less operating lease and sublease income
(569)
(339)
Net operating lease cost
9,037
9,379
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of ROU assets
Interest on lease liabilities
124
134
Total finance lease cost
281
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands).
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
9,767
9,240
Operating cash flows from finance leases
125
Financing cash flows from finance leases
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases
6,334
Finance leases
Information regarding the lease terms and discount rates of the Company’s leases is as follows.
Weighted Average
Remaining Lease
Lease Classification
Term (Years)
Discount Rate
Operating
5.8
3.83
5.9
3.89
Finance
4.6
4.85
4.8
4.84
26
Future minimum lease payments under lease agreements as of March 31, 2022, are presented below (in thousands).
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
17,946
2023
31,250
1,280
2024
22,980
1,163
2025
16,648
886
2026
13,487
813
Thereafter
38,805
598
Total minimum lease payments
141,116
5,672
Less amount representing interest
(15,197)
(1,687)
Lease liabilities
3,985
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had additional operating leases that have not yet commenced with aggregate future minimum lease payments of approximately $0.9 million. These operating leases commenced in April 2022 with lease terms ranging from three to five years.
12. Income Taxes
The Company applies an estimated annual effective rate to interim period pre-tax income to calculate the income tax provision for the quarter in accordance with the principal method prescribed by the accounting guidance established for computing income taxes in interim periods. The Company’s effective tax rates were 19.4% and 23.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was lower than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the discrete impact of restricted stock vesting during the quarter.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
The Company is subject to loss contingencies related to litigation, claims, investigations and legal and administrative cases and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company evaluates these contingencies based on information currently available, including advice of counsel. The Company establishes accruals for those matters when a loss contingency is considered probable and the related amount is reasonably estimable. Any accruals are periodically reviewed and may be adjusted as circumstances change. A portion of the Company’s exposure with respect to loss contingencies may be offset by applicable insurance coverage. In determining the amounts of any accruals or estimates of possible loss contingencies, the Company does not take into account the availability of insurance coverage. When it is practicable, the Company estimates loss contingencies for possible litigation and claims, whether or not there is an accrued probable loss. When the Company is able to estimate such probable losses, and when it estimates that it is reasonably possible it could incur losses in excess of amounts accrued, the Company is required to make a disclosure of the aggregate estimation. As available information changes, however, the matters for which the Company is able to estimate, as well as the estimates themselves, will be adjusted accordingly.
Assessments of litigation and claims exposures are difficult due to many factors that involve inherent unpredictability. Those factors include the following: the varying stages of the proceedings, particularly in the early stages; unspecified, unsupported, or uncertain damages; damages other than compensatory, such as punitive damages; a matter presenting meaningful legal uncertainties, including novel issues of law; multiple defendants and jurisdictions; whether discovery has begun or is complete; whether meaningful settlement discussions have commenced; and whether the claim involves a class action and if so, how the class is defined. As a result of some of these factors, the Company may be unable to estimate reasonably possible losses with respect to some or all of the pending and threatened litigation and claims asserted against the Company.
The Company is involved in information-gathering requests and investigations (both formal and informal), as well as reviews, examinations and proceedings (collectively, “Inquiries”) by various governmental regulatory agencies, law enforcement authorities and self-regulatory bodies regarding certain of its businesses, business practices and policies, as well as the conduct of persons with whom it does business. Additional Inquiries will arise from time to time. In connection with those Inquiries, the Company receives document requests, subpoenas and other requests for information. The Inquiries could develop into administrative, civil or criminal proceedings or enforcement actions that could result in consequences that have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a whole. Such consequences could include adverse judgments, findings, settlements, penalties, fines, orders, injunctions, restitution, or alterations in the Company’s business practices, and could result in additional expenses and collateral costs, including reputational damage.
PrimeLending received an investigative inquiry from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia regarding PrimeLending’s float down option. At this time, the United States Attorney has requested certain materials with respect to this matter, and PrimeLending is fully cooperating with such requests.
While the final outcome of litigation and claims exposures or of any Inquiries is inherently unpredictable, management is currently of the opinion that the outcome of pending and threatened litigation and inquiries will not, except related to specific matters disclosed above, have a material effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a whole. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is reasonably possible that an adverse outcome in any matter, including the matters discussed above, could be material to the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for any particular reporting period of occurrence.
Indemnification Liability Reserve
The mortgage origination segment may be responsible to agencies, investors, or other parties for errors or omissions relating to its representations and warranties that each loan sold meets certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan. If determined to be at fault, the mortgage origination segment either repurchases the affected loan from or indemnifies the claimant against loss. The mortgage origination segment has established an indemnification liability reserve for such probable losses.
Generally, the mortgage origination segment first becomes aware that an agency, investor, or other party believes a loss has been incurred on a sold loan when it receives a written request from the claimant to repurchase the loan or reimburse the claimant’s losses. Upon completing its review of the claimant’s request, the mortgage origination segment establishes a specific claims reserve for the loan if it concludes its obligation to the claimant is both probable and reasonably estimable.
An additional 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 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. In addition, the mortgage origination segment has considered that GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC have imposed certain restrictions on loans the agencies will accept under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could increase the magnitude of indemnification losses on these loans.
While the mortgage origination segment’s sales contracts typically include borrower early payment default repurchase provisions, these provisions have not been a primary driver of claims to date, and therefore, are not a primary factor considered in the calculation of this reserve.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the mortgage origination segment’s indemnification liability reserve totaled $27.3 million and $27.4 million, respectively. The provision for indemnification losses was $0.5 million and $3.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following tables provide for a rollforward of claims activity for loans put-back to the mortgage origination segment based upon an alleged breach of a representation or warranty with respect to a loan sold and related indemnification liability reserve activity (in thousands).
Representation and Warranty Specific Claims
Activity - Origination Loan Balance
31,407
30,085
Claims made
9,842
5,112
Claims resolved with no payment
(4,521)
(2,914)
Repurchases
(6,457)
(1,811)
Indemnification payments
(335)
30,271
30,137
Indemnification Liability Reserve Activity
27,424
21,531
Additions for new sales
753
3,007
(565)
(124)
Early payment defaults
(12)
(141)
Change in reserves for loans sold in prior years
(291)
27,250
24,261
Reserve for Indemnification Liability:
Specific claims
550
345
Incurred but not reported claims
26,700
27,079
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.
14. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk
Banking
The Bank is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit that involve varying degrees of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received. The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement (and therefore the exposure to credit loss) the Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.
29
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided that the terms established in the contract are met. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and may require payment of fees. Because some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third-party. These letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments to customers.
In the aggregate, the Bank had outstanding unused commitments to extend credit of $2.3 billion at March 31, 2022 and outstanding financial and performance standby letters of credit of $106.2 million at March 31, 2022.
The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and standby letters of credit as it does for loans held for investment. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, in these transactions is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, accounts receivable, marketable securities, interest-bearing deposit accounts, inventory, and property, plant and equipment.
Broker-Dealer
In the normal course of business, 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 accounts of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, use of derivatives to support certain non-profit housing organization clients and to hedge changes in the fair value of certain securities, 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.
15. Stock-Based Compensation
Since 2012, the Company has issued stock-based incentive awards pursuant to the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). In July 2020, pursuant to stockholders’ approval, the Company adopted the Hilltop Holdings Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan serves as successor to the 2012 Plan.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, Hilltop granted 5,064 and 4,181 shares of common stock, respectively, pursuant to the 2020 Equity Plans to certain non-employee members of the Company’s board of directors for services rendered to the Company.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes information about nonvested restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (shares in thousands).
RSUs
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Outstanding
1,869
23.16
Granted
527
33.49
Vested/Released
(598)
19.12
Forfeited
26.51
1,797
27.53
Vested/Released RSUs include an aggregate of 129,704 shares withheld to satisfy employee statutory tax obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
30
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company awarded certain executives and key employees an aggregate of 453,814 RSUs pursuant to the 2020 Equity Plans. Of the RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022, 318,256 that were outstanding at March 31, 2022, are subject to time-based vesting conditions and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Of the RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022, 135,558 that were outstanding at March 31, 2022, provide for cliff vesting based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period.
At March 31, 2022, in the aggregate, 1,388,022 of the outstanding RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, and 408,458 outstanding RSUs cliff vest based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period. At March 31, 2022, unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding RSUs of $32.3 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.69 years.
16. Regulatory Matters
Banking and Hilltop
PlainsCapital, which includes the Bank and PrimeLending, and Hilltop are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory — and possibly additional discretionary — actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct, material effect on the consolidated financial statements. The regulations require PlainsCapital and Hilltop to meet specific capital adequacy guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company performs reviews of the classification and calculation of risk-weighted assets to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Basel III regulatory capital requirements as implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The capital classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the companies to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to total average assets (as defined), and minimum ratios of common equity Tier 1, Tier 1 and total capital (as defined) to risk-weighted assets (as defined).
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 the end of the period (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. Actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2022 reflect PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s decision to elect the transition option as issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies in March 2020 that permits banking institutions to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects from CECL over a five-year transitionary period.
31
Minimum
Requirements
Including
Conservation
To Be Well
Buffer
Capitalized
Ratio
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):
PlainsCapital
1,445,107
9.74
1,469,695
10.20
4.0
5.0
2,274,879
12.46
2,262,356
12.58
N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
15.37
16.00
7.0
6.5
21.27
21.22
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
8.5
8.0
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):
1,521,598
16.18
1,540,100
16.77
10.5
10.0
2,550,742
23.85
2,532,008
23.75
Pursuant to the net capital requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Hilltop Securities has elected to determine its net capital requirements using the alternative method. Accordingly, Hilltop Securities is required to maintain minimum net capital, as defined in Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, equal to the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of aggregate debit balances, as defined in Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Additionally, the net capital rule of the NYSE provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of the aggregate debit items. Momentum Independent Network follows the primary (aggregate indebtedness) method, as defined in Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, which requires the maintenance of the larger of $250,000 or 6-2/3% of aggregate indebtedness.
At March 31, 2022, the net capital position of each of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers was as follows (in thousands).
Momentum
Independent
Network
Net capital
203,920
4,370
Less: required net capital
10,335
Excess net capital
193,585
4,120
Net capital as a percentage of aggregate debit items
39.5
Net capital in excess of 5% aggregate debit items
178,083
Under certain conditions, Hilltop Securities may be required to segregate cash and securities in a special reserve account for the benefit of customers under Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Assets segregated for regulatory purposes under the provisions of the Exchange Act are restricted and not available for general corporate purposes. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers held cash of $128.4 million and $221.7 million, respectively, segregated in special reserve bank accounts for the benefit of customers. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers were not required to segregate cash and securities in special reserve accounts for the benefit of proprietary accounts of introducing broker-dealers at March 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021.
Mortgage Origination
As a mortgage originator, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries are subject to minimum net worth and liquidity requirements established by HUD and GNMA, as applicable. On an annual basis, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries submit audited financial statements to HUD and GNMA, as applicable, documenting their respective compliance with minimum net worth and liquidity requirements. As of March 31, 2022, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries’ net worth and liquidity exceeded the amounts required by both HUD and GNMA, as applicable.
17. Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.15 and $0.12 per common share, or an aggregate of $11.8 million and $9.9 million, respectively.
On April 21, 2022, Hilltop’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on May 27, 2022, to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2022.
Stock Repurchases
In January 2022, the Hilltop board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2023, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were no stock repurchases. The Company’s stock repurchase program, prior year repurchases and related accounting policy are discussed in detail in Note 1 and Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K.
18. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses various derivative financial instruments to mitigate interest rate risk. The Bank’s interest rate risk management strategy involves effectively managing the re-pricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities to mitigate potential adverse impacts from changes in interest rates on the Bank’s net interest margin. Additionally, the Bank manages variability of cash flows associated with its variable rate debt in interest-related cash outflows with interest rate swap contracts. PrimeLending has interest rate risk relative to interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) and its inventory of mortgage loans held for sale. PrimeLending is exposed to such interest rate risk from the time an IRLC is made to an applicant to the time the related mortgage loan is sold. To mitigate interest rate risk, PrimeLending executes forward commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities (“MBSs”) and Eurodollar futures. Additionally, PrimeLending has interest rate risk relative to its MSR asset and uses derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps and U.S. Treasury bond futures and options to hedge this risk. The Hilltop Broker-Dealers use forward commitments to both purchase and sell MBSs to facilitate customer transactions and as a means to hedge related exposure to interest rate risk in certain inventory positions. Additionally, Hilltop Securities uses various derivative instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options, Eurodollar futures, credit default swaps and municipal market data, or MMD, rate locks, to hedge changes in the fair value of its securities.
Non-Hedging Derivative Instruments and the Fair Value Option
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has elected to measure substantially all mortgage loans held for sale at fair value under the provisions of the Fair Value Option. The election provides the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without applying hedge accounting provisions. The fair values of PrimeLending’s IRLCs and forward commitments are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate, and changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded as a component of net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income. These changes in fair value are attributable to changes in the volume of IRLCs, mortgage loans held for sale, commitments to purchase
33
and sell MBSs and MSR assets, and changes in market interest rates. Changes in market interest rates also conversely affect the value of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale and its MSR asset, which are measured at fair value under the Fair Value Option. The effect of the change in market interest rates on PrimeLending’s loans held for sale and MSR asset is discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. The fair values of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers’ and the Bank’s derivative instruments are recorded in other assets or other liabilities, as appropriate. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are presented in the following table (in thousands).
Increase (decrease) in fair value of derivatives during period:
PrimeLending
22,052
43,839
Hilltop Broker-Dealers
(1,327)
(22,194)
Bank
Hedging Derivative Instruments
The Company has entered into interest rate swap contracts to manage the exposure to changes in fair value associated with certain available for sale fixed rate collateralized mortgage backed securities and fixed rate loans held for investment attributable to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate. Certain of these fair value hedges have been designated as a last-of-layer hedge, which provides the Company the ability to execute a fair value hedge of the interest rate risk associated with a portfolio of similar prepayable assets whereby the last dollar amount estimated to remain in the portfolio of assets is identified as the hedged item. Additionally, the Company has outstanding interest rate swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges and utilized to manage the variability of cash flows associated with its variable rate borrowings.
Under each of its interest rate swap contracts designated as hedges, the Company receives a floating rate and pays a fixed rate on the outstanding notional amount. The Company assesses the hedge effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. To the extent that the derivative instruments are highly effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows or fair value, changes in the fair value of the derivative are included as a component of other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheets. Although the Company has determined at the onset of the hedges that the derivative instruments will be highly effective hedges throughout the term of the contract, any portion of derivative instruments subsequently determined to be ineffective will be recognized in earnings.
Derivative positions are presented in the following table (in thousands).
Notional
Estimated
Derivative instruments (not designated as hedges):
IRLCs
1,823,612
6,846
1,283,152
25,489
Commitments to purchase MBSs
1,056,250
(17,734)
1,575,264
(674)
Commitments to sell MBSs
3,617,815
48,817
3,314,173
(355)
Interest rate swaps
41,881
3,440
68,413
(1,949)
U.S. Treasury bond futures and options (1)
231,300
247,800
Eurodollar and other futures (1)
1,536,200
2,061,800
Credit default swaps
5,000
7,000
Derivative instruments (designated as hedges):
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges
285,000
9,704
190,000
603
Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (2)
311,463
18,061
221,232
3,207
PrimeLending held no cash collateral advances, in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets, to offset net asset derivative positions on its commitments to sell MBSs at March 31, 2022. PrimeLending had advanced cash collateral totaling $56.7 million and $3.7 million to offset net liability positions on its commitments to sell MBSs at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. In addition, PrimeLending and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers had advanced cash collateral totaling $13.6 million and $4.2 million on various derivative instruments at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The advanced cash collateral amounts are included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
19. Balance Sheet Offsetting
Certain financial instruments, including resale and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements and derivatives, may be eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheets and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The following tables present the assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, repurchase agreements, or similar agreements with offsetting rights (in thousands).
Gross Amounts Not Offset in
Net Amounts
the Balance Sheet
Gross Amounts
of Assets
Cash
of Recognized
Offset in the
Presented in the
Financial
Collateral
Balance Sheet
Instruments
Pledged
Securities borrowed:
Institutional counterparties
1,453,614
(1,372,166)
81,448
Interest rate swaps:
(3,440)
Reverse repurchase agreements:
(254,358)
2,633
Forward MBS derivatives:
49,633
(816)
(7,684)
41,133
1,763,678
1,762,862
(1,637,648)
125,214
1,518,372
(1,445,590)
72,782
(118,262)
2,955
(1,773)
1,182
(744)
438
1,639,589
1,637,816
(1,564,596)
73,220
35
of Liabilities
Liabilities
Securities loaned:
1,314,279
(1,235,834)
78,445
Credit default swaps:
45
Repurchase agreements:
168,398
(180,272)
(11,874)
17,734
1,500,456
(1,433,885)
66,571
1,432,196
(1,359,850)
72,346
1,949
(1,919)
(205,734)
(14,251)
2,211
(2,211)
1,627,854
(1,569,729)
58,125
Secured Borrowing Arrangements
Secured Borrowings (Repurchase Agreements) — The Company participates in transactions involving securities sold under repurchase agreements, which are secured borrowings and generally mature one to ninety days from the transaction date or involve arrangements with no definite termination date. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transactions. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities, which is monitored on a daily basis.
Securities Lending Activities — The Company’s securities lending activities include lending securities for other broker-dealers, lending institutions and its own clearing and retail operations. These activities involve lending securities to other broker-dealers to cover short sales, to complete transactions in which there has been a failure to deliver securities by the required settlement date and as a conduit for financing activities.
When lending securities, the Company receives cash or similar collateral and generally pays interest (based on the amount of cash deposited) to the other party to the transaction. Securities lending transactions are executed pursuant to written agreements with counterparties that generally require securities loaned to be marked-to-market on a daily basis. The Company receives collateral in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the fair value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded, as necessary. Collateral adjustments are made on a daily basis through the facilities of various clearinghouses. The Company is a principal in these securities lending transactions and is liable for losses in the event of a failure of any other party to honor its contractual obligation. Management sets credit limits with each counterparty and reviews these limits regularly to monitor the risk level with each counterparty. The Company is subject to credit risk through its securities lending activities if securities prices decline rapidly because the value of the Company’s collateral could fall below the amount of the indebtedness it secures. In rapidly appreciating markets, credit risk increases due to short positions. The Company’s securities lending business subjects the Company to credit risk if a counterparty fails to perform or if collateral securing its obligations is insufficient. In securities transactions, the Company is subject to credit risk during the period between the execution of a trade and the settlement by the customer.
36
The following tables present the remaining contractual maturities of repurchase agreement and securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings (in thousands). The Company had no repurchase-to-maturity transactions outstanding at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Remaining Contractual Maturities
Overnight and
Greater Than
Continuous
Up to 30 Days
30-90 Days
90 Days
Repurchase agreement transactions:
Asset-backed securities
69,353
75,601
19,274
4,170
Securities lending transactions:
Corporate securities
1,314,160
1,383,632
1,482,677
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreement and securities lending transactions in offsetting disclosure above
Amount related to agreements not included in offsetting disclosure above
93,651
86,357
11,475
1,432,083
1,525,847
1,623,679
20. Broker-Dealer and Clearing Organization Receivables and Payables
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables and payables consisted of the following (in thousands).
Receivables:
Securities failed to deliver
70,257
5,664
Trades in process of settlement
81,568
144,773
4,913
4,137
Payables:
Correspondents
22,576
20,571
Securities failed to receive
55,348
18,808
5,633
5,725
21. Segment and Related Information
The Company has two primary business units, PCC (banking and mortgage origination) and Securities Holdings (broker-dealer). Under GAAP, the Company’s business 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. These segments reflect the manner in which operations are managed and the criteria used by the chief operating decision maker, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to evaluate segment performance, develop strategy and allocate resources.
37
The banking segment includes the operations of the Bank. The broker-dealer segment includes the operations of Securities Holdings and the mortgage origination segment is composed of PrimeLending.
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.
Balance sheet amounts not discussed previously and the elimination of intercompany transactions are included in “All Other and Eliminations.” The following tables present certain information about reportable business segment revenues, operating results, goodwill and assets (in thousands).
Mortgage
All Other and
Origination
Corporate
Eliminations
Consolidated
Net interest income (expense)
92,070
11,518
(1,835)
(3,389)
1,627
Noninterest income
12,771
60,691
143,195
1,766
(1,995)
Noninterest expense
58,430
80,647
134,859
12,793
(379)
Income (loss) before taxes
46,461
(8,603)
6,501
(14,416)
103,884
10,514
(7,098)
(4,692)
3,074
(5,175)
11,324
98,623
310,444
506
(3,312)
55,788
91,404
210,334
9,588
(452)
64,595
17,667
93,012
(13,774)
247,368
7,008
13,071
14,913,201
3,257,788
2,032,234
2,889,407
(4,735,674)
14,944,249
3,673,346
2,207,822
2,940,670
(5,077,007)
22. Earnings per Common Share
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share data).
Basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
Basic earnings per common share:
Diluted earnings per share:
Effect of potentially dilutive securities
242
488
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
Diluted earnings per common share
38
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated historical financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) and the financial information set forth in the tables herein.
Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, 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.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Quarterly Report that address results or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, and statements that are preceded by, followed by or include, words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “probable,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “target,” “view” or “would” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases, including such things as our business strategy, our financial condition, our revenue, our liquidity and sources of funding, market trends, operations and business, taxes, the impact of natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the current global outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”), information technology expenses, capital levels, mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) assets, stock repurchases, dividend payments, expectations concerning mortgage loan origination volume, servicer advances and interest rate compression, expected levels of refinancing as a percentage of total loan origination volume, projected losses on mortgage loans originated, total expenses, the effects of government regulation applicable to our operations, the appropriateness of, and changes in, our allowance for credit losses and provision for (reversal of) credit losses, expected future benchmark rates, anticipated investment yields, our expectations regarding accretion of discount on loans in future periods, the collectability of loans, cybersecurity incidents and the outcome of litigation are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance taking into account all information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If an event occurs, our business, business plan, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others:
For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect our business and that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021 Form 10-K”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 15, 2022, this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other filings we have made with the SEC. We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive, and new factors may emerge, or changes to the foregoing factors may occur, that could impact our business. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning our business attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, relating to the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report except to the extent required by federal securities laws.
40
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 Quarterly Report (dollars in thousands, except per share data and weighted average shares outstanding).
Statement of Operations Data:
Per Share Data:
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
Book value per common share (end of period)
31.02
29.41
Tangible book value per common share (1) (end of period)
27.47
25.93
Cash dividends declared per common share
0.15
0.12
Dividend payout ratio (2)
53.57
8.19
Balance Sheet Data:
Capital Ratios:
Common equity to assets ratio
13.42
13.50
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)
12.07
12.17
(1) For a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure, see “—Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
(2) Dividend payout ratio is defined as cash dividends declared per common share divided by basic earnings per common share.
41
Consolidated income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2022 included the following contributions from our reportable business segments.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we declared and paid total common dividends of $11.8 million.
