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NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

AND PROXY STATEMENT

April 30, 2012

You are cordially invited to attend our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 10:00 a.m., Dallas, Texas, local time, on June 15, 2012.  The meeting will be held at The Crescent Club at 200 Crescent Court, 17th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201.

This booklet includes the formal notice of the meeting and our proxy statement.  The proxy statement tells you about the matters to be addressed, and the procedures for voting, at the meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.  Even if you only have a few shares, we want your shares to be represented.  If your shares are held in a brokerage account, your broker no longer has discretion to vote on your behalf with respect to electing directors or certain other non-routine matters. Accordingly, you must provide specific voting instructions to your broker in order to vote.  Please vote promptly in order to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting.

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card, Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 were first mailed to all stockholders of record on or about May 4, 2012

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 2012.

This proxy statement and our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 are both available at www.proxyvote.com.

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Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held on June 15, 2012

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are providing access to our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, over the Internet.  As a result, we are mailing to many of our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials instead of a paper copy of our proxy materials.  The notice contains instructions on how to access those proxy materials over the Internet, as well as instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials.  All stockholders who do not receive a notice will receive a paper copy of our proxy materials by mail.  This electronic distribution process reduces the environmental impact and lowers the costs of printing and distributing our proxy materials.

Your vote is very important.  Please read the proxy statement and voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card.  Then, whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, and no matter how many shares you own, please vote by Internet, telephone or by marking, signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope, which requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States.  Please see “General Information - What should I do if I want to attend in person?” for information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the meeting and vote in person.

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PROXY STATEMENT

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HILLTOP HOLDINGS INC.

200 Crescent Court, Suite 1330

Dallas, Texas 75201

PROXY STATEMENT

2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To be Held on June 15, 2012

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card, Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 were first mailed to all stockholders of record on or about May 4, 2012.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Proxy Statement to “the Company”, “Hilltop”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar expressions are references to Hilltop Holdings Inc.  All references to “NLASCO” are references to NLASCO, Inc., our wholly-owned property and casualty insurance holding company.

Why am I receiving these proxy materials?

The Board of Directors of Hilltop Holdings Inc., or the Board of Directors, has made these materials available to you on the Internet or has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail in connection with the Board of Directors’ solicitation of proxies for use at our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or the Annual Meeting, which will take place at 10:00 a.m. (Dallas, Texas time) on Friday, June 15, 2012, at The Crescent Club, 200 Crescent Court, 17th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201.  This Proxy Statement describes matters on which you, as a stockholder, are entitled to vote.  This Proxy Statement also gives you information on these matters so that you can make an informed decision.

Why did I receive a one-page Notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of printed proxy materials?

In accordance with rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to all of our stockholders, we have elected to furnish such materials to selected stockholders by providing access to these documents over the Internet.  Accordingly, on or about May 4, 2012, we sent a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or the Notice, to selected stockholders of record and beneficial owners.  These stockholders have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice or to request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials by calling the toll-free number found on the Notice.  We encourage you to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet in order to help reduce the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting.

How can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

The Notice provides you with instructions regarding how to:

·                  view our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting on the Internet;

·                  vote your shares after you have viewed our proxy materials;

·                  request a printed copy of the proxy materials; and

·                  instruct us to send our future proxy materials to you electronically by email.

Copies of the proxy materials are available for viewing at www.proxyvote.com.

You may have received proxy materials by email.  Even if you received a printed copy of our proxy materials, you may choose to receive future proxy materials by email.  Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will lower our costs of delivery and will reduce the environmental impact of our annual meetings.  If you choose to receive our future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link

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to view those proxy materials and link to the proxy voting site.  Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it or for so long as the email address provided by you is valid.

What am I voting on?

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to:

·                  Elect twelve directors to serve on our Board of Directors until the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify;

·                  Conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation;

·                  Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2012; and

·                  Transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

What is the Board of Directors’ recommendations?

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares:

·                  FOR each of our director candidates;

·                  FOR, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; and

·                  FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Who is entitled to vote?

Holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on April 11, 2012, are entitled to vote at the meeting.  Each stockholder is entitled to cast one vote for each share of common stock owned on each matter presented.

How do I vote?

If you are a stockholder of record, there are four ways to vote:

·                  In Person.  You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting.  Bring your printed proxy card if you received one by mail.  Otherwise, we will provide stockholders of record a ballot at the Annual Meeting.  We recommend that you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.  You always can change your vote at the Annual Meeting.

·                  Via the Internet.  You may vote by proxy via the Internet by visiting www.proxyvote.com.  Have your proxy card or Notice in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

·                  Via Telephone.  If you received or requested printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the proxy card.

·                  Via Mail.  If you received or requested printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by proxy by marking, signing and dating the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided.

If you have shares of our common stock that are held by a broker or other nominee, you may instruct your broker or nominee to vote your shares by following the instructions that the broker or nominee provides you.  New York Stock Exchange rules prohibit your broker from voting for the election of directors and executive compensation on your behalf without specific voting instructions from you.  Most brokers offer voting by mail, telephone and the Internet.

How do proxies work?

Our Board of Directors is asking for your proxy.  Giving your proxy to the persons named by us means you authorize them to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in the manner you direct.  You may vote for all, some or none of our director candidates, and you may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, executive compensation and the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

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If you are a stockholder of record, and you indicate when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by our Board of Directors or you sign and return the enclosed proxy card, but do not specify how your shares are to be voted, your shares will be voted FOR the election of all of our director candidates, FOR executive compensation and FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on “routine” matters at its discretion, but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters.  If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a “non-routine” matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on such matters with respect to your shares, which is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

You may receive more than one proxy or voting card depending on how you hold your shares.  Shares registered in your name are covered by one card.  If you also hold shares through a broker or other nominee, you also may receive material from them asking how you want to vote.  To be sure that all of your shares are voted, we encourage you to respond to each request you receive.

Which matters are considered “routine” or “non-routine”?

The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered to be a “routine” matter.  A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters and, therefore, no broker non-votes are expected to exist with respect to this matter.   All other matters set forth in this Proxy Statement are matters that we believe will be designated “non-routine” matters.  A broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters and, therefore, there will be broker non-votes on all matters other than the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy after I have voted?

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting, or earlier deadline specified in the Notice or the proxy card, by voting again via the Internet or by telephone (only your latest Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted), by signing and returning a new proxy card or vote instruction form with a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.  Your attendance at the Annual Meeting, however, will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the Annual Meeting or specifically request that your prior proxy be revoked by delivering, prior to the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation to the corporate Secretary at the address listed under “Questions” on page 47.

Will my shares be voted if I don’t sign a proxy?

If you hold your shares directly in your own name, they will not be voted unless you provide a proxy.  Under certain conditions, shares that you own that are held by a broker or nominee may be voted even if you do not provide voting instructions to the broker or nominee.  Brokerage firms have the authority under applicable rules to vote on certain “routine” matters, including the ratification of auditors.

What constitutes a quorum?

In order to carry on the business of the meeting, we must have a quorum.  This means that at least a majority of the outstanding shares eligible to vote must be represented at the meeting, either in person or by proxy.  Shares owned by us are not voted and do not count for this purpose.  Both abstentions and broker non-votes (described below) are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.  On April 11, 2012, we had 56,362,273 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.

