Southwest Securities, FSB Strengthens North Texas Lending Efforts With Addition of Veteran Bankers

DALLAS, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Securities, FSB, ("the Bank") has announced the addition of several experienced banking professionals in the North Texas area as it continues to strengthen its lending efforts throughout the markets it serves.

Banking industry veteran Larry Zieman has joined the Bank's Dallas headquarters as Executive Vice President – Director of Real Estate Banking, with responsibility over real estate lending throughout Texas and New Mexico.

The Bank also announced that Robert Merkle has joined as Executive Vice President – Regional President of the company's Greater Dallas and Waxahachie markets.

In addition, Senior Vice President Terry Smith, who serves as Regional President of the Southlake market area, will oversee the Bank's Arlington market as well, and will focus on Commercial and Industrial lending.

Vice President Jonathan Musmecci has also joined the Bank as President of the South Arlington banking center.

"As we renew and implement our plans to grow our commercial banking business, we are fortunate to have such experienced and accomplished professionals in leadership positions within our organization," said Robert Chereck, Executive Chairman and President of Southwest Securities, FSB. "As new additions to our team, Larry Zieman, Jonathan Musmecci and Robert Merkle bring decades of expertise in all areas of commercial lending, while Terry Smith's depth of experience and proven track record with Southwest Securities, FSB uniquely position him for his new role overseeing the important Arlington and Southlake markets."

About Larry Zieman
With 30 years of experience in the banking industry, Mr. Zieman joins Southwest Securities, FSB from Citibank, N.A., in Dallas where he served most recently as Director – Senior Risk Portfolio Manager. He has also held senior-level positions with California Federal Bank and FGB Realty Advisors, Inc., a subsidiary of First Gibraltar Bank. He began his career with Alamo Savings Association of Texas as a Commercial Loan Officer and Construction Analyst.

About Robert Merkle
Mr. Merkle has more than 20 years of experience in banking and financial services, most recently with Sterling Bank in Dallas where he served as Regional Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for all banking activities in North Texas. He has also held senior level positions with Regions Bank in Dallas. He began his career with First Commercial Bank, N.A. in Little Rock, Arkansas.

About Terry Smith
With three decades of banking experience, Mr. Smith joined Southwest Securities, FSB in 2010 as Senior Vice President – Credit Administration Manager and was named Regional President overseeing the Bank's Southlake banking center in 2011. He joined Southwest Securities, FSB from Highlands Bank of Dallas where he was Managing Director – Chief Lending Officer. Prior to his time with Highlands, Mr. Smith was Senior Vice President – Regional Real Estate Manager with Frost Bank and has also served with Wells Fargo Bank and MBank-Dallas, among others.

About Jonathan Musmecci
Mr. Musmecci joins Southwest Securities, FSB from Regions Bank, where he served as Vice President since 2008. Prior to his time with Regions Bank, he was with First Horizon as Vice President – Commercial Banking. Mr. Musmecci began his banking career with Chase Bank where he was Vice President – Business Banking.

Southwest Securities, FSB, was established in 1986 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of SWS Group, Inc. in 2000. Based in Dallas, 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 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. SWS Group, Inc. subsidiaries include Southwest Securities, Inc., a national clearing firm, registered investment adviser and registered broker-dealer; SWS Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a registered broker-dealer serving independent securities brokers and their clients; and Southwest Securities, FSB, one of the largest banks headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

SOURCE Southwest Securities, FSB