On April 21, 2022, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per common share, payable on May 27, 2022 to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 13, 2022.
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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“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 important to investors interested in changes from period to period in tangible common equity per share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. 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).
Book value per common share
Effect of goodwill and intangible assets per share
(3.55)
(3.48)
Tangible book value per common share
Hilltop stockholders’ equity
Less: goodwill and intangible assets, net
281,680
282,731
Tangible common equity
2,182,253
2,239,937
Tangible assets
18,075,276
18,406,349
Equity to assets
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
Recent Developments
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental control measures severely disrupted financial markets and overall economic conditions throughout 2020. While the impact of the pandemic and the uncertainties have remained into 2022, significant progress associated with COVID-19 vaccination levels in the United States has resulted in easing of restrictive measures in the United States even as additional variants have emerged. Further, the U.S. federal government enacted policies to provide fiscal stimulus to the economy and relief to those affected by the pandemic, with the stimulus intended to bolster household finances as well as those of small businesses, states and municipalities. Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a number of precautionary steps to safeguard our business and our employees from COVID-19, including, but not limited to, banking by appointment, implementing employee travel restrictions and telecommuting arrangements, while maintaining business continuity so that we can continue to deliver service to and meet the demands of our clients. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, we returned a majority of our employees to their respective office locations based initially on a rotational team schedule and, with limited exceptions due to the emergence of new variants of the virus, have since generally returned to pre-pandemic work arrangements with available hybrid options for designated roles. In 2022, we are continuing to monitor and assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our employees and customers on a regular basis.
Asset Valuation
As discussed in more detail within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2021 Form 10-K, 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 reporting unit; performance of our stock and other relevant events. We continue to monitor developments regarding the overall economic conditions, COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented in response to the pandemic, market capitalization, and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment in the future.
Loan Portfolio
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “PPP/HCE Act”) were passed in March 2020, which were intended to provide emergency relief to several groups and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the numerous provisions contained in the CARES Act was the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) that provided federal government loan forgiveness for Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Section 7(a) loans for small businesses to pay up to eight weeks of employee compensation and other basic expenses such as electric and telephone bills. PPP loans have: (a) an interest rate of 1.0%; (b) a two-year loan term to maturity; and (c) principal and interest payments deferred for six months from the date of disbursement. Further, the CARES Act allowed the Bank to suspend the troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR through January 1, 2022.
Starting in March 2020, the Bank implemented several actions to better support our impacted banking clients and allow for loan modifications such as principal and/or interest payment deferrals, participation in both the initial and second round PPP efforts as an SBA preferred lender and personal banking assistance including waived fees, increased daily spending limits and suspension of residential foreclosure activities. The COVID-19 payment deferment programs allowed for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on the maturity date of the existing loan. The Bank’s PPP efforts included approval and funding of over 4,100 PPP loans, with approximately $38 million remaining outstanding at March 31, 2022. The PPP loans made by the Bank are guaranteed by the SBA and, if used by the borrower for authorized purposes, may be fully forgiven. On October 2, 2020, the SBA began approving the Bank’s PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers. Through April 15, 2022, the SBA had approved approximately 3,900 PPP forgiveness applications from the Bank totaling approximately $867 million, with PPP loans of approximately $3 million currently pending SBA review and approval.
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 have increased since historical lows observed in 2020, but uncertainty remains as economies
43
continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination programs evolve, and future supply and demand for oil are influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, return to business travel, new energy policies and government regulation, and the pace of transition towards renewable energy resources. At March 31, 2022, the Bank’s energy loan exposure was approximately $66 million of loans held for investment with unfunded commitment balances of approximately $31 million. The allowance for credit losses on the Bank’s energy portfolio was $0.3 million, or 0.4% of loans held for investment at March 31, 2022.
Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses given the economic uncertainties associated with COVID-19.
Outlook for 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has, and may continue to, adversely impacted financial markets and overall economic conditions. The extent of the impact of the pandemic on our operational and financial performance for the remainder of 2022 is currently uncertain and will depend on certain developments outside of our control, including, among others, the ongoing distribution and effectiveness of vaccines, the emergence of new variants of the virus, government stimulus, the ultimate impact of the pandemic on our customers and clients, and additional, or extended, federal, state and local government orders and regulations that might be imposed in response to the pandemic.
Additionally, our balance sheet, operating results and certain metrics during 2021 reflected strong credit quality, significant reversals of credit losses, heightened capital and liquidity levels, and low mortgage interest rates. The extent of the impact on the remainder of 2022 of expected headwinds including tight housing inventories on mortgage volumes, a return to normalized credit loss exposures, declining deposit balances, the timing and magnitude of changes in interest rate, which are expected to continue to increase into 2024, and inflationary pressures associated with compensation, occupancy and software costs within our business segments is currently uncertain.
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2021 Form 10-K for additional discussion of the potential adverse impact of COVID-19 on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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 includes 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.
Factors Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations
LIBOR
As discussed in more detail within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2021 Form 10-K, one week and two-month LIBOR ceased to be published on December 31, 2021, and all remaining USD LIBOR tenors will cease to be published or lose representativeness immediately after June 30, 2023.
Certain loans we originated bear interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR. We also pay interest on certain borrowings, are counterparty to derivative agreements that are based on LIBOR and have existing contracts with payment calculations that use LIBOR as the reference rate. The cessation of publication of LIBOR will create various risks surrounding the financial, operational, compliance and legal aspects associated with changing certain elements of existing contracts.
44
The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed a paced market transition plan to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) from LIBOR, and organizations are currently working on industry-wide and company-specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR. The ARRC has formally recommended SOFR as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. However, at this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally.
We have completed our targeted assessment of exposures across the organization associated with the migration away from LIBOR and have transitioned to the impact assessment and implementation stages. In light of the above described recent changes to the LIBOR phase out dates being pushed out to 2023, we have begun taking necessary actions, including negotiating certain of our agreements based on alternative benchmark rates that have been established. Since the third quarter of 2020, PrimeLending has been originating conventional adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, loan products utilizing a SOFR rate with terms consistent with government-sponsored enterprise, or GSE, guidelines. In addition, the Bank’s management team continues to work with its commercial relationships that have LIBOR-based contracts maturing in 2022 and future periods to amend terms and establish an alternative benchmark rate. We also continue to evaluate the impacts of the LIBOR phase-out and transition requirements as it pertains to contracts, models and systems. To date, an immaterial amount of expenses have been incurred as a result of our efforts; however, in the future we may incur additional expenses as we finalize the transition of our systems and processes away from LIBOR.
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 SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Momentum Independent Network is an introducing broker-dealer that is also registered with the SEC and FINRA. Hilltop Securities, Momentum Independent Network and Hilltop Securities Asset Management, LLC are registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
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 segments is presented in Note 21, Segment and Related Information, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
The following table presents certain information about the results of our reportable segments (in thousands). This table serves as a basis for the discussion and analysis in the segment operating results sections that follow.
Variance 2022 vs 2021
Percent
Net interest income (expense):
(11,814)
(11)
5,263
1,303
All Other and Eliminations
(1,447)
(47)
Hilltop Consolidated
(5,691)
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses:
5,125
NM
99
5,224
1,447
(37,932)
(38)
(167,249)
(54)
1,260
249
1,317
(201,157)
(48)
2,642
(10,757)
(75,475)
(36)
3,205
73
(80,312)
(22)
Income (loss) before taxes:
(18,134)
(28)
(26,270)
(149)
(86,511)
(93)
(642)
(203)
(95)
(131,760)
(81)
NMNot meaningful.
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.
Specifically, 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 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.
46
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. Net interest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to a decrease within our banking segment, significantly offset by an increase within our mortgage origination segment.
The other component of our revenue is noninterest income, which is primarily comprised of the following:
In the aggregate, we experienced a decrease in noninterest income during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, as noted in the segment results table previously presented, primarily due to a decrease of $167.3 million in net gains from sale of loans, other mortgage production income and mortgage loan origination fees within our mortgage origination segment and decreases in gains from derivative and trading portfolio activities and fixed income services business line revenues within our broker-dealer segment.
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 the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $22.3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with $120.3 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Hilltop’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, reflect a decrease in year-over-year mortgage origination segment net gains from sales of loans and other mortgage production income, a decline in net revenues within the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance and fixed income services business lines, as well as a decline in the year-over-year changes in provision for (reversal of) credit losses within the banking segment.
Certain items included in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 resulted from purchase accounting associated with the merger of PlainsCapital Corporation with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop on November 30, 2012, the FDIC-assisted transaction whereby the Bank acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of FNB, the acquisition of SWS Group, Inc. in a stock and cash transaction, and the acquisition of The Bank of River Oaks in an all-cash transaction (collectively, the “Bank Transactions”). Income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 included net accretion on earning assets and liabilities of $2.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and amortization of identifiable intangibles of $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, related to the Bank Transactions.
47
The information shown in the table below includes certain key performance indicators on a consolidated basis.
Return on average stockholders' equity (1)
3.60
20.58
Return on average assets (2)
0.53
2.90
Net interest margin (3) (4)
2.36
2.69
Leverage ratio (5) (end of period)
13.01
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (6) (end of period)
19.63
We present net interest margin and net interest income 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 rate of 21% for all periods presented. 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 the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, purchase accounting contributed 7 and 13 basis points, respectively, to our consolidated taxable equivalent net interest margin of 2.37% and 2.69%, respectively. The purchase accounting activity was primarily related to the accretion of discount of loans which totaled $2.5 million and $4.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, associated with the Bank Transactions.
48
The table below provides additional details regarding our consolidated net interest income (dollars in thousands).
Annualized
Earned
Yield or
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Interest-earning assets
1,467,998
11,966
3.26
2,573,085
16,233
2.52
Loans held for investment, gross (1)
7,839,047
78,442
4.06
7,645,883
88,044
4.62
Investment securities - taxable
2,768,849
2.25
2,267,709
10,233
1.80
Investment securities - non-taxable (2)
324,084
2,888
3.56
284,001
2,280
3.21
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
157,313
136
0.35
93,525
0.00
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
3,116,369
1,427
0.19
1,565,879
582
1,455,166
2.42
1,452,704
7.98
54,602
750
5.57
49,916
762
6.18
Interest-earning assets, gross (2)
17,183,428
120,007
2.83
15,932,702
147,106
3.70
(92,239)
(149,397)
Interest-earning assets, net
17,091,189
15,783,305
Noninterest-earning assets
1,401,584
1,559,039
18,492,773
17,342,344
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits
8,201,824
0.21
7,626,575
0.41
1,371,816
2.21
1,355,945
7.62
Notes payable and other borrowings
1,249,222
7,881
2.56
1,130,068
8,014
2.85
Total interest-bearing liabilities
10,822,862
0.73
10,112,588
1.65
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
4,507,661
3,729,994
631,790
1,101,972
15,962,313
14,944,554
Stockholders’ equity
2,504,383
2,371,281
Noncontrolling interest
26,077
26,509
Net interest income (2)
100,461
105,865
Net interest spread (2)
2.10
2.05
Net interest margin (2)
2.37
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 warehouse lines of credit extended to subsidiaries (operating segments) by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
On a consolidated basis, the decrease in net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily due to the effects of volume and rate changes within the mortgage warehouse lending and securities portfolio changes within the banking segment, partially offset by increased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale within the mortgage origination segment. Refer to the discussion in the “Banking Segment” section that follows for more details on the 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 the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase
in the allowance reflected a slower U.S. economic outlook since the prior quarter, significantly offset by decreases in specific reserves and positive risk rating grade migration. Refer to the discussion in the “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.