How many votes are needed for approval?

Election of Directors

Election of the director nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast on the matter.  The director candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted will be elected as directors.  For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.  Stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.

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Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter is required to approve, on an advisory basis, executive compensation.  Our Board of Directors will review the results of this matter and will take the results into account in making future determinations concerning executive compensation.  For purposes of the advisory vote on executive compensation, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.

Ratification of Independent Auditor

The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2012 will be ratified if this proposal receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.  Brokers have the authority to vote FOR this proposal in the absence of contrary instructions from a beneficial owner.  If this appointment is not ratified by stockholders, the Audit Committee and Board of Directors may reconsider its recommendation and appointment, respectively.  With respect to this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker submits a proxy, but does not vote for or against the matter.  This will occur when the beneficial owner has not instructed the broker how to vote and the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions.

Who conducts the proxy solicitation?

Our Board of Directors is soliciting the proxies, and we will bear all costs of this solicitation, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement.  Copies of proxy materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses and other agents and nominees holding shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others so that they may forward the proxy materials to those beneficial owners.  In addition, if asked, we will reimburse these persons for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the proxy materials to the beneficial owners.  We have requested banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward all proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the shares that they hold of record.  Certain of our officers and employees also may solicit proxies on our behalf by mail, email, phone or fax or in person.

What should I do if I want to attend in person?

Only stockholders of record, their proxy holders and invited guests may attend the Annual Meeting.  If your shares are held by a broker or nominee, bring your most recent brokerage statement with you to the Annual Meeting.  We can use that to verify your ownership of common stock and admit you to the meeting; however, you will not be able to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting without a proxy.  If you wish to vote in person and your shares are held by a broker or nominee, you will need to obtain a proxy from the broker or nominee authorizing you to vote your shares held in their name.  Any holder of a proxy from a stockholder must present the proxy card, properly executed, to be admitted.  Stockholders and proxy holders must present a form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license.

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PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

At the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors has nominated the director candidates named below.

Our Board of Directors oversees the management of us on your behalf.  The Board of Directors reviews our long-term strategic plans and exercises direct decision-making authority on key issues, such as the authorization of dividends, the selection of the Chief Executive Officer, setting the scope of his authority to manage our day-to-day operations and the evaluation of his performance.

Our Board of Directors is not classified; thus, all of our directors are elected annually.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has recommended, and our Board of Directors has nominated, for re-election all twelve persons currently serving as directors whose terms are expiring at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

If elected, each of the persons nominated as a director will serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.  Personal information on each of our nominees is given below.

Our Board of Directors has determined that seven of the twelve nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting have no material relationship with us (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us) and are independent within the meaning of the director independence requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE.  The independent directors are Rhodes Bobbitt, W. Joris Brinkerhoff, Charles R. Cummings, J. Markham Green, Jess T. Hay, William T. Hill, Jr. and W. Robert Nichols, III.  The determinations regarding the independence of these individuals were based upon information known by the members of the Board of Directors concerning each other and supplied by each of the directors for the purpose of this determination.  None of these directors had any transactions, relationships or arrangements that were required to be considered by the Board of Directors in determining that the director is independent.  Assuming the election of our twelve nominees, all of our directors, other than Messrs. Gerald Ford, Jeremy Ford, Clifton Robinson, Kenneth D. Russell and Carl Webb, also will be “independent” directors, as set forth in our Director Independence Criteria.  The full text of the Director Independence Criteria can be found in the “Investor Relations — Governance — Corporate Governance Documents” section of our website at www.hilltop-holdings.com.  A copy also may be obtained upon request by writing our corporate Secretary at the address provided on page 47.

Our Board of Directors met five times during 2011.  During 2011, no director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the board committees on which he served.  Because fewer than ten non-management stockholders usually attend our annual meetings in person, our Board of Directors has not adopted a formal policy with regard to director attendance at the annual meetings of stockholders.  Messrs. Jeremy Ford, Jess Hay, William Hill and Robert Nichols attended the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

Nominees for Election as Directors

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Vote Necessary to Elect Directors

Election of the director nominees requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast on the matter.  The director candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted will be elected as directors.  For purposes of the election of directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote.  Under applicable rules, a broker or other nominee does not possess the authority to vote for the director nominees in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the relevant shares.  Stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE.

Director Compensation

General

Members of our Board of Directors who also are full-time employees do not receive any compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors.  All other directors receive the following compensation for their service on the Board of Directors:

·                  $40,000 annual retainer; and

·                  $2,000 fee for participation in each meeting of the Board of Directors at which attendance in person is requested (one-half of that fee is paid for participation in any meeting at which attendance is requested by telephone).

In addition, members of board committees receive the following additional compensation:

·                  Audit Committee—$65,000 annual fee for the chairperson of the committee;

·                  Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee—$10,000 annual fee for the chairperson of the committee;

·                  Compensation Committee—$10,000 annual fee for the chairperson of the committee;

·                  Investment Committee—$25,000 annual fee for the chairperson of the committee;

·                  Merger and Acquisition Committee - $10,000 annual fee for the chairperson of the committee; and

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·                  $1,000 fee for participation in each meeting of a board committee.

Members of our Board of Directors may elect to receive their aggregate Board of Directors and board committee compensation:

·                  entirely in the form of cash;

·                  entirely in the form of common stock; or

·                  one-half in cash and one-half in common stock.

Cash and shares of common stock are paid and issued, respectively, in arrears on a calendar quarterly basis, with no vesting requirements.  Customarily, these payments and issuances occur by the 15th day of the month following the applicable calendar quarter-end.  The value of the common stock awarded is based upon the average closing price per share of our common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the applicable calendar quarter.  In lieu of fractional shares of common stock that would otherwise be issuable to directors, we pay cash to the director based upon the value of those fractional shares at the value the shares are awarded to the director.  If a director does not serve for the entire calendar quarter, that director is compensated based upon the time of service during the applicable calendar quarter.

Each member of our Board of Directors is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses associated with his service on, and attendance at, Board of Directors or board committee meetings.  Other than as described above, members of our Board of Directors receive no additional compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or board committees.

Political Action Committee Matching Program

The NLASCO Political Action Committee, or the PAC, is a separate segregated fund that was formed to make political contributions.  To encourage participation in the PAC by eligible participants, for each contribution made to the PAC by an eligible individual contributor, Hilltop makes a matching contribution to any Section 501(c)(3) organization of the contributor’s choice, dollar for dollar, up to the maximum amount an eligible individual can contribute to the PAC in a given calendar year.  Under this program, no contributor to the PAC receives any financial, tax or other tangible benefit or premium from either Hilltop or the recipient charities.  This program is completely voluntary.

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2011 Director Compensation

Director Compensation Table for 2011(a)

(a)          Fees earned for services performed in 2011 include annual retainers, meeting fees and chairperson remuneration.  Aggregate fees paid to non-employee directors for annual retainers and committee chairmanships were paid quarterly in arrears.  Cash was paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares.  Service for any partial quarter is calculated and paid on the basis of time served during the applicable calendar quarter.  Non-employee directors are solely responsible for the payment of taxes payable on remuneration paid by the Company.  The value of stock awarded was determined based upon the average closing price per share of our common stock for the last ten consecutive trading days of the calendar quarter during which the stock was earned.

