Read on for more confirmations of Hancock’s financial soundness:

• BauerFinancial, one of the nation's top bank rating and analysis firms, has recommended Hancock Bank among America's strongest, safest financial institutions for more than 20 consecutive years.

• Bank Director magazine ranked Hancock Bank in the top-10 of America’s 150 top-performing banks for two consecutive years and in the top-25 best banks for three years.

• Forbes magazine listed Hancock third among community banks with strong deposit growth.

• Forbes.com included Hancock among the Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America.

• ABA Banking Journal hailed Hancock as one of banking’s top-25 top performers.

• U.S. Banker magazine ranked Hancock fourth among the top 150 top-performing U.S. banks.

• Hancock Bank is an FDIC insured institution. In 2008, the standard maximum deposit insurance amount per depositor was increased from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor. That increase was temporary through December 31, 2009. But on May 20, 2009, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act ("Act") extended the effective date of the temporary increase of $250,000 through December 31, 2013. The Act also states that the standard maximum deposit insurance amount per depositor will return to $100,000 on January 1, 2014, except for IRAs and other certain retirement accounts, which will remain at $250,000 per depositor. For more information on increasing FDIC coverage beyond $250,000, refer to www.fdic.gov on how to maximize coverage per insured institution.

• Additionally, Hancock Bank is participating in the FDIC's Transaction Account Guarantee Program. Under that program, the balances of all non-interest bearing transaction accounts (checking accounts), as well as NOW accounts that earn 0.5 percent interest or less, will be provided unlimited coverage through June 30, 2010. Coverage under the Transaction Account Guarantee Program is in addition to and separate from coverage available under the FDIC's general deposit rules.