Noninterest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in total mortgage loan sales volume and average loan sales margin, and changes in net fair value and related derivative activity within our mortgage origination segment, as well as decreases in structured finance and fixed income services net revenues within our broker-dealer segment.
Noninterest expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in both variable and non-variable compensation within our mortgage origination segment associated with the decreased mortgage loan originations, and a decline in variable compensation within our broker-dealer segment. We expect inflationary headwinds related to certain noninterest expenses, including compensation, occupancy, and software costs, to result in higher fixed costs during the remainder of 2022.
Effective income tax rates during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were 19.4% and 23.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was lower than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the discrete impact of restricted stock vesting during the quarter.
Segment Results
Banking Segment
The following table presents certain information about the operating results of our banking segment (in thousands).
Variance
2022 vs 2021
Income (loss) before income taxes
The decrease in income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily due to the combined impact of net interest income volume and rate changes within the loans held for investment and mortgage warehouse lending portfolios, and a decline in the year-over-year changes in provision for (reversal of) 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.
The information shown in the table below includes certain key indicators of the performance and asset quality of our banking segment.
Efficiency ratio (1)
55.73
48.42
0.98
1.48
Net interest margin (3)
2.65
3.30
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding (4)
(0.02)
0.03
The banking segment presents net interest margin and net interest income in the following discussion and tables 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 rate of 21% for all periods presented. 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 the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, purchase accounting contributed 8 and 17 basis points, respectively, to the banking segment’s taxable equivalent net interest margin of 2.65% and 3.31%, respectively. These purchase accounting items are primarily related to accretion of discount of 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).
7,156,313
73,811
4.18
7,185,414
84,519
4.72
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit
1,343,757
12,717
3.79
2,338,614
21,910
3.75
2,341,460
8,841
1.51
1,786,911
6,272
1.40
108,853
933
3.43
115,069
985
3.42
165,008
174
0.43
386
2,947,713
0.20
1,286,353
321
0.10
36,798
(77)
(0.85)
36,813
0.81
14,099,902
97,826
2.81
12,749,560
114,081
3.58
(91,810)
(149,082)
14,008,092
12,600,478
891,783
996,312
14,899,875
13,596,790
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
8,098,046
4,989
0.25
7,511,096
9,581
0.52
190,039
564
1.20
149,144
402
1.09
8,288,085
5,553
0.27
7,660,240
9,983
4,801,571
4,077,479
113,769
188,586
13,203,425
11,926,305
1,696,450
1,670,485
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
92,273
104,098
2.54
3.05
3.31
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 in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, the banking segment’s interest-earning assets include warehouse lines of credit extended to other subsidiaries, which are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
51
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).
2022 vs. 2021
Change Due To (1)
Volume
Yield/Rate
Change
Interest income
Loans held for investment, gross
(10,369)
(10,708)
(9,193)
1,920
649
2,569
(52)
173
415
691
1,106
(151)
Total interest income (2)
(7,248)
(9,007)
(16,255)
Interest expense
(5,341)
(4,592)
110
162
859
(5,289)
(4,430)
(8,107)
(3,718)
(11,825)
Changes in the yields earned on interest-earning assets decreased taxable net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily as a result of lower loan yields due to decreased market rates, as well as a $5.9 million decrease in PPP loan-related fee income and a $2.3 million decline in accretion of discount on loans. Accretion of discount on loans is expected to decrease in future periods as loans acquired in the Bank Transactions are repaid, refinanced or renewed. Changes in the volume of interest-earning assets during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, were primarily due to the changes in mortgage warehouse lending and investment securities portfolio balances. Changes in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased taxable equivalent net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, due to decreases in market interest rates. Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. Some of our variable-rate loans remain at applicable rate floors, which may delay and/or limit changes in net interest income during a period of changing rates along with the timing and frequency of when these loans are scheduled to reprice. If interest rates were to rise further, 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. In addition, increasing interest rates may increase our cost of funds on deposits. If interest rates were to fall, the impact on our net interest income for certain variable-rate loans would be limited by these rate floors. The extent of this impact 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. Any changes in interest rates across the term structure will 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.
The adverse economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the banking segment’s business and results of operations, including significantly reduced demand for loan products and services from customers, recognition of credit losses and increases in allowance for credit losses during 2020. We will continue to monitor developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented in response to the pandemic, market capitalization, overall economic conditions, effectiveness of vaccinations, the emergence of new variants, government stimulus, payment deferral programs and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment of goodwill or core deposit intangible assets in the future. See further discussion in the “Recent Developments” section above.
The banking segment retained approximately $109 million and $159 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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. We expect loans originated by the mortgage origination segment on behalf of and retained by the banking segment to increase based on approved authority for up to 5% of the mortgage origination segment’s total origination volume during 2022. 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 changes in the economic outlook, macroeconomic forecast assumptions and resulting impact on reserves. Specifically, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, the banking segment’s slight decrease in the allowance reflected decreases in specific reserves and positive risk rating grade migration, significantly offset by a slower U.S. economic outlook since the prior quarter. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with collectively evaluated loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a reversal of credit losses of $0.2 million, while individually evaluated loans included a provision for credit losses of $0.1 million. The banking segment’s reversal of credit losses during the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $5.2 million on loans held for investment was primarily comprised of a net reversal of credit losses on expected losses of collectively evaluated loans of $6.5 million primarily due to improvements in the macroeconomic forecast assumptions from the prior quarter, partially offset by slower prepayment assumptions on certain commercial real estate and construction and land portfolios, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses on individually evaluated loans of $1.3 million primarily related to changes in risk rating grades and updated realizable values. The change in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was also impacted by net recoveries of $0.6 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 Losses on Loans” section that follows for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.
The banking segment’s noninterest income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to increased wealth management fee income as well as service charges on depositor accounts.
The banking segment’s noninterest expense increased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to increases in employees’ compensation and benefits expenses.
Broker-Dealer Segment
The following table provides additional details regarding our broker-dealer segment operating results (in thousands).
Net interest income:
Wealth management:
Securities lending
1,345
(2,141)
Clearing services
2,121
1,449
Structured finance
1,811
1,415
Fixed income services
5,113
4,128
1,128
Total net interest income
Securities commissions and fees by business line (1):
11,198
13,674
(2,476)
Retail
18,612
18,754
(142)
5,120
6,242
(1,122)
1,945
334
1,611
950
1,044
(94)
37,825
40,048
(2,223)
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions by business line:
Public finance services
18,596
17,463
1,133
1,825
1,904
8,339
7,250
1,089
486
445
365
(191)
77
2,010
Other:
24,551
(23,917)
(6,958)
(12,993)
(515)
294
(809)
(6,839)
30,880
(37,719)
Net revenue (2)
72,209
109,137
(36,928)
Variable compensation (3)
26,625
37,412
(10,787)
Non-variable compensation and benefits (5)
29,200
28,745
455
Segment operating costs (4)(5)
24,987
25,313
(326)
80,812
91,470
(10,658)
During the first quarter of 2022, the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance and fixed income services business lines experienced a decline in net revenues. Structured finance business line’s net revenues declined compared to the first quarter of 2021 due to lower mortgage origination volumes and the current market turbulence, both geopolitical and inflationary. For reference, the 10-year treasury yield increased approximately 81 basis points during the first quarter of 2022. The fixed income services business line’s net revenues decreased, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to a decrease of $13.0 million in net gains from trading activities. Net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services and wealth management business lines were relatively flat when compared to the first quarter of 2021.
The decrease in the broker-dealer segment’s income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily as a result of the following:
54
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 indirectly exposed to interest rate risk through its structured finance business line, which is dependent on mortgage loan production that tends to be adversely impacted by increasing interest rates.
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. The increase in net interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily due to the increase in net interest income from our structured finance and fixed income services business lines and our clearing division of our wealth management business line, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income from our securities lending division of our wealth management business line. The increase in our clearing division’s net interest income was due to the 11.6% increase in the division’s margin loan balances. The 27-basis point increase in the Federal Funds interest rate from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 led to the increase in net interest earned on securities held by both the structured finance and fixed income services business lines. With the 27-basis point decrease in the weighted average interest rate spread, net interest revenue in the broker-dealer segment’s stock lending business decreased $2.1 million from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Noninterest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in other noninterest income and securities commissions and fees, partially offset by the increases in investment banking and advisory fees.
Securities commissions and fees decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to a $1.1 million decline in our money market and FDIC sweep revenues, a $0.7 million decrease in commissions earned in insurance product sales transactions, and a $0.5 million decrease in net clearing revenues due to the decrease in the broker-dealer segment’s correspondent base. These decreases were offset by a slight increase in commissions earned on sales transactions. As money market and FDIC sweep revenues are closely correlated to short term interest rates, we expect that any additional increases in short term interest rates will cause these revenues to rise.
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions increased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to increases in fees earned from our public finance fees received for municipal transactions and from improved wealth management advisory services fees.
Other noninterest income decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in trading gains earned from our structured finance business line’s derivative activities
55
due to decreased volumes and interest rate volatility as previously discussed. These year-over-year decreases in other noninterest income were heightened by decreases within our fixed income services business line within our taxable and municipal securities trading portfolios as previously discussed. With the expected rise in interest rates for 2022, we anticipate a decrease in other noninterest income related to our structured finance and fixed income business lines.
Noninterest expenses decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in variable compensation as previously noted.
Selected information concerning the broker-dealer segment, including key performance indicators, follows (dollars in thousands).
Total compensation as a % of net revenue (1)
77.3
60.6
Pre-tax margin (2)
(11.9)
16.2
FDIC insured program balances at the Bank (end of period)
784,462
734,685
Other FDIC insured program balances (end of period)
1,603,168
1,839,707
Customer funds on deposit, including short credits (end of period)
445,455
476,537
Public finance services:
Number of issues
231
Aggregate amount of offerings
8,083,263
15,592,020
Structured finance:
Lock production/TBA volume
1,109,908
1,933,214
Fixed income services:
Total volumes
62,659,832
63,330,195
Net inventory (end of period)
374,021
430,633
Wealth management (Retail and Clearing services groups):
Retail employee representatives (end of period)
109
Independent registered representatives (end of period)
177
Correspondents (end of period)
114
Correspondent receivables (end of period)
170,168
217,889
Customer margin balances (end of period)
336,247
301,219
Wealth management (Securities lending group):
Interest-earning assets - stock borrowed (end of period)
1,545,730
Interest-bearing liabilities - stock loaned (end of period)
1,454,186
Mortgage Origination Segment
The following table presents certain information regarding the operating results of our mortgage origination segment (in thousands).
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. An increase in mortgage interest rates tends to result in decreased loan origination volume from refinancings, while a decrease in mortgage interest rates tends to result in increased loan origination volume from refinancings. Changes in mortgage interest rates have historically had a lesser impact on home purchases volume than on refinancing volume. See details regarding loan origination volume in the table below.
Recent 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. Current events that could impact origination volumes given their continued impact on the economy, specifically inflation
and rising interest rates, include the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve’s recent actions and communications, and current geopolitical threats. In addition, the mortgage origination segment’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct mortgage transactions. Current home inventory shortages and affordability challenges, in addition to supply chain problems, have recently impacted customers’ abilities to purchase homes. A continuing increase in mortgage interest rates and/or continuing home inventory shortages and supply chain issues related to new home construction during the remainder of 2022 could adversely affect loan origination volume and/or alter the percentage mix of refinancing and purchase volumes relative to total loan origination volume compared to 2021.
Income before income taxes decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021. This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) related to a decrease in mortgage loan applications and a decrease in the average value of individual IRLCs. The impact of these trends were partially offset by a decrease in noninterest expense.