As described above, the 2011 stock awards were issued to each non-employee director who elected to receive all or part of his director compensation in the form of our common stock, generally within 15 days following each applicable calendar quarter-end.  All of our personnel, as well as non-employee directors, are subject to trading restrictions with regard to our common stock, and trading may only occur during a “trading window.”  Provided that any such party does not possess material, non-public information about us, this trading period commences on the second business day after the public release of quarterly or annual financial information and ends one month after the public release of that information.

The following numbers of shares of our common stock were issued to our directors for services performed during 2011:  Carl B. Webb—5,627 shares.  Certain of the foregoing shares were issued in 2012 for services performed in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Each of the above directors had outstanding the following aggregate numbers of shares of our common stock awarded for services performed on behalf of us from election or appointment through the end of fiscal 2011:  Rhodes Bobbitt—1,562 shares;  W. Joris Brinkerhoff—9,943 shares;  Charles R. Cummings—5,379 shares;  Gerald J. Ford—2,893 shares;  J. Markham Green—3,309 shares;  and Carl B. Webb—28,407 shares.  For further information about the stockholdings of these directors and our management, see “Stock Ownership—Security Ownership of Management” commencing on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.

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Board Committees

General

The Board of Directors appoints committees to assist it in carrying out its duties.  In particular, committees work on key issues in greater detail than would be practical at a meeting of all the members of the Board of Directors.  Each committee reviews the results of its deliberations with the full Board of Directors.

The standing committees of the Board of Directors currently consist of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Merger and Acquisition Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Investment Committee.  Current copies of the charters for the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Merger and Acquisition Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Investment Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers, may be found on our website at www.hilltop-holdings.com, under the heading “Investor Relations — Governance — Corporate Governance Documents.”  Printed versions also are available to any stockholder who requests them by writing to our corporate Secretary at the address listed under “Questions” on page 47.  A more detailed description of these committees is set forth below.  Our Board of Directors may, from time to time, establish certain other committees to facilitate our management.

Committee Membership

The following table shows the current membership of, and the 2011 fiscal meeting information for, each of the committees of the Board of Directors.

Audit Committee

We have a standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Audit Committee helps our Board of Directors ensure the integrity of our financial statements, the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm.  In furtherance of those matters, the Audit Committee assists in the establishment and maintenance of our internal audit controls, selects, meets with and assists the independent registered public accounting firm, oversees each annual audit and quarterly review and prepares the report that federal securities laws require be included in our annual proxy statement, which appears on page 44.  Mr. Cummings has been designated as Chairman, and Messrs. Green and Bobbitt are members, of the Audit Committee.  Our Board of Directors has reviewed the education, experience and other qualifications of each member of the Audit Committee.  Based upon that review, our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Cummings qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and each member is independent for purposes of audit committee members,

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as set forth in the New York Stock Exchange’s listing standards.  Currently, none of our Audit Committee members serve on the audit committees of three or more public companies.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation and benefits of our executive officers, administers our approved management incentive and 2003 equity incentive plans and produces the annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our annual proxy statement, which appears on page 34.  Each member is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purpose is as follows:

·                  Identify, screen and recommend to our Board of Directors individuals qualified to serve as members, and on committees, of the Board of Directors;

·                  Advise our Board of Directors with respect to the composition, procedures and committees of the Board of Directors;

·                  Advise our Board of Directors with respect to the corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and

·                  Oversee the evaluation of the Board of Directors and our management.

Each member is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Investment Committee

The Investment Committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing investment policies, strategies and programs; reviewing the procedures that we utilize in determining that funds are invested in accordance with policies and limits approved by the Investment Committee; and reviewing the quality and performance of our investment portfolios and the alignment of asset duration to liabilities.

Merger and Acquisition Committee

The purpose of the Merger and Acquisition Committee is to review potential mergers, acquisitions or dispositions of material assets or a material portion of any business proposed by management and to report its findings and conclusions to the Board of Directors.  Each member is independent in accordance with the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Corporate Governance

General

We are committed to good corporate governance practices and, as such, we have adopted formal corporate governance guidelines to enhance our effectiveness.  The guidelines govern, among other things, board member qualifications, responsibilities, education, management succession and executive sessions.  A copy of the corporate governance guidelines may be found at our corporate website at www.hilltop-holdings.com under the heading “Investor Relations—Governance — Corporate Governance Documents.”  A copy also may be obtained upon request from our corporate Secretary at the address listed under “Questions” on page 47.

Board Leadership Structure

Except for a brief period in 2010 where Mr. Gerald J. Ford served as interim Chief Executive Officer, historically, we have separated the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board as a means of separating management of the Company from our Board of Director’s oversight of management.  Separating these roles also enabled an orderly leadership transition when Mr. Larry Willard retired at the conclusion of 2009.  We believe, at this time, that this structure provides desirable oversight of our management and affairs.  We have in the past appointed, and will continue to appoint, lead independent directors as circumstances require.

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Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, intended to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value.  Our Board of Directors is actively involved in establishing and refining our business strategy, including assessing management’s appetite for risk and determining the appropriate level of overall risk for the Company.  We may conduct assessments in the future as circumstances warrant.

While the Board of Directors has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of the Board of Directors also have responsibility for risk management.  In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial risk, including internal controls, and, from time to time, discusses and evaluates matters of risk, risk assessment and risk management with our management team.  The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risk associated with our compensation policies and arrangements.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee ensures that the internal rule processes by which we are governed are consistent with prevailing best governance practices and applicable laws and regulations.  Finally, the Investment Committee ensures that our funds are invested in accordance with policies and limits approved by it.  Our Senior Officer Code of Ethics, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Committee Charters and other governance documents are reviewed by the appropriate committees annually to confirm continued compliance, ensure that the totality of our risk management processes and procedures is appropriately comprehensive and effective and that those processes and procedures reflect established best practices.

Board Performance

Our Board of Directors conducts an annual survey of its members regarding its performance and reviews the results of the survey with a view to improving efficacy and effectiveness of the Board of Directors.  In addition, the full Board of Directors reviews annually the qualifications and effectiveness of the Audit Committee and its members.

Director Qualifications for Service

As described below, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers a variety of factors when a candidate is being considered to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors or when nomination of an incumbent director for re-election is under consideration.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors strive to balance a diverse mix of experience, perspective, skill and background with the practical requirement that the Board of Directors will operate collegially, with the common purpose of overseeing our business on behalf of our stockholders.  All of our directors possess relevant experience, and each of them approaches the business of the Board of Directors and their responsibilities with great seriousness of purpose.  The following describes, with respect to each director, his particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that qualify him to serve as a director:

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Executive Board Sessions

The current practice of our Board of Directors is to hold an executive session of its non-management directors at least once per quarter.  The individual who serves as the chair at these executive sessions rotates each year among the chairs (if such chair is not a member of management) of the committees of the Board of Directors.  Executive sessions of the independent directors of the Board of Directors also are held at least once per fiscal year.

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Communications with Directors

Our Board of Directors has established a process to receive communications from stockholders and other interested parties.  Stockholders and other interested parties may contact any member or all members of the Board of Directors by mail.  To communicate with our Board of Directors, any individual director or any group or committee of directors, correspondence should be addressed to the Board of Directors or any such individual director or group or committee of directors by either name or title.  The correspondence should be sent to Hilltop Holdings Inc., c/o Secretary, 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1330, Dallas, Texas 75201.

