Hilltop (HTH) 10-K 2008 FY Annual report

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Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
(as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

        In connection with the Annual Report of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Larry D. Willard, as principal executive officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to his knowledge:

        1.     The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

        2.     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 16, 2009 /s/ LARRY D. WILLARD
Larry D. Willard
Chief Executive Officer

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Exhibit 32.1