The CARES Act has provided borrowers the ability to request forbearance of residential mortgage loan payments, placing a significant strain on mortgage servicers as they may be required to fund missed or deferred payments related to loans in forbearance. A significant increase in nationwide forbearance requests that began in March 2020 resulted in the reduction of third-party mortgage servicers willing to purchase mortgage servicing rights. As a result of this market dynamic, beginning in the second quarter of 2020, we increased the amount of retained servicing on mortgage loan sales. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, PrimeLending has steadily reduced the amount of servicing it retained as the willingness of third-party mortgage servicers to purchase mortgage servicing rights has improved. Amounts currently retained slightly exceed amounts retained prior to the second quarter of 2020. PrimeLending utilizes a third-party to manage its servicing portfolio. Therefore, we do not expect significant fluctuations in infrastructure costs to manage changes in PrimeLending’s servicing portfolio if we experience a significant increase in the amount of retained servicing. However, PrimeLending may be at risk of third-party servicers increasing their pricing to address increased regulatory requirements surrounding servicers. PrimeLending’s liquidity has not been, and we do not expect that it will be significantly impacted by forbearance requests resulting from the CARES Act. Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) may impose restrictions on loans the agencies will accept, including loans under a forbearance agreement, which could result in PrimeLending seeking non-agency investors or choosing to retain these loans.
During both the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, mortgage interest rates increased. However, average interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2022 exceeded average interest rates during the same period in 2021, and refinancing volume as a percentage of total origination volume decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. Refinancing volume as a percentage of total origination volume during the three months ended March 31, 2022 decreased to 26.9% from 53.1% during the same period in 2021. If current mortgage interest rates remain relatively unchanged during 2022, we anticipate a lower percentage of refinancing volume relative to total loan origination volume during 2022, as compared to 2021. However, a 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, affordability challenges, and supply chain problems 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 limited lending through its affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”). For the three months ended March 31, 2022, funded volume through ABAs was approximately 6% of the mortgage origination segment’s total loan volume. As of March 31, 2022, PrimeLending owned a greater than 50% membership interest in four ABAs. We expect total production within the ABA channel to increase slightly to approximately 7% of loan volume of the mortgage origination segment during the remainder of 2022.
57
The following table provides further details regarding our mortgage loan originations and sales for the periods indicated below (dollars in thousands).
% of
Mortgage Loan Originations - units
12,219
21,741
(9,522)
Mortgage Loan Originations - volume:
Conventional
2,513,099
66.76
4,482,763
72.49
(1,969,664)
Government
643,314
17.09
803,172
12.99
(159,858)
Jumbo
387,842
10.30
707,543
11.44
(319,701)
220,228
5.85
190,627
3.08
29,601
3,764,483
100.00
6,184,105
(2,419,622)
Home purchases
2,753,031
73.13
2,902,710
46.94
(149,679)
Refinancings
1,011,452
26.87
3,281,395
53.06
(2,269,943)
Texas
789,035
20.96
1,076,892
17.41
(287,857)
California
403,769
10.73
795,060
12.86
(391,291)
Florida
197,424
5.24
280,907
4.54
(83,483)
Arizona
189,405
5.03
290,436
4.70
(101,031)
South Carolina
162,922
4.33
261,218
4.22
(98,296)
New York
141,753
3.77
168,598
2.73
(26,845)
Ohio
140,943
3.74
222,639
(81,696)
Missouri
120,160
3.19
189,012
3.06
(68,852)
North Carolina
107,960
2.87
226,466
3.66
(118,506)
Georgia
102,853
154,913
2.51
(52,060)
96,332
195,113
3.16
(98,781)
All other states
1,311,927
34.85
2,322,851
37.55
(1,010,924)
Mortgage Loan Sales - volume:
Third parties
3,759,906
97.19
6,192,073
97.50
(2,432,167)
Banking segment
108,690
158,764
2.50
(50,074)
3,868,596
6,350,837
(2,482,241)
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.
While the mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume decreased 39.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, income before income taxes decreased 93.0% during that time. The decrease in income before income taxes in the first quarter 2022 was primarily due to a decrease in net gains from sale of loans, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in the change in net fair value and related derivative activity of the MSR asset, and IRLCs and loans held for sale. These changes were partially offset by a decrease in variable compensation, and to a lesser extent, decreases in segment operating costs and net interest expense.
The information shown in the table below includes certain additional key performance indicators for the mortgage origination segment.
Net gains from mortgage loan sales (basis points):
Loans sold to third parties
398
Impact of loans retained by banking segment
(9)
(10)
As reported
312
388
Variable compensation as a percentage of total compensation
54.7
69.5
Mortgage servicing rights asset ($000's) (end of period) (1)
Net interest expense was comprised of interest incurred on warehouse lines of credit primarily held with the Bank, and related intercompany financing costs offset by interest income earned on loans held for sale. The year-over-year
58
improvement in net interest expense between the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 reflected the effects of increased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale between the two periods.
Noninterest income was comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Net gains from sale of loans
120,825
246,588
(125,763)
Mortgage loan origination fees and other related income
(11,093)
Other mortgage production income:
Change in net fair value and related derivative activity:
IRLCs and loans held for sale
(20,421)
(4,606)
(15,815)
Mortgage servicing rights asset
2,193
9,132
(6,939)
Servicing fees
8,536
16,175
(7,639)
The decrease in net gains from sale of loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily the result of a 39.1% decrease in total loan sales volume, in addition to a decrease in average loan sales margin. Since PrimeLending sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, the decrease in loan sales volume during the three months March 31, 2022, is consistent with the decrease in loan origination volume during the period. The decrease in average loan sales margins during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to competitive pricing pressure resulting from home inventory shortages and a reduction in national refinancing volume. The decrease in mortgage loan origination fees during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, was primarily the result of a decrease in loan origination volume, partially offset by an increase in average mortgage loan origination fees.
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 sale of loans margin is defined as net gains from sale of loans divided by 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 the first quarter of 2022 decreased when compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. We anticipate quarterly sales for the remainder of 2022 will approximate first quarter sales. We do not expect these sales to exceed 5% of its total origination volume during this time. Loan volumes to be originated on behalf of and retained by the banking segment are evaluated each quarter, and recent trends may not be indicative of sales during the remainder of 2022.
Noninterest income included 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. The decrease in fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was the result of decreases in the average value of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale partially offset by a slight increase in the total volume of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale.
The mortgage origination segment sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, historically with the majority servicing released. 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, and refinancing and market activity. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, PrimeLending retained servicing on approximately 12% of loans sold, compared with approximately 50% of loans sold during the first quarter of 2021. The decreased rate of retained servicing beginning in 2021 was due to forbearance requests leveling off during the latter part of 2020, which improved the third-party market for mortgage servicing rights and increased demand, which allowed PrimeLending to reduce retained servicing to 11% of total mortgage loans sold during the fourth quarter of 2021, then to 12% of total mortgage loans sold during the three months ended March 31, 2022. If the third-party market for mortgage servicing rights continue to improve during the remainder of 2022, we expect that PrimeLending will continue to reduce retained servicing on mortgage loans sold during that time to levels experienced in 2019. 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, as a means to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its MSR asset. Changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and the related derivatives associated with normal customer payments, changes in discount rates, prepayment speed assumptions and customer payoffs resulted in net gains (losses) as noted in the table above. On March 31, 2021, the mortgage origination segment sold MSR assets of $52.8 million, which represented $4.9 billion of its serviced loan volume at the time. There were no MSR assets sold during the first quarter of 2022.
Noninterest expenses were comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Variable compensation
56,243
115,486
(59,243)
Non-variable compensation and benefits
46,505
50,762
(4,257)
Segment operating costs
23,975
30,420
(6,445)
Lender paid closing costs
3,652
5,468
(1,816)
Servicing expense
4,484
8,198
(3,714)
Total employees’ compensation and benefits accounted for the majority of noninterest expenses incurred during all periods presented. Specifically, variable compensation comprised the majority of total employees’ compensation and benefits expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The changes in the percentage concentration of variable compensation and benefits for all periods were primarily due to changes in the average incentive rate paid and the impact of incentive plans driven by non-mortgage production criteria. 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 volume decreased 39.1%, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, the aggregate non-variable compensation and benefits of the mortgage origination segment decreased by 8.4%. This decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, was primarily due to a decrease in salaries associated with decreased underwriting and loan fulfillment and operations staff given the decrease in loan origination volume starting in the fourth quarter of 2021. Segment operating costs decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to decreases in business development expense and loan related costs.
In exchange for a higher interest rate, customers may opt to have PrimeLending pay certain costs associated with the origination of their mortgage loans (“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, 2013 and March 31, 2022, the mortgage origination segment sold mortgage loans totaling $142.7 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 2013, it does not anticipate experiencing significant losses in the future on loans originated prior to 2013 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.
60
Following is a summary of the mortgage origination segment’s claims resolution activity relating to loans sold between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).
Original Loan Balance
Loss Recognized
Loans Sold
205,685
0.14
Claims resolved because of a loan repurchase or payment to an investor for losses incurred (1)
209,071
8,565
0.01
414,756
0.29
For each loan 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. In addition to other factors, the mortgage origination segment has considered that GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC have imposed certain restrictions on loans the agencies will accept under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which could increase the magnitude of indemnification losses on these loans.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the mortgage origination segment’s total indemnification liability reserve totaled $27.3 million and $27.4 million, respectively. The related provision for indemnification losses was $0.5 million and $3.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table presents certain financial information regarding the operating results of corporate (in thousands).
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.
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 and interest income earned during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily comprised of dividend income from merchant banking investment activities, in addition to interest income earned on intercompany notes.
Interest expense during each period included recurring quarterly interest expense of $5.0 million incurred on our $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5% senior notes due 2025 (“Senior Notes”) and on our $200 million aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes (defined hereafter). Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred interest expense of $0.6 million on junior subordinated debentures of $67.0 million issued by PCC (the “Debentures”). As discussed in more detail within the section titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Junior Subordinated Debentures” below, during the third quarter of 2021, PCC fully redeemed all outstanding Debentures.
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.
Noninterest expenses were primarily comprised of employees’ compensation and benefits, occupancy expenses and professional fees, including corporate governance, legal and transaction costs. Noninterest expenses increased during the
61
three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to increases in expenses associated with employees’ compensation and benefits and professional fees.
Financial Condition
The following discussion contains a more detailed analysis of our financial condition at March 31, 2022, as compared with December 31, 2021.
Securities Portfolio
At March 31, 2022, 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.
The table below summarizes our securities portfolio (in thousands).
Trading securities, at fair value
Securities available for sale, at fair value
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
Equity securities, at fair value
Total securities portfolio
We had net unrealized losses of $64.3 million and $18.1 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, related to the available for sale investment portfolio, and net unrealized losses of $4.1 million at March 31,
2022, compared with net unrealized gains of $8.6 million associated with the securities held to maturity portfolio at December 31, 2021. Equity securities included net unrealized gains of $0.2 million at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The noted significant change in net unrealized gains (losses) within our available for sale investment portfolio, and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 was related to increases in market interest rates since purchase and the resulting decline in associated estimated fair values of such portfolio investments. 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).
We transferred certain agency-issued securities from the available-for-sale to held-to-maturity portfolio on March 31, 2022 having a book value of approximately $782 million and a market value of approximately $708 million. As of the date of transfer, the related pre-tax net unrecognized losses of approximately $74 million within the accumulated other comprehensive loss balance are being amortized over the remaining term of the securities using the effective interest method. This transfer was completed after careful consideration of our intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. Factors used in assessing the ability to hold these securities to maturity were future liquidity needs and sources of funding.