All communications received as set forth in the preceding paragraph will be opened by the office of our General Counsel for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents represent a message to our directors.  Any contents that are not in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or service or patently offensive material will be forwarded promptly to the addressee(s).  In the case of communications to the Board of Directors or any group or committee of directors, the General Counsel’s office will make sufficient copies of the contents to send to each director who is a member of the group or committee to whom the communication is addressed.  If the amount of correspondence received through the foregoing process becomes excessive, our Board of Directors may consider approving a process for review, organization and screening of the correspondence by the corporate Secretary or other appropriate person.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Senior Officer Code of Ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer.  We also have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all officers, directors and employees.  Both codes are available on our website at www.hilltop-holdings.com under the heading “Investor Relations—Governance—Corporate Governance Documents.” Copies also may be obtained upon request by writing our Corporate Secretary at the address listed under “Questions” on page 47.  Amendments to, and waivers from, our Senior Officer Code of Ethics and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be disclosed at the same website address provided above and in such filings as may be required pursuant to applicable law or listing standards.

Director Nomination Procedures

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that, at a minimum, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors should have demonstrated an ability to make a meaningful contribution to the Board of Directors’ oversight of our business and affairs and have a record and reputation for honest and ethical conduct.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends director nominees to the Board of Directors based on, among other things, its evaluation of a candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, expertise, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of our business environment and a willingness to devote adequate time and effort to board responsibilities.  In making its recommendations to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also seeks to have the Board of Directors nominate candidates who have diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise so that each member can offer a unique and valuable perspective.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects, in the future, to identify potential nominees by asking current directors and executive officers to notify the committee if they become aware of persons who meet the criteria described above.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also, from time to time, may engage firms, at our expense, that specialize in identifying director candidates.  As described below, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will consider candidates recommended by stockholders.

Once a person has been identified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as a potential candidate, the committee expects to collect and review publicly available information regarding the person to assess whether the person should be considered further.  If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines that the candidate warrants further consideration, and if the person expresses a willingness to be considered and to serve on the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects to request information from the candidate, review the person’s accomplishments and qualifications, including in light of any other candidates that the committee might be considering, and conduct one or more interviews with the candidate.  In certain instances, members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may contact one

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or more references provided by the candidate or may contact other members of the business community or other persons that may have greater first-hand knowledge of the candidate’s accomplishments.

In addition to formally nominating individuals for election as directors in accordance with our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, as summarized below on page 46 under “Stockholder Proposals for 2013,” stockholders may send written recommendations of potential director candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for its consideration.  Such recommendations should be submitted to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee “c/o Secretary” at Hilltop Holdings Inc., 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1330, Dallas, Texas 75201.  Director recommendations submitted by stockholders should include the following information regarding the stockholder making the recommendation and the individual(s) recommended for nomination:

·                  name, age, business address and residence address;

·                  the class, series and number of any shares of Hilltop stock or other securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop owned, beneficially or of record (including the name of the nominee holder if beneficially owned);

·                  the date(s) that shares of Hilltop stock or other securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition;

·                  any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any securities of Hilltop or any affiliate of Hilltop;

·                  whether and the extent to which such person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to or during the prior six months has engaged in any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (a) manage risk or benefit of changes in the price of Hilltop securities or any security of any entity listed in the peer group in the stock performance graph included in the materials distributed with this Proxy Statement or (b) increase or decrease the voting power of such person in Hilltop disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in Hilltop securities (or, as applicable, any security of any entity listed in the peer group in the stock performance graph included in the materials distributed with this Proxy Statement);

·                  any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with us), by security holdings or otherwise of such person in us or in any of our affiliates, other than an interest arising from the ownership of securities where such person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series;

·                  the investment strategy or objective, if any, of the stockholder making the recommendation and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors, or potential investors, in such stockholder (if not an individual);

·                  to the extent known by the stockholder making the recommendation, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director;

·                  a certificate executed by the proposed nominee that certifies that the proposed nominee is not, and will not, become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than us in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to us and that the proposed nominee consents to being named in a proxy statement and will serve as a director if elected;

·                  completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (the questionnaire will be provided upon request by writing or telephoning our Corporate Secretary at the address or phone number listed under “Questions” on page 47); and

·                  all other information that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

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The stockholder recommendation and information described above must be delivered to the Corporate Secretary not earlier than the 120th day and not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty days prior to, or delayed by more than thirty days after, the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, the stockholder recommendation and information must be delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting of stockholders and the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.  In the event, however, the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement of such action at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder recommendation also will be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by the increase, if it is delivered to the Corporate Secretary not later than 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on the tenth day following the day on which the public announcement is first made.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee expects to use a similar process to evaluate candidates to the Board of Directors recommended by stockholders as the one it uses to evaluate candidates otherwise identified by the committee.

Pursuant to an action of the Board of Directors at a meeting held March 8, 2012, the mandatory retirement age for directors was waived with regard to the service of Messrs. Cummings, Hay and Robinson.

No fee was paid to any third party or parties to identify or evaluate, or assist in identifying or evaluating, potential nominees.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee did not receive the name of any recommended director nominee from a stockholder.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Principal Stockholders

The following table sets forth information regarding our common stock beneficially owned on April 11, 2012 by any person or “group,” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, known to us to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

(a)          Based on 56,362,273 shares of common stock outstanding on April 11, 2012.  Shares issuable under instruments to purchase our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of April 11, 2012 are treated as if outstanding

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for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these instruments, but are not treated as outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(b)         The shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Ford include 15,044,616 shares owned by Diamond A Financial, LP.  Mr. Ford is the sole general partner of Diamond A Financial, LP.  Mr. Ford has sole voting and dispositive power of these shares.

(c)          Based upon Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 1) filed on February 15, 2012. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. has sole voting and dispositive power of these shares.  Clients for whom Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. acts as investment adviser may withdraw dividends or proceeds from the sale securities from the accounts managed by Burgundy Asset Management Ltd.  No one client of Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. has an interest in the common stock of Hilltop in excess of five percent of the total outstanding shares.

(d)         Based upon Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 2012. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment advisor, sub-adviser and/or manager, neither Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Dimensional”) possess voting and/or investment power over the securities of Hilltop that are owned by the Funds, and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of the Issuer held by the Funds.  All securities reported are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. The Funds have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the securities held in their respective accounts. To the knowledge of Dimensional, the interest of any one such Fund does not exceed five percent of the class of securities.

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Security Ownership of Management

The following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned on April 11, 2012, by:

·                  each of our directors;

·                  each of our named executive officers; and

·                  all of our directors and named executive officers presently serving, as a group.

Except as otherwise set forth below, the address of each of the persons listed below is c/o Hilltop Holdings Inc., 200 Crescent Court, Suite 1330, Dallas, Texas 75201.  Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have specified that they have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to any applicable community property law.

*      Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of such class.

(a)          Based on 56,362,273 shares of common stock outstanding on April 11, 2012.  Shares issuable under instruments to purchase our common stock that are exercisable within 60 days of April 11, 2012, are treated as if outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these instruments, but are not treated as outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(b)         Includes 62,100 shares of common stock held in an IRA account for the benefit of Mr. Bobbitt.

