United States securities and exchange commission logo October 20, 2022 Fred L. Drake Chief Executive Officer HBT Financial, Inc. 401 North Hershey Road Bloomington, IL 61704 Re: HBT Financial, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed October 17, 2022 File No. 333-267895 Dear Fred L. Drake: This is to advise you that we have not reviewed and will not review your registration statement. Please refer to Rules 460 and 461 regarding requests for acceleration. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. Please contact David Gessert at 202-551-2326 with any questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Finance