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 March 31, 2022, the banking segment’s securities portfolio of $2.4 billion was comprised of trading securities of $0.1 million, available for sale securities of $1.5 billion, equity securities of $0.2 million and held to maturity securities of $953.1 million, in addition to $13.8 million of other investments included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
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 in operations. Accordingly, the securities portfolio of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers included trading securities of $471.7 million at March 31, 2022. 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 $97.6 million at March 31, 2022.
At March 31, 2022, the corporate portfolio included other investments, including those associated with merchant banking, of $40.5 million in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
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 March 31, 2022. In addition, as of March 31, 2022, we had 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 March 31, 2022.
63
Consolidated loans held for investment are detailed in the table below, classified by portfolio segment (in thousands).
Loans held for investment, net of allowance
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.
The banking segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $8.7 billion and $8.8 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The banking segment’s loan portfolio includes warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending of $2.8 billion, of which $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion was drawn at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 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.
The banking segment’s loan portfolio included approximately $38 million related to both initial and second round PPP loans at March 31, 2022. While these loans have terms of up to 60 months, borrowers can apply for forgiveness of these loans with the SBA. Through April 15, 2022, the SBA had approved approximately 3,900 PPP forgiveness applications from the Bank totaling approximately $867 million, with PPP loans of approximately $3 million pending SBA review and approval. We anticipate a significant amount of these remaining PPP loans pending approval being forgiven over the next two quarters. The forgiveness/payoff of the PPP loans would generate an increase in interest income as we would recognize the remaining unamortized origination fee at the time of payoff or forgiveness.
At March 31, 2022, 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 42.6%, 19.1% and 12.9%, respectively, of the banking segment’s total loans held investment at March 31, 2022. The banking segment’s loan concentrations were within regulatory guidelines at March 31, 2022.
The following table provides information regarding the maturities of the banking segment’s gross loans held for investment, net of unearned income (in thousands).
Due Within
Due From One
Due from Five
Due After
One Year
To Five Years
To Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
492,583
1,401,265
1,080,908
130,978
2,720,527
422,253
168,731
3,311,511
647,741
200,699
90,763
3,726
132,086
203,138
255,517
803,593
15,061
12,513
323
4,007,998
2,239,868
1,596,242
938,317
8,782,425
Fixed rate loans
2,851,463
2,042,775
1,525,969
7,358,524
Floating rate loans
1,156,535
197,093
70,273
1,423,901
64
In the table above, commercial and industrial includes amounts advanced against the warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending. Floating rate loans that have reached their applicable rate floor or ceiling are classified as fixed rate loans rather than floating rate loans. As of March 31, 2022, floating rate loans totaling $1.0 billion had reached their applicable rate floor and are expected to reprice, subject to their scheduled repricing timing and frequency terms. An additional $808 million of floating rate loans would be adjustable if published rates increase by a sufficient amount to move past their floored levels. The majority of floating rate loans carry an interest rate tied to The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal.
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’ internal policies. The broker-dealer segment’s total loans held for investment, net of the allowance for credit losses, were $506.2 million and $733.0 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. This decrease from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $135.9 million, or 44%, in receivables from correspondents, and a decrease of $90.3 million, or 21%, in customer margin accounts.
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).
Loans held for sale:
Unpaid principal balance
1,533,085
1,728,255
Fair value adjustment
3,481
54,336
IRLCs:
1,830,458
1,308,641
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 March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $2.8 billion and $2.4 billion, while the related estimated fair values were $41.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
65
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
For additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses, refer to the section captioned “Critical Accounting Estimates” set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2021 Form 10-K.
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.
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.
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 March 31, 2022, we utilized a single macroeconomic alternative scenario, or S7, published by Moody’s Analytics in March 2022.
During our previous quarterly macroeconomic assessment as of December 31, 2021, we utilized the consensus scenario published by Moody’s Analytics. The S7 economic scenario selected as of March 31, 2022 was based on our evaluation of the Moody’s baseline economic forecast compared to other industry surveys over the reasonable and supportable period and our assessment of the reasonableness of impacts associated with key monetary and fiscal policy assumptions.
The following table summarizes the U.S. Real Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) growth rates and unemployment rate assumptions used in our economic forecast to determine our best estimate of expected credit losses.
As of
September 30,
June 30,
GDP growth rates:
Q1 2021
5.0%
Q2 2021
10.8%
6.5%
Q3 2021
6.6%
6.7%
Q4 2021
7.5%
6.9%
4.8%
Q1 2022
0.7%
3.6%
4.6%
5.4%
3.2%
Q2 2022
4.7%
3.5%
2.8%
2.5%
Q3 2022
2.4%
2.3%
1.3%
2.1%
Q4 2022
2.6%
2.7%
1.5%
1.8%
Q1 2023
2.9%
3.0%
Q2 2023
Q3 2023
3.1%
Unemployment rates:
6.3%
5.8%
6.2%
5.2%
4.3%
4.5%
3.9%
4.0%
5.1%
3.7%
4.9%
3.8%
3.4%
3.3%
As of March 31, 2022, our economic forecast was revised lower since December 31, 2021. Real GDP growth rate forecasts assume lower consumer and business spending due to increases in various inflation metrics, recent military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and further disruptions in global supply chains. We also considered uncertainty of additional fiscal stimulus from the Build Back Better proposal and its impact on future government spending. Unemployment rates continued to trend lower quarter-over-quarter despite tight labor market conditions and were updated for recent economic data. The Federal Reserve also ended its quantitative easing bond purchase program in March and increased the federal funds target rate to 0.25% - 0.50%. Our S7 economic forecast continues to consider additional risks to U.S. economic recovery from recent inflation rates observed higher than Moody’s baseline scenario and assumes the Federal Reserve increases the federal funds rate to 1.4% by the end of 2022 and 3.1% by the end of 2023.
As of December 31, 2021, our economic forecast improved from September 30, 2021 based on updated economic data, including November unemployment rates improving faster than the prior quarter’s forecast despite tight labor market conditions and accelerated rates of the Federal Reserve’s taper of monthly asset purchases. We now assume the Federal Reserve continues to support a target range of the federal funds rate near 0% through monetary policy support and assume interest rates begin to rise as early as the second quarter of 2022. Real GDP growth rates were revised lower due to persistently higher inflation data and observed supply-chain impacts on business and consumer spending due to the delta variant. Given the timing of the Moody’s economic forecast release in early December 2021, the forecast utilized also assumed that COVID-19 cases peaked in January 2021, but did not assume a third wave of COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant into the winter months. The forecast also did not consider uncertainty related to additional fiscal support from the Build Back Better proposal, so our model results were qualitatively adjusted to consider these recent developments as of December 31, 2021.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the increase in the allowance reflected a slower U.S. economic outlook since the prior quarter, significantly offset by decreases in specific reserves and positive risk rating grade migration. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three months ended March 31, 2022 included a provision for credit losses of $0.3 million, while collectively evaluated loans included a reversal of credit losses of $0.2 million. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the current period were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, changes in loan
balances and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The changes in the allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were also impacted by net charge-offs of $0.3 million.
As discussed under the section titled “Loan Portfolio” earlier in this Item 2, the Bank’s actions beginning in 2020 included supporting our impacted banking clients experiencing an increased level of risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic through loan modifications. This deteriorating economic outlook resulted in a significant build in the allowance and included provision for credit losses through the second quarter of 2020. During 2021, improvement in both economic results and the macroeconomic outlook, coupled with government stimulus and positive risk rating grade migration within the Bank, resulted in aggregate reversals of a significant portion of previously recorded credit losses. As a result, 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 and PPP lending programs, was 1.31% as of March 31, 2022, down from a high since the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2.63% as of September 30, 2020.
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 and PPP lending programs, are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands).
Allowance For
as a % of
Total Loans
Loans Held
for Credit
Held For
For Investment
Investment
1.94
1,445,728
19,960
1.38
0.58
1.79
6,916,642
90,675
1.31
0.07
Mortgage warehouse lending
170
0.05
Paycheck Protection Program
1.17
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 March 31, 2022, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment, the banking segment mortgage warehouse and PPP lending programs, with modeled results using both upside (“S1”) and downside (“S3”) economic scenario forecasts published by Moody’s Analytics.
Compared to our economic forecast, the upside scenario assumes consumer and business confidence increases as new cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, military conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and global supply chain concerns recede faster than expected. Real GDP is expected to grow 8.5% in the second quarter of 2022, 7.0% in the third quarter of 2022, 6.0% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and 5.7% in the first quarter of 2023. Average unemployment rates are expected to decline to 3.3% by the second quarter of 2022 and 2.9% by the end of 2023. Inflation is expected to trend back toward the Federal Reserve’s target sooner than expected and monetary policy increases the federal funds rate at a slower pace to 2.5% by early 2025. Additional government infrastructure and social program fiscal spending of $0.6 trillion has also been approved to begin in the third quarter of 2022.
Compared to our economic forecast, the downside scenario assumes consumer and business confidence declines as new cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 rise, military conflict between Russia and Ukraine worsens
68
significantly and persists longer than anticipated, and global supply chain issues intensify increasing inflation rates substantially. As a result, consumer confidence and spending erode causing the economy to fall back into recession. Real GDP is expected to decrease 3.6% in the second quarter of 2022, 3.5% in the third quarter of 2022, and 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Average unemployment rates are expected to increase to 7.2% by the fourth quarter of 2022 and 7.9% by the second quarter of 2023, but improves to 7.1% by year-end and reverts back to historical average rates over time. The Federal Reserve increases the federal funds rate to 1.3% by the fourth quarter of 2022 to slow inflation, but proceeds to reduce it to a near 0% target by the fourth quarter of 2023 where it is maintained until early 2025 to support the economy. Disagreements in Congress prevent any additional stimulus from being enacted beyond the American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts passed in 2021.
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 $13 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 0.9% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP 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 $32 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 1.6% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending and PPP 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. It also did not consider impacts from recent Bank deferral and customer accommodation efforts or government fiscal and monetary stimulus measures.
Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of current expected credit losses, which is highly dependent on the path of the virus. We continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policy measures on the economy and if pace and vigor of the expected recovery is worse than expected, further meaningful provisions could be required. Future allowance for credit losses may vary considerably for these reasons.
Allowance Activity
The following table presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses within our loan portfolio for the periods presented (in thousands). Substantially all of the activity shown below occurred within the banking segment.
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Total recoveries
Loans charged off:
1,209
Total charge-offs
1,337
368
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
(282)
Average total loans for the period
Total loans held for investment, end of period
7,810,657
Ratios:
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average total loans held for investment (1)
(0.01)
Non-accrual loans to total loans held for investment
2.23
4.01
Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment to:
1.85
Non-accrual loans held for investment
210.18
184.60
Total non-accrual loans decreased by $6.8 million from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. These changes in non-accrual loans were impacted by loans secured by residential real estate within our mortgage origination segment, which were classified as loans held for sale, of $1.9 million and $2.9 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
In addition to changes in non-accrual loans classified as loans held for sale, the decrease in non-accrual loans during 2022 was primarily due to principal paydowns associated with several commercial and industrial and commercial real estate non-owner occupied loan relationships.
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.
70
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 are presented in the table below (dollars in thousands).
Gross
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
Reserve
39.83
38.61
23.35
23.80
12.09
11.33
17.88
16.54
6.49
9.31
The following table summarizes historical levels of the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment (in thousands).
September 31,
68,535
77,633
30,545
27,866
5,100
5,185
4,538
3,659
504
592
290
109,512
115,269
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. The expected losses on unfunded commitments align with statistically calculated parameters used to calculate the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. Letters of credit are not currently reserved because they are issued primarily as credit enhancements and the likelihood of funding is low.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 the increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments was primarily due to increases in both loan expected loss rates and available commitment balances.