(c)          The shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Ford include 15,044,616 shares owned by Diamond A Financial, LP.  Mr. Ford is the sole general partner of Diamond A Financial, LP.  Mr. Ford has sole voting and dispositive power of these shares.

(d)         Jeremy Ford is a beneficiary of a trust that owns a 49% limited partnership interest in Diamond A Financial, LP (see footnote (c)).  Includes 100,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock

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option.  Excludes 400,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock option that will not vest within 60 days of April 11, 2012.

(e)          Includes 50,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock option.

(f)            The spouse of Corey Prestidge is a beneficiary of a trust that owns a 49% limited partnership interest in Diamond A Financial, LP (see footnote (c)).  Includes 20,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock option.  Excludes 80,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock option that will not vest within 60 days of April 11, 2012.

(g)         Includes 50,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of a stock option.

(h)         Represents 15 persons and includes 220,000 shares of common stock acquirable pursuant to the exercise of stock options.  Excludes 480,000 shares of common stock acquirable by our named executive officers pursuant to the exercise of stock options that will not vest within 60 days of April 11, 2012.

MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers

General

We have identified the following officers as “executive officers,” consistent with the definition of that term as used by the SEC:

Business Experience of Executive Officers

Information concerning the business experience of Mr. Jeremy B. Ford is set forth above under “Proposal One — Election of Directors — Nominees for Election as Directors” on page 10.

Darren Parmenter.  Mr. Parmenter has served as Senior Vice President of Finance of Hilltop since June 2007.  In March 2012, Mr. Parmenter also was appointed Chief Operating Officer of NLASCO, Inc.  From January 2000 to June 2007, Mr. Parmenter was with Hilltop’s predecessor, Affordable Residential Communities Inc., and served as the Controller of Operations from April 2002 to June 2007.  Prior to 2000, Mr. Parmenter was employed by Albertsons Inc., as an Assistant Controller.

Corey G. Prestidge.  Mr. Prestidge has served as General Counsel and Secretary of Hilltop since January 2008.  From November 2005 to January 2008, Mr. Prestidge was the Assistant General Counsel of Mark Cuban Companies.  Prior to that, Mr. Prestidge was an associate in the corporate and securities practice group at Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, which is a former national law firm. Mr. Prestidge is the son-in-law of our Chairman of the Board, Gerald J. Ford, and the brother-in-law of our President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy B. Ford.

Greg Vanek.  Mr. Vanek has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of NLASCO since 2001, and National Lloyds Insurance Company and American Summit Insurance Company, subsidiaries of NLASCO, since 1997 and 2001, respectively, except for a brief period during 2000 when he was self-employed.  Prior to his service in those capacities, Mr. Vanek served as Vice President of Marketing and as an underwriter for National Lloyds Insurance Company since joining the company in 1986.  He is a member of various insurance industry associations, including a member and officer of the Association of Fire and Casualty Companies of Texas Legislative Committee and a board member of Southwestern Insurance Information Service.

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Terms of Office and Relationships

Our named executive officers are elected annually or, as necessary, to fill vacancies or newly created offices by our Board of Directors.  Each named executive officer holds office until his successor is duly elected or qualifies or, if earlier, until his retirement, death, resignation or removal.  Any officer or agent elected or appointed by our Board of Directors may be removed by our Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, our best interests will be served, but any removal will be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, there are no familial relationships among any of our current directors or executive officers.  Except as described under “Proposal One — Election of Directors — Nominees for Election as Directors” commencing on page 10, none of our director nominees hold directorships in any company with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee for election as a director or officer and any other person pursuant to which that director was nominated or that officer was selected.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In the paragraphs that follow, we will discuss the overall objectives of our compensation program and how it is designed to reward participants over the life of the program, each element of compensation that we provide and an explanation of the reasons for the compensation decisions we have made regarding the following individuals, whom we refer to as our “named executive officers” for 2011:

·      Jeremy B. Ford—President and Chief Executive Officer

·      Darren Parmenter—Senior Vice President of Finance (principal financial officer)

·      Corey G. Prestidge—General Counsel and Secretary

·      Greg Vanek—President of NLASCO

Following this discussion, we provide specific information about compensation earned or awarded to our named executive officers during 2011.

Executive Summary

All base salaries of the named executive officers during 2011 remained the same as the previous year, except for Mr. Prestidge whose base salary was increased to $300,000 in April 2011.  Other than base salary, the compensation of the named executive officers of Hilltop is discretionary and determined following the review of the Company’s results of operations for the relevant period.  Accordingly, the Compensation Committee evaluates the achievements and activities of the Company and the named executive officers of Hilltop, in particular, following the relevant period to determine the appropriate additional compensation, if any, to be awarded.  With respect to Mr. Vanek, the Compensation Committee established performance criteria by which Mr. Vanek would receive compensation in addition to his base salary.  This performance criteria is designed to promote growth without additional risk and loss exposure.

Philosophy and Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Program

Our compensation program includes the following components: base salary, annual and long-term incentive awards that are linked to performance and the creation of stockholder value, perquisites and post-termination compensation.  In structuring our compensation programs each year, the Compensation Committee selects the particular components and the weighting given to those components, based upon our strategic objectives.  We believe that it is critical to structure the compensation program in such a manner to retain those with the talent, skill and experience necessary for us to realize our strategic objectives.

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With this in mind, the following principles help guide our decisions regarding compensation of our named executive officers:

·      Compensation opportunities should be competitive with market practices.  In order to attract and retain executives with the experience and skills necessary to lead our company and motivate them to deliver strong performance to our stockholders, we are committed to providing total annual compensation opportunities that are competitive.

·      A significant portion of compensation should be performance-based.  Our executive compensation program emphasizes pay for performance.  This means that compensation based on corporate performance, as assessed by our Compensation Committee and under the management incentive plan, as the case may be, has the possibility to represent a significant portion of the named executive officer’s total compensation.

·      Management’s interests should be aligned with those of our stockholders.  Our long-term incentive compensation is delivered in the form of stock options, the value of which is ultimately dependent upon the performance of our stock price.  Although we have no mandatory requirement of stock ownership by our employees, including our named executive officers, stock ownership is encouraged.

·      Compensation should be perceived as fair and equitable.  We strive to create a compensation program that will be perceived as fair and equitable, both internally and externally.  We also consider the pay of the named executive officers relative to one another and to other members of the management team.

How We Determine and Assess Executive Compensation Generally

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and approving all aspects of the compensation programs for our named executive officers and making all decisions regarding specific compensation to be paid or awarded to them.  The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among its other duties, the following:

·      Review and approval of corporate incentive goals and objectives relevant to compensation;

·      Evaluation of individual performance results in light of these goals and objectives;

·      Evaluation of the competitiveness of the total compensation package; and

·      Approval of any changes to the total compensation package, including, but not limited to, base salary, annual and long-term incentive award opportunities and payouts and retention programs.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining all aspects of compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as assessing his individual performance.

The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, considers (i) the transferability of managerial skills, (ii) the relevance of each named executive officer’s experience to other potential employees, and (iii) the readiness of the named executive officer to assume a different or more significant role, either within our organization or with another organization.  When making pay-related decisions, the Compensation Committee also has considered our specific circumstances and the associated difficulties with attraction, retention and motivation of talent and the importance of compensation in supporting achievement of our strategic objectives.

