Table of Contents
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 September 30, 2023
☐
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 October 20, 2023 was 65,169,821.
HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
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
8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
45
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
87
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
91
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
92
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
94
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30,
December 31,
2023
2022
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
1,513,747
1,579,512
Federal funds sold
3,650
650
Assets segregated for regulatory purposes
47,491
67,737
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
123,719
118,070
Securities:
Trading, at fair value
578,901
755,032
Available for sale, at fair value, net (amortized cost of $1,606,340 and $1,788,557, respectively)
1,456,238
1,658,766
Held to maturity, at amortized cost, net (fair value of $703,366 and $785,335, respectively)
825,079
875,532
Equity, at fair value
264
200
2,860,482
3,289,530
Loans held for sale
1,058,806
982,616
Loans held for investment, net of unearned income
8,204,052
8,092,673
Allowance for credit losses
(110,822)
(95,442)
Loans held for investment, net
8,093,230
7,997,231
Broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables
1,460,352
1,038,055
Premises and equipment, net
172,097
184,950
Operating lease right-of-use assets
93,057
102,443
Mortgage servicing rights
104,951
100,825
Other assets
588,751
518,899
Goodwill
267,447
Other intangible assets, net
9,078
11,317
Total assets
16,396,858
16,259,282
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing
3,200,247
3,968,862
Interest-bearing
7,902,850
7,346,887
Total deposits
11,103,097
11,315,749
Broker-dealer and clearing organization payables
1,368,064
966,470
Short-term borrowings
882,999
970,056
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
51,527
53,023
Notes payable
347,020
346,654
Operating lease liabilities
114,334
126,759
Other liabilities
422,955
417,042
Total liabilities
14,289,996
14,195,753
Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 13 and 14)
Stockholders' equity:
Hilltop stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized; 65,169,821 and 64,684,625 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
652
647
Additional paid-in capital
1,052,867
1,046,331
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(145,083)
(133,531)
Retained earnings
1,171,250
1,123,636
Deferred compensation employee stock trust, net
340
481
Employee stock trust (15,711 and 22,566 shares, at cost, at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
(446)
(640)
Total Hilltop stockholders' equity
2,079,580
2,036,924
Noncontrolling interests
27,282
26,605
Total stockholders' equity
2,106,862
2,063,529
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Interest income:
Loans, including fees
142,402
109,165
404,179
298,301
Securities borrowed
17,683
10,938
53,265
30,252
Taxable
27,166
19,642
79,487
52,512
Tax-exempt
2,464
2,451
8,218
7,011
Other
27,040
14,276
76,459
23,066
Total interest income
216,755
156,472
621,608
411,142
Interest expense:
Deposits
64,290
12,525
154,840
22,174
Securities loaned
16,169
9,407
47,928
25,390
14,212
5,550
44,361
10,615
4,026
3,907
11,852
12,154
2,408
1,597
7,005
5,276
Total interest expense
101,105
32,986
265,986
75,609
Net interest income
115,650
123,486
355,622
335,533
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses
(40)
(780)
17,127
4,671
Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) credit losses
115,690
124,266
338,495
330,862
Noninterest income:
Net gains from sale of loans and other mortgage production income
47,262
57,998
135,763
266,435
Mortgage loan origination fees
41,478
39,960
111,695
114,400
Securities commissions and fees
28,044
34,076
88,873
105,979
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions
39,662
35,031
98,546
96,738
40,403
39,910
115,117
79,124
Total noninterest income
196,849
206,975
549,994
662,676
Noninterest expense:
Employees' compensation and benefits
173,195
200,450
517,920
605,796
Occupancy and equipment, net
21,912
25,041
67,802
74,038
Professional services
12,639
10,631
35,930
36,939
52,271
52,616
155,812
156,858
Total noninterest expense
260,017
288,738
777,464
873,631
Income before income taxes
52,522
42,503
111,025
119,907
Income tax expense
13,211
9,249
24,008
27,191
Net income
39,311
33,254
87,017
92,716
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
2,269
1,186
6,042
5,138
Income attributable to Hilltop
37,042
32,068
80,975
87,578
Earnings per common share:
Basic
0.57
0.50
1.25
1.21
Diluted
Weighted average share information:
65,106
64,552
65,011
72,400
65,108
64,669
65,014
72,557
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net taxes of $(91), $2,188, $(87) and $5,099, respectively
(306)
21,749
(169)
58,158
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net taxes of $(4,349), $(14,506), $(4,497) and $(34,747), respectively
(14,585)
(48,361)
(15,819)
(115,679)
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income, net taxes of $0, $0, $1 and $3, respectively
(2)
—
10
Adjustment for unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net taxes of $0, $0, $0 and $(17,033), respectively
(56,690)
Amortization of unrealized losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net taxes of $459, $609, $1,332 and $1,369, respectively
1,528
2,027
4,432
4,556
Comprehensive income (loss)
25,946
8,669
75,465
(16,929)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive income (loss) applicable to Hilltop
23,677
7,483
69,423
(22,067)
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
Loss
Earnings
Trust, Net
Equity
Interest
Balance, June 30, 2022
64,576
646
1,039,261
(95,279)
1,085,208
695
34
(954)
2,029,577
27,826
2,057,403
Other comprehensive loss
(24,585)
Stock-based compensation expense
4,334
Common stock issued to board members
146
Issuance of common stock related to share-based awards, net
(136)
Dividends on common stock ($0.15 per share)
(9,690)
Deferred compensation plan
(216)
(11)
313
97
Net cash distributed to noncontrolling interest
(1,940)
Balance, September 30, 2022
64,591
1,043,605
(119,864)
1,107,586
479
23
(641)
2,031,811
27,072
2,058,883
Balance, June 30, 2023
65,071
651
1,050,191
(131,718)
1,144,624
450
21
(599)
2,063,599
26,655
2,090,254
(13,365)
2,936
128
95
1
(388)
(387)
Dividends on common stock ($0.16 per share)
(10,416)
(110)
(5)
153
43
(1,642)
Balance, September 30, 2023
65,170
16
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
Balance, December 31, 2021
78,965
790
1,274,446
(10,219)
1,257,014
752
(115)
2,522,668
26,535
2,549,203
(109,645)
11,553
17
451
478
(4,206)
(4,202)
Repurchases of common stock
(14,869)
(148)
(238,639)
(203,549)
(442,336)
Dividends on common stock ($0.45 per share)
(33,457)
(273)
(526)
(799)
(4,601)
Balance, December 31, 2022
64,685
(11,552)
12,967
14
428
616
7
(4,542)
(4,535)
(145)
(2,317)
(2,184)
(4,503)
Dividends on common stock ($0.48 per share)
(31,177)
(141)
(7)
194
53
(5,365)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Operating Activities
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net
15,267
20,207
Deferred income taxes
5,268
2,258
Other, net
12,531
11,814
Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell
(5,649)
(27,103)
Net change in trading securities
176,131
6,134
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization receivables
(348,318)
748,584
Net change in other assets
(40,165)
(52,021)
Net change in broker-dealer and clearing organization payables
360,433
(470,426)
Net change in other liabilities
(13,295)
66,479
Net change in securities sold, not yet purchased
(1,496)
2,929
Proceeds from sale of mortgage servicing rights asset
19,055
1,876
Change in valuation of mortgage servicing rights asset
678
(23,575)
Net gains from sales of loans
(135,763)
(266,435)
Loans originated for sale
(7,297,473)
(11,706,056)
Proceeds from loans sold
7,328,562
12,823,759
Net cash provided by operating activities
179,910
1,235,811
Investing Activities
Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of securities held to maturity
55,006
78,144
Proceeds from sales, maturities and principal reductions of securities available for sale
204,903
259,774
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(11,432)
Purchases of securities available for sale
(31,567)
(625,522)
Purchases of equity securities
(30)
Net change in loans held for investment
(184,341)
(391,040)
Purchases of premises and equipment and other assets
(6,090)
(7,335)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and other real estate owned
3,431
1,808
Net cash received from (paid to) Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock
689
(175)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
42,031
(695,808)
Financing Activities
Net change in deposits
(171,491)
(1,296,781)
Net change in short-term borrowings
(87,251)
82,178
Proceeds from notes payable
490,151
638,498
Payments on notes payable
(490,151)
(636,394)
Payments to repurchase common stock
Dividends paid on common stock
(5,165)
(4,768)
Net cash used in financing activities
(304,952)
(1,697,661)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(83,011)
(1,157,658)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
1,647,899
3,045,263
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
1,564,888
1,887,605
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash to Consolidated Balance Sheets
1,777,584
663
109,358
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest
252,409
69,681
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
14,076
14,956
Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Activities
Conversion of loans to other real estate owned
5,168
326
Additions to mortgage servicing rights
23,859
47,850
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.
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 (“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, 2022 (“2022 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”).
PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”), which holds a controlling ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”).
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
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
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 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2022 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 2022 Form 10-K.
2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Accounting Standards Adopted During 2023
In March 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-02 to eliminate the recognition and measurement guidance on troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) 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. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2022-02 as of January 1, 2023 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial statements.
In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04 to require entities that use supplier finance programs in connection with the purchase of goods and services to disclose the key terms of such programs and information about obligations outstanding at the end of the reporting period, including a rollforward of those obligations and a description of where in the financial statements outstanding amounts are present. The guidance does not affect the recognition, measurement or financial statement presentation of supplier finance program obligations. The amendments are effective in periods beginning after December 15, 2022, except that the amendments to disclose a rollforward of obligations outstanding will be effective beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company adopted the provisions as of January 1, 2023. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial statements.
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01 to require entities to classify and account for leases with related parties on the basis of legally enforceable terms and conditions of the arrangement. The amendments are effective in periods beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2023-01 as of January 1, 2023 on a prospective basis for new and existing leasehold improvements. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on the Company’s future consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05 to require joint ventures to initially measure all contributions received upon its formation at fair value. The guidance is applicable to joint venture entities with a formation date on or after
January 1, 2025. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the amendments and the impact on its future consolidated statements.
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06 to clarify or improve disclosure and presentation requirements of a variety of topics, which will allow users to more easily compare entities subject to the SEC's existing disclosures with those entities that were not previously subject to the requirements, and align the requirements in the FASB accounting standard codification with the SEC's regulations. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the amendments and the impact on its future consolidated 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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the aggregate fair value of PrimeLending’s mortgage loans held for sale accounted for under the Fair Value Option was $933.5 million and $855.7 million, respectively, and the unpaid principal balance of those loans was $933.6 million and $850.3 million, 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
11
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
September 30, 2023
Inputs
Fair Value
Trading securities
10,636
568,265
Available for sale securities
1,444,238
12,000
Equity securities
897,285
36,198
933,483
Loans held for investment
9,999
Derivative assets
117,072
MSR asset
Securities sold, not yet purchased
28,975
22,552
Derivative liabilities
28,446
December 31, 2022
15,456
739,576
814,990
40,707
855,697
9,181
88,977
25,506
27,517
11,405
12
The following tables include a rollforward for those material 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
Income (Loss)
End of Period
Three months ended September 30, 2023
11,696
304
41,292
17,219
(9,171)
(13,142)
9,714
285
95,101
3,759
6,091
146,107
32,674
(6,462)
163,148
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
54,727
(39,900)
(18,890)
818
(19,055)
(678)
150,713
90,282
(58,955)
(18,446)
Three months ended September 30, 2022
41,732
18,012
(19,594)
(251)
(2,485)
37,414
9,027
8,912
121,688
29,340
5,511
156,539
172,447
47,352
2,911
202,865
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
47,716
38,454
(44,342)
5,587
(10,001)
9,611
(562)
(137)
86,990
(1,876)
23,575
134,706
95,915
(46,780)
13,437
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 September 30, 2023.
For material Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows.
Range (Weighted-Average)
Financial instrument
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Inputs
Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
15.00
%
Market comparable
Projected price
78
-
89
(
%)
88
11.50
11.88
Constant prepayment rate
7.30
8.14
11.70
12.10
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 fair value of certain available for sale securities and loans held for investment by the Company’s merchant bank subsidiary are measured using the income approach with Level 3 inputs. The fair value of such financial instruments are based upon estimates of expected cash flows using unobservable inputs, including credit spreads derived from comparable securities and benchmark credit curves, and management’s knowledge of underlying collateral.
13
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 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 material instruments recognized in the consolidated statements of operations that are accounted for under the Fair Value Option (in thousands).
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net
Noninterest
Changes in
Gains (Losses)
Income
(3,330)
(37,526)
(377)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
(5,563)
(73,520)
(660)
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value on Recurring or Non-Recurring Basis
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 2022 Form 10-K.
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
1,517,397
Held to maturity securities
703,366
125,324
99,479
26,361
125,840
8,083,231
357,244
7,661,201
8,018,445
79,704
78,059
1,645
Financial liabilities:
11,086,261
Debt
324,346
18,793
1,580,162
785,335
126,919
82,684
42,908
125,592
7,988,050
431,223
7,434,038
7,865,261
77,052
75,386
1,666
11,295,153
350,104
5,410
The Company held equity investments other than securities of $55.0 million and $57.6 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are included within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Of the $55.0 million of such equity investments held at September 30, 2023, $23.2 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
22,654
28,183
27,264
16,817
Additional investments
374
11,000
Upward adjustments
186
234
611
679
Impairments and downward adjustments
(21)
(1,013)
(5,056)
(1,092)
Balance, end of period
23,193
27,404
15
4. Securities
The fair value of trading securities is summarized as follows (in thousands).
U.S. Treasury securities
5,488
10,466
U.S. government agencies:
Bonds
26,776
20,878
Residential mortgage-backed securities
93,285
214,100
Collateralized mortgage obligations
159,171
182,717
13,423
Corporate debt securities
57,707
42,685
States and political subdivisions
183,755
260,271
Private-label securitized product
29,020
9,265
10,276
14,650
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 $51.5 million and $53.0 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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
4,984
(493)
4,491
166,637
163
(1,421)
165,379
404,042
(56,194)
347,850
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
177,618
(9,598)
168,020
804,096
(77,667)
726,435
36,963
(4,901)
32,063
1,606,340
172
(150,274)
19,655
(514)
19,144
202,834
323
(900)
202,257
455,121
(48,775)
406,358
183,266
65
(7,832)
175,499
887,521
(68,627)
818,894
40,160
57
(3,603)
36,614
1,788,557
460
(130,251)
Held to Maturity
283,620
(42,001)
241,619
173,191
(18,997)
154,194
290,843
(49,016)
241,827
77,425
(11,699)
65,726
(121,713)
301,583
(29,727)
271,856
180,942
(14,935)
166,007
314,705
(38,343)
276,362
78,302
26
(7,218)
71,110
(90,223)
Additionally, the Company had unrealized net gains of $0.2 million and $0.1 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, from equity securities with fair values of $0.3 million and $0.2 million held at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company recognized nominal net gains during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and recognized net gains of $0.1 million and net losses of $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, due to changes in the fair value of equity securities still held at the balance sheet date. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, net gains and losses 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.
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
Unrealized loss for twelve months or longer
493
4,465
514
Bonds:
109,390
951
98,246
388
46,161
470
15,263
512
155,551
1,421
18
113,509
900
Residential mortgage-backed securities:
761
33
168,351
10,036
124
346,191
56,161
30
236,739
38,739
126
346,952
56,194
125
405,090
48,775
Commercial mortgage-backed securities:
14,456
858
79,337
2,047
184,326
8,740
86,923
5,785
198,782
9,598
19
166,260
7,832
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
30,975
338
563,872
30,980
137
704,787
77,329
48
244,917
37,647
141
735,762
77,667
145
808,789
68,627
States and political subdivisions:
11,099
398
20,555
964
50
18,988
4,503
29
7,892
2,639
69
30,087
4,901
63
28,447
3,603
Total available for sale:
166,681
2,578
252
930,361
44,415
339
1,304,944
147,696
119
596,199
85,836
384
1,471,625
150,274
371
1,526,560
130,251
59,089
5,928
241,618
42,001
31
212,768
23,799
271,857
29,727
163,172
14,483
18,997
2,834
452
166,006
14,935
33,836
3,225
54
49,016
38
242,527
35,118
56
276,363
38,343
52
24,904
2,192
150
59,459
5,362
129
40,821
9,507
27
8,093
1,856
181
65,725
11,699
177
67,552
7,218
Total held to maturity:
212
315,556
28,998
258
678,460
119,521
466,222
61,225
310
703,364
121,713
309
781,778
90,223
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 September 30, 2023 are shown by contractual maturity below (in thousands).
