Clark Locke has extensive experience with mergers, acquisitions, fairness opinions, valuation services, debt & equity offerings and other advisory assignments. He has worked with more than a hundred financial institutions and has advised clients on a wide variety of transactions representing several billion dollars in aggregate value. Prior to co-founding Hillworth, Mr. Locke was formerly a senior investment banker with Hovde Group. He founded Hovde’s office in the Southwest region of the U.S. He began his career in finance with an international consulting firm.

Mr. Locke earned a bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Michigan. Mr. Locke is a CFA charterholder (Chartered Financial Analyst), is a member of both the Austin and Chicago Society chapters, and holds the following securities licenses: General Securities Representative (Series 7), General Securities Principal (Series 24), Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63), and an Investment Banking Representative (Series 79)

He has authored, co-authored and contributed to several publications on the banking industry including for Bank Director magazine, the American Banker, and SNL (now S&P Global Market Intelligence). He has spoken at the national Acquire or Be Acquired conference and several other banking conventions.

Mr. Morton is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Hillworth Bank Partners (“HBP”). As a Managing Partner with HBP, Mr. Morton is responsible for leading the Firm’s efforts advising its banking clients on M&A, capital raising, and general strategic options. He has worked with more than a hundred financial institutions and has advised clients on a wide variety of transactions representing several billion dollars in aggregate value. In addition, Mr. Morton is a frequent author of noted banking industry publications and has been a featured speaker at banking-related conferences.

Prior to founding HBP, Mr. Morton was a managing director and regional office co-head with Hovde Group, LLC, a nationwide investment banking firm focused on the financial services sector.

Mr. Morton holds the following securities licenses: General Securities Representative (Series 7), General Securities Principal (Series 24), Investment Banking Representative (Series 79), and a Uniform Securities Agent (Series 63). He is also a graduate, cum laude, of the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Business Administration and minor in Finance. While attending the College of Charleston, Mr. Morton was a member of its nationally ranked, Division I golf team.