DALLAS, September 24, 2019 – The Bond Buyer recently named Hilltop Securities Inc.’s (HilltopSecurities) Public Finance Director Andre Ayala among its 2019 Rising Stars. The program, now in its fourth year, honors municipal finance professionals under the age of 40 whose strong leadership and innovative thinking have improved the communities they serve and the industry as a whole.

“We are incredibly proud of Andre for his effort and his receipt of this recognition,” said David Medanich, vice chairman and head of public finance for HilltopSecurities. “His technical abilities, financial creativity and dedication to his clients have shaped him into an incredible banker who moves the needle on a daily basis.”

“It’s a great honor to be recognized and to be chosen among the vast talent within my firm and the municipal finance industry,” said Ayala. “HilltopSecurities gives young municipal finance professionals a great platform to learn and create connections with colleagues and issuers at a local, state and national level. I’m grateful to be given the opportunity to grow professionally and represent clients and communities that I care about.”

Ayala is highly regarded by his peers in the public finance industry. At 36 years old with just under 13 years of experience in the industry, his innovative thinking, continuous improvement approach and tenacity has made him a sought-after municipal advisor. Throughout his career, Ayala has helped structure and execute over 575 transactions for a total par amount of approximately $5.9 billion as both lead banker and client manager for approximately 30 issuers including cities, counties, public authorities, economic development corporations and special districts), as well as in partnership with his peers throughout Texas and across the nation.

He is also one of the firm’s go-to experts and a recognized leader in the industry for creating and implementing comprehensive financial models and a number of new debt structures—many of which are now widely used and referenced as the industry standard for best practices.

Ayala joined HilltopSecurities in 2007 as an analyst for the company’s public finance division in Dallas, Texas, serving in a variety of roles prior to becoming a director. He is the firm’s fourth consecutive banker to be included in The Bond Buyer’s Rising Stars program.

About Hilltop Securities Inc.
Hilltop Securities Inc. delivers forthright advice and tailored solutions for municipal issuers, institutions, broker-dealers and individuals. The financial services firm and registered investment adviser is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices across the United States. Areas of focus include public finance; municipal and taxable fixed income underwriting, sales and trading; equity and portfolio trading; retail brokerage services; securities clearing; structured finance; and securities lending. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), HilltopSecurities’ affiliates include Hilltop Securities Independent Network Inc., PlainsCapital Bank, PrimeLending and National Lloyds Corporation. Member: NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.