Information about the Compensation Committee and its composition, responsibilities and operations can be found under “Board Committees” beginning on page 17 of this Proxy Statement and in the “Investor Relations-Governance” section of our website.

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Role of the Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions

The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee any compensation changes affecting the other named executive officers.  Within the framework of the compensation programs approved by the Compensation Committee and based on management’s review of market competitive positions, each year the Chief Executive Officer recommends the level of base salary increase, if any, reviews and approves the specific individual performance objectives, and whether the officer has achieved performance objectives, in the annual incentive program and recommends the long-term incentive grant value, if any, for the other named executive officers.  His recommendations are based upon his assessment of the individual officer’s performance, performance of the officer’s respective business or function and employee retention considerations.  The Compensation Committee reviews and considers the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations when determining any compensation changes affecting our officers or executives.  The Chief Executive Officer does not play any role with respect to any matter impacting his own compensation.

Role of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes

The Company provides its stockholders with the opportunity to cast an annual advisory vote on executive compensation.  At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held in June 2011, 99% of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on the say-on-pay proposal at that meeting were voted in favor of the proposal.  The Compensation Committee believes this affirms stockholders’ support of the Company’s approach to executive compensation, and did not change its approach in 2011.  The Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for the named executive officers.

Role of Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has not retained a compensation consultant in past five years due to the unique nature of Hilltop and its activities.  The Compensation Committee will consider retaining a compensation consultant in the future as circumstances warrant.

Other Factors

The Compensation Committee makes executive compensation decisions following a review and discussion of both the financial and operational performance of our businesses and the annual performance reviews of the named executive officers and other members of the management team.

Elements of our Executive Compensation Program

Overall, our executive compensation program is designed to be consistent with the objectives and principles set forth above.  The basic elements of our 2011 and 2012 executive compensation program are summarized below, followed by a more detailed discussion of those programs.

Our compensation policies and programs are considered by the Compensation Committee in a total rewards framework, considering both “pay”—base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation; and “benefits”—benefits, perquisites and executive benefits and other compensation.  Our executive compensation program consists primarily of the following components:

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Base Salary

We provide base salaries for each named executive officer, commensurate with the services each provides to us, because we believe a portion of total direct compensation should be provided in a form that is fixed and liquid.  In determining the salary of Mr. Jeremy B. Ford, the Compensation Committee evaluated the salary that Mr. Jeremy B. Ford was earning with prior organizations, the salaries of other named executive officers of the Company and the level of responsibility assumed, among other items.  As a result of that analysis, the Compensation Committee determined the annual salary of Mr. Jeremy B. Ford in April 2010.  With respect to the other named executive officers of the Company for 2011, the Compensation Committee determined to maintain the current salary of the named executive officers based on the operating activities of the Company; however, the Compensation Committee determined to increase the salary of Mr. Corey G. Prestidge on April 28, 2011 to $300,000 per year.  This increase was based upon his continuing significant contributions to the Company.  On March 8, 2012, the Compensation Committee determined to increase the salaries of Messrs. Parmenter and Vanek to $290,000 and $295,000, respectively, per year.  In March 2012, Mr. Parmenter assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of NLASCO, Inc. in addition to his current duties at the Company.  As a result, the Compensation Committee determined to increase Mr. Parmenter’s salary for those additional duties assumed.  With respect to Mr. Vanek, the Compensation Committee determined that the new strategic initiatives implemented at NLASCO, Inc. and the lack of increase in his base salary for extended period of time warranted an increase in his base salary.  The following are the base salaries for the named executive officers in 2010, 2011 and 2012:

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(a)   Jeremy B. Ford was elected as President and Chief Executive Officer on March 11, 2010.

(b)   The increase in Corey G. Prestidge’s annual salary was determined by the Compensation Committee on April 28, 2011.

(c)   The increases in salaries of Messrs. Parmenter and Vanek were determined by the Compensation Committee on March 8, 2012.

Annual Incentive Awards

Our named executive officers and other employees are eligible to receive annual incentive awards based upon our financial performance and other factors, including individual performance.  The Compensation Committee believes that this element of compensation is important to focus management efforts on, and provide rewards for, annual financial and strategic results that are aligned with creating value for our stockholders.  In years past, this component of the compensation program was pre-determined at the outset of the year and based upon measurable criteria.  In 2008, our Compensation Committee decided to eliminate the pre-determined nature of this incentive compensation from the compensation program for our named executive officers serving at Hilltop, while maintaining that structure at our insurance holding company, NLASCO, Inc.  This decision was due to the sale of substantially all of our assets in July 2007 and the change in the primary focus of Hilltop management towards acquisitions with its available cash.  This component of the compensation program for the named executive officers at Hilltop is now purely at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  Therefore, the Compensation Committee is entitled to reward those officers on a more subjective, versus quantitative basis, which it believes is more relevant given the nature of Hilltop’s current focus.  The Compensation Committee, however, envisions returning to the previous structure upon Hilltop’s consummation of an acquisition of a business with our available cash.

With respect to the award payable to Mr. Vanek, who serves at NLASCO, in 2011, the amounts he was entitled to receive under the management incentive plan were based upon NLASCO’s achievement of the following criteria:

·      $30,938 if the Expense Ratio(a) is 36% or less;

·      $20,625 if written premium exceeds forecast;

·      $2,063 for each percentage point written premium exceeds forecast, up to 5% maximum ($10,313 maximum); and

·      Loss Ratio(b):

·      $144,375 if 51% or less;

·      $72,188 if greater than 51%, but 55% or less; or

·      $20,625 if greater than 55%, but the non-catastrophe Loss Ratio(c) is 50% or less.

(a)   Expense Ratio is policy acquisition and other underwriting expense divided by net premiums earned for the same period.

(b)   Loss Ratio is the ratio that expresses the relationship of losses to premiums.  Loss Ratio is loss and loss adjustment expenses divided by net premiums earned for the same period.

(c)   The non-catastrophe Loss Ratio is defined as the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding Property Claim Service identified catastrophes that result in a loss to American Summit Insurance Company of $250,000 or more or National Lloyds Insurance Company of $1.0 million or more.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no compensation would be payable under this plan if there was a net loss at NLASCO for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011.

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The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, determines the amount of each participant’s award based on attainment of the applicable performance goals and assessments of individual performance. For 2011 NLASCO performance, the Expense Ratio was less than 36%, written premium exceeded forecast and premium growth over budget was greater than five percent, which resulted in an award of $61,875 to Mr. Vanek.  The Compensation Committee, however, has the authority to make adjustments to the performance objectives in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events or to pay discretionary bonuses.

The Compensation Committee conducted a performance review of each named executive officer of Hilltop.  During 2011, the named executive officers of Hilltop evaluated a number of opportunities, one of which was announced on March 21, 2011 and closed July 29, 2011.  In addition to those activities, the Compensation Committee also evaluated the contributions by the named executive officers of Hilltop to other areas of the Company.  Based upon those evaluations, together with operations of the Company, it determined the discretionary bonuses for 2011.

The following discretionary bonuses were paid for services rendered in 2011:

(a)   The amount of cash bonus is in addition to Mr. Vanek’s award under the management incentive plan of $61,875.  Accordingly, Mr. Vanek received an aggregate bonus of $70,000 for 2011.