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. 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 are assigned a grade of special mention within our risk grading matrix. Potential problem loans do not include purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans because PCD loans exhibited evidence of more than insignificant credit deterioration at acquisition that made it probable that all
contractually required principal payments would not be collected. Additionally, potential problem loans do not include loans that have been modified in connection with our COVID-19 payment deferment programs which allow for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments. Within our loan portfolio, we had one credit relationship totaling $3.1 million of potential problem loans at March 31, 2022, compared with two credit relationships totaling $3.1 million of potential problem loans at December 31, 2021.
Non-Performing Assets
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was passed in March 2020, which among other things, allowed the Bank to suspend the TDR requirements for certain loan modifications to be categorized as a TDR. Subsequent legislation extended such provisions through January 1, 2022. Starting in March 2020, the Bank implemented several actions to better support our impacted banking clients and allow for loan modifications such as principal and/or interest payment deferrals, participation in the PPP as an SBA preferred lender and personal banking assistance including waived fees, increased daily spending limits and suspension of residential foreclosure activities. The COVID-19 payment deferment programs allowed for a deferral of principal and/or interest payments with such deferred principal payments due and payable on the maturity date of the existing loan.
The following table presents components of our non-performing assets (dollars in thousands).
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
6,153
6,601
(448)
(3,992)
18,723
21,123
(2,400)
43,384
50,227
(6,843)
Troubled debt restructurings included in accruing loans held for investment
890
922
(32)
Non-performing loans
44,274
51,149
(6,875)
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
0.47
(0.05)
Other real estate owned
2,175
2,833
(658)
Other repossessed assets
Non-performing assets
46,449
53,982
(7,533)
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
(0.04)
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
87,489
60,775
26,714
At March 31, 2022, non-accrual loans included 38 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by accounts receivable, equipment and notes receivable. Non-accrual loans at March 31, 2022 also included $1.9 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. At December 31, 2021, non-accrual loans included 45 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by accounts receivable, life insurance, oil and gas, livestock and equipment. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2021 also included $2.9 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale.
At March 31, 2022, TDRs were comprised of $0.9 million of loans that are considered to be performing and accruing, and $6.0 million of loans considered to be non-performing reported in non-accrual loans. At December 31, 2021, TDRs were comprised of $0.9 million of loans that are considered to be performing and accruing, and $5.9 million of loans that were considered to be non-performing reported in non-accrual loans.
OREO decreased from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022, primarily due to disposals and valuation adjustments totaling $0.7 million, partially offset by additions totaling $0.1 million. At both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, OREO was primarily comprised of commercial properties.
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, 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 increase in loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at March 31, 2022, compared to December 31, 2021, was primarily due to an increase in forbearance requests during the first quarter of 2022. As of March 31, 2022, $37.4 million of loans subject to repurchase were under a forbearance agreement resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. During May 2020, GNMA announced that it would temporarily exclude any new GNMA lender delinquencies, occurring on or after April 2020, when calculating the delinquency ratios for the purposes of enforcing compliance with its delinquency rate thresholds. This exclusion is extended automatically to GNMA lenders that were compliant with GNMA’s delinquency rate thresholds as reflected by their April 2020 investor accounting report. The mortgage origination segment qualified for this exclusion as of March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, $37.4 million of loans subject to repurchase under a forbearance agreement had delinquencies on or after April 2020.
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. In an effort to assist its customers avoid overdraft-related fees, our banking segment plans to implement certain fee enhancements during the fourth quarter of 2022. Such fee enhancements are not expected to have a material impact on its overall operating results.
The table below presents the average balance of, and rate paid on, consolidated deposits (dollars in thousands).
Rate Paid
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
Interest-bearing demand deposits
6,894,289
0.18
5,625,682
0.24
Savings deposits
348,018
270,475
Time deposits
959,517
1,730,418
1.04
12,709,485
0.13
11,356,569
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of uninsured deposits greater than $250,000 as of March 31, 2022 (in thousands).
Months to maturity:
3 months or less
91,386
3 months to 6 months
70,875
6 months to 12 months
161,706
Over 12 months
92,312
416,279
Borrowings
Our consolidated borrowings are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).
0.94
1.22
(24,390)
5.79
7,575
3.45
1,230,533
1,247,348
1.32
(16,815)
Short-term borrowings consisted of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings at the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), short-term bank loans and commercial paper. The decrease in short-term borrowings at March 31, 2022, compared with December 31, 2021, primarily included decreases in short-term bank loans and securities sold under agreements to repurchase by the Hilltop Broker-Dealers, partially offset by an increase in federal funds purchased by the banking segment. Notes payable at March 31, 2022 was comprised of $149.2 million related to the Senior Notes, net of loan origination fees, Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees, of $197.1 million and mortgage origination segment borrowings of $49.2 million. As discussed in more detail within the section titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Junior Subordinated Debentures” below, during the third quarter of 2021, PCC fully redeemed all outstanding Debentures.
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 March 31, 2022, Hilltop had $384.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $16.6 million from $367.9 million at December 31, 2021. This increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the receipt of $55.7 million of dividends from subsidiaries, significantly offset by $11.8 million in cash dividends declared and other general corporate expenses. 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, interest on debt obligations, dividend payments to stockholders and potential stock repurchases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted financial markets and overall economic conditions, and may continue to have implications on our business and operations. The extent of the impact of the pandemic on our operational and financial performance for the remainder of 2022 is currently uncertain and will depend on certain developments outside of our control, including, among others, the ongoing distribution and effectiveness of vaccines, emergence of new variants of the virus, government stimulus, the ultimate impact of the pandemic on our customers and clients, and additional, or extended, federal, state and local government orders and regulations that might be imposed in response to the pandemic.
Dividend Declaration
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.
In January 2022, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2023, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $100.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, there were no stock repurchases.
Senior Notes due 2025
The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15, 2015. The Senior Notes will mature on April 15, 2025, unless we redeem the Senior Notes, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on or after January 15, 2025 (three months prior to the maturity date of the Senior Notes) at our election at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. At March 31, 2022, $150.0 million of our Senior Notes was outstanding.
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. 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.
The 2030 Subordinated Notes and the 2035 Subordinated Notes will mature on May 15, 2030 and May 15, 2035, respectively. We may redeem the 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, 2025 for the 2030 Subordinated Notes and beginning with the interest payment date of May 15, 2030 for the 2035 Subordinated Notes 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 2030 Subordinated Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.75% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears commencing on November 15, 2020. The interest rate for the 2030 Subordinated Notes will reset quarterly beginning May 15, 2025 to an interest rate, per year, equal to the then-current benchmark rate, which is expected to be three-month term SOFR rate, plus 5.68%, payable quarterly in arrears. 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 March 31, 2022, $200.0 million of our Subordinated Notes was outstanding.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
Following receipt of regulatory approval, during June, July and August 2021, PCC submitted to the trustees of each of the statutory trusts a notice to redeem in full outstanding Debentures of $67.0 million issued by PCC, which resulted in the full redemption to the holders of the associated preferred securities and common securities during the third quarter of 2021.
The Debentures, which were held by four statutory trusts created for the sole purpose of issuing and selling preferred securities and common securities used to acquire the Debentures, had an original stated term of 30 years with original maturities ranging from July 2031 to February 2038. The Debentures were callable at PCC’s discretion with a minimum of a 45- to 60- day notice. At March 31, 2022, PCC had no remaining borrowings associated with the Debentures. The redemptions noted above were funded from available cash balances held at PCC.
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.
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 March 31, 2022 (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. Actual capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2022 reflect PlainsCapital’s and Hilltop’s decision to elect the transition option as issued by the federal banking regulatory agencies in March 2020 that permits banking institutions to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects from CECL over a five-year transitionary period.
We discuss regulatory capital requirements in more detail in Note 16 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 our 2021 Form 10-K.
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. 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 advances 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.
Given the continued strong cash and liquidity levels at the Bank, the Bank’s borrowing capacity available liquidity position and access to secured funding sources continues to be at a heightened level as summarized in the following table (in millions).
FHLB capacity
4,093
4,221
Investment portfolio (available)
1,462
1,478
Fed deposits (excess daily requirements)
2,728
2,686
8,283
8,385
As noted in the table above, the Bank’s available liquidity position and borrowing capacity at March 31, 2022 continues to be at a heightened level. The Bank is targeting available liquidity of between approximately $5 billion and $6 billion during the remainder of 2022 given general economic uncertainties. Available liquidity does not include borrowing capacity available through the discount window at the Federal Reserve.
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.
The Bank’s 15 largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 10.37% of the Bank’s total deposits, and the Bank’s five largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 5.40% of the Bank’s total deposits at March 31, 2022. 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.
The Hilltop Broker-Dealers rely on 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 to finance their assets and operations, subject to their respective compliance with broker-dealer net capital and customer protection rules. At March 31, 2022, Hilltop Securities had credit arrangements with four unaffiliated banks, with maximum aggregate commitments of up to $600.0 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 three unaffiliated banks, with aggregate availability of up to $250.0 million. At March 31, 2022, Hilltop Securities had borrowed $25.5 million under its credit arrangements and had no borrowings under its credit facilities.
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 2019-1 CP Notes and Series 2019-2 CP Notes, in maximum aggregate amounts of $300 million and $200 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 143 days at a rate of 1.17% with a weighted average remaining life of 77 days. At March 31, 2022, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $354.6 million, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $381.4 million.
PrimeLending funds the mortgage loans it originates through a warehouse line of credit maintained with the Bank, which has an aggregate commitment of $2.7 billion, of which $1.5 billion was drawn at March 31, 2022. 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 March 31, 2022.
PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”) which holds an ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain ABAs. At March 31, 2022, these ABAs had combined available lines of credit totaling $175.0 million, $55.0 million of which was with a single unaffiliated bank, and the remaining $120.0 million of which was with the Bank. At March 31, 2022, Ventures Management had outstanding borrowings of $63.2 million, $14.0 million of which was with the Bank.
Other Material Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Guarantees
Since December 31, 2021, there have been no material changes in other material contractual obligations disclosed within the section captioned “Other Material Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Guarantees” set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2021 Form 10-K.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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, mortgage servicing rights asset, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, mortgage loan indemnification liability and acquisition accounting. Since December 31, 2021, there have been no changes in critical accounting estimates as further described under “Critical Accounting Estimates” in our 2021 Form 10-K.
78
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our assessment of market risk as of March 31, 2022 indicates there are no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures from those previously reported in our 2021 Form 10-K, except as discussed below.
The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from changes in value of a financial instrument as a result of changes in interest rates, market prices and the credit perception of an issuer. The disclosure is not meant to be a precise indicator of expected future losses, but rather an indicator of reasonably possible losses, and therefore our actual results may differ from any of the following projections. This forward-looking information provides an indicator of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures.
The banking segment is engaged primarily in the business of investing funds obtained from deposits and borrowings in interest-earning loans and investments, and our primary component of market risk is sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Consequently, our earnings depend to a significant extent on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on loans and investments and our interest expense on deposits and borrowings. To the extent that our interest-bearing liabilities do not reprice or mature at the same time as our interest-bearing assets, we are subject to interest rate risk and corresponding fluctuations in net interest income.
There are several common sources of interest rate risk that must be effectively managed if there is to be minimal impact on our earnings and capital. Repricing risk arises largely from timing differences in the pricing of assets and liabilities. Reinvestment risk refers to the reinvestment of cash flows from interest payments and maturing assets at lower or higher rates. Basis risk exists when different yield curves or pricing indices do not change at precisely the same time or in the same magnitude such that assets and liabilities with the same maturity are not all affected equally. Yield curve risk refers to unequal movements in interest rates across a full range of maturities.