Due in one year or less
11,653
11,469
Due after one year through five years
84,392
82,835
2,730
2,505
Due after five years through ten years
59,722
58,814
35,679
31,128
Due after ten years
64,817
60,815
38,706
31,784
220,584
213,933
The Company recognized net gains of $4.9 million and net losses of $3.2 million from its trading portfolio during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and net gains of $24.6 million and net losses of $7.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers realized net gains from structured product trading activities of $7.6 million and $16.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and net gains from structured product trading activities of $51.5 million and $25.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company had nominal other realized gains and losses on securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 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 $492.7 million and $778.6 million (with a fair value of $439.8 million and $717.6 million, respectively) at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
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 real estate (including construction and land development), wholesale/retail trade, agribusiness and energy. 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
3,285,899
3,245,873
Commercial and industrial
1,662,737
1,639,980
Construction and land development
1,088,701
980,896
1-4 family residential
1,783,259
1,767,099
Consumer
26,212
27,602
Broker-dealer (1)
Total loans held for investment, net of allowance
Past Due Loans and Nonaccrual Loans
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
Commercial real estate:
Non-owner occupied
957
1,877,206
1,878,163
Owner occupied
1,072
3,893
4,977
1,402,759
1,407,736
2,032
193
3,613
5,838
1,656,899
4,941
4,942
1,083,759
4,269
1,804
2,706
8,779
1,774,480
41
58
26,154
Broker-dealer
13,312
5,900
6,339
25,551
8,178,501
567
235
802
1,869,750
1,870,552
1,037
2,880
3,917
1,371,404
1,375,321
609
82
5,598
6,289
1,633,691
49
3,665
977,231
9,733
773
4,467
14,973
1,752,126
198
15,788
3,742
10,314
29,844
8,062,829
51
In addition to the loans shown in the tables above, PrimeLending had $106.3 million and $92.0 million of loans included in loans held for sale (with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $106.6 million and $92.4 million, respectively) that were 90 days past due and accruing interest at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These loans are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and include loans that are subject to repurchase, or have been repurchased, by PrimeLending.
20
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
432
1,943
2,375
688
562
1,250
83
265
422
4,649
315
4,964
2,862
157
3,019
465
505
714
9,476
10,190
3,727
5,368
9,095
1,564
303
1,833
930
22
560
8,911
9,471
433
10,862
11,295
561
1,267
2,286
6,924
20,645
27,569
7,725
16,949
24,674
2,229
1,224
3,874
4,165
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $3.9 million and $4.8 million, respectively, of real estate loans secured by residential properties and classified as held for sale were in non-accrual status.
As shown in the table above, loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis increased from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023 by $2.9 million. The change in non-accrual loans was primarily due to increases in commercial real estate owner occupied loans of $1.9 million, commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans of $1.1 million and commercial and industrial loans of $1.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in 1-4 family residential loans of $1.8 million. The increase in commercial real estate owner occupied loans in non-accrual status was primarily due to the addition of a single relationship with an aggregate loan balance of $3.9 million since December 31, 2022, partially offset by the foreclosure of one office property in Texas. The increase in commercial real estate non-owner occupied loans in non-accrual status was primarily due to the addition of a single relationship with an aggregate loan balance of $1.4 million since December 31, 2022, partially offset by principal payoffs. The increase in commercial and industrial loans was primarily due to the addition of four relationships with an aggregate loan balance of $7.5 million to non-accrual status since December 31, 2022, partially offset by principal payoffs. The decrease in 1-4 family residential loans in non-accrual status since December 31, 2022 was primarily due to principal payoffs and foreclosures.
The Company considers non-accrual loans to be collateral-dependent unless there are underlying mitigating circumstances, such as expected cash flow recovery. The practical expedient to measure the allowance using the fair value of the collateral has been implemented.
Loan Modifications
As previously discussed, as of January 1, 2023, the Company adopted the new guidance which eliminated the recognition and measurement guidance on TDRs for creditors, and requires enhanced disclosures about loan modifications for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. 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.
The following table presents the amortized cost basis of the loans held for investment modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty grouped by portfolio segment and type of modification granted during the periods presented (in thousands).
Modifications as a
Interest Rate
Term
Principal
Payment
% of Portfolio
Reduction
Extension
Forgiveness
Delay
Segment
382
11,440
0.7
11,834
0.1
34,784
1.9
2,205
0.2
15,057
2,868
1.1
286
52,332
The following table presents the financial effects of the loans held for investment modified for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty during the periods presented (in thousands).
Weighted-Average Term Extension (in months)
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
24
35
There were no loans that have been modified during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 for which a payment was at least 30 days past due.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
There were no TDRs granted during the three months ended September 30, 2022. There were three TDRs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 with an aggregate balance at date of extension of $3.6 million and an aggregate balance at September 30, 2022 of $2.9 million. The Bank had no unadvanced commitments to borrowers whose loans had been restructured in TDRs at September 30, 2022. There were no TDRs granted during the twelve months preceding September 30, 2022 for which a payment was at least 30 days past due.
Credit Risk Profile
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 2022 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
2018 and
Converted to
2021
2020
2019
Prior
Revolving
Term Loans
Commercial real estate: non-owner occupied
Internal Grade 1-3 (Pass low risk)
3,163
31,616
32,778
17,913
7,735
5,594
(26)
189
98,962
Internal Grade 4-7 (Pass normal risk)
129,170
286,269
370,985
118,082
69,726
48,999
34,867
16,725
1,074,823
Internal Grade 8-11 (Pass high risk and watch)
107,113
176,060
102,960
92,100
55,752
77,102
13,320
814
625,221
Internal Grade 12 (Special mention)
Internal Grade 13 (Substandard accrual)
11,736
14,108
2,553
6,812
76,782
Internal Grade 14 (Substandard non-accrual)
1,414
579
Current period gross charge-offs
Commercial real estate: owner occupied
37,769
30,817
105,834
41,817
17,690
45,379
2,238
14,321
295,865
93,484
172,896
148,564
71,022
63,119
123,573
16,538
689,196
47,496
79,546
72,988
89,217
19,041
66,033
5,149
1,505
380,975
1,024
2,546
3,384
5,166
7,548
5,656
11,314
98
35,712
4,053
655
244
977
19,309
30,115
30,538
15,463
20,118
1,857
28,897
146,314
58,360
80,794
135,009
25,721
4,521
10,508
279,576
21,522
616,011
85,308
127,147
39,601
38,824
7,464
8,063
234,197
2,688
543,292
132
33,841
33,973
4,106
1,453
4,066
3,992
3,806
370
24,681
22,691
65,165
147
1,917
3,776
3,911
276
3,041
25
586
4,015
5,322
15,201
12,927
812
341
34,603
213,083
255,710
98,331
28,393
868
1,786
27,943
626,114
141,367
163,554
46,959
4,073
2,370
232
1,436
9,486
369,477
373
14,613
3,788
11,247
2,393
32,041
277
Construction and land development - individuals
FICO less than 620
FICO between 620 and 720
2,750
867
919
4,536
FICO greater than 720
17,035
3,432
121
20,639
Substandard non-accrual
Other (1)
356
1,457
756
255
23,792
237
27,143
3,333
16,876
12,627
6,739
4,837
25,693
1,714
71,819
136,432
546,544
742,656
90,218
38,609
55,815
3,547
630
1,614,451
534
8,937
20,233
21,387
12,008
1,385
3,122
60,375
73
709
546
47
352
1,761
2,879
2,084
571
316
159
40
1,926
7,985
2,527
1,011
726
2,416
9,924
3,598
2,064
336
312
64
6,535
274
Total loans with credit quality measures
1,193,622
2,075,162
1,992,144
670,473
332,762
524,848
713,095
96,910
7,599,016
Commercial and industrial (mortgage warehouse lending)
237,793
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 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 September 30, 2023. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, 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.
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 September 30, 2023. While the Company believes it has an appropriate allowance for the existing loan portfolio at September 30, 2023, 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 changes in macroeconomic forecasts and loan cash flow assumptions. 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 2022 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 September 30, 2023, the Company utilized a single macroeconomic alternative scenario, or S7, published by Moody’s Analytics in September 2023 that was updated to reflect the U.S. economic outlook. This alternative economic scenario expects inflation persistently higher than the baseline scenario as uneven supply chain and labor market conditions continue to reflect the impact of international armed conflicts, tighter lending standards resulting from bank failures earlier in 2023, and still elevated interest rates contribute to a mild U.S recession starting in the first quarter of 2024. Federal Reserve monetary policy maintains the elevated interest rates to a federal funds rate at the baseline target range of 5.25% to 5.50% into early 2024. 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.
During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the reversal of credit losses reflected modest improvements in the U.S economic outlook compared to assumptions in the prior quarter outlook, and in specific reserves and credit metrics since the prior quarter, while the increase in provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was driven by a deteriorating U.S. economic outlook since December 31, 2021. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 included reversals of credit losses of $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, while collectively evaluated loans included a reversal of credit losses of $0.5 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $5.9 million, respectively. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the noted periods were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, and changes in loan balances and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The changes in the allowance during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 were also impacted by net charge-offs of $2.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the slight reversal of credit losses reflected improvements to the U.S. economic outlook and decreases in specific reserves of $0.7 million within our broker dealer segment, offset by increases in specific reserves and net portfolio changes within the banking segment. The increase in the provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflected a significant build in the allowance related to loan portfolio changes since December 31, 2022 and a deteriorating outlook for commercial real estate markets. Specific to the Bank, the net impact to the allowance of changes associated with collectively evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a reversal of credit losses of $0.3 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $14.2 million, respectively, on collectively evaluated loans, while the net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a provision for credit losses of $0.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the noted periods were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, and changes in loan balances and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The changes in the allowance during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were also impacted by net recoveries of $1.6 million and net charge-offs of $1.7 million, respectively.
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
71,462
(1,567)
(34)
69,871
17,315
838
(936)
19,722
7,395
1,575
8,970
11,618
(179)
11,472
615
(152)
130
601
901
(715)
109,306
(1,122)
2,678
110,822
63,255
7,586
(1,011)
16,035
4,417
(4,015)
3,285
6,051
2,919
9,313
2,147
(73)
85
554
106
(274)
215
(48)
95,442
(5,373)
3,626
63,719
(560)
63,200
19,836
(1,002)
(3,096)
16,108
4,996
(228)
4,768
5,554
1,049
(14)
6,612
542
(149)
90
574
(130)
521
95,298
(3,259)
524
91,783
59,354
3,762
84
21,982
(1,681)
(6,197)
2,004
4,674
4,589
2,014
(62)
71
578
136
(361)
221
175
346
91,352
(6,620)
2,380
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).
7,992
6,931
7,784
5,880
Other noninterest expense
559
767
1,138
8,551
7,018
The increase in the reserve for unfunded commitments during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was due to increases in both loan expected loss rates and available commitment balances. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increases in the reserve for unfunded commitments were primarily due to increases in expected loss rates.
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)
7,373
7,942
32,035
Due to customer payoffs
(1,282)
(2,431)
(3,512)
(8,460)
Mortgage loans serviced for others (2)
5,105,947
5,144,558
MSR asset as a percentage of serviced mortgage loans
2.06
1.96
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)
9.0
8.4
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
(3,207)
(3,288)
Impact of 20% adverse change
(6,227)
(6,375)
Discount rate:
(5,100)
(4,797)
(9,718)
(9,147)
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 $9.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $24.2 million and $27.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 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
4,406,393
4,110,418
Brokered - demand
308,513
5,336
Money market
1,739,708
2,045,554
Brokered - money market
7,376
9,031
Savings
264,111
312,140
Time
1,084,276
864,408
Brokered - time
92,473
At September 30, 2023, remaining maturities of estimated uninsured time deposits greater than $250,000 were $432.5 million.
9. Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings are summarized as follows (in thousands).
Federal funds purchased
447,858
397,108
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
226,812
297,856
Federal Home Loan Bank
Short-term bank loans
57,500
Commercial paper
208,329
217,592
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.
28
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
797,489
530,180
Average interest rate during the period
5.40
1.36
Average interest rate at end of period
5.56
4.37
Securities underlying the agreements at end of period:
Carrying value
226,846
296,075
Estimated fair value
243,825
318,409
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. Other information regarding FHLB short-term borrowings is shown in the following table (dollars in thousands).
180,861
5.08
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. At September 30, 2023 there were no outstanding short-term bank loans.
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 September 30, 2023, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 133 days at a rate of 6.22%, with a weighted average remaining life of 65 days. At September 30, 2023, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $208.3 million, which was collateralized by securities held for Hilltop Securities accounts valued at $231.7 million.
10. Notes Payable
Notes payable consisted of the following (in thousands).
Senior Notes due April 2025, net of discount of $552 and $699, respectively
149,448
149,301
Subordinated Notes due May 2030, net of discount of $536 and $610, respectively
49,464
49,390
Subordinated Notes due May 2035, net of discount of $1,892 and $2,037, respectively
148,108
147,963
11. Leases
Supplemental balance sheet information related to finance leases is as follows (in thousands).
Finance leases:
Premises and equipment
7,780
Accumulated depreciation
(6,390)
(5,948)
1,390
1,832
The components of lease costs, including short-term lease costs, are as follows (in thousands).
Operating lease cost
8,488
9,121
26,231
28,078
Less operating lease and sublease income
(655)
(633)
(1,965)
(1,762)
Net operating lease cost
7,833
24,266
26,316
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of ROU assets
442
Interest on lease liabilities
104
118
324
363
Total finance lease cost
251
766
805
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
27,899
27,387
Operating cash flows from finance leases
366
Financing cash flows from finance leases
628
563
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases
11,396
12,336
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
5.4
4.48
5.7
3.89
Finance
3.4
4.95
4.0
4.89
Future minimum lease payments under lease agreements as of September 30, 2023, are presented below (in thousands).
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
8,530
325
2024
29,882
1,163
2025
23,898
886
2026
18,833
813
2027
14,987
448
Thereafter
32,115
149
Total minimum lease payments
128,245
3,784
Less amount representing interest
(13,911)
(1,009)
Lease liabilities
2,775
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had an additional operating lease that has not yet commenced with aggregate future minimum lease payments of approximately $2.2 million. This operating lease is expected to commence in March 2024 with a lease term of two 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 25.2% and 21.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and 21.6% and 22.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was higher than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the impact of non-deductible compensation expense and other permanent adjustments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the effective tax rate differs from the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the impacts of excess tax benefits on share-based payment awards, investments in tax-exempt instruments and changes in accumulated tax reserves, partially offset by nondeductible expenses and the booking of additional taxes from a recent change in the source of funding for an acquired non-qualified, deferred compensation plan.
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.
On June 8, 2022, WR Investments, LP (“WR”) filed claims against Hilltop Securities, et al. through FINRA Dispute Resolution, Midwest Region. WR alleges it suffered a $13.0 million loss in its sale of subordinated bonds related to a portfolio of senior living facilities sold by an affiliate of WR. Hilltop Securities believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such claims. There can be no assurance, however, that Hilltop Securities will be successful. At present, Hilltop Securities is unable to estimate the probability or amount of potential losses, if any, related to these claims.