As previously announced, the named executive officers serving at Hilltop will be awarded bonuses in 2012 at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  With respect to Messrs. Vanek and Parmenter, the Compensation Committee currently is evaluating the bonus/performance criteria for 2012, which it expects to approve at is May 3, 2012 meeting.

The management incentive plan provides that, upon a change in control (as defined in the plan), each participant (which includes each of the named executive officers) would be entitled to payment of a pro-rata bonus for the year in which the change in control occurs, the amount of which would be determined assuming the maximum level of performance had been achieved.  This plan does not apply to discretionary bonuses.

Long-Term Incentive Awards

As described above, we believe that a portion of each named executive officer’s compensation should be tied to the performance of our company’s stock price, aligning the officer’s interest with that of our stockholders.  In this regard, our long-term incentive compensation is delivered in the form of stock options, the value of which is ultimately dependent upon the performance of our stock price.  Further discussion of the 2003 equity incentive plan pursuant to which such options are awarded is found after the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” section below.

On October 25, 2007, the Compensation Committee granted options to purchase 50,000 shares to each of Mr. Parmenter and Mr. Vanek.  In determining the number of stock options granted to Messrs. Parmenter and Vanek, the Compensation Committee did not take into account specific individual performance factors, but rather considered the awards previously made to other executive officers.  No option awards were granted in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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On November 2, 2011, the Compensation Committee granted options to purchase 500,000 shares and 100,000 shares to Jeremy B. Ford and Corey G. Prestidge, respectively.  In determining the number of stock options granted to Messrs. Ford and Prestidge, the Compensation Committee did not take into account specific individual performance factors, but rather considered the awards previously made to other executive officers.

We have not adopted a formal policy for the timing of grants of equity awards.  The Compensation Committee, however, follows an informal practice of annually reviewing and determining whether to grant equity awards.  If the Compensation Committee needs to consider off-cycle awards, such as in the case of new hires, promotions or special retention awards, it determines the applicability and amount of any such awards on a case-by-case basis.

All option awards made to eligible employees, including the named executive officers, are made pursuant to the 2003 equity incentive plan.  All stock options issued under the terms of the plan are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock as defined in the 2003 equity incentive plan.  Under the 2003 equity incentive plan, fair market value is deemed to be the average of the high and low sales prices per share of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant of the stock options.  Options awards are not subject to re-pricing.

All stock option awards made to the named executive officers are made by the Compensation Committee and not pursuant to delegated authority.

Perquisites and Other Benefits

We provide a limited number of perquisites and other benefits to our named executive officers at Hilltop.  The only perquisite currently offered to the named executive officers of Hilltop is $150 per month to be applied to a gym membership to promote wellness.  With respect to Mr. Vanek, NLASCO provides him a monthly car allowance and reimburses him for his country club membership dues.  Otherwise, generally, our named executive officers receive only medical benefits, life insurance and long-term disability coverages, as well as supplemental contributions to the Company’s 401(k) program, on the same terms and conditions as available to all employees.  The medical and insurance benefits generally consist of group medical coverage with applicable deductibles and co-pays and complementary long-term disability capped at $50,000, with the option to purchase additional coverage.

Severance and Other Post-Termination Compensation

Other than change in control provisions in our 2003 equity incentive plan and management incentive plan, we do not currently maintain any severance or change in control programs for the named executive officers.  We, however, have historically paid severance, the amount of which is generally determined both by length of tenure and level of compensation, when termination occurs other than for cause and pursuant to which certain benefits may be provided to the named executive officers.  Absent the negotiation of specific agreements with the named executive officers, severance benefits would be provided on the same basis as provided to other employees of the Company.

The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Vanek pursuant to which we agreed that if he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason (each as defined below in the discussion of his employment agreement), he will be entitled to the following:  unpaid vacation; an amount equal to the greater of (x) his base salary for the remainder of the employment period and (y) his base salary for one year; his pro rata bonus; and the cost of COBRA for one year.

Further discussion of the employment agreement with Mr. Vanek and payments made pursuant thereto may be found in the “Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements” section below.

The 2003 equity incentive plan, pursuant to which stock option awards are granted to the named executive officers, contains specific termination and change in control provisions.  We determined to include a change in control provision in the plan to be competitive with what we believe to be the standards for the treatment of equity upon a change in control for similar companies and so that employees who remain after a change in control would be treated the same with regard to equity as the general stockholders who could sell or otherwise transfer their equity

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upon a change in control.  Under the terms of the plan, if a change in control event (as defined below in the discussion of the plan) were to occur, all awards then outstanding would become vested and/or exercisable and any applicable performance goals with respect thereto would be deemed to be fully achieved.  Further discussion of the change in control payments made pursuant to the 2003 equity incentive plan may be found in the “Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements” section below.

The management incentive plan, pursuant to annual incentive bonuses currently granted to Mr. Vanek, contains specific change of control provisions.  In the event of a change in control (as defined in the management incentive plan discussed below), the performance period then in effect will be deemed to have been completed, the maximum level of performance will be deemed to have been achieved and all participants will receive payment within ten business days after the change in control, regardless of whether the individual is then employed by us or any of our affiliates.  Further discussion of the change in control payments made pursuant to the management incentive plan may be found in the “Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements” section below.

Risk Considerations in Our Compensation Program

We do not believe that our compensation policies and practices for our employees give rise to risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our Company.  In reaching this conclusion, we considered the following factors:

·      Base salary is fixed and, other than with respect to Mr. Vanek, the only compensation component that is variable is the annual bonus to named executive officers of Hilltop, which is awarded in the complete discretion of the Compensation Committee.

·      Discretionary annual bonuses and bonuses under the management incentive plan are determined following the completion, or substantial completion, of the audit of the Company’s financial statements by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.  Thus, the Compensation Committee has ample knowledge of the financial condition and results of the Company, as well as reports of other committees of the Board of Directors, upon which to base any decisions.

·      Since the annual bonus to named executive officers of Hilltop (e.g., excluding Mr. Vanek) is purely discretionary and not linked to any performance criteria, the employee has no basis on which to take risks to meet certain pre-determined performance criteria.

·      With respect to Mr. Vanek’s performance criteria, we evaluated the manner in which he could take actions that would achieve the results of the prescribed criteria, yet have a material adverse effect on the Company. The nature of the criteria, which is based on expense and loss ratios, does not, however, incentivize him to take risks that would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Hilltop Holdings Inc. has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in Hilltop’s Proxy Statement.  Based on its review, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Hilltop’s Proxy Statement.

The foregoing report has been submitted by the following members of the Compensation Committee:

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Executive Compensation

The following tables set forth information concerning the compensation earned for services performed during 2011, 2010 and 2009 by the named executive officers, who were either serving in such capacities on December 31, 2011, or during 2011, or are reportable pursuant to applicable SEC regulations.

Summary Compensation Table

(a)          Represents discretionary bonuses paid for services performed during 2011, 2010 and 2009.

(b)         Represents annual salary of $400,000, prorated for service from April 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

(c)          Represents the FASB ASC Topic 718 expense recognized for stock options granted in fiscal 2011. For more information regarding outstanding stock options held by the named executive officers, refer to the section “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” below.

(d)         Represents reimbursement for gym membership dues.

(e)          Mr. Prestidge’s salary was increased to $300,000 effective April 1, 2011.

(f)            Represents aggregate payments and amounts attributed to Mr. Vanek for income tax purposes, on a taxed grossed-up basis, made by the Company in 2011, 2010 and 2009 to reimburse Mr. Vanek for country club dues (2011 — $6,744; 2010 - $6,744; 2009 - $6,396) and Mr. Vanek’s car allowance (2011 — $14,400; 2010 - $ 14,400; 2009 - $14,400).

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table supplements the Summary Compensation Table, providing information concerning incentive compensation opportunities provided to each named executive officer during 2011.  For more information regarding these annual and long-term incentive plan awards, refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 27 of this Proxy Statement.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for 2011

(a)              Represents the effective date of grant of stock options under the 2003 equity incentive plan and cash bonus awards under the management incentive plan.  See below for a further discussion of these plans.  Grants of non-equity incentive plan awards (cash bonuses) are disclosed as of January 1, 2011, the date of commencement of the bonus period, although the specific parameters for their issuance were approved by the compensation committee at its March 10, 2011 meeting.

(b)             Represent the value of potential payments under the management incentive plan to the named executive officer based on 2011 performance.  Management incentive award amounts shown above represent potential awards that may have been earned based on performance during 2011.  The actual management incentive plan awards earned for 2011 are reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.  For more information regarding the management incentive plan, see below and also refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 27 of this Proxy Statement.

(c)       Represent the number of shares of common stock underlying stock options granted to each of the named executive officers in 2011. Stock option grants are made under the 2003 equity incentive plan pursuant to the terms of the non-qualified stock option agreements, which also govern their issuance.  For more information regarding these grants, refer to “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” below.

(d)             Represents the exercise prices of stock options held by the named executive officers, which is the average of the high and low sales prices of Company common stock on the dates of grant of the stock options.

(e)              Represents the FASB ASC Topic 718 expense recognized for stock options granted in fiscal 2011. For more information regarding outstanding stock options held by the named executive officers, refer to the section “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End” below.

Management Incentive Plan

We have adopted a management incentive plan, which provides for cash bonus awards to those key employees of us and our subsidiaries selected by our Compensation Committee for participation in the plan.  A participant may receive a cash bonus under the management incentive plan based upon the attainment, during each performance period, of performance objectives that are established by our Compensation Committee.  These performance objectives may be based on one or more of the following criteria, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, where applicable:

·                  total stockholder return;

·                  earnings per share (which may include the manner in which such earnings goals were met);

·                  net income (before or after taxes);

·                  earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;

·                  revenues;

·                  return on assets;

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·                  market share;

·                  business plan goals;

·                  cost reduction goals;

·                  funds from operations; or

·                  any combination of, or a specified increase in, any of the foregoing.

Performance objectives may be applied to one or more of the following, among others: our company as a whole, any of our subsidiaries or affiliates or any of our divisions or strategic business units, and may be applied to performance relative to a market index or a group of other companies.  The Compensation Committee possesses the authority to make adjustments to the performance objectives in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events.  The performance goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no compensation will be earned, levels of performance at which specified compensation will be earned and a maximum level of performance beyond which no additional compensation will be earned.

The amount of each participant’s bonus will be based upon a bonus formula determined by our Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, that ties such bonus to the attainment of the applicable performance goals, and will, unless otherwise determined by our Compensation Committee, range from 75% to 125% of certain specified target amounts.  Under the management incentive plan, none of our executive officers may receive a bonus payment for any performance period that exceeds 125% of his base salary.  Except as otherwise provided in a participant’s employment or other individual agreement, the payment of a cash bonus to a participant for a performance period will be conditioned upon the participant’s continued employment on the last day of the performance period.  In the event of a change in control (as defined below), the performance period then in effect will be deemed to have been completed, the maximum level of performance will be deemed to have been achieved and all participants will receive payment within ten business days after the change in control, regardless of whether the individual is then employed by us or any of our affiliates.  We believe a “single trigger” change of control provision was appropriate because it allows management to pursue all alternatives for us without undue concern for their own financial security.  Our management equity incentive plan has a complex definition of “change in control.”  Generally speaking, a change in control occurs if: (i) with certain exceptions, any person becomes the owner of 50% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding stock and other voting securities; (ii) a majority of the directors serving on our Board of Directors are replaced other than by new directors approved by at least two-thirds of the members of our Board of Directors; (iii) we are not the surviving company after a merger or consolidation; or (iv) with certain exceptions, our stockholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution or an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets is consummated.  We may amend, suspend or terminate the management incentive plan at any time, provided that no amendment of the plan may adversely affect an award granted prior to the amendment without the participant’s consent.

2003 Equity Incentive Plan

On December 23, 2003, we adopted the 2003 equity incentive plan, which provides for the grant of equity-based incentives, including restricted shares of our common stock, stock options, grants of shares and other equity-based awards, to our directors, officers and other employees and those of our subsidiaries selected by our Compensation Committee for participation in the plan.  At inception, 1,992,387 shares were authorized for grant pursuant to this plan.  All shares outstanding, whether vested or unvested, are entitled to receive dividends and to vote, unless forfeited.  No participant in our 2003 equity incentive plan may be granted awards in any fiscal year covering more than 500,000 shares of our common stock.

The 2003 equity incentive plan is administered by our Compensation Committee, which has the discretion, among other things, to determine the persons to whom awards will be granted, the number of shares of our common stock to be subject to awards and the other terms and conditions of the awards.  Performance objectives may be applied to one or more of the following, among others: our company as a whole, any of our subsidiaries or affiliates or any of our divisions or strategic business units, or may be applied to performance relative to a market index or a group of other companies.  The Compensation Committee possesses the authority to make adjustments to the performance objectives in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events.  The 2003 equity incentive plan provides

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that in no event will the Compensation Committee be authorized to reprice stock options, or to lower the base or exercise price of any other award granted under the plan, without obtaining the approval of our stockholders.

Stock options granted under the 2003 equity incentive plan may be either “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or nonqualified stock options.  Generally, holders of restricted stock will be entitled to vote and receive dividends on their restricted shares, but our Compensation Committee may determine, in its discretion, that dividends paid while the shares are subject to restrictions may be reinvested in additional shares of restricted stock.  Except as otherwise permitted by our Compensation Committee, awards granted under the 2003 equity incentive plan will be transferable only by will or through the laws of descent and distribution, and each stock option will be exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or, upon the participant’s death, by his or her estate.  Director compensation that is paid in the form of our common stock, whether at our or the director’s election, is issued through this plan.

In the event of a change in control of us (as defined below), all awards then outstanding under the 2003 equity incentive plan will become vested and, if applicable, exercisable, and any performance goals imposed with respect to then-outstanding awards will be deemed to be fully achieved.  Our 2003 equity incentive plan has a complex definition of “change in control.”  Generally speaking, a change in control occurs if: (i) with certain exceptions, any person becomes the owner of 50% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding stock and other voting securities; (ii) a majority of the directors serving on our Board of Directors are replaced other than by new directors approved by at least two-thirds of the members of our Board of Directors; (iii) we are not the surviving company after a merger or consolidation; or (iv) with certain exceptions, our stockholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution or an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets is consummated.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table presents information pertaining to all outstanding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2011.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2011