We have employed asset/liability management policies that attempt to manage our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, thereby attempting to control the volatility of net interest income, without having to incur unacceptable levels of risk. We employ procedures which include interest rate shock analysis, repricing gap analysis and balance sheet decomposition techniques to help mitigate interest rate risk in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the asset/liability management policies permit the use of various derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk or hedge specified assets and liabilities.
An interest rate sensitive asset or liability is one that, within a defined time period, either matures or experiences an interest rate change in line with general market interest rates. The management of interest rate risk is performed by analyzing the maturity and repricing relationships between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at specific points in time (“GAP”) and by analyzing the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income over specific periods of time by projecting the performance of the mix of assets and liabilities in varied interest rate environments. Interest rate sensitivity reflects the potential effect on net interest income resulting from a movement in interest rates. A company is considered to be asset sensitive, or have a positive GAP, when 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. Conversely, a company is considered to be liability sensitive, or have a negative GAP, when the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of its interest-earning assets also maturing or repricing within that time period. During a period of rising interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to affect net interest income adversely, while a positive GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling interest rates, a negative GAP would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive GAP would tend to affect net interest income adversely. However, it is our intent to remain relatively balanced so that changes in rates do not have a significant impact on earnings.
As illustrated in the table below, the banking segment is asset sensitive overall. Loans that adjust daily or monthly to the Wall Street Journal Prime rate comprise a large percentage of interest sensitive assets and are the primary cause of the banking segment’s asset sensitivity. To help neutralize interest rate sensitivity, the banking segment has kept the terms of most of its borrowings under one year as shown in the following table (dollars in thousands).
3 Months or
> 3 Months to
> 1 Year to
> 3 Years to
Less
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
> 5 Years
Interest sensitive assets:
4,654,588
1,323,720
1,706,483
716,255
381,840
8,782,886
295,498
257,948
536,525
388,829
983,104
2,461,904
100,408
Other interest sensitive assets
2,740,716
29,558
2,770,274
Total interest sensitive assets
7,791,210
1,581,668
2,243,008
1,105,084
1,394,502
14,115,472
Interest sensitive liabilities:
Interest bearing checking
6,597,851
218,443
559,091
133,589
23,770
934,893
286,618
166
523
666
2,577
290,550
Total interest sensitive liabilities
7,458,948
559,257
134,112
24,436
8,179,330
Interest sensitivity gap
332,262
1,022,411
2,108,896
1,080,648
1,391,925
5,936,142
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap
1,354,673
3,463,569
4,544,217
Percentage of cumulative gap to total interest sensitive assets
2.35
9.60
24.54
32.19
42.05
The positive GAP in the interest rate analysis indicates that banking segment net interest income would generally rise if rates increase. Because of inherent limitations in interest rate GAP analysis, the banking segment uses multiple interest rate risk measurement techniques. Simulation analysis is used to subject the current repricing conditions to rising and falling interest rates in increments and decrements of 50 to 100 basis points to determine the effect on net interest income changes for the next twelve months. The banking segment also measures the effects of changes in interest rates on economic value of equity by discounting projected cash flows of deposits and loans. Economic value changes in the investment portfolio are estimated by discounting future cash flows and using duration analysis. Investment security prepayments are estimated using current market information. We believe the simulation analysis presents a more accurate picture than the GAP analysis. Simulation analysis recognizes that deposit products may not react to changes in interest rates as quickly or with the same magnitude as earning assets contractually tied to a market rate index. The sensitivity to changes in market rates varies across deposit products. Also, unlike GAP analysis, simulation analysis takes into account the effect of embedded options in the securities and loan portfolios as well as any off-balance sheet derivatives.
The table below shows the estimated impact of a range of changes in interest rates on net interest income and on economic value of equity for the banking segment at March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).
Change in
Interest Rates
Net Interest Income
Economic Value of Equity
(basis points)
+300
107,658
27.90
383,059
18.03
+200
69,416
17.99
263,603
12.41
+100
33,254
8.62
151,698
7.14
-50
(14,454)
(3.75)
(133,855)
(6.30)
The projected changes in net interest income and economic value of equity to changes in interest rates at March 31, 2022 were in compliance with established internal policy guidelines. These projected changes are based on numerous assumptions of growth and changes in the mix of assets or liabilities. The projected changes in net interest income are being impacted by the heightened level of cash balances, which represent a significant portion of the Bank’s sensitivity given simulation analysis assumptions/limitations. As a result, the timing and magnitude of future changes in interest rates and any runoff of deposits, and related decline in cash, may impact projected changes in net interest income as noted in the table above.
Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. Some of our variable-rate loans remain at applicable rate floors, which may delay and/or limit changes in interest income during a
80
period of changing rates. If interest rates were to fall, the impact on our interest income would be limited by these rate floors. In addition, declining interest rates may negatively affect our cost of funds on deposits. The extent of this impact 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. If interest rates were to rise, yields on the portion of our portfolio that remain at applicable rate floors would rise more slowly than increases in market interest rates. Any changes in interest rates across the term structure will 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.
Our broker-dealer segment is exposed to market risk primarily due to its role as a financial intermediary in customer transactions, which may include purchases and sales of securities, use of derivatives and securities lending activities, and in our trading activities, which are used to support sales, underwriting and other customer activities. We are subject to the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, market prices, investor expectations and changes in credit ratings of the issuer.
Our broker-dealer segment is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of maintaining inventories of interest rate sensitive financial instruments and other interest-earning assets including customer and correspondent margin loans and receivables and securities borrowing activities. Our funding sources, which include customer and correspondent cash balances, bank borrowings, repurchase agreements and securities lending activities, also expose the broker-dealer to interest rate risk. Movement in short-term interest rates could reduce the positive spread between the broker-dealer segment’s interest income and interest expense.
With respect to securities held, our interest rate risk is managed by setting and monitoring limits on the size and duration of positions and on the length of time securities can be held. Much of the interest rates on customer and correspondent margin loans and receivables are indexed and can vary daily. Our funding sources are generally short term with interest rates that can vary daily.
The following table categorizes the broker-dealer segment’s net trading securities which are subject to interest rate and market price risk (dollars in thousands).
> 1 Year
or Less
to 5 Years
to 10 Years
> 10 Years
Municipal obligations
193
4,530
35,750
90,430
U.S. government and government agency obligations
(101)
(5,434)
208,384
202,955
Corporate obligations
1,560
17,576
5,933
24,968
50,037
Total debt securities
1,652
16,672
41,789
323,782
383,895
Corporate equity securities
(15,093)
5,219
(8,222)
Weighted average yield
4.98
4.45
4.03
4.17
1.64
2.02
2.44
5.97
5.36
2.04
3.37
4.26
3.28
3.36
Derivatives are used to support certain customer programs and hedge our related exposure to interest rate risks.
Our broker-dealer segment is engaged in various brokerage and trading activities that expose us to credit risk arising from potential non-performance from counterparties, customers or issuers of securities. This risk is managed by setting and monitoring position limits for each counterparty, conducting periodic credit reviews of counterparties, reviewing concentrations of securities and conducting business through central clearing organizations.
Collateral underlying margin loans to customers and correspondents and with respect to securities lending activities is marked to market daily and additional collateral is required as necessary.
81
Within our mortgage origination segment, our principal market exposure is to interest rate risk due to the impact on our mortgage-related assets and commitments, including mortgage loans held for sale, IRLCs and MSR. Changes in interest rates could also materially and adversely affect our volume of mortgage loan originations.
IRLCs represent an agreement to extend credit to a mortgage loan applicant, whereby the interest rate on the loan is set prior to funding. Our mortgage loans held for sale, which we hold in inventory while awaiting sale into the secondary market, and our IRLCs are subject to the effects of changes in mortgage interest rates from the date of the commitment through the sale of the loan into the secondary market. As a result, we are exposed to interest rate risk and related price risk during the period from the date of the lock commitment until (i) the lock commitment cancellation or expiration date or (ii) the date of sale into the secondary mortgage market. Loan commitments generally range from 20 to 60 days, and our average holding period of the mortgage loan from funding to sale is approximately 30 days. An integral component of our interest rate risk management strategy is our execution of forward commitments to sell MBSs to minimize the impact on earnings resulting from significant fluctuations in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale and IRLCs caused by changes in interest rates.
We have expanded, and may continue to expand, our residential mortgage servicing operations within our mortgage origination segment. As a result of our mortgage servicing business, we have a portfolio of retained MSR. One of the principal risks associated with MSR is that in a declining interest rate environment, they will likely lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of higher than anticipated prepayments. Moreover, if prepayments are greater than expected, the cash we receive over the life of the mortgage loans would be reduced. The mortgage origination segment uses derivative financial instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options, Eurodollar futures and forward MBS commitments, as a means to mitigate market risk associated with MSR assets. No hedging strategy can protect us completely, and hedging strategies may fail because they are improperly designed, improperly executed and documented or based on inaccurate assumptions and, as a result, could actually increase our risks and losses. The increasing size of our MSR portfolio may increase our interest rate risk and, correspondingly, the volatility of our earnings, especially if we cannot adequately hedge the interest rate risk relating to our MSR.
The goal of our interest rate risk management strategy within our mortgage origination segment is not to eliminate interest rate risk, but to manage it within appropriate limits. To mitigate the risk of loss, we have established policies and procedures, which include guidelines on the amount of exposure to interest rate changes we are willing to accept.
At March 31, 2022, total debt obligations on our consolidated balance sheet, excluding short-term borrowings and unamortized debt issuance costs and premiums, were $399 million, and included $350 million in debt obligations subject to fixed interest rates, with the remainder of indebtedness subject to variable interest rates. If interest rates were to increase by one eighth of one percent (0.125%), the increase in interest expense on the variable rate debt would not have a significant impact on our future consolidated earnings or cash flows.
As noted above within the discussion for each business segment, on a consolidated basis, our primary component of market risk is sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Consequently, and in large part due to the significance of our banking segment, our consolidated earnings depend to a significant extent on our net interest income. Refer to the discussion in the “Banking Segment” section above that provides more details regarding sources of interest rate risk and asset/liability management policies and procedures employed to manage our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, thereby attempting to control the volatility of net interest income, without having to incur unacceptable levels of risk.
The table below shows the estimated impact of a range of changes in interest rates on net interest income on a consolidated basis at March 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands).
137,967
34.01
89,366
22.03
43,170
10.64
(19,335)
(4.77)
The projected changes in net interest income to changes in interest rates at March 31, 2022 were in compliance with established internal policy guidelines. These projected changes are based on numerous assumptions of growth and changes in the mix of assets or liabilities. The projected changes in net interest income are being impacted by the heightened level of cash balances, which represent a significant portion of our asset sensitivity given simulation analysis assumptions/limitations. As a result, the timing and magnitude of future changes in interest rates including runoff of deposits, and related decline in cash, may impact projected changes in net interest income as noted in the table above.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the supervision and participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
For a description of material pending legal proceedings, see the discussion set forth under the heading “Legal Matters” in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2021 Form 10-K. For additional information concerning our risk factors, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2021 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table details our repurchases of shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
January 1 - January 31, 2022
100,000,000
February 1 - February 28, 2022
March 1 - March 31, 2022
Item 6. Exhibits.
ExhibitNumber
Description of Exhibit
10.1
First Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Hilltop Holdings Inc. and Martin B. Winges, dated as of March 31, 2022, but effective as of February 19, 2022 (filed as Exhibit 10.7.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2022.
31.1*
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1**
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
Cover Page Interactive File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*
Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 25, 2022
By:
/s/ William B. Furr
William B. Furr
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized officer)
86