In September 2020, PrimeLending received an investigative inquiry from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia regarding PrimeLending’s float down option. The United States Attorney has issued grand jury subpoenas to PrimeLending and PlainsCapital Bank for additional materials regarding this matter. PrimeLending has, and PrimeLending and PlainsCapital Bank will, cooperate with requests for information with respect to this matter.
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.
32
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 inquiries, claim settlements and the severity of estimated losses resulting from future claims, and the mortgage origination segment’s history of successfully curing defects identified in claim requests.
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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the mortgage origination segment’s indemnification liability reserve totaled $13.6 million and $20.5 million, respectively. The provision for indemnification losses was $0.5 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $1.3 million and $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 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
27,567
28,715
31,244
31,407
Claims made
6,572
14,247
37,582
42,305
Claims resolved with no payment
(1,633)
(4,378)
(11,418)
(12,352)
Repurchases
(4,430)
(11,320)
(25,430)
(34,096)
Indemnification payments
(386)
(4,288)
27,690
Indemnification Liability Reserve Activity
15,058
23,750
20,528
27,424
Additions for new sales
480
608
1,317
2,123
(1,896)
(1,591)
(7,781)
(6,367)
Early payment defaults
(65)
(90)
(295)
(212)
(27)
(219)
Change in reserves for loans sold in prior years
(553)
(844)
13,550
22,124
Reserve for Indemnification Liability:
Specific claims
1,109
627
Incurred but not reported claims
12,441
19,901
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.
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 $2.2 billion at September 30, 2023 and outstanding financial and performance standby letters of credit of $49.5 million at September 30, 2023.
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 nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, Hilltop granted 14,440 and 16,501 shares of common stock, respectively, pursuant to the 2020 Equity Plan 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023 (shares in thousands).
RSUs
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Outstanding
1,548
28.09
Granted
34.36
Vested/Released
(751)
21.93
Forfeited
(16)
31.57
1,260
34.03
Vested/Released RSUs include an aggregate of 134,731 shares withheld to satisfy employee statutory tax obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company awarded certain executives and key employees an aggregate of 386,850 RSUs pursuant to the 2020 Equity Plan. Of the RSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, 292,262 that were outstanding at September 30, 2023, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023, 88,073 that were outstanding at September 30, 2023, provide for cliff vesting based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period.
At September 30, 2023, in the aggregate, 886,096 of the outstanding RSUs are subject to time-based vesting conditions and generally cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, and 374,299 outstanding RSUs cliff vest based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period. At September 30, 2023, unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding RSUs of $18.5 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.35 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 September 30, 2023 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.
Minimum
Requirements
Including
Conservation
To Be Well
Buffer
Capitalized
Ratio
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):
PlainsCapital
1,438,971
10.62
1,405,164
10.26
5.0
1,954,422
11.92
1,900,701
11.47
N/A
Common equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
15.31
14.98
7.0
6.5
18.60
18.23
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):
8.5
8.0
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):
1,546,036
16.45
1,492,576
15.91
10.5
10.0
2,262,945
21.54
2,187,652
20.98
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 September 30, 2023, the net capital position of each of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers was as follows (in thousands).
Momentum
Independent
Network
Net capital
233,291
4,602
Less: required net capital
7,109
250
Excess net capital
226,182
4,352
Net capital as a percentage of aggregate debit items
65.6
Net capital in excess of 5% aggregate debit items
215,518
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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Hilltop Broker-Dealers held cash of $47.5 million and $67.7 million,
36
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 September 30, 2023.
Mortgage Origination
As a mortgage originator, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries are subject to minimum capital, 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 September 30, 2023, PrimeLending and its subsidiaries’ minimum capital, net worth and liquidity exceeded the amounts required by both HUD and GNMA, as applicable.
17. Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of $0.48 and $0.45 per common share, or an aggregate of $31.2 million and $33.5 million, respectively.
On October 19, 2023, Hilltop’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share, payable on November 28, 2023, to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2023.
Stock Repurchases
In January 2023, the Hilltop board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2024, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Hilltop paid $4.5 million to repurchase an aggregate of 144,403 shares of our common stock at an average price of $31.15 per share pursuant to the stock repurchase program.
The Company’s stock repurchase program, prior year repurchases, and related accounting policy are discussed in detail in Note 1 and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2022 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 futures contracts. 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, futures contracts, credit default swaps and municipal market data (“MMD”) rate locks, to hedge changes in the fair value of its securities.
37
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 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
(946)
2,276
5,840
(10,975)
Hilltop Broker-Dealers
13,214
14,240
(4,016)
23,819
Bank
76
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 portfolio layer, 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 derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheets and changes in the fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges of fair value are included in current earnings. 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
621,604
2,752
506,278
1,767
Commitments to purchase MBSs
2,283,755
(16,834)
819,681
2,435
Commitments to sell MBSs
3,074,491
31,497
2,188,964
10,711
Interest rate swaps
46,500
35,784
Interest rate swaps back-to-back (asset) (1)
120
Interest rate swaps back-to-back (liability) (1)
(124)
U.S. Treasury bond futures and options (2)
338,600
(3,883)
395,500
(449)
Interest rate and other futures (2)
399,200
2,612,000
Credit default swaps
4,000
3,000
Derivative instruments (designated as hedges):
Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges
410,000
21,447
430,000
21,703
Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges (3)
325,272
49,315
365,323
42,828
The Bank and PrimeLending held cash collateral advances, in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets, of $86.1 million and $65.0 million to offset net asset derivative positions on its commitments to sell MBSs and derivative instruments designated as hedges at September 30, 2023 and December, 31, 2022, respectively. PrimeLending had advanced cash collateral totaling $0.1 million and $8.4 million to offset net liability positions on its commitments to sell MBSs at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In addition, PrimeLending and the Hilltop Broker-Dealers had advanced cash collateral totaling $13.4 million and $10.6 million on various derivative instruments at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The advanced cash collateral amounts are included in other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.
Derivatives on Behalf of Customers
The Bank offers derivative contracts to certain customers in connection with their risk management needs. These derivatives include back-to-back interest rate swaps. The Bank manages the risk associated with these contracts by entering into an equal and offsetting derivative with a third-party dealer bank. These derivatives generally work together as an economic interest rate hedge, but the Bank does not designate them for hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, changes in fair value of the corresponding derivative financial asset or liability were recorded as either a charge or credit to current earnings during the period in which the changes in fair value occurred, typically resulting in no net earnings impact.
39
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
1,368,945
(1,308,458)
60,487
Interest rate swaps:
75,216
(4,334)
(73,650)
(2,768)
Credit default swaps:
Reverse repurchase agreements:
(120,140)
3,579
Forward MBS derivatives:
33,379
(482)
32,897
(21,280)
(12,337)
(720)
1,601,261
1,600,779
(1,454,214)
(85,987)
60,578
1,012,573
(964,517)
48,056
64,729
(64,630)
99
(115,302)
2,768
16,694
(3,410)
13,284
(9,957)
3,327
Treasury futures and options derivatives:
(506)
1,212,123
(3,916)
1,208,207
(1,089,776)
53,801
of Liabilities
Liabilities
Securities loaned:
1,304,884
(1,245,860)
59,024
Repurchase agreements:
226,061
(226,061)
18,234
(18,234)
3,891
(8)
3,883
(6,790)
(2,907)
1,553,070
1,553,062
(1,490,155)
56,117
916,570
(871,037)
45,533
1,619
(1,438)
296,978
(319,897)
(22,919)
138
(138)
1,215,307
(1,192,512)
22,795
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.
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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Remaining Contractual Maturities
Overnight and
Greater Than
Continuous
Up to 30 Days
30-90 Days
90 Days
Repurchase agreement transactions:
U.S. government agency securities
8,729
4,494
13,223
Asset-backed securities
93,895
62,336
8,599
48,008
212,838
Securities lending transactions:
Corporate securities
113
1,304,771
1,407,508
66,830
1,530,945
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
130,616
2,539
141,461
22,362
916,457
1,047,186
1,213,548
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
12,422
11,350
Trades in process of settlement
67,270
3,476
11,715
10,656
Payables:
Correspondents
19,471
22,760
Securities failed to receive
36,970
20,167
6,973
42
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.
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)
99,047
12,215
(5,482)
(3,175)
13,045
675
Noninterest income
11,668
106,488
88,747
3,159
(13,213)
Noninterest expense
56,887
97,865
91,505
13,937
(177)
Income (loss) before taxes
53,153
21,553
(8,240)
(13,953)
304,804
39,279
(15,590)
(9,976)
37,105
17,175
34,046
297,164
247,655
8,944
(37,815)
170,450
283,063
278,918
45,750
(717)
151,225
53,428
(46,853)
(46,782)
110,939
13,386
(2,939)
(3,276)
5,376
(650)
12,200
100,798
98,200
1,809
(6,032)
60,160
96,843
118,345
14,034
(644)
63,629
17,471
(23,084)
(15,501)
(12)
304,269
37,481
(6,066)
(9,856)
9,705
4,325
37,438
249,139
381,477
5,655
(11,033)
175,921
268,307
386,372
44,388
(1,357)
161,461
17,967
(10,961)
(48,589)
247,368
7,008
13,071
13,323,789
2,905,822
1,321,313
2,500,705
(3,654,771)
13,420,110
2,672,709
1,249,284
2,465,513
(3,548,334)
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
117
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
Diluted earnings per common share:
44
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, information technology expenses, cybersecurity incidents, 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, 2022 (“2022 Form 10-K”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 17, 2023, 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.
46
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 and shares in thousands, except per share data).
Statement of Operations Data:
Per Share Data:
Diluted earnings per common share
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
Cash dividends declared per common share
0.16
0.15
0.48
0.45
Dividend payout ratio (1)
28.12
30.19
38.54
37.20
Book value per common share (end of period)
31.91
31.46
Tangible book value per common share (2) (end of period)
27.67
27.13
Balance Sheet Data:
Capital Ratios:
Common equity to assets ratio
12.68
12.53
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (2)
11.18
11.00
(1) Dividend payout ratio is defined as cash dividends declared per common share divided by basic earnings per common share.
(2) For a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure, see “—Reconciliation and Management’s Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Consolidated income before income taxes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included the following contributions from our reportable business segments.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we declared and paid total common dividends of $31.2 million.
On October 19, 2023, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share, payable on November 28, 2023 to all common stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2023.
In January 2023, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2024, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we paid $4.5 million to repurchase an aggregate of 144,403 shares of our common stock at an average price of $31.15 per share pursuant to the stock repurchase program.
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
(4.24)
(4.33)
Tangible book value per common share
Hilltop stockholders’ equity
Less: goodwill and intangible assets, net
276,525
278,764
Tangible common equity
1,803,055
1,758,160
Tangible assets
16,120,333
15,980,518
Equity to assets
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
Recent Developments
Economic Environment
Beginning in 2022, and continuing through the first nine months of 2023, our operational and financial results have been volatile due to economic headwinds including tight housing inventories on mortgage volumes, declining deposit balances, rapid increases in market interest rates and a volatile economic forecast. The impacts of such headwinds during the remainder of 2023 remain uncertain and will depend on several developments outside of our control including, among others, the timing and significance of further changes in U.S. treasury yields and mortgage interest rates, exposure to increasing funding costs, inflationary pressures associated with compensation, occupancy and software costs and labor market conditions, and international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains.
In addition, the banking sector experienced increased uncertainty and concerns associated with liquidity positions primarily due to high-profile bank failures during early 2023 as depositors sought to reduce risks associated with uninsured deposits and withdraw such deposits from existing bank relationships. As a result, both regulatory scrutiny and market focus on liquidity increased. While immediate financial institution safety and soundness concerns have somewhat subsided, these failures underscore the importance of maintaining access to diverse sources of funding.
In light of the above events, we have continued our efforts to monitor deposit flows and balance sheet trends to ensure that our liquidity needs and financial flexibility are maintained. During 2023, we began increasing interest-bearing deposit rates to address rising market interest rates and intense competition for liquidity to combat deposit outflows. The Bank also accessed additional core deposits from our Hilltop Securities Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured sweep program and utilized its Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) borrowing capacity through the use of short-term borrowings. Further, to bolster our liquidity position, we increased brokered deposits at the Bank by approximately $390 million during the second quarter of 2023. At September 30, 2023, we continued to access approximately $300 million of additional core deposits from our Hilltop Securities FDIC insured sweep program, while the Bank is not utilizing any of its FHLB borrowing capacity.
Market conditions and external factors may unpredictably impact the competitive landscape for deposits such as those experienced during the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, the rising market interest rate environment has increased competition for liquidity and the premium at which liquidity is available to meet funding needs. An unexpected influx of withdrawals of deposits could adversely impact our ability to rely on organic deposits to primarily fund our operations, potentially requiring greater reliance on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal deposits or to fund continuing operations. These sources may include proceeds from FHLB advances, sales of investment securities and loans, federal fund lines of credit with correspondent banks, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, brokered time deposits, borrowings from the Federal Reserve and borrowings under lines of credit with other financial institutions. Refer to the discussions in the “Segment Results – Banking Segment” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Banking Segment” sections that follow for more details regarding the Bank’s deposits, available liquidity and borrowing capacity at September 30, 2023.
As a result of the bank failures during early 2023 and in an effort to strengthen public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors, regulators announced that any losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund to support uninsured depositors will be recovered by a special assessment on banks, as required by law, which could increase the cost of our FDIC insurance assessments, depending on the final rule. Additionally, on March 12, 2023, the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve and FDIC jointly announced the Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”). The BTFP aims to enhance liquidity by allowing institutions to pledge certain securities at par value, and at a borrowing rate of ten basis points over the one-year overnight index swap rate. The BTFP is available to eligible U.S. federally insured depository institutions, with advances having a term of up to one year and no prepayment penalties. The future impact of these failures on the economy, financial institutions and their depositors, as well as a governmental regulatory response or actions resulting from the same, is uncertain at this time. To date, we have not leveraged the discount window at the Federal Reserve or the BTFP.
We expect uncertainties related to economic headwinds discussed above, the impact of interest rate movements on the shape and inversions of the yield curve, the increasing cost and challenge for deposits, as well as disruptions to the economy and the U.S. banking system caused by bank failures during early 2023, to persist through the remainder of 2023.
Asset Valuation
As discussed in more detail within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2022 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.
Given the potential impacts as a result of the operating performance of these reporting segments and overall economic conditions, actual results may differ materially from our current estimates as the scope of such impacts evolves or if the duration of business disruptions is longer than currently anticipated. We continue to monitor developments regarding overall economic conditions, market capitalization, and any other triggering events or circumstances that may indicate an impairment in the future.
In light of the recent and continuing macroeconomic challenges in the mortgage industry given tight housing inventories and mortgage interest rate levels, and specifically the inability of our mortgage origination segment to meet forecasted projections, we identified these collective factors as a triggering event during the second quarter of 2023. As a result, we performed an interim quantitative impairment test on the mortgage origination segment’s goodwill as of June 1, 2023 using revised forecasts and considering sensitivities of assumptions, the decline in its carrying value, and the resulting increase in the excess of its estimated fair value compared to the carrying value since October 1, 2022, concluded that it was more likely than not that the mortgage origination segment’s estimated fair value of goodwill exceeded its carrying value.
To the extent future operating performance of our reporting segments remain challenged and below forecasted projections during 2023, significant assumptions such as expected future cash flows or the risk-adjusted discount rate used to estimate fair value are adversely impacted, or upon the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause us to perform impairment tests on our goodwill and other intangible assets, an impairment charge may be recorded for that period. In the event that we conclude that all or a portion of our goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired, a non-cash charge for the respective amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.
Outlook
Our balance sheet, operating results and certain metrics during 2023 reflected economic headwinds including tight housing inventories on mortgage volumes, declining deposit balances, increases in U.S. treasury yields and mortgage interest rates, and a volatile economic forecast. As noted within our 2022 Form 10-K, these headwinds, coupled with exposure to increasing funding costs, inflationary pressures associated with compensation, occupancy and software costs and labor market conditions, international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains within our business segments during 2022 and the first nine months of 2023 have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our operating results during the remainder of 2023.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
As a financial institution providing products and services through our banking, broker-dealer and mortgage origination segments, we are directly affected by general economic and market conditions, many of which are beyond our control and unpredictable. A key factor impacting our results of operations is changes in the level of interest rates in addition to twists in the shape of the yield curve with the magnitude and direction of the impact varying across the different lines of business. Other factors impacting our results of operations include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in volume and price levels of securities, inflation, political events, investor confidence, investor participation levels, legal, regulatory, and compliance requirements and competition. All of these factors have the potential to impact our financial position, operating results and liquidity. In addition, the recent economic and political environment has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives, both enacted and proposed, that could substantially change the regulation of the financial services industry and may significantly impact us.
Factors Affecting Comparability of Results of Operations
LIBOR Cessation
As discussed in more detail within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our 2022 Form 10-K, one week and two-month LIBOR ceased to be published on December 31, 2021, and all remaining USD LIBOR tenors ceased to be published or lost representativeness immediately after June 30, 2023.
Certain loans we originated bore interest at a floating rate based on LIBOR. We also paid interest on certain borrowings based on LIBOR, were counterparty to derivative agreements that were based on LIBOR and had contracts with payment calculations that used LIBOR as the reference rate.
In light of the LIBOR phase out, we took necessary actions, including the negotiation of certain of our agreements based on established alternative benchmark rates. 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 has completed its efforts to amend LIBOR-based contractual terms and establish an alternative benchmark rate. To date, an immaterial amount of expenses have been incurred as a result of our efforts related to 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 2023 vs 2022
Percent
Net interest income (expense):
(11,892)
535
0
(1,171)
(9)
1,798
(2,543)
(87)
(9,524)
(157)
101
(120)
(1)
All Other and Eliminations (1)
7,669
143
27,400
282
Hilltop Consolidated
(7,836)
(6)
20,089
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses:
1,325
204
12,850
297
(585)
(450)
(394)
(114)
All Other and Eliminations
740
12,456
267
(532)
(4)
(3,392)
5,690
48,025
(9,453)
(10)
(133,822)
(35)
1,350
75
3,289
(7,181)
(119)
(26,782)
(243)
(10,126)
(112,682)
(17)
(3,273)
(5,471)
(3)
1,022
14,756
(26,840)
(23)
(107,454)
(28)
(97)
1,362
467
640
(28,721)
(96,167)
Income (loss) before taxes:
(10,476)
(10,236)
4,082
35,461
197
14,844
(35,892)
(327)
1,807
(22)
(76)
10,019
(8,882)
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.
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. The change in reportable segment net interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, primarily reflected a decrease within our mortgage origination segment, partially offset by an increase within our broker-dealer 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, as noted in the segment results table previously presented, primarily due to a decrease of $133.4 million in net gains from sale of loans, other mortgage production income and mortgage loan origination fees within our mortgage origination segment, partially offset by increases in gains from derivative and trading portfolio activities.
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 September 30, 2023 was $37.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared with $32.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, during the three months ended September 30, 2022. Income applicable to common stockholders during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $81.0 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, compared with $87.6 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Hilltop’s financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, included decreases in year-over-year mortgage origination segment net gains from sales of loans and other mortgage production income, a decline in net interest income within the banking segment, and increases in net revenues within certain of the broker-dealer segment’s business lines. Hilltop’s financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, included changes consistent with those noted above within the mortgage origination and broker-dealer segments, as well as an increase in the provision for credit losses from a build in the allowance within the banking segment.
Certain items included in net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 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 September 30, 2023 and 2022 included net accretion on earning assets and liabilities of $2.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and amortization of identifiable intangibles of $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the Bank Transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, income before income taxes included net accretion on earning assets and liabilities of $7.6 million and $8.5 million, respectively, and amortization of identifiable intangibles of $2.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, related to the Bank Transactions.
The information shown in the table below includes certain key performance indicators on a consolidated basis.
Return on average stockholders' equity (1)
7.11
6.26
5.26
5.15
Return on average assets (2)
0.94
0.79
0.70
Net interest margin (3) (4)
3.02
3.19
3.11
2.75
Leverage ratio (5) (end of period)
11.41
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (6) (end of period)
17.45
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 September 30, 2023 and 2022, purchase accounting contributed 7 and 8 basis points, respectively, to our consolidated taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.04% and 3.20%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, purchase accounting contributed 7 and 8 basis points respectively, to our consolidated taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.12% and 2.76% respectively. The purchase accounting activity was primarily related to the accretion of discount of loans which totaled $2.2 million and $2.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, associated with the Bank Transactions. The purchase accounting activity was primarily related to the accretion of discount of loans which totaled $7.4 million and $8.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, associated with the Bank Transactions.
The tables below provide additional details regarding our consolidated net interest income (dollars in thousands).
Annualized
Earned
Yield or
Balance
or Paid
Rate
Interest-earning assets
1,075,518
15,649
5.82
1,166,265
14,414
4.94
Loans held for investment, gross (1)
7,972,604
126,753
6.31
7,911,833
94,751
4.75
Investment securities - taxable
2,690,977
4.04
2,883,412
2.72
Investment securities - non-taxable (2)
315,294
3,069
312,312
2,817
3.61
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
142,324
2,313
6.45
137,728
1,309
3.77
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
1,550,991
20,320
5.20
1,780,220
9,542
2.13
1,371,625
5.04
1,116,837
3.83
69,827
4,407
25.04
56,331
3,425
24.12
Interest-earning assets, gross (2)
15,189,160
217,360
5.68
15,364,938
156,838
4.05
(110,398)
(95,083)
Interest-earning assets, net
15,078,762
15,269,855
Noninterest-earning assets
1,448,834
1,399,228
16,527,596
16,669,083
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits
7,893,384
3.23
7,136,779
1,303,883
4.92
980,530
3.81
Notes payable and other borrowings
1,527,371
20,646
5.36
1,262,985
11,054
3.47
Total interest-bearing liabilities
10,724,638
3.74
9,380,294
1.40
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing deposits
3,347,752
4,543,067
362,133
685,843
14,434,523
14,609,204
Stockholders’ equity
2,066,564
2,032,717
Noncontrolling interest
26,509
27,162
Net interest income (2)
116,255
123,852
Net interest spread (2)
1.94
2.65
Net interest margin (2)
3.04
3.20
979,099
40,497
5.51
1,335,447
40,680
4.06
7,967,075
363,682
6.17
7,863,257
257,621
4.43
2,759,436
3.84
2,810,993
2.49
380,269
10,306
295,523
8,270
3.73
142,970
6,872
6.43
162,893
1,925
1.58
1,581,345
57,708
4.88
2,494,687
15,953
0.85
1,422,798
1,280,551
3.12
71,909
11,879
22.09
54,971
5,187
12.62
15,304,901
623,696
5.45
16,298,322
412,400
3.38
(101,664)
(92,991)
15,203,237
16,205,331
1,380,989
1,439,017
16,584,226
17,644,348
7,625,569
2.71
7,698,557
0.39
1,333,652
4.80
1,154,323
2.94
1,626,306
63,218
1,272,012
28,045
2.95
10,585,527
3.36
10,124,892
1.00
3,557,765
4,534,513
357,547
683,288
14,500,839
15,342,693
2,056,885
2,274,911
26,502
26,744
357,710
336,791
2.09
2.38
2.76
55
The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin shown above. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, such as securities borrowed in the broker-dealer segment and securities loaned in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, yields and costs on certain interest-earning assets, such as lines of credit extended to other operating segments by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
On a consolidated basis, the changes in net interest income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022, were primarily due to the effects of volume and rate changes within the mortgage warehouse lending, securities and deposits portfolios within the banking segment, decreased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale, partially offset by a decrease in the average warehouse line balance with an unaffiliated bank 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. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the slight reversal of credit losses reflected improvements to the U.S. economic outlook and decreases in specific reserves within our broker dealer segment, offset by increases in specific reserves and net portfolio changes within the banking segment. The provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflected a significant build in the allowance related to loan portfolio changes since December 31, 2022 and a deteriorating outlook for commercial real estate markets. Refer to the discussion under the heading “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” for more details regarding the significant assumptions and estimates involved in estimating credit losses.
Noninterest income decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreases in total mortgage loan sales volume and average loan sales margin within our mortgage origination segment, partially offset by net increases primarily within the broker-dealer segment’s wealth management business lines and public finance services. Noninterest income decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, primarily due to the changes noted above within our mortgage origination segment, partially offset by net increases primarily within the broker-dealer segment’s fixed income services, structured finance, public finance services and wealth management business lines.
Noninterest expense decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreases in both variable and non-variable compensation and other segment costs within our mortgage origination segment associated with the decreased mortgage loan originations. Noninterest expense decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, primarily due to the changes previously noted within our mortgage origination segment, partially offset by increases in non-variable compensation and other segment operating costs within our broker-dealer segment. We have experienced an increase in certain noninterest expenses during 2023 and 2022, compared with respective prior periods, including compensation, occupancy, and software costs, due to inflationary pressures. We expect such inflationary headwinds to continue and result in higher fixed costs through the remainder of 2023.
Effective income tax rates during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were 25.2% and 21.8%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, were 21.6% and 22.7% respectively. The effective tax rate during the third quarter of 2023 was higher than the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the impact of non-deductible compensation expense and other permanent adjustments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the effective tax rate differs from the applicable statutory rate primarily due to the impacts of excess tax benefits on share-based payment awards, investments in tax-exempt instruments and changes in accumulated tax
reserves, partially offset by nondeductible expenses and the booking of additional taxes from a recent change in the source of funding for an acquired non-qualified, deferred compensation plan.
Segment Results
Banking Segment
The following table presents certain information about the operating results of our banking segment (in thousands).
Variance
2023 vs 2022
The decrease in income before income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was primarily due to a decline in net interest income, partially offset by a decrease in noninterest expenses. The decrease in income before income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was driven by an increase in the provision for credit losses and a decrease in noninterest income, partially offset by a decline in noninterest expense. Changes to net interest income related to the component changes in the volume of average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates earned or paid on those items are discussed in more detail below.
As discussed in more detail below, given the intense competition for liquidity and as customers seek higher yields on deposits, the banking segment’s cost of deposits has increased and we expect it will continue to increase during the remainder of 2023. The resulting net interest income spread compression has had, and is expected to continue to have, a negative impact on banking segment operating results.
The information shown in the table below includes certain key indicators of the performance and asset quality of our banking segment.
Efficiency ratio (1)
51.38
48.85
50.30
51.48
1.20
1.41
1.17
1.16
Net interest margin (3)
3.08
3.42
3.01
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding (4)
0.08
(0.15)
(0.03)
(0.08)
The banking segment presents net interest margin and net interest income in the following discussion and table below on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest margin (taxable equivalent), a non-GAAP measure, is defined as taxable equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Taxable equivalent adjustments are based on the applicable corporate federal income tax 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 September 30, 2023 and 2022, purchase accounting contributed 8 and 10 basis points, respectively, to the banking segment’s taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.09% and 3.43%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, purchase accounting contributed 9 and 9 basis points, respectively, to the banking segment’s taxable equivalent net interest margin of 3.20% and 3.01% 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 tables below provide additional details regarding our banking segment’s net interest income (dollars in thousands).
7,831,250
118,307
5.99
7,460,437
88,054
4.68
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit
982,621
20,515
8.17
1,078,422
16,012
5.81
2,227,564
18,070
3.24
2,426,451
12,203
2.01
112,161
960
111,775
989
3.54
51,518
725
5.58
80,811
541
1,496,590
5.39
1,662,342
2.28
54,599
649
4.72
36,849
2,154
23.19
12,756,303
179,546
12,857,087
129,495
4.00
(109,798)
(94,690)
12,646,505
12,762,397
841,953
937,190
13,488,458
13,699,587
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
7,774,751
75,728
3.86
6,871,441
16,409
0.95
494,660
4,611
3.70
352,299
1,938
2.18
8,269,411
80,339
3.85
7,223,740
18,347
1.01
3,493,995
4,741,624
159,681
151,313
11,923,087
12,116,677
1,565,371
1,582,910
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
99,207
111,148
1.73
2.99
3.09
3.43
7,797,199
337,811
5.79
7,307,478
241,170
4.41
889,810
53,147
7.88
1,239,312
43,211
4.60
2,328,786
54,541
2,374,314
30,886
113,257
2,970
3.50
108,946
2,852
3.49
55,788
2,142
5.19
120,790
1,025
1.15
1,525,746
5.06
2,349,273
0.91
55,261
1,880
4.55
36,824
2,176
7.90
12,765,847
510,199
5.34
13,536,937
337,273
3.33
(100,653)
(92,562)
12,665,194
13,444,375
849,505
920,984
13,514,699
14,365,359
7,481,101
186,557
7,523,367
28,684
0.51
623,179
18,293
3.92
277,152
3,711
1.79
8,104,280
204,850
7,800,519
32,395
0.56
3,696,399
4,797,683
150,247
135,825
11,950,926
12,734,027
1,563,773
1,631,332
305,349
304,878
2.77
The banking segment’s net interest margin exceeds our consolidated net interest margin. Our consolidated net interest margin includes certain items that are not reflected in the calculation of our net interest margin within our banking segment and reduce our consolidated net interest margin, such as the borrowing costs of Hilltop and the yields and costs associated with certain items within interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, such as securities borrowed in the broker-dealer segment and securities loaned in the broker-dealer segment, including items related to securities financing operations that particularly decrease net interest margin. In addition, yields and costs on certain interest-earning assets, such as lines of credit extended to other operating segments by the banking segment, are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
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).
2023 vs. 2022
Change Due To (1)
Volume
Yield/Rate
Change
Interest income
Loans held for investment, gross (2)
4,374
25,879
30,253
16,153
80,488
96,641
Subsidiary warehouse lines of credit (3)
(1,403)
5,906
(12,019)
21,955
9,936
(1,008)
6,875
5,867
(591)
24,246
23,655
Investment securities - non-taxable (4)
(32)
(29)
184
(558)
1,675
1,117
(951)
11,729
10,778
(5,592)
47,347
41,755
1,038
(1,505)
1,089
(1,385)
(296)
Total interest income (4)
2,053
47,998
50,051
(1,405)
174,331
172,926
Interest expense
2,157
57,162
59,319
(161)
158,034
157,873
783
1,890
2,673
4,633
9,949
14,582
2,940
59,052
61,992
4,472
167,983
172,455
Net interest income (4)
(887)
(11,054)
(11,941)
(5,877)
6,348
471
With regard to net interest income, as of September 30, 2023, the banking segment maintained an asset sensitive rate risk position, meaning the amount of its interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a given period exceeds the amount of its interest-bearing liabilities also maturing or repricing within that time period. During a period of rising interest rates, being asset sensitive tends to result in an increase in net interest income, but during a period of declining interest rates, tends to result in a decrease in net interest income.
Our portfolio includes loans that periodically reprice or mature prior to the end of an amortized term. The extent and timing of this impact on interest income will ultimately be driven by the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate and yield curve movements, as well as changes in market conditions and timing of management strategies. At September 30, 2023, approximately $761 million of our floating rate loans held for investment remained at or below their applicable rate floor, exclusive of our mortgage warehouse lending program, of which approximately 85% are not scheduled to reprice for more than one year based upon agreed-upon terms. If interest rates 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. If interest rates were to fall, the impact on our interest income for certain variable-rate loans would be limited by these rate floors.
59
Additionally, within our banking segment, the composition of the deposit base and ultimate cost of funds on deposits and net interest income are affected by the level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by competitors, the volatility of equity markets and other factors. Deposit products and pricing structures relative to the market are regularly evaluated to maintain competitiveness over time. During a period of rising interest rates, the cost of funds on deposits, and therefore, interest expense, tends to increase. Given the intense competition for liquidity and the banking industry disruption, and as customers seek higher yields on deposits, our cost of deposits increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods of 2022 and we expect that the Bank’s interest expense related to certain deposits will continue to increase during the remainder of 2023. The Bank’s deposit base primarily includes a combination of commercial, wealth and public funds deposits, without a high level of industry concentration. At September 30, 2023, total estimated uninsured deposits were $4.4 billion, or approximately 40% of total deposits, while estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized deposits of $276.3 million, were $4.2 billion, or approximately 37% of total deposits.
Refer to the discussion in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Banking Segment” section that follows for more detail regarding the Bank’s activities regarding deposits, available liquidity and borrowing capacity.
To help mitigate net interest income spread compression between our assets and liabilities as the Federal Reserve increases interest rates, management continues to execute certain derivative trades, as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges, that benefit the banking segment as interest rates rise. 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 banking segment retained approximately $8.8 million and $130.1 million in mortgage loans originated by the mortgage origination segment during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $135.2 million and $343.1 million in mortgage loans originated by the mortgage origination segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These loans are purchased by the banking segment at par. For origination services provided, the banking segment reimburses the mortgage origination segment for direct origination costs associated with these mortgage loans, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The correspondent fees are eliminated in consolidation. The determination of mortgage loan retention levels by the banking segment will be impacted by, among other things, an ongoing review of the prevailing mortgage rates, balance sheet positioning at Hilltop and the banking segment’s outlook for commercial loan growth.
The banking segment’s provision for (reversal of) credit losses has been subject to significant year-over-year and quarterly changes primarily attributable to the effects of changes in economic outlook, macroeconomic forecast assumptions and the resulting impact on reserves. Specifically, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, the provision for credit losses reflected increases in specific reserves and net portfolio changes since the prior period, while the provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, reflected a significant build in the allowance related to loan portfolio changes since December 31, 2022 and a deteriorating outlook for commercial real estate markets. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with collectively evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a reversal of credit losses of $0.3 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $14.2 million, respectively, while individually evaluated loans included a provision for credit losses of $0.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively. The change in the allowance for credit losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were also impacted by net recoveries of $1.6 million and net charge-offs of $1.7 million, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the banking segment’s reversal of credit losses reflected modest improvements in the U.S. economic outlook compared to assumptions in the prior quarter outlook, and in specific reserves and credit metrics since the prior quarter, while the provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was driven by a deteriorating U.S economic outlook since December 31, 2021. The net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 included reversals of credit losses of $0.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, while collectively evaluated loans included a reversal of credit losses of $0.5 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $5.9 million, respectively. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 were also impacted by net charge-offs of $2.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively. 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.
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The banking segment’s noninterest income decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, primarily due to a decline in service charges on depositor accounts and wealth management fee income.
The banking segment’s noninterest expense decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, primarily due to decreases in compensation-related expenses, partially offset by an increase in FDIC assessment 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
1,514
1,531
5,337
4,862
475
Clearing services
2,458
1,888
570
5,416
5,998
(582)
Structured finance
1,603
1,544
5,980
4,995
985
Fixed income services
(895)
4,550
(5,445)
1,827
15,163
(13,336)
7,535
3,873
3,662
20,719
6,463
14,256
Total net interest income
Securities commissions and fees by business line (1):
6,283
6,984
(701)
19,360
25,658
(6,298)
Retail
21,340
19,341
1,999
65,887
56,964
8,923
10,073
7,440
2,633
30,501
18,922
11,579
2,389
3,652
(1,263)
6,310
8,237
(1,927)
606
958
(352)
2,273
2,917
40,691
38,375
2,316
124,331
112,698
11,633
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions by business line:
Public finance services
29,317
25,399
3,918
68,858
65,549
3,309
1,477
1,677
(200)
4,481
5,055
(574)
7,888
7,313
575
23,068
23,793
(725)
427
406
1,354
(104)
698
719
74
191
268
(77)
4,631
Other:
17,976
23,966
(5,990)
49,059
40,357
8,702
7,763
4,137
23,080
1,008
22,072
396
596
2,148
(1,662)
3,810
26,135
27,392
(1,257)
74,287
39,703
34,584
Net revenue (2)
118,703
114,184
4,519
336,443
286,620
49,823
Variable compensation (3)
39,929
42,567
(2,638)
105,548
106,663
(1,115)
Non-variable compensation and benefits
30,001
27,707
2,294
92,101
83,930
8,171
Segment operating costs (4)
27,220
26,439
781
85,366
78,060
7,306
97,150
96,713
437
283,015
268,653
14,362
Income (loss) before income taxes
The increase in net revenue and income before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was primary due to improved period-over-period results within our wealth management and public finance services business lines, partially offset by declines within our fixed income services and structured finance business lines. The wealth management business line’s net revenue improvement was driven by improved customer balance revenues, which included increases in FDIC sweep revenue, despite weaker retail division transactional production. The increase in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services business line was primarily due to fees earned from managed assets within our treasury management division and municipal
61
advisory revenues, despite the overall decline in national issuances. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in underwriting revenues due to weaker investment grade underwriting results. The decrease in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s fixed income services business line was primarily due to declines from trading activities, trading profits and net interest income from the increase in the cost to carry inventory positions, while the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance business line experienced a decrease in net revenues due to the overall volatility in the market, largely driven by activity related to a small number of clients.
The increase in net revenue and income before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, was primarily related to the combined impacts of the rising interest rate environment and a more favorable housing environment in certain areas of the country, which was evidenced by improved results period-over-period within our various business lines. All the broker-dealer business lines experienced an increase in net revenues when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Specifically, the broker-dealer segment’s structured finance business line experienced an increase in net revenues due to increased production volumes, and support from certain state legislatures for down payment assistance programs. The wealth management business line’s net revenue improvement was driven by improved customer balance revenues, which included increases in FDIC sweep revenue, despite weaker retail division transactional production. The increase in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s fixed income services business line was primarily due to improved trading revenues in both taxable and municipal products offset by a decrease in net interest income from the increase in the cost to carry inventory positions. The increase in net revenues in the broker-dealer segment’s public finance services business line was primarily due to fees earned from managed assets within our treasury management division and underwriting transactions, offset by a decrease in advisory revenue due to the unfavorable national issuance trends.
The broker-dealer segment is subject to interest rate risk as a consequence of maintaining inventory positions, trading in interest rate sensitive financial instruments and maintaining a matched stock loan book. Changes in interest rates are likely to have a meaningful impact on our overall financial performance. Our broker-dealer segment has historically earned a significant portion of its revenues from advisory fees upon the successful completion of client transactions, which could be adversely impacted by interest rate volatility. Rapid or significant changes in interest rates could adversely affect the broker-dealer segment’s bond trading, sales, underwriting activities and other interest spread-sensitive activities described below. The broker-dealer segment also receives administrative fees for providing money market and FDIC investment alternatives to clients, which tend to be sensitive to short-term interest rates. In addition, the profitability of the broker-dealer segment depends, to an extent, on the spread between revenues earned on customer loans and excess customer cash balances, and the interest expense paid on customer cash balances, as well as the interest revenue earned on trading securities, net of financing costs. The broker-dealer segment is also exposed to interest rate risk through its structured finance business line, which is dependent on mortgage loan production that tends to be adversely impacted by increasing interest rates and may result in valuation-related adjustments.
The broker-dealer segment experienced lower-than-forecasted operating results during 2022 given trends related to the combination of rapid or significant changes in interest rates, the sharp decline in mortgage loan origination volumes, customer sensitivity to interest rates and resulting demand for certain products. Such trends have resulted in a challenging environment associated with the broker-dealer segment’s short- and long-term financial condition, resulting in variability in its operating results. In the event future operating performance remains challenged and below our forecasted projections, there are negative changes to long-term growth rates or discount rates increase, the fair value of the broker-dealer segment reporting unit may decline and we may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge. These conditions will continue to be considered during future impairment evaluations of reporting unit goodwill.
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 decrease in net interest income during the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was primarily due to the decrease in net interest income from the fixed income services business line due to the increased cost to carry those inventories. The increase in net interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022 was primarily due to the increase in the amount of interest received on a structured product investment.
Noninterest income increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022, primarily due to increases in securities commissions and fees, investment and securities advisory fees and commissions and, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, other noninterest income, partially offset by the decrease in other noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
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Securities commissions and fees increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022, primarily due to an increase in FDIC sweep revenue given higher short-term interest rates, partially offset by a decrease in fixed income and retail commissions. As FDIC sweep revenues are closely correlated to short-term interest rates, changes in short-term interest rates may affect these revenues. FDIC sweep program revenues earned on deposits placed with the banking segment are eliminated in consolidation.
Investment and securities advisory fees and commissions increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the increase was primarily due to increases in fees earned from managed assets within our treasury management division of our public finance services business line and municipal advisory. For the nine months ended September 2023, the increase was primarily due to increases in fees earned from managed assets within our treasury management division of our public finance services business line and underwriting transactions.
The increase in other noninterest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was primarily due to increases in trading gains earned from structured finance and fixed income trading activities. Specifically, mortgage originations increased 86% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and customer demand improved when compared with the same period in 2022. Increased fixed income trading gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, were primarily driven by municipal and mortgage-backed securities trading. Also contributing to the overall increase in noninterest income was an increase in the value of the broker-dealer segment’s deferred compensation plan’s assets of $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 when compared with the same period in 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, other noninterest income decreased when compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to the volatility in the housing market which contributed to decreased structured finance trading activities. This decrease was partially offset by increases in trading gains earned from fixed income trading activities, which were primarily driven by asset-backed securities trading. With the expected rise in interest rates continuing throughout 2023, we anticipate continued volatility in trading revenues.
The increase in noninterest expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022, were due to increases in segment compensation and operating costs. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in noninterest expense was primarily due to increases in travel expenses, transaction clearing costs and legal fees. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in segment compensation was primarily due to the impact of changes in variable compensation on improved results, increases in deferred compensation expenses from both the restricted stock plan and the broker-dealer segment’s deferred compensation plan as well as overall increases in fixed compensation. The remaining increase in noninterest expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, were attributable to an increase in software expenses, travel expenses, quotation and transaction clearing costs and legal fees.
Selected information concerning the broker-dealer segment, including key performance indicators, follows (dollars in thousands).
Total compensation as a % of net revenue (1)
58.9
61.5
58.7
66.5
Pre-tax margin (2)
18.2
15.3
15.9
6.3
FDIC insured program balances at the Bank (end of period)
1,382,088
663,730
Other FDIC insured program balances (end of period)
686,920
1,376,741
Customer funds on deposit, including short credits (end of period)
223,582
329,948
Public finance services:
Number of issues (3)
230
246
648
760
Aggregate amount of offerings (3)
16,808,056
15,726,654
37,838,865
33,919,594
Structured finance:
Lock production/TBA volume
2,967,155
1,300,944
5,735,003
3,088,340
Fixed income services:
Total volumes
69,964,657
50,276,258
177,028,598
175,487,156
Net inventory (end of period)
527,302
542,257
Wealth management (Retail and Clearing services groups):
Retail employee representatives (end of period)
96
Independent registered representatives (end of period)
188
171
Correspondents (end of period)
109
110
Correspondent receivables (end of period)
125,874
115,810
Customer margin balances (end of period)
231,369
286,691
Wealth management (Securities lending group):
Interest-earning assets - stock borrowed (end of period)
1,182,934
Interest-bearing liabilities - stock loaned (end of period)
1,072,408
Mortgage Origination Segment
The following table presents certain information regarding the operating results of our mortgage origination segment (in thousands).
Loss before income taxes
The mortgage lending business is subject to variables that can impact loan origination volume, including seasonal transaction volumes and interest rate fluctuations. Historically, the mortgage origination segment has experienced increased loan origination volume from purchases of homes during the spring and summer months, when more people tend to move and buy or sell homes. 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. While changes in mortgage interest rates have historically had a lesser impact on home purchases volume than on refinancing volume, increases in mortgage interest rates that began in 2022 and have continued into 2023 have also continued to negatively impact home purchase volume through the first nine months of 2023. 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. During 2022 and continuing through the first nine months of 2023, certain events have adversely impacted total mortgage market origination volumes because of their effect on the economy, including inflation and rising interest rates, the Federal Reserve’s actions and communications, and geopolitical threats. These events have also adversely impacted the willingness and ability of the mortgage origination segment’s customers to conduct mortgage transactions. Specifically, current home inventory shortages and affordability challenges are impacting customers’ abilities to purchase homes. In addition, continued mortgage industry excess capacity has adversely impacted PrimeLending’s individual loan origination volume. The increase in interest rates that began during 2022, which has led to a sharp
reduction in national refinancing volume and a reduction of willing and eligible home buyers, has resulted in competitive mortgage pricing pressure, leading to a decline in the average combined net gains from mortgage loan sales and mortgage loan origination fees through March 31, 2023. Between March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, the average combined net gains from loan sales and mortgage loan origination fees increased slightly, but still remained below the average for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Currently, we anticipate that lower seasonal transaction volumes and the continuation of the mortgage loan production and operating results trends experienced by the mortgage origination segment during the first nine months of 2023 will continue through the remainder of 2023. Given these expectations, PrimeLending continues to evaluate its cost structure to address the current mortgage environment.
We believe that ongoing initiatives are critical to improving PrimeLending’s short- and long-term financial condition and operating results. As noted under the section titled “Asset Valuation” earlier in this Item 2, the mortgage origination segment experienced operating losses during the second half of 2022 which have continued as expected into the first quarter of 2023 due to conditions discussed in detail within this discussion of segment results. However, beginning in the second quarter of 2023, the mortgage origination segment’s operating losses continued and did not meet our forecasted projections. In light of these macroeconomic challenges in the mortgage industry given tight housing inventories and mortgage interest rate levels, and specifically the inability of our mortgage origination segment to meet forecasted projections, we identified these collective factors as a triggering event during the second quarter of 2023. As a result, we performed an interim quantitative impairment test as of June 1, 2023 using revised forecasts and concluded that it was more likely than not that the mortgage origination segment’s estimated fair value of goodwill exceeded its carrying value. However, in the event future operating performance remains challenged, the fair value of the mortgage origination reporting unit may decline and we may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge. These conditions will continue to be considered during future impairment evaluations of reporting unit goodwill.
As a GNMA approved lender, we are subject to certain HUD reporting requirements, including timely reporting if a quarter’s operating loss exceeds more than 20% of its previous quarter or year-end net worth (“the operating loss ratio”). If this occurs, certain additional financial reporting submissions are required. During the first quarter of 2023, the operating loss ratio was 21.2%, which was reported to HUD. During the second and third quarters of 2023, the operating loss ratio decreased to 15.8% and 10.0%, respectively.
In addition, as a FNMA and FHLMC approved lender, we are subject to certain minimum capital, net worth and liquidity requirements established by FNMA and FHLMC. These agencies may also monitor additional financial performance trends at their discretion, including risk-based analyses focused on loans that the mortgage origination segment is currently responsible for representation and warranties that agency loans sold meet certain requirements, including representations as to underwriting standards and the validity of certain borrower representations in connection with the loan.
The loss before income taxes decreased moderately during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and increased significantly during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022. The decrease during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily the result of an increase in the average value of mortgage loan origination fees and a decrease in noninterest expense, partially offset by decreases in the volume of interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) related to a decrease in mortgage loan applications, mortgage loan originations and loan sales, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily the result of decreases in the volume of IRLCs, mortgage loan originations and mortgage loan sales and an increase in the net interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in noninterest expense, compared to the same period in 2022.
During 2022 and continuing into the third quarter of 2023, the U.S. 10-Year Treasury Rate and mortgage interest rates increased significantly. Average interest rates during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, exceeded average interest rates during the same periods in 2022. Refinancing volume as a percentage of total origination volume was relatively flat during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same periods in 2022. Although we anticipate a lower percentage of refinancing volume relative to total loan origination volume during the year ending in December 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, 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 and affordability challenges related to new home construction, and/or an increase in all-cash buyers.
The mortgage origination segment primarily originates its mortgage loans through a retail channel, with limited lending through its affiliated business arrangements (“ABAs”). For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, funded volume through ABAs was approximately 12% of the mortgage origination segment’s total loan volume. During March 2023
and July 2023, respectively, all of the respective members of two ABAs mutually agreed to dissolve the entities, effective June 2023 and September 2023, respectively. Currently, PrimeLending owns a greater than 50% membership interest in two ABAs. We expect total production within the ABA channel to approximate 18% of loan volume of the mortgage origination segment during the remainder of 2023.
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
7,353
10,098
(2,745)
21,004
34,407
(13,403)
Mortgage Loan Originations - volume:
Conventional
1,403,008
62.53
1,934,614
63.57
(531,606)
4,038,367
62.82
6,971,138
65.66
(2,932,771)
Government
497,055
22.15
736,895
24.21
(239,840)
1,486,169
23.12
2,085,949
19.65
(599,780)
Jumbo
73,769
3.29
198,846
6.53
(125,077)
237,304
3.69
949,498
8.94
(712,194)
269,869
12.03
172,856
5.69
97,013
666,264
10.37
610,329
5.75
55,935
2,243,701
100.00
3,043,211
(799,510)
6,428,104
10,616,914
(4,188,810)
Home purchases
2,091,444
93.21
2,832,136
93.06
(740,692)
6,003,749
93.40
8,927,270
84.09
(2,923,521)
Refinancings
152,257
6.79
211,075
6.94
(58,818)
424,355
6.60
1,689,644
(1,265,289)
Texas
624,953
27.85
716,764
23.55
(91,811)
1,762,179
27.41
2,311,567
21.77
(549,388)
California
176,879
196,502
6.46
(19,623)
536,718
8.35
921,194
8.68
(384,476)
South Carolina
119,124
5.31
137,628
4.52
(18,504)
344,224
480,444
4.53
(136,220)
Florida
96,945
4.32
139,698
4.59
(42,753)
308,155
4.79
523,442
4.93
(215,287)
Arizona
84,103
3.75
116,535
(32,432)
290,972
473,870
4.46
(182,898)
New York
101,560
139,381
4.58
(37,821)
271,929
4.23
432,543
4.07
(160,614)
Missouri
79,735
3.55
104,914
3.45
(25,179)
225,068
346,173
3.26
(121,105)
Ohio
71,467
155,904
5.12
(84,437)
200,273
469,165
4.42
(268,892)
North Carolina
67,342
3.00
90,287
2.97
(22,945)
196,764
3.06
325,931
3.07
(129,167)
57,931
2.58
74,493
2.45
(16,562)
165,234
2.57
269,728
2.54
(104,494)
All other states
763,662
34.04
1,171,105
38.48
(407,443)
2,126,588
33.08
4,062,857
38.27
(1,936,269)
Mortgage Loan Sales - volume:
Third parties
2,386,552
99.63
3,289,846
96.20
(903,294)
6,037,382
97.81
10,818,341
96.93
(4,780,959)
Banking segment
8,805
0.37
130,104
3.80
(121,299)
135,201
2.19
343,140
(207,939)
2,395,357
3,419,950
(1,024,593)
6,172,583
11,161,481
(4,988,898)
We consider the mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume to be a key performance measure. Loan origination volume is central to the segment’s ability to generate income by originating and selling mortgage loans, resulting in net gains from the sale of loans, mortgage loan origination fees, and other mortgage production income. Total loan origination volume is a measure utilized by management, our investors, and analysts in assessing market share and growth of the mortgage origination segment.
The mortgage origination segment’s total loan origination volume decreased 26.3% and 39.5% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, while loss before income taxes decreased 64.3% and increased 327.5%, respectively, during those same periods. The decrease in loss before income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily due to an increase in the average value of mortgage loan origination fees and decreases in variable compensation, non-variable compensation and benefits expense and segment operating costs, compared to the same period in 2022. These trends were partially offset by decreases in the volume of IRLCs, mortgage loan originations and mortgage loans sales, compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in the loss before income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily due to decreases in the volume of IRLCs, mortgage loan originations, and mortgage loans sales, compared to the same period in 2022. These trends were partially offset by decreases in variable compensation, and to a lesser extent, decreases in non-variable compensation and benefits expense, compared to the same period in 2022. The net impact of a decrease in the average value of IRLCs and an increase in the average value of mortgage loan origination fees, compared to the same period in 2022, was minimal.
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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
199
227
271
Impact of loans retained by banking segment
As reported
218
196
263
Variable compensation as a percentage of total compensation
51.7
51.5
48.1
54.3
Mortgage servicing rights asset ($000's) (end of period) (1)
Net interest expense was comprised of interest income earned on loans held for sale offset by interest incurred on warehouse lines of credit primarily held with the Bank, and related intercompany financing costs. The year-over-year change in net interest expense between the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 reflected the effects of decreased net yields on mortgage loans held for sale, partially offset by a decrease in the average warehouse line balance between each of the periods compared.
Noninterest income was comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Net gains from sale of loans
47,494
74,696
(27,202)
120,857
293,630
(172,773)
Mortgage loan origination fees and other related income
1,518
(2,705)
Other mortgage production income:
Change in net fair value and related derivative activity:
IRLCs and loans held for sale
(5,774)
(22,163)
16,389
3,719
(59,353)
63,072
Mortgage servicing rights asset
(2,987)
(4,146)
1,159
(12,797)
5,490
(18,287)
Servicing fees
8,536
9,853
(1,317)
24,181
27,310
(3,129)
The decreases in net gains from sale of loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same periods in 2022, were primarily the result of decreases of 30.0% and 44.7% in total loan sales volume, in addition to decreases in average loan sales margin during both periods. Since PrimeLending sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market, the decreases in loan sales volume during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were consistent with decreases in loan origination volume during the periods.
The decrease in mortgage loan origination fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared with the same period in 2022, was primarily the result of a decrease in loan origination volume, partially offset by an increase in average mortgage loan origination fees.
Fluctuations in mortgage loan origination fees and net gains on sale of loans are not always aligned with fluctuations in loan origination and loan sale volumes, respectively, since customers may opt to pay PrimeLending discount fees on their mortgage loans, which are included in mortgage loan origination fees, in exchange for a lower interest rate, which decreases the value of a loan in the secondary market.
We consider the mortgage origination segment’s net gains from sale of loans margin, in basis points, to be a key performance measure. Net gains from mortgage loan sales margin is defined as net gains from sale of loans divided by mortgage loan sales volume. The net gains from sale of loans is central to the segment’s generation of income and may include loans sold to third parties and loans sold to and retained by the banking segment. For origination services provided, the mortgage origination segment was reimbursed direct origination costs associated with loans retained by the banking segment, in addition to payment of a correspondent fee. The reimbursed origination costs and correspondent fees 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 three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were $8.8 million and $130.1 million, respectively, and $135.2 million and $343.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Loan volumes to be originated on behalf of and retained by the banking segment are expected to be impacted by, among other things, an ongoing review of the prevailing mortgage rates, balance sheet positioning at Hilltop and the banking segment’s outlook for commercial loan growth.
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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 (“net fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale”). The decrease in net fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily the result of a decrease in the total volume of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale between June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023. The increase in net fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily the result of an increase in the total volume of individual IRLCs and loans held for sale, partially offset by a decrease in the average value of IRLCs and loans held for sale, between December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023.
The mortgage origination segment sells substantially all mortgage loans it originates to various investors in the secondary market. In addition, the mortgage origination segment originates loans on behalf of the Bank. The mortgage origination segment’s determination of whether to retain or release servicing on mortgage loans it sells is impacted by, among other things, changes in mortgage interest rates, refinancing and market activity, and balance sheet positioning at Hilltop. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, PrimeLending retained servicing on approximately 9% and 20%, respectively, of loans sold, compared with approximately 45% and 25%, respectively, of loans sold during the same periods in 2022. A reduction in third-party mortgage servicers purchasing mortgage servicing rights may result in PrimeLending increasing the rate of retained servicing on mortgage loans sold during the remainder of 2023. The mortgage origination segment may, from time to time, manage its MSR asset through different strategies, including varying the percentage of mortgage loans sold, servicing released and opportunistically selling MSR assets. The mortgage origination segment has also retained servicing on certain loans sold to and retained by the banking segment. Gains and losses associated with such sales to the banking segment and the related MSR asset are eliminated in consolidation.
The mortgage origination segment uses derivative financial instruments, including U.S. Treasury bond futures and options and MBS commitments, to mitigate interest rate risk associated with its MSR asset. Changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset and the related derivatives are associated with normal customer payments, changes in discount rates, prepayment speed assumptions and customer payoffs. The operating results of the mortgage origination segment were impacted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 by an increase of $6.1 million and a decrease of $0.7 million, respectively, in the net fair value of the MSR asset, of which $5.5 million of the decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was primarily driven by market sales trends during the first quarter of 2023. The remaining fluctuations in the net fair value of the MSR asset during the respective periods were primarily due to the net gains driven by net changes in long-term U.S. Treasury bond rates and customer payoffs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and losses of $9.1 million and $12.3 million generated by the derivatives used to hedge the MSR. During June 2023, the mortgage origination segment sold MSR assets of $19.1 million, which represented $991.0 million of its serviced loan volume at the time. There were no MSR assets sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. In addition to gains and losses generated by changes in the net fair value of the MSR asset, net servicing income of $3.7 million and $10.5 million, respectively, were recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Noninterest expenses were comprised of the items set forth in the table below (in thousands).
Variable compensation
33,070
44,312
(11,242)
94,892
157,079
(62,187)
30,946
41,767
(10,821)
102,461
131,954
(29,493)
Segment operating costs
21,471
23,479
(2,008)
64,125
72,506
(8,381)
Lender paid closing costs
1,179
3,541
(2,362)
3,741
11,002
(7,261)
Servicing expense
4,839
5,246
(407)
13,699
13,831
(132)
Total employees’ compensation and benefits accounted for the majority of noninterest expenses incurred during all periods presented. Historically, variable compensation comprises the majority of total employees’ compensation and benefits expenses, but during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-variable compensation was greater than variable compensation. 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.
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While total loan origination volume decreased 26.3% and 39.5% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2022, the aggregate non-variable compensation and benefits of the mortgage origination segment decreased by 25.9% and 22.4% during the same periods, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2022. These decreases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, were primarily due to a decrease in salaries associated with a reduction in underwriting and loan fulfillment, operations and corporate staff in response to the decreases in loan origination volume that started at the end of 2021, and has continued through the third quarter of 2023. Severance costs, included in non-variable compensation above, incurred because of this continued initiative were $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. These actions during 2023 are expected to have an aggregate favorable impact on annualized pre-tax expenses of approximately $10 million. PrimeLending remains committed to evaluating staffing levels and maintaining an appropriate cost structure to address the dynamic mortgage loan origination trends. Segment operating costs decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, primarily due to decreases in occupancy and equipment expense, advertising expense, professional fees, and net loan related expenses, excluding credit report expense. An increase in credit report expense primarily driven by increases in vendor individual report costs, partially offset the noted decreases.
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, 2014 and September 30, 2023, the mortgage origination segment sold mortgage loans totaling $146.2 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 2014, it does not anticipate experiencing significant losses in the future on loans originated prior to 2014 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.
Following is a summary of the mortgage origination segment’s claims resolution activity relating to loans sold between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).
Original Loan Balance
Loss Recognized
Loans Sold
230,606
Claims resolved because of a loan repurchase or payment to an investor for losses incurred (1)
285,169
0.20
21,686
0.01
515,775
0.36
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. Factors considered in the calculation of this reserve include, but are not limited to, the total volume of loans sold exclusive of specific claimant requests, actual claim inquiries, claim settlements and the severity of estimated losses resulting from future claims, and the mortgage origination segment’s history of successfully curing defects identified in claim requests.
Although management considers the total indemnification liability reserve to be appropriate, there may be changes in the reserve over time to address incurred losses due to unanticipated adverse changes in the economy and historical loss patterns, discrete events adversely affecting specific borrowers or industries, and/or actions taken by institutions or investors. The impact of such matters is considered in the reserving process when probable and estimable. Between March and June 2023 PrimeLending experienced an increase in agency claim inquiries relative to historical trending. However, during the third quarter of 2023, agency claims decreased to more closely to approximate historical trends. While no adjustment has been made to the factors considered in the calculation of the indemnification liability reserve as a result of these trends as of September 30, 2023, PrimeLending will continue to monitor agency claim inquiry trends and assess its potential impact on the indemnification liability reserve.
At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the mortgage origination segment’s total indemnification liability reserve totaled $13.6 million and $20.5 million, respectively. The related provision for indemnification losses was $0.5 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $1.3 million and $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, 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. These merchant banking activities currently include investments within various industries, including power generation, consumer services, dental health, industrial equipment manufacturing and animal health, with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $58 million at September 30, 2023.
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily comprised of dividend income from merchant banking investment activities, in addition to interest income earned on intercompany notes.
Interest expense during each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 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”), on our $50 million aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes due 2030 (“2030 Subordinated Notes”) and on our $150 million aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes due 2035 (“2035 Subordinated Notes,” the 2030 Subordinated Notes and the 2035 Subordinated Notes, collectively, the “Subordinated Notes”).
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. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, noninterest expenses decreased slightly, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to declines in professional fees and occupancy expenses, significantly offset by inflationary increases associated with employees’ compensation and benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, noninterest expenses increased, compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to inflationary increases associated with employees’ compensation and benefits, partially offset by decreases in professional fees and occupancy expenses.
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Financial Condition
The following discussion contains a more detailed analysis of our financial condition at September 30, 2023, as compared with December 31, 2022.
Securities Portfolio
At September 30, 2023, 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 $150.1 million and $129.8 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, related to the available for sale investment portfolio, and net unrealized losses of $121.7 million and $90.2 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, associated with the securities held to maturity
portfolio. Equity securities included net unrealized gains of $0.2 million and $0.1 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In future periods, we expect changes in prevailing market interest rates, coupled with changes in the aggregate size of the investment portfolio, to be significant drivers of changes in the unrealized losses or gains in these portfolios, and therefore accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
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 September 30, 2023, the banking segment’s securities portfolio of $2.3 billion was comprised of trading securities of $0.1 million, available for sale securities of $1.4 billion, held to maturity securities of $825.1 million and equity securities of $0.3 million, in addition to $11.7 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 to the statement of operations. Accordingly, the securities portfolio of the Hilltop Broker-Dealers included trading securities of $578.8 million at September 30, 2023. 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 $51.5 million at September 30, 2023.
At September 30, 2023, the corporate portfolio included other investments, including those associated with merchant banking, of available for sale securities of $12.0 million and other assets of $38.5 million 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 September 30, 2023. In addition, as of September 30, 2023, 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 September 30, 2023.
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Loan Portfolio
Consolidated loans held for investment are detailed in the table below, classified by portfolio segment (in thousands).
Loans held for investment, gross
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 $8.5 billion at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. At September 30, 2023, the banking segment’s loan portfolio included warehouse lines of credit extended to PrimeLending and its ABAs of $1.6 billion, of which $1.0 billion was drawn. At December 31, 2022, amounts drawn on the available warehouse lines of credit was $0.9 billion. 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.
At September 30, 2023, 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 41.9%, 22.8% and 13.9%, respectively, of the banking segment’s total loans held for investment at September 30, 2023. The banking segment’s loan concentrations were within regulatory guidelines at September 30, 2023.
In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio includes collateralized loans extended to businesses that depend on the energy industry, including those within the exploration and production, field services, pipeline construction and transportation sectors. Crude oil prices remain uncertain given future supply and demand for oil are influenced by international armed conflicts, return to business travel, new energy policies and government regulation, and the pace of transition towards renewable energy resources. At September 30, 2023, the Bank’s energy loan exposure was approximately $53 million of loans held for investment with unfunded commitment balances of approximately $12 million. The allowance for credit losses on the Bank’s energy portfolio was $0.1 million, or 0.3% of loans held for investment at September 30, 2023.
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
828,253
1,438,622
956,910
62,114
2,190,430
311,231
144,789
2,646,450
879,115
167,897
40,658
1,031
128,782
421,775
446,128
786,574
13,607
12,231
360
4,040,187
2,351,756
1,588,845
849,733
8,830,521
Fixed rate loans
1,754,624
1,702,763
1,330,703
5,637,823
Floating rate loans
2,285,563
648,993
258,142
3,192,698
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 September 30, 2023, floating rate loans totaling $761 million had reached their applicable rate floor and were expected to reprice, subject to their scheduled repricing timing and frequency terms. The majority of floating rate loans carry an interest rate tied to a SOFR rate or The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal.
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 $357.1 million and $431.0 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. This decrease from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023 was primarily attributable to a decrease of $31.0 million, or 20%, in receivables from correspondents, and a decrease of $43.0 million, or 16%, 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
933,626
850,277
Fair value adjustment
(143)
5,420
IRLCs:
624,356
508,045
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 September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively, while the related estimated fair values were $11.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
For additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses, refer to the section captioned “Critical Accounting Estimates” set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2022 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. As discussed in more detail within the section captioned “Financial Condition – Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans” set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our 2022 Form 10-K, the Bank’s underwriting procedures address financial components based on the size and complexity of the credit, while 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 allowance for credit losses for loans held for investment represents management’s best estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected contractual life of our existing portfolio. Determining the appropriateness of the allowance is complex and requires judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of the then-existing loan portfolio, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in those future periods. Such future changes in the allowance for credit losses are expected to be volatile given dependence upon, among other things, the portfolio composition and quality, as well as the impact of significant drivers, including prepayment assumptions and macroeconomic conditions and forecasts.
Significant judgment is required to estimate the severity and duration of the current economic uncertainties, as well as its potential impact on borrower defaults and loss severity. In particular, macroeconomic conditions and forecasts are rapidly changing and remain highly uncertain.
One of the most significant judgments involved in estimating our allowance for credit losses relates to the macroeconomic forecasts used to estimate credit losses over the reasonable and supportable forecast period. To determine the allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2023, we utilized a single macroeconomic alternative scenario, or S7, published by Moody’s Analytics in September 2023. During our previous quarterly macroeconomic assessment as of June 30, 2023, we also utilized a single macroeconomic alternative scenario, or S7, published by Moody’s Analytics in June 2023.
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
June 30,
March 31,
GDP growth rates:
Q3 2022
1.3%
Q4 2022
0.8%
0.4%
Q1 2023
2.5%
0.1%
0.3%
Q2 2023
1.4%
(1.4)%
(1.8)%
Q3 2023
2.9%
(2.5)%
(2.2)%
Q4 2023
0.2%
(3.1)%
(2.4)%
Q1 2024
(1.9)%
0.7%
Q2 2024
(3.0)%
(2.7)%
(1.1)%
1.1%
Q3 2024
(1.5)%
(0.9)%
2.1%
Q4 2024
2.0%
Q1 2025
3.1%
Unemployment rates:
3.7%
3.9%
3.5%
4.0%
4.6%
3.8%
5.3%
5.5%
4.1%
4.7%
6.0%
6.2%
4.9%
5.6%
5.9%
5.7%
5.8%
As of September 30, 2023, we updated our economic forecast for 2023 as the U.S. economy has remained resilient and real GDP growth from consumer spending and business investment was higher than expected. Labor market conditions are still tight, but improving as the unemployment rate increased to 3.8% during the current quarter. We expect monetary policy will remain restrictive with the federal funds rate target range between 5.25% and 5.50% longer as a projected mild U.S. recession in 2024 is likely to bring stubborn inflation rates back to the Federal Reserve’s target. Vacancy data for the office properties trended higher, while less demand and tighter financial conditions continue to impact commercial real estate.
As of December 31, 2022, our economic forecast was updated from September 30, 2022 to reflect higher interest rate expectations and slower real GDP growth during the reasonable and supportable period. The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate target twice during the quarter to 4.25% to 4.50% and the quarter’s economic forecast assumed an
average federal funds rate of 5.3% by the second quarter of 2023. As interest rates increased, inflation rates have decreased from historical highs as the goods sector improves; however, we still observed supply chain disruptions especially in the services sector. Unemployment rate forecasts were updated based on then recent economic data as tight labor market conditions continued.
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the slight reversal of credit losses reflected improvements to the U.S. economic outlook and decreases in specific reserves of $0.7 million within our broker dealer segment, offset by increases in specific reserves and net portfolio changes within the banking segment. The provision for credit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, reflected a significant build in the allowance related to loan portfolio changes since the prior quarter and a deteriorating outlook for commercial real estate markets. Specific to the Bank, the net impact to the allowance of changes associated with collectively evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a reversal of credit losses of $0.3 million, compared to a provision for credit losses of $14.2 million, respectively, on collectively evaluated loans, while the net impact to the allowance of changes associated with individually evaluated loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included a provision for credit losses of $0.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively. The changes in the allowance for credit losses during the noted periods were primarily attributable to the Bank and also reflected other factors including, but not limited to, loan mix, and changes in loan balances and qualitative factors from the prior quarter. The changes in the allowance during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were also impacted by net recoveries of $1.6 million and net charge-offs of $1.7 million, respectively.
During 2022, and continuing through the first nine months of 2023, the impact of changes in the U.S. economic outlook and resulting impact on collectively evaluated loans has resulted in a net build in the allowance at September 30, 2023, compared to both December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. The resulting allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs, was 1.45% and 1.27% as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. While changes in the U.S. economic outlook have been reflected in our current allowance at September 30, 2023, uncertainties that include, among others, the uncertain timing, duration and significance of further increases in market interest rates and a worsening macroeconomic forecast could adversely impact borrower cash flows and result in further increases in the allowance during future periods. While all industries could experience adverse impacts, certain of our loan portfolio industry sectors and subsectors, including real estate collateralized by office buildings, have an increased level of risk.
The respective distribution of the allowance for credit losses as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs, are presented in the following table (dollars in thousands).
Allowance For
as a % of
Total Loans
Loans Held
for Credit
Held For
For Investment
Investment
Commercial real estate (1)
Commercial and industrial (2)
1,424,944
19,602
1.38
Construction and land development (3)
0.82
Total commercial loans
5,799,544
98,443
1.70
0.64
2.29
Total retail loans
1,809,471
12,073
0.67
Total commercial and retail loans
7,609,015
110,516
1.45
0.05
Mortgage warehouse lending
1.35
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 inputs 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 September 30, 2023, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment, and the banking segment mortgage warehouse programs, with modeled results using both upside (“S1”) and downside (“S3”) economic scenario forecasts published by Moody’s Analytics.
Compared to our economic forecast, the upside scenario assumes the economic impacts from international armed conflicts and global supply chain concerns recede faster than expected. Real GDP is expected to grow 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023, 3.6% in the first quarter of 2024, 3.3% in the second quarter of 2024, and 3.2% in the third quarter of 2024. Average unemployment rates are expected to decline to 3.1% by the first quarter of 2024 before reverting to historical data. Inflation is expected to trend back toward the Federal Reserve’s target sooner than expected and we expect the federal funds rate to peak at 5.3% during 2023.
Compared to our economic forecast, the downside scenario assumes the Federal Reserve’s efforts to resolve bank failures are not successful at restoring consumer and business confidence, causing banks to tighten lending standards while the Fed keeps the federal funds rate elevated due to inflation concerns. The international armed conflicts persist longer than anticipated and global supply chain issues worsen causing weaker manufacturing, increased good shortages, and the economy to fall back into recession. Real GDP is expected to decrease 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023, 3.4% in the first quarter of 2024, and 3.6% in the second quarter of 2024. Average unemployment rates are expected to increase to 7.7% by the fourth quarter of 2024, but improve to 6.5% by year-end 2025 and revert back to historical average rates over time. The Federal Reserve reduces the federal funds rate to support the economy to a 1.1% target by the third quarter of 2025. Disagreements in Congress prevent any additional fiscal measures to stem the recession.
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 $35 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 1.0% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs.
The impact of applying all of the assumptions of the downside economic scenario during the reasonable and supportable forecast period would have resulted in an increase in the allowance for credit losses of approximately $47 million or a weighted average expected loss rate of 2.1% as a percentage of our total loan portfolio, excluding margin loans in the broker-dealer segment and the banking segment mortgage warehouse lending programs.
This analysis relates only to the modeled credit loss estimates and is not intended to estimate changes in the overall allowance for credit losses as they do not reflect any potential changes in the adjustment to the quantitative calculation, which would also be influenced by the judgment management applies to the modeled lifetime loss estimates to reflect the uncertainty and imprecision of these modeled lifetime loss estimates based on then-current circumstances and conditions.
Our allowance for credit losses reflects our best estimate of current expected credit losses, which is highly dependent on several assumptions, including the macroeconomic outlook, inflationary pressures and labor market conditions, international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains, and uncertain impacts from bank failures during early 2023. Future allowance for credit losses may vary considerably for these reasons.
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Allowance Activity
The following table presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses 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:
936
3,096
6,197
152
361
Total charge-offs
1,122
3,259
5,373
6,620
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
1,556
(2,735)
(1,747)
(4,240)
Average total loans for the period
Total loans held for investment (end of period)
7,944,246
Ratios:
Net recoveries (charge-offs) to average total loans held for investment (1)
(0.14)
(0.07)
Non-accrual loans to total loans held for investment (end of period)
0.34
Allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment to:
Non-accrual loans held for investment (end of period)
401.98
309.26
Total non-accrual loans increased by $2.0 million from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023. This change in non-accrual loans was impacted by loans secured by residential real estate within our mortgage origination segment, which were classified as loans held for sale, of $3.9 million and $4.8 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
In addition to changes in non-accrual loans classified as loans held for sale, the remaining increase in non-accrual loans during 2023 was primarily due to the addition of a single commercial real estate owner occupied loan, a single commercial real estate non-owner occupied loan, and four commercial and industrial loans to non-accrual status, partially offset by decreases in 1-4 family residential loans.
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. 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).
Allocation of the Allowance for Credit Losses
Reserve
Gross Loans
40.05
40.11
20.27
20.26
13.27
12.12
21.74
21.84
0.32
4.35
5.33
The following table summarizes historical levels of the allowance for credit losses on loans held for investment, distributed by portfolio segment (in thousands).
61,521
16,615
5,999
11,691
965
97,354
In order to estimate the allowance for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments, the Bank uses a process similar to that used in estimating the allowance for credit losses on the funded portion. The allowance is based on the estimated exposure at default, multiplied by the lifetime probability of default grade and loss given default grade for that particular loan segment. The Bank estimates expected losses by calculating a commitment usage factor based on industry usage factors. The commitment usage factor is applied over the relevant contractual period. Loss factors from the underlying loans to which commitments are related are applied to the results of the usage calculation to estimate any liability for credit losses related for each loan type. Letters of credit are not currently reserved because they are issued primarily as credit enhancements and the likelihood of funding is low.
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. Within our loan portfolio, we had five credit relationship totaling $35.4 million of potential problem loans at September 30, 2023, compared with four credit relationships totaling $4.0 million of potential problem loans at December 31, 2022. Of the $35.4 million of potential problem loans at September 30, 2023, $32.3 million was associated with a single credit relationship.
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Non-Performing Assets
The following table presents components of our non-performing assets (dollars in thousands).
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:
7,339
3,070
1,095
13,202
15,941
(2,739)
31,498
29,517
1,981
Troubled debt restructurings included in accruing loans held for investment (1)
803
(803)
Non-performing loans (1)
30,320
1,178
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans (1)
0.33
Other real estate owned
5,386
2,325
3,061
Other repossessed assets
Non-performing assets (1)
36,884
32,645
4,239
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets (1)
0.22
0.02
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
106,346
92,099
At September 30, 2023, non-accrual loans included 36 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by notes receivable, accounts receivable and equipment. Non-accrual loans at September 30, 2023 also included $3.9 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale. At December 31, 2022, non-accrual loans included 40 commercial and industrial relationships with loans secured by accounts receivable, automobiles, equipment and notes receivable. Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2022 also included $4.8 million of loans secured by residential real estate which were classified as loans held for sale.
OREO increased from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023, primarily due to additions totaling $5.1 million, partially offset by disposals and valuation adjustments totaling $2.0 million. At both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, OREO was primarily comprised of commercial properties.
Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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. As of September 30, 2023, $29.0 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. Currently, the banking segment is facing intense competition for its deposit base as customers seek higher yields on deposits. Consistent with the consolidated trend in average rates paid on interest-bearing deposits noted in the table below, the banking segment’s average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 3.86% and 3.33%, respectively, compared to 3.50% during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 0.95% during the three months ended September 30, 2022. We expect that the Bank’s costs related to interest-bearing deposits will continue to increase during the remainder of 2023.
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The table below presents the average balance of, and rate paid on, consolidated deposits (dollars in thousands).
Rate Paid
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
0.00
Interest-bearing deposits:
Demand
6,324,203
6,436,557
0.38
289,191
1.05
336,617
0.12
1,012,175
2.90
925,383
0.54
11,183,334
1.85
12,233,070
0.24
At September 30, 2023, total estimated uninsured deposits were $4.4 billion, or approximately 40% of total deposits, while estimated uninsured deposits, excluding collateralized deposits of $276.3 million, were $4.2 billion, or approximately 37% of total deposits. Total estimated uninsured deposits were $4.1 billion, or approximately 36% of total deposits, as of December 31, 2022.
The following table presents the scheduled maturities of the portion of our time deposits that are in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 as of September 30, 2023 (in thousands).
Months to maturity:
3 months or less
40,560
3 months to 6 months
200,492
6 months to 12 months
152,237
Over 12 months
39,226
432,515
Borrowings
Our consolidated borrowings are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands).
4.71
2.27
(87,057)
4.31
4.33
1,230,019
4.62
1,316,710
2.86
(86,691)
Short-term borrowings consisted of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, borrowings at the FHLB, short-term bank loans and commercial paper. The decrease in short-term borrowings at September 30, 2023, compared with December 31, 2022, primarily reflected decreases in short term bank loans and securities sold under agreements to repurchase by the broker-dealer segment, partially offset by an increase in federal funds purchased. Notes payable at September 30, 2023 was comprised of $149.4 million related to the Senior Notes, net of loan origination fees, and Subordinated Notes, net of origination fees, of $197.6 million.
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 September 30, 2023, Hilltop had $198.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of $26.4 million from $172.5 million at December 31, 2022. This increase in cash and cash equivalents included the receipt of $70.5 million of dividends from subsidiaries, partially offset by cash outflows of $31.2 million in cash dividends declared, $4.5 million in stock repurchases 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,
81
with current short-term liquidity needs including operating expenses, interest on debt obligations, dividend payments to stockholders and potential stock repurchases.
As previously discussed, operational and financial headwinds during 2022 and continuing through the first nine months of 2023 have had, and are expected to continue to have, an adverse impact on our operating results during the remainder of 2023. The impacts of noted headwinds during the remainder of 2023 are highly uncertain and will depend on several developments outside of our control, including, among others, the timing and significance of changes in U.S. treasury yields and mortgage interest rates, exposure to increasing funding costs, inflationary pressures associated with compensation, occupancy and software costs and labor market conditions, and international armed conflicts and their impact on supply chains. In addition, during March 2023, the banking sector experienced increased uncertainty and concerns associated with its liquidity positions as depositors sought to reduce risks associated with uninsured deposits and withdraw such deposits from existing bank relationships primarily due to bank failures during early 2023. As demonstrated during the extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets beginning in March 2020 resulting from the pandemic crisis and its negative impact on the economy, we will continue to monitor the economic environment and evaluate appropriate actions to enhance our financial flexibility, protect capital, minimize losses and ensure target liquidity levels.
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 2023, our board of directors authorized a new stock repurchase program through January 2024, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock, inclusive of repurchases to offset dilution related to grants of stock-based compensation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Hilltop paid $4.5 million to repurchase an aggregate of 144,403 shares of our common stock at an average price of $31.15 per share pursuant to the stock repurchase program.
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 September 30, 2023, $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 September 30, 2023, $200.0 million of our Subordinated Notes was outstanding.
Regulatory Capital
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may prompt certain actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Under capital adequacy and regulatory requirements, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
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 September 30, 2023 (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 September 30, 2023 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.
Minimum Capital
Requirements Including
Conservation Buffer
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 1, of our 2022 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.
The above sources of liquidity allow the banking segment to meet increased liquidity demands without adversely affecting daily operations. The Bank’s borrowing capacity through access to secured funding sources is summarized in the following table (in millions). Available liquidity noted below does not include borrowing capacity available through the discount window at the Federal Reserve.
FHLB capacity
4,387
4,139
Investment portfolio (available)
1,588
1,606
Fed deposits (excess daily requirements)
1,326
1,332
7,301
7,077
As previously discussed, the banking sector experienced increased uncertainty and concerns associated with its liquidity positions primarily due to high-profile bank failures during early 2023 as depositors sought to reduce risks associated with uninsured deposits and withdraw such deposits from existing bank relationships. As a result, both regulatory scrutiny and market focus on liquidity increased. These failures underscore the importance of maintaining access to diverse sources of funding. In light of these events, we have continued our efforts to monitor deposit flows and balance sheet trends to ensure that our liquidity needs are maintained. During 2023, we began increasing interest-bearing deposit rates to address rising market interest rates and intense competition for liquidity to combat deposit outflows. At September 30, 2023, the Bank also accessed and included additional core deposits on its balance sheet of approximately $300 million from our Hilltop Securities FDIC-insured sweep program, while the Bank is not utilizing any of its FHLB borrowing capacity noted above through the use of short-term borrowings.
Further, to bolster our liquidity position, we increased brokered deposits at the Bank during the second quarter of 2023 by approximately $390 million. To date, we have not leveraged the discount window at the Federal Reserve or the BTFP.
Within our banking segment, deposit flows are affected by the level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by competitors, the volatility of equity markets and other factors. An economic recovery and improved commercial real estate investment outlook may result in an outflow of deposits at an accelerated pace as customers utilize such available funds for expanded operations and investment opportunities. The Bank regularly evaluates its deposit products and pricing structures relative to the market to maintain competitiveness over time. Currently, the Bank is facing significant competition from bank and non-bank competitors for its deposit base and expects that its interest expense on certain deposits will continue to increase during 2023 as customers seek higher yields on deposits.
The Bank’s 15 largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 8.67% of the Bank’s total deposits, and the Bank’s five largest depositors, excluding Hilltop and Hilltop Securities, collectively accounted for 3.95% of the Bank’s total deposits at September 30, 2023. 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 September 30, 2023, Hilltop Securities had credit arrangements with two unaffiliated banks, with maximum aggregate commitments of up to $425.0 million. These credit arrangements are used to finance securities owned, securities held for correspondent accounts, receivables in customer margin accounts and underwriting activities. These credit arrangements are provided on an “as offered” basis and are not committed lines of credit. In addition, Hilltop Securities has committed revolving credit facilities with two unaffiliated banks, with aggregate availability of up to $200.0 million. At September 30, 2023, Hilltop Securities had no borrowings under its credit arrangements or 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 September 30, 2023, the weighted average maturity of the CP Notes was 133 days at a rate of 6.22% with a weighted average remaining life of 65 days. At September 30, 2023, the aggregate amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $208.3 million, which was collateralized by securities held for Hilltop Securities accounts valued at $231.7 million.
PrimeLending funds the mortgage loans it originates through a warehouse line of credit maintained with the Bank, which had a total commitment of $1.5 billion, of which $950 million was drawn at September 30, 2023. 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 September 30, 2023.
PrimeLending owns a 100% membership interest in PrimeLending Ventures Management, LLC (“Ventures Management”) which holds a controlling ownership interest in and is the managing member of certain ABAs. At September 30, 2023, these ABAs had combined available lines of credit totaling $95.0 million, $30.0 million of which was with a single unaffiliated bank, and the remaining $65.0 million of which was with the Bank. At September 30, 2023, Ventures Management had outstanding borrowings of $37.5 million, all of which was with the Bank. On September 14, 2023, Ventures Management provided a thirty-day notice to the unaffiliated bank to terminate the $30.0 million line of credit. Once this line is terminated, ABA lines of credit will total $65.0 million, all with the Bank. This $65.0 million balance reflects a September 2023 increase of $20 million in ABA available lines of credit with the Bank to partially offset the elimination of the unaffiliated bank line of credit.
Other Material Contractual Obligations, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Commitments and Guarantees
Since December 31, 2022, 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 2022 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. However, inflation rose sharply at the end of 2021 and has continued to rise through the first nine months of 2023 at levels not seen for over 40 years. Inflationary pressures are currently expected to remain elevated throughout the remainder of 2023. Furthermore, a prolonged period of inflation could cause our costs, including compensation, occupancy and software costs, to increase, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
While interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including changes in the expected rate of inflation, the influence of general and local economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, its agencies and various other governmental regulatory authorities.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have identified certain accounting estimates which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts and values as of the balance sheet dates may be materially different than the amounts and values reported due to the inherent uncertainty in the estimation process. Also, future amounts and values could differ materially from those estimates due to changes in values and circumstances after the balance sheet date. The critical accounting estimates, as summarized below, which we believe to be the most critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements relate to allowance for credit losses, mortgage servicing rights asset, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, mortgage loan indemnification liability and acquisition accounting. Since December 31, 2022, there have been no changes in critical accounting estimates as further described under “Critical Accounting Estimates” in our 2022 Form 10-K.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our assessment of market risk as of September 30, 2023 indicates there are no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures from those previously reported in our 2022 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. To help mitigate net interest income spread compression between our assets and liabilities as the Federal Reserve increases interest rates, management continues to execute certain derivative trades, as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges, that benefit the banking segment as interest rates rise. 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.
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.
As illustrated in the table below, the banking segment is currently 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:
4,296,266
1,263,744
1,856,072
786,047
628,718
8,830,847
546,334
191,735
422,277
324,445
1,019,418
2,504,209
1,430,032
Other interest sensitive assets
7,711
29,683
37,394
Total interest sensitive assets
6,280,343
1,455,479
2,278,349
1,110,492
1,677,819
12,802,482
Interest sensitive liabilities:
Interest bearing checking
6,356,466
Time deposits
166,454
899,518
99,365
11,394
1,176,749
448,014
102
333
444
1,865
450,758
Total interest sensitive liabilities
7,235,045
899,620
99,698
11,838
1,883
8,248,084
Interest sensitivity gap
(954,702)
555,859
2,178,651
1,098,654
1,675,936
4,554,398
Cumulative interest sensitivity gap
(398,843)
1,779,808
2,878,462
Percentage of cumulative gap to total interest sensitive assets
(7.46)
(3.12)
13.90
22.48
35.57
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 September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).
Change in
Interest Rates
Net Interest Income
Economic Value of Equity
(basis points)
+200
33,557
7.94
132,814
7.57
+100
18,112
4.29
87,372
4.98
-50
(9,324)
(2.21)
(68,790)
(3.92)
-100
(18,978)
(4.49)
(144,705)
(8.24)
-200
(40,830)
(9.66)
(336,915)
(19.19)
The projected changes in net interest income and economic value of equity to changes in interest rates at September 30, 2023 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. Given projected impacts on net interest income associated with the expected transition into the next phase of the interest rate cycle, we continue to evaluate our current GAP position, which may result in a repositioning of the banking segment towards a more neutral or liability sensitive balance sheet.
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 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
25,056
45,301
113,108
183,556
U.S. government and government agency obligations
18,789
(6,678)
(6,490)
263,475
269,096
Corporate obligations
16,756
25,092
17,512
5,904
65,264
Total debt securities
35,636
43,470
56,323
382,487
517,916
Corporate equity securities
9,366
45,022
Weighted average yield
0.13
4.25
3.68
4.40
4.22
5.07
2.83
3.31
5.97
5.53
5.17
4.61
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.
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, futures contracts 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 September 30, 2023, total debt obligations on our consolidated balance sheet, excluding short-term borrowings and unamortized debt issuance costs and premiums, were $350 million, and was all subject to fixed 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, and potential future repositioning of our GAP position, 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 September 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands).
50,556
26,577
(13,474)
(2.73)
(27,246)
(5.53)
(57,333)
(11.63)
The projected changes in net interest income to changes in interest rates at September 30, 2023 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 third 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.
The following risk factor represents a material change to the risk factors disclosed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2022 Form 10-K. For additional information concerning our risk factors, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2022 Form 10-K.
Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as bank failures or concerns involving liquidity, may have a material effect on the Company’s operations.
Events in early 2023 relating to the failures of certain banking entities have caused general uncertainty and concern regarding the liquidity adequacy of the banking sector as a whole. Although we were not directly affected by these bank failures, the resulting speed and ease in which news, including social media commentary, led depositors to withdraw or attempt to withdraw their funds from these and other financial institutions as well as caused the stock prices of many financial institutions to become volatile. In the future, events such as these bank failures could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, either directly or through an adverse impact on certain of our customers.
In response to these failures and the resulting market reaction, the Secretary of the Treasury approved actions enabling the FDIC to complete its resolutions of the failed banks in a manner that fully protects depositors by utilizing the Deposit Insurance Fund, including the use of Bridge Banks to assume all of the deposit obligations of the failed banks, while leaving unsecured lenders and equity holders of such institutions exposed to losses. In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank announced it would make available additional funding to eligible depository institutions under a Bank Term Funding Program to help assure banks have the ability to meet the needs of all their depositors. In an effort to strengthen public confidence in the banking system and protect depositors, regulators announced that any losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund to support uninsured depositors will be recovered by a special assessment on banks, as required by law, which could increase the cost of our FDIC insurance assessments. However, it is uncertain whether these steps by the government will be sufficient to reduce the risk of additional bank failures in the future or resultant significant depositor withdrawals at other institutions. As a result of this uncertainty, we face the potential for reputational risk, deposit outflows, increased costs and competition for liquidity, and increased credit risk which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operational systems and networks have been, and will continue to be, subject to an increasing risk of continually evolving cybersecurity or other technological risks, which could result in a loss of customer business, financial liability, regulatory penalties, damage to our reputation or the disclosure of confidential information.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business and maintain the security of confidential information and complex transactions, which subjects us to an increasing risk of cyber incidents from these activities due to a combination of new technologies and the increasing use of the Internet to conduct financial transactions, as well as a potential failure, interruption or breach in the security of these systems, including those that could result from attacks or planned changes, upgrades and maintenance of these systems. Such cyber incidents could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, securities trading, general ledger, deposits, computer systems, electronic underwriting servicing or loan origination systems; or unauthorized disclosure of confidential and non-public information maintained within our systems. We also utilize relationships with third parties to aid in a significant portion of our information systems, communications, data management and transaction processing. These third parties with which we do business may also be sources of cybersecurity or other technological risks, including operational errors, system interruptions or breaches, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and misuse of intellectual property, and have experienced cyber attacks. If our third-party service providers encounter any of these issues, we could be exposed to disruption of service, reputation damages, and litigation risk, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
On June 27, 2023, a third-party vendor of the Bank confirmed that data specific to the Bank’s customers was likely obtained in a security incident targeting the vendor’s instance of the MOVEit Transfer Application (the “Vendor Incident”). As a result of this Vendor Incident, an unauthorized party likely obtained information in the vendor’s possession about substantially all of the Bank’s customers, including social security numbers and account numbers. On July 11, 2023, Hilltop Securities was notified by the same vendor that certain of its data also was likely obtained in the Vendor Incident; however, based on the review conducted to date, we do not have indication that protected or confidential information was present within the information obtained related to Hilltop Securities. Given the widespread use of the MOVEit Transfer Application, additional vendors of ours may have been impacted. We are in the process of evaluating the full scope of the costs and impact of the Vendor Incident, however we do not expect the costs to have a material impact to the Company’s future consolidated financial statements. We have incurred, and may continue to incur, expenses related to this incident, and we remain subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the incident, including litigation and additional regulatory scrutiny.
The continued occurrence of cybersecurity incidents across a range of industries has resulted in increased legislative and regulatory scrutiny over cybersecurity and calls for additional data privacy laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels. For example, in 2018, the State of California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which imposes requirements on companies operating in California and provides consumers with a private right of action if covered companies suffer a data breach related to their failure to implement reasonable security measures. These laws and regulations could result in increased operating expenses or increase our exposure to the risk of litigation or regulatory inquiries or proceedings.
Although we devote significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade our systems and networks to safeguard critical business applications, there is no guarantee that these measures or any other measures can provide absolute security. Our computer systems, software and networks may be adversely affected by cyber incidents such as unauthorized access; loss or destruction of data (including confidential client information); account takeovers; unavailability of service; computer viruses or other malicious code; cyber attacks; and other events. In addition, our protective measures may not promptly detect intrusions, and we may experience losses or incur costs or other damage related to intrusions that go undetected or go undetected for significant periods of time, at levels that adversely affect our financial results or reputation. Further, because the methods used to cause cyber attacks change frequently, or in some cases cannot be recognized until launched, we may be unable to implement preventative measures or proactively address these methods until they are discovered. Cyber threats may derive from human error, fraud or malice on the part of employees or third parties, or may result from accidental technological failure. For example, during the second quarter of 2018, we became the victim of a “spear phishing” attack on one of our employees in which we suffered a $4.0 million wire fraud loss and sensitive customer information was stolen. As a result of this attack, we incurred costs to provide identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to customers who may have been impacted and other legal and professional services, and may also incur expenses in the future including legal and professional expenses and claims for damages. Additional challenges are posed by external extremist parties, including foreign state actors, in some circumstances, as a means to promote political ends. If one or more of these events occurs, it could result in the disclosure of confidential client or customer information, damage to our reputation with our clients, customers and the market, customer dissatisfaction, additional costs such as repairing systems or adding new personnel or protection technologies, regulatory penalties, fines, remediation costs, exposure to litigation and other financial losses to both us and our clients and customers. Such events could also cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations. We maintain cyber risk insurance, but this insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our losses from any future breaches of our systems.
We continue to evaluate our cybersecurity program and will consider incorporating new practices as necessary to meet the expectations of regulatory agencies in light of such cybersecurity guidance and regulatory actions and settlements for cybersecurity-related failures and violations by other industry participants. Such procedures include management-level engagement and corporate governance, risk management and assessment, technical controls, incident response planning, vulnerability testing, vendor management, intrusion detection monitoring, patch management and staff training. Even with these procedures, we cannot assure you that we will be fully protected from a cybersecurity incident, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
93
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 September 30, 2023.
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)
July 1 - July 31, 2023
70,501,138
August 1 - August 31, 2023
September 1 - September 30, 2023
Item 5. Other Information
Pursuant to Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K, none of our directors or executive officers adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Item 6. Exhibits.
ExhibitNumber
Description of Exhibit
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: October 23, 2023
By:
/s/ William B. Furr
William B. Furr
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized officer)