Larry Kilgore Named Southwest Securities, FSB Regional President for Downtown Fort Worth and Southlake Banking Centers

DALLAS, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Securities, FSB, the commercial banking subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. (NYSE: SWS), announced today that Larry Kilgore will be joining the bank as Senior Vice President, Regional President of the Downtown Fort Worth and Southlake banking centers.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100111/DA35540)

Mr. Kilgore brings to his new role over 40 years of experience in the banking industry in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, serving most recently as President and Director of Southwest Bank, a bank headquartered in Fort Worth with eight area banking centers. He spent nearly two decades with Southwest Bank as part of a banking career in North Texas which began in 1966.

Southwest Securities, FSB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Holt said Mr. Kilgore brings a high level of expertise and banking sophistication to execute and guide the bank's continued growth.

"In terms of continuing to strengthen our relationship-driven banking model throughout the region, Larry is just the type of trusted, respected and proven banker to help us accomplish our goals," Mr. Holt said.

Jerry Pavlas, Southwest Securities, FSB's Chief Operating Officer agreed, noting that Mr. Kilgore is a broad-gauge banker with significant experience in a diversity of banking functions.

"Larry has established a reputation as an effective team leader providing the highest standard of customer service while helping clients to grow and expand their businesses," Mr. Pavlas said. "Larry's wealth of experience and proven abilities are going to be a significant asset for our bank."

Mr. Kilgore said he is proud to become part of the Southwest Securities, FSB team and has long admired the bank's reputation in the region.

"I have known of Southwest Securities, FSB for a long time and have a great deal of respect for the company," Mr. Kilgore said. "I look forward to becoming a part of that group and continuing to serve customers and build relationships in North Texas."

In addition to Mr. Kilgore's extensive career accomplishments, he has remained active in the community and in his support of the banking industry. He has served as a director of The Independent BankersBank, the Independent Community Bankers of America and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. He has also served on the Texas Department of Banking Commissioner's Council and is past president of the Mansfield Economic Development Corp. and the Mansfield Industrial Development Corp. His community involvement also includes past duties as Director of the North Arlington Levee District, President of the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Cleburne Economic Development Corp.'s Finance Committee.

Mr. Kilgore is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and Southern Methodist University's Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

Southwest Securities, FSB, one of the largest banks headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, was established in 1986 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. in 2000. Based in Texas, the bank conducts relationship banking across the southwestern United States and is involved in all areas of lending, from commercial loans and residential construction loans to nationwide mortgage warehouse lending. Southwest Securities, FSB offers a variety of commercial banking services designed to help businesses grow and communities prosper.

SWS Group, Inc. is a Dallas-based financial services holding company offering a broad range of investment and financial services through its subsidiaries. The company's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWS.

SOURCE SWS Group, Inc.