DALLAS, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SWS Group, Inc. (NYSE: SWS) today announced that William Nelson has been named President of Southwest Insurance Agency (SWIA), the firm's wholly owned subsidiary offering insurance products and services.

"SWS is proud of the broad range of investments we offer through our retail products area and Southwest Insurance Agency has seen strong growth in recent years," said James H. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer of SWS Group. "Will Nelson has the experience and expertise we need to build this important part of our business and we are proud to welcome him to this new role."

Mr. Nelson joined SWIA in 2006 as Associate Director of Insurance after serving as an annuity planning specialist and business development consultant with 1st Global in Dallas. He began his career as a financial associate with Nationwide Financial. Mr. Nelson attended Texas A&M - Commerce and is recognized as a Certified Annuity Specialist by the Institute of Business and Finance. He is a member of the Insured Retirement Institute where he serves on the group's Editorial Board, Retirement Income Committee and Marketing Committee.

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 SWS